Here some thoughts

Since returning to NL, I’ve become more aware of what’s happening - not only politically but also daily with various issues. I’ve come to learn that the local media pays more attention to the squeaky wheel than the actual facts.

Many people in the province seem to stuck in the “Joey era” where the government saves them and hands out money. More-so, it seems the Liberal way of governing this province. Now, NL has Premier Danny Williams and his government is not into this short-term solution thinking, rather, attempting to look at the full picture and solve it long-term. There are four by-election taking place in the next week and - two on the east cast - both should stay PC; while the two on the west coast it’s anyone’s game.

The local media has paraded more “squeaky wheels” through against Danny & Co. and yet offer not alternative. In Port-au-Port, one individual who seems to constantly have his mouth open and the media listening - is complaining about the lack in effort the NL Government has paid to it’s region? Let’s see, Stephenville loses it’s paper mill and in most place outside of this province would have to survive on its own. What has the Government done? It’s poured money into the area, set up task forces, and propped up a failing airport. The Government has done more than it really should - mills close all over North America and world and unfortunately, people lose their jobs and have to find other ways to live . . . maybe in other town, cities, and places. The Government did everything to try and keep the mill open/running, but the (private) company that owned the mill didn’t want it open. That’s life!

But wait! This is NL, where the Government is suppose to just hand over money, economic opportunities “because they should, and we’re Stephenville.” If other communities had as much input and Government support that that region current has, they’d be booming! It seems the Government is to blame for everything.

My rant is based on frustration that I heard and see in this province.

Today is also the “Day of Action” for post-secondary students. Here’s my comment of that:

As a former student with a loan, the problem is not high tuition rather the student loans. By cutting tuition means post-secondary schools require more and more students just to support basic levels of education. MUN has one of the lowest tuition in Canada, yet students have as much student loan debt as someone who attended Acadia or Mount A - where the tuition is two or three times as high.

The NL Govt kicks in $ to MUN. Since it's not enough, MUN has to have more and more students to maintain a decent level of education. MUN is a good school (great reputation), but look at its infrastructure - it's falling down! News reports of residences falling down and being overrun by cockroaches. Why? Because they have "that low-low tuition" and infrastructure and maintenance is not high on the agenda. MUN is get'em in and get'em out by any means - the more the better (not necessarily for educating students). At the end of the day, it's about quality of education. I left Acadia with a degree, laptop, great memories and a huge student loan; my friends, left MUN with a degree, great memories (of St. John's bars & partying (don't need school for that)), and the same huge student loan.

The solution is not lower and freezing tuition, because not all NLers attend MUN - it's re-structuring student loans so students who graduate are debt-free and can start on an equal footing and not worry about how will they pay off their education