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The Graham government's decisions have had an impact on every group in New Brunswick, and some are able to adapt easier than others. However, one group that has been struck hard is our seniors.

In the March budget, the Graham government hasn't done anything to help our most vulnerable, but instead has made their lives more difficult, especially financially.

The government has raised the cost of the prescription drug program by $200 a year, making it more difficult to pay for the costly pills. It has reinstated the $130 ambulance fee, adding to their health care costs. The seniors living in a nursing home have seen a $4,800 per year increase to nursing home fees. It is also clawing back the disability pensions of veterans living in nursing and special care homes.

How can the Graham government pretend these increases help their quality of life?

Many indirect cuts also affect our seniors. For example, the cancelled Warm Hearts, Warm Homes program helped hundreds of seniors who couldn't afford home heating costs. This problem will only get worse as there's an increase in power rates. Another issue is skyrocketing property taxes, with no relief for the homeowner. All these have an impact on our seniors.

I ask the Graham government to recognize that these cuts are attacking our seniors. It's difficult to budget money for prescriptions, nursing home fees, home heating costs, etc., in the good times, but amidst these countless cuts and hits to our most vulnerable, it is next to impossible.

JACK CARR

Opposition critic for issues relating to seniors

Cabinet shuffle like old shell game

I remain unimpressed with the premier's latest cabinet shuffle. It reminds me of the old shell game where a peanut is placed under one of three shells and then moved around trying to fool onlookers. The truth is that the peanut is not under any shell no matter which one you look under. The obvious point being that it's a game of deception. There are no winners. Shawn Graham can try as he might to attempt to deceive people with the latest cabinet shuffle.

Are our doctors winners as a result of this shell game? What about our teacher support staff or our librarians. Have things changed for them?

How about our court-appointed social workers or our civil servants. Has the premier's cabinet shuffle shed any light or hope on the challenges they face?

It seems like no to all the above. This is a last-ditch attempt by this government to fool the voting public into believing things are different with this latest political maneuvering. Fortunately, most of us are all too aware of the shell game being played here and won't be fooled by a mere switching of places or portfolios.

GERRY ELLIOTT

Woodstock

Syrup is simply a kind of corn sugar

The June 27 article "Improve your memory without spending a cent," may mislead consumers about high fructose corn syrup.

High fructose corn syrup may have a complicated-sounding name, but it's simply a kind of corn sugar that is nutritionally the same as table sugar. High fructose corn syrup is not sweeter than sugar; and high fructose corn syrup, sugar and honey all contain the same number of calories (four calories per gram).

High fructose corn syrup is made from corn, a natural grain product. High fructose corn syrup contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients or colour additives and meets the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's requirements for use of the term "natural."

Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at www.SweetSurprise.com.

AUDRAE ERICKSON

President Corn Refiners Association, Washington, D.C.

Tories stoop to new depths

Conservative MP Diane Ablonczy must have social and fiscal conservatives reeling. As minister of state for small business and tourism, her announcement to give $400,000 to Toronto's Gay Pride parade could only stun the staunchest Tory. Surely, the leftover bumper stickers from this year's gay pride theme "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" can be re-used by the Conservatives at election time to remind Canadians of the depths to which they will stoop to maintain power.

Last month 12,300 people participated in the 'March for Life' on Parliament Hill. Canadians in many other cities also participated within their city to raise awareness of the 3 million babies which have died through 40 years of abortion in Canada.

Jim Hnatiuk, Leader of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada, stated that "A truly conservative party would have considered spending a few million dollars on a nationwide ad campaign to promote perhaps 'adoption instead of abortion.' However, our 'conservative' government chose not to invest in Canada's future, which is our children."

The Conservative government has taken taxpayers' money and invested it in an event that promotes a self-interest agenda and does nothing for the benefit of all Canadians. What is wrong with this picture? If we ever want to change Canada's current course, they have to impact the opinion polls that seem to be the prime means of influencing those in power. CHP Canada is the only federal party which won't cower from the tough questions and will provide Canadians with 'Better Solutions'.

DAVID INMAN

Tobique-Mactaquac Association President, Christian Heritage Party of Canada

Don't waste SPCA resources

We arrived home recently to discover a notice from the SPCA stating that "concerns were raised regarding a cat being left in a box in a kennel."

We live near an environmentally protected area that's inhabited by wildlife including bald eagles and foxes. Although ours is an indoor cat, we like him to be able to occasionally get out for some fresh air. To protect him during these outings we have a six-by-four-feet kennel, located close to our home. Inside the kennel is a closed wooden box which allows a higher perch for our cat to view his surroundings. We do not leave our home while he is in his kennel. Our cat is a valued and loved part of our family and we do everything to protect him from outside predators.

If the person or persons who called the SPCA had the decency to inquire of us about the cat/box/kennel they would have known that there was no issue requiring an SPCA investigation, which must have cost in excess of $150. An SPCA officer had to come from Saint John to investigate what was essentially an "unsubstantiated concern."

We are supporters of the SPCA because of the invaluable service it provides.

We sincerely hope whoever called the SPCA in our case, will make a financial donation to this worthy organization. If one does suspect abuse of an animal, by all means make a call but use your common sense before you waste the limited resources of this underfunded organization.

LORI & BILL MALLORY

St. Andrews

Bike donations help 200 kids

On behalf of members of the Irving Oil Alumni, I wish to thank the employees of Irving Oil and the people of Saint John and surrounding areas for the generous donation of bicycles to our "Bikes for Tykes and Teens" project. This year we received approximately 250 bikes of various sizes, several of which were in like-new condition.

As a result, we were able to refurbish and distribute approximately 200 bikes to students at Saint John the Baptist/King Edward and Princess Elizabeth schools in Saint John and Edith Cavel School in Moncton. Bikes were also provided to children of the Saturday Supper Program at St. Mary's and St. Bartholomew's Church, Saint John East, the Carleton Community Centre, Saint John West, the RCMP, Hampton and Moncton's Reconnect Project for disadvantaged people re-entering society.

In addition, we wish to thank Irving Oil for purchasing shiny new bicycle helmets, for providing storage and repair facilities and transportation for the collection and distribution of the bicycles. We would also be remiss if we did not thank Couche-Tard employees Ed Larsen and Pat Parfitt for the invaluable donation of their time and expertise.

CECIL VanBUSHKIRK

Irving Oil Alumni

Europeans, bless their pointy heads

The Europeans seem to have successfully blackmailed Premier Jean Charest into their tight little corner on the seal hunt.

Let us not forget that these are the nations that helped the seals bring the cod to the brink of extinction. They are also the kindly folk whose elevated moral sense gave us the First and Second World Wars.

Bless their pointy little heads.

STUART MILLS

Fredericton