Mental Health and Crime
The recent tragedy at the Filipino festival in Vancouver,
when it was revealed that the perpetrator had mental health issues, has put a
spotlight on those who suffer from that affliction. Calls have gone out, once
again, for involuntary interment of such patients. Such a notion horrifies
those of us who have a mental health issue. Where would such incarceration
begin and where would it end. If I have a bad few days with my clinical
depression, will I be turned in by someone and taken away? The truth is that it
is estimated that about 10% of the population suffers from some sort of mental
health issue, that is about 4 million people. Are we all at risk of involuntary
incarceration? Would those who are incarcerated be guaranteed treatment, or
would the volume of them overwhelm the resources that are available, inadequate
as they are even in the present circumstances? Almost all people who suffer
from mental health issues live crime free lives. Many have treatment options that allow them
to live healthily and productively (no matter what you think of my blogs, at
least I’m doing something). Others have learned to cope with their malady. Only very few carry out outrageous actions.
Let’s do away with this notion that mental health should mean involuntary
internment.
Alberta Separation
So, a large segment of the Alberta population wants to
separate from Canada and become what? A separate country? The Republic of
Alberta? Do they understand all of the things that will have to be done, even
if they do break away against the many legal hurdles in their way? They will
need to set up a legislature and a head of state. Will it be a President or a Prime Minister.
What will give this new country its legitimacy? How about a constitution. How will that be made? Will there be a bill
of rights? How about the many national institutions that will need to be
established. A judicial system. The
existing one will not be enough. A national police force, no more RCMP. Border
security and an immigration system. Border posts and employees. National
security, armed forces and the resulting equipment. A postal system. All of the
things that the federal government currently provides. It will not be cheap. It
will not be cheap. Canada is not going
to give those away. An intelligence agency is a necessary evil in this day and
age. A health care system. Will it be
state run or reverted to a private system.
Good luck making people happy with that.
There is an alternative, of course, and a few people want
this. Become the 51st state of the United States and all that that
would entail. Good luck getting any break from Mr. Trump. Oh, he will love acquiring your oil and gas.
How will you set up a state election process to satisfy US requirements. How will you vote? Will you find the
Republican Party okay, or a bit too far right even for you? Will a Republican majority
legislature welcome a new state that may add a few more Democrats to their
number and shift the balance of power?
I hope that Albertans have the answer to these questions
before they get too carried away with this separation idea.
Oh Yeah, the Election
In my opinion, the right party and man won. It is, however, a
shame that some of the smaller parties did not get more representation. What I do find interesting is the hubris of
Mr. Poilievre who seems to believe that he has a right to continue to lead the opposition
and be the leader of the Conservative party. Doesn’t he get it, he has lost his
seat!
In a future blog I will discuss electoral reform.
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