Sept 23 2002

EDITORIALS/LETTERS .

Over The Edge Page 5

Easy Opt Out? | Don’t Fuckin’ Think So!

First, I'd like to begin by say-
ing, | think that the health care
package provided by UNBC is
a good idea. | will, one day,
have to provide health care for
myself while not in school, and
| am very lucky and privileged
to not have the need for full
health care coverage.

When | heard about the
health care program provided
by Sunlife via the negotiator
Student Care, | was willing to
vote in the program, given that
they had an accessible opt-out
route. Accessible meaning that
with little hassle | could opt-out

of the program because |
already had health and dental
care coverage, meaning |
show a
card and |
get out.
However,
the process
is not as
accessible as | _ thought.
Granted, | could just show the
card. My health and dental
coverage card, of which |
could only produce the health
care and which was turned
away with a “Oh, I’m sorry
that’s not what they want. Get

| was willing to vote in the
program, given that they had whe
an accessible opt-out route.

your parent to write you a letter
stating that you have health
coverage,” | returned with the
letter
with

asked

and
get “Oh, I’m sorry they don’t
accept hand-written letters
and you need his group num-
ber (aka SOCIAL INSUR-
ANCE NUMBER, aka my
father’s identity and Canadian
soul)” and information that is
PRIVILEDGED, namely the

‘Un-American?’ Thank god.

By Stephanie Wilson

Under normal  circum-
stances, | would never admit
this. But these are not normal
circumstances. No, according
to the president of the self-pro-
claimed protector of civilisa-
tion, our way of life is under
attack, which is why it is
imperative lraq is invaded, and
on and on and on. (Is anyone
one else sick of 9/11-based
rhetoric?)

Anyways, the point is, our
world has changed (see above
and feel free to express feel-
ings of disgust) and | can
freely admit that ever since the
big One Year Anniversary, |
have come to like Jean
Chrétien. Yes, Chrétien.

Way back, Peter Mansbridge
interviewed Chrétien and
asked him how he thought the
world had changed after 9/11
during a CBC documentary
entitled “Untold Story” You'd
really think this wouldn’t be a
big deal several months later,
but it is. Chrétien stated that
he thought “[t]he rest of the
world is a bit too selfish, and
there is a lot of resentment
[towards the richer states]...
now we see the abuse of the
system with problems in the
United States at this moment

Honda North

105 Brunswick Street

Prince George, B.C.
V2L 2B2

with the corporate world...” He
went on to say that when he
was on Wall Street one day, a
crowd of people was upset
that Canada has normal rela-
tions with Cuba, and he
replied with, “When you're
powerful like your are, you
guys, is the time to be nice...
[you cannot exercise your
powers to the point that of
humiliation for the others. And
that is what the Western world,
not only the Americans... has
to realise, because they are
human beings too, and there
are long-term consequences if
you don’t look hard at the real-
ity in 10 or 20, or 30 years from
now. And | do think the
Western world is going to be
too rich in relation to the poor
world. And necessarily... we
look upon us being arrogant,
self-satisfying, greedy and
with no limits. And the 11th of
September is an occasion for
me to realise that its even
more.”

Its about time someone
finally stood up and analysed
the situation a little deeper
than “The terrorists were ‘evil-
doers.” And you know what?
On many levels, | think
Chrétien is right. In relation to
the rest of the world, the West

Sales: (250) 562-9391

Parts & Service: (250) 362-4744

Fax: (250) 562-5151
Email: info@ hondanorth.ca

is greedy and arrogant and
has no limits, and is quite rich.
When there are huge gaps in
standard of living, | can under-
stand how someone can look
at the US and feel upset. |
would. The rich-poor gap isn’t
the only factor in the terrorist
attacks, but it is not so insignif-
icant that it does not merit
mention. With a rich-poor gap,
you end up with dependency,
which spawns resent. I’m glad
Chrétien had the guts to stand
up and take an unpopular (but
true) stand. Not many world
leaders have. | didn’t think he
had it in him, but it turns out he
does.

US-based Fox News, how-
ever, does not agree with me.
According to Chris Sand, a
commentator for Fox and ana-
lyst for the Center for Strategic
a n d
International
Relations, “Any
time you offer
criticism [of US
policy], you are
seen as un-
American,” and
Chrétien was
“clearly being
un-American
(Globe and
Mail, 14
September
2002).”

Duh. That is
why he’s -the
Prime Minister
of Canada.

extent of your benefits plan
and your benefits provider.

Something doesn’t sound
right here, who is this mysteri-
ous they? WHY DO THEY
NEED THIS INFORMATION
WHEN ALL | WANTED WAS
OUT OF A GOD DAMN SER-
VICE THAT | NEITHER NEED-
ED NOR WANTED! I’m pissed
off but | have finally tracked
down the right card to get out
of coverage, so | guess I'll just
opt-out and shut up.

But I'd like to mention a few
things. Why does Sunlife need
proof that you have coverage?

THAT WILL BE $6%0.57 PIEASE.

GODIS
2h KIDNEY ?

* SIGNS © GRAPHICS # TINT « REMOTE STARTS
# DOMESTIC & IMPORT ACCESSORIES @

2291 SOUTH NICHOLSON ST.
3G4-3700

Ih ANUGHI! SECURIT Yl!
\

Are you not customers that
can withdraw our need to buy
their service at anytime? Why
do they need to know what our
benefits coverage is with
another coverage provider?
Lastly, what will they do with
this information? But enough
of my ranting, you can go
ahead and put your heads
back in the sand. After all, we
all need our privacy.

Sincerely,

Honey Giroday

A |
we / POS