Democracy not a factor
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government is like a hopelessly out-of-tune piano whose tone-deaf owner insists on playing louder and faster than everyone else in the kitchen. Harmony and consensus mean nothing. It’s all about power and control.
His Omnibus Crime Bill—a perfect piece of legislation for the 19th century—rammed through the house without proper debate is a prime example [“Crime bill sparks protest,” December 7]. (There will be more to come, just wait and see.) MP John Weston’s response to the protesters in his office would seem to indicate that he believes the Conservatives have a mandate to do this sort of thing and also that we are living in a democracy. Neither is true.
The Conservatives received just a little more than one third of the votes cast in the last election and only half of those eligible to vote actually did so, which means that less than 20 per cent of Canadian voters actually agree with Harper’s take on matters. However, because of our archaic, first-past-the-post / winner-take-all voting system, this translated into 167 seats in the House of Commons (155 are needed for a majority). That allows the prime minister to legally dictate how things are going to be under our system but I wouldn’t call it a mandate.
As for Weston voting for the crime bill because “it’s what we campaigned on,” that’s rubbish. He voted for the bill because he was told to. When it gets right down to it, he represents the Conservative Party’s interests in our riding, not our interests in Ottawa.
The Conservatives’ election campaign, as I recall, relied mainly on negative advertising and character assassination along with a lot of trite, fear-mongering slogans and other propaganda aimed at voters’ baser instincts.
Ron MacDougall
Westview Avenue
Good choice
Congratulations to Dr. Raymond Obomsawin on becoming Tla’Amin Community Health Services’ new executive director [“Tla’Amin welcomes new health director,” January 4].
I also want to commend Dr. Obomsawin for speaking out against immunizations. In view of the genocide perpetuated on the first nations people via vaccination, it is obvious Dr. Obomsawin will stand up strongly for those he has been hired to protect.
Dorell Meikle
Spring Brook Road
Is council listening?
I am in agreement with the opinions expressed recently in the paper (for example “New library,” December 7, 2011, “New library not required,” December 30, 2011, and “Spend on essential services only,” January 4). I haven’t noticed letters in favour of a new library location at the former arena site. Is it only the library board and City of Powell River council favouring this?
It would be great to have all sorts of wonderful additions to our already wonderful city, but we have to be able to pay for them. Realism is of the essence. Taxpayers are very concerned.
Why would a library require such a fantastic ocean view when the patrons are there mainly to read or use computers? Let’s leave the view open for all to enjoy. Sea Fair events enjoy that space as well as special events such as BC Bike Race. Parking would seem to be an issue as well as the location on a hill and the fact that it’s not very central. We already have a track that was moved away from a central location.
Is our new council really listening to the taxpaying residents of Powell River?
Margaret Jones
Quesnel Street
No new library
Hats off to Steve Grover for his letter opposing a new library, the use of the old arena site, and increases in taxes [“New library not required,” December 30, 2011].
He expresses my views very well, and I believe many more people agree with his opinions. I have never found the present library crowded on my biweekly visits.
Please, residents of Powell River, state your support for no new library before it’s too late and we are paying more taxes on an unneeded building on a beautiful piece of irreplaceable waterfront park property.
The new library lobbyists are pushing their view. It is time to express yours.
Denise Jablonsky
Brunswick Avenue
