Calgary: Home of Two-Tier Alcoholism

A recent article, by the CBC, is titled: Calgary, A New Destination for Luxury Items.  The article reads as follows:

Alberta's booming oil economy has resulted in a new crop of high-end retail stores in Calgary, making the city a new destination for luxury shopping.

Retail sales have been growing faster in Calgary than in the rest of the country for more than a decade. The sustained growth in jobs has created a new wealthy class in the city who are spending more on luxury goods.

The new stores have attracted consumers from afar.

" I have the largest scotch [whisky] selection in North America," said David Michiels of Willow Park Liquor. "You want the most unique [bottle], I can get that for you."

Some of Michiels stock, which is being ordered by customers from as far away as Vancouver and Toronto, sell for as much as $20,000 a bottle. "People are drinking less, but their drinking better," he said.

Interestingly, the article ends with comments from Richard White, president of the Calgary Downtown Association:

Richard White of the Calgary Downtown Association agrees: "There's definitely a trend towards quality as opposed to just quantity."

White says Calgary has surpassed many of the world's major cities in offering a broad range of luxury products.

Perhaps, the Calgary Downtown Association should amend its new ads against panhandlers to read 'quality not quantity'.

Of course, that depends what quantity one is referring to.  After all, $20,000 for a bottle of liquor is no small sum. 

If you ask me, Calgarians are drowning in their luxury, not their generosity.

We are steeped in consumption and greed, and it is killing our city's spirit.

Comments

[Richard Evans]

Wow, I'm going to have to add this to my last post

Do you seriously have a problem with people spending money they've earned?

[Polly Jones]

I have a problem with people demonizing those with addictions on the street. Tons of so-called professionals have addictions - I know many myself. But, it is okay to be an addict as long as you abuse in your own home.

The same system that makes one person rich enough to afford luxury items is the same that has a fall-out rate of unemployment. You can't have it both ways. One solution is to mediate the effects of the market by having good welfare programs, but Alberta has cut most of these.

[Richard Evans]

So what you're saying is that the most prosperous city in the most prosperous province in the country needs to go socialist? Do I understand that correctly?

[Christopher]

I know what you mean. I live in Calgary and this city has a real problem with greed. I heard a statistic that said Calgary has the highest rate of depression in Canada.

How do you fix it though? Its ingrained in the culture here... The only thing you can do is make good choices yourself.

[Polly Jones]

I don't know...It never used to be part of the culture. I grew up in Calgary. And, the city's famous friendliness was built on something genuine. Even when Calgary had become larger, there was pride in having a smaller town spirit.

I think people can change things - write to the newspaper, blog, speak up among friends. We can have a prosperous city that is economically smart AND one that has values beyond opulence. In fact, we once did.

[Polly Jones]

p.s.

A friendly PSA to all morons in need of one:

Capitalism can co-exist with community and kindness...but, nice try with the'socialist' card.

[Richard Evans]

Are you saying that forcing "community" and "kindness" aren't socialist Polly? You'd better check the dictionary again...

[Polly Jones]

Not at all...I didn't know we had to force kindness. I suggest that people contribute in various ways to discussions about what values they wish to shape the city. I suggest that people choose community and kindness.

[Richard Evans]

But they're not doing that and you're pissed about it...

[Christopher]

Yeah it does bother me that people don't do it. I believe that communism was a good idea, but it never worked because you had to force it on people.

I do think that qualities of communism/socialism can occur spontaneously in a capitalist system through the choices and actions of individuals in the society. If enough people are continually generous and help out those in need, the society is basically socialist, even if the rules are capitalist.

[knight gold]

I do think that qualities of communism/socialism can occur spontaneously in a capitalist system through the choices and actions of individuals in the society. If enough people are continually generous and help out those in need, the society is basically socialist, even if the rules are capitalist.