Mr. Flanagan states that from the 1960s through the 1990s, Albertans contributed an annual average of $2,103 per capita more to Confederation than they received in federal benefits, and as a consequence he describes as Kleptocracy the development of the Canadian political system over the past 40 years. I certainly agree that our political development has gradually corrupted to reach what I believe is the bottom. I also agree that our own leadership, be business, be academic, be bureaucratic or otherwise, has eroded as well. And this state of affairs is embodied by our Prime Minister who is preaching human rights in China, while making sure to help himself and his friends at home. But when Mr. Flanagan says that Alberta's long-term interest lies in maintaining property rights, free contracts and market prices and denounces Premier Klein's move to help maintain lower energy cost for Albertans, then he reveals himself as the true supporter of kleptomaniacs.

 Since when democracy is run on the notion of property rights? Since when we can negotiate free contracts with our Energy businesses? And since when there are free market prices? Professor Flanagan doesn't seek comfort in reducing the complex to uncomplicated polarised black and white(3), professor Flanagan goes beyond the absurd, and justly, economist MacLean says that he is merely implausible.

Endnotes

1. MacLean's Economic Policy Page, February 10 2001 update http://www.geocities.com/brian79/

2. Why Canada is a kleptocracy, Tom Flanagan, February 6, 2001, National Post http://www.nationalpost.com/search/story.html?f=/stories/20010206/465699.html

3. Upon Considering What is Naught, by Timothy Shire, February 11, 2001 http://www.ftlcomm.com/ensign/ensign2/landscapes/shadows/shadows.html