james rogers jamesrbestcom mon 20021007 1248 owen byrne wrote suppose canada supposed loose confederation 2 founding nations french english cited success jury still far brief rebellions referendums still together 130 years alberta lesser extent western provinces definitely happy current arrangement strange way canadian government structured last alberta month ago newspapers reporting something like 70 albertans favor separating canada several distinct issues problem basically alberta economic powerhouse propping weaker economies eastern provinces interests openly unapologetically ignored government ottawa alberta sends something like twice tax dollars ottawa per capita average canadian token representation federal government im clear exactly government works representation entirely based population works eastern provinces populations smaller city calgary alone substantially representatives legislature entire province alberta long short eastern provinces use alberta personal atm machine social programs even much throwing alberta bone able even sparsely populated eastern provinces outvote alberta despite fewer people something like canadian government less restricted us government strange things like restrictive regulations apply certain provinces alberta receiving end many obscenities essentially much worse version happening intermountain west us unlike us case though rest canada would really hurting werent receiving tax dollars alberta otoh alberta would probably thrive friends alberta visit occasionally im totally clear everything goes country due partial unfamiliarity government works im little fuzzy details know average albertans quite unhappy current position canada sentiment getting worse years cheers james rogers jamesrbestcom 07 oct 2002 164530 0700 erratum matter errors