May 4, 2004
Romanow and Juliet
Members' statement by Brian Mason

EDMONTON - New Democrat MLA Brian Mason made the following statement in the legislature today:

SCENE II. New Democrat's orchard.     Enter ROMANOW

ROMANOW
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Medicare is the sun.
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious Tory moon,
Who is already sick and pale with greed,
That thou our public system art far more fair than she:
Be not her maid, since she is envious;
Her health delivery is but sick and greedy
And none but fools do bear it; cast it off.
It is my birthright, O, it is my love!
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear
That tips with silver all these fruitful contracts-

JULIET 
O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant Tory moon,
That monthly changes in her circled orb,
Lest that thy coverage prove likewise variable

ROMANOW
Good night, good night! privatizing is such sweet sorrow
False savings today and Americanization on the morrow

JULIET
O Romanow, Romanow! wherefore art thou Romanow?
Deny delisting and refuse thy premiums;
Or, if thou wilt not put an end to waiting lists,
And I'll no longer be a New Democrat.
'Tis but their greed that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Pettigrew.
What's a Pettigrew? it is his foot in mouth,
That reveals the Liberal's deceitful scheme,
Too early, I hope. for the election is not yet come.
What's in a name? that which we call Medicare,
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romanow would, were he not by the Liberals and Tories ignor'd,
Retain that dear public system which we owe
Without that title, to Tommy Douglas and the NDP.


Audio of this speech will soon be availble for download at:
http://www.newdemocrats.ab.ca/archive/audioarchive.php