Letters - September 18

Is this sarcasm?

Re: “Vote your conscience,” September 11-17

Seems everyone wants to pick on poor Stephen. Yet while the other parties seek accolades from their supporters, Mr. Harper bravely goes it alone. Certainly [Evangelist Christian heavyweight] Charles McVety, among many others, would willingly proclaim his virtues for him—but no, Mr. Harper declines their help. Even among his own candidates, he seemingly dissuades some of them from expressing views that could hurt people’s feelings.

Finally, a prime minister who cares more about the sensibilities of the people than on winning an election. What a refreshing change!

Andy Mulcahy, Victoria

This definitely isn’t

Re: “Vote your conscience,” September 11-17

I enjoy your publication and find your political coverage to be both insightful and thought-provoking. The current Canadian election campaign features several overarching issues, of which the most crucial are the green shift, the tax-cut agenda and the promise to limit federal spending power. No matter where one’s party preferences may lie, these are very important issues.

The green shift represents a radical departure from traditional government policies. The notion of taxing bad things (pollution) and not taxing good things (income, savings) represents a stunning change in policy direction and a welcome addition to the  political debate. 

The tax-cut agenda will effectively serve to cripple the welfare state and erode the fiscal  room of the federal  government. Whether or  not one believes in the welfare state, this public-policy direction is extremely important and needs to be addressed. Just as there are costs in the delivery of public services, there are also costs involved in doing nothing. The electorate needs to think about how much it values public services such as education, support for our culture, programs for the disadvantaged, food safety and Medicare, to name a few. 

The Tory promise to limit the federal spending power is a sop to the separatists; whether this will work in damping the fires of separatism is an open question, but what it will do is limit the power of the federal government to provide the national programs that define us as a country.

Canadians need to decide whether they are citizens of Canada first or if their loyalties lie with their particular province or region. This issue is key if Canada is to survive as a sovereign nation.

David Pearce, Victoria

As a U.S. citizen, victim to the “U.S. politics” you so decry, here’s a question: is Canada re-electing Stephen Harper because you guys are behind our curve and you’ll catch up when Barack Obama gets elected—or is it because you are ahead of our curve and you want Harper in place when John McCain gets elected? Hopefully the former.

Julie Marshall via mondaymag.com

It’s not easy being Green

Re: “Greens will stand by their man,” September 11-17

Of course they will! This is politics; it’s like king-of-the-hill, street gangs or global thermonuclear warfare: no one lets a prize go without fighting to win it themselves, and not without using every weapon they think they have, no matter what the reality is. 

The kind of strategic alliance required to collaborate on a mutual target only happens in some tribes, circles, neighbourhoods, non-dysfunctional families, clubs, corporations or road races—never in politics.

Z. Alexandra Plaskin, Victoria

Excellent article. There is one correction: Adriane Carr is the federal deputy leader to Elizabeth May. The leader of the Green Party of B.C. is Jane Sterk.

Adam Saab, Victoria

I became a resident of B.C. one year ago and I believe I have now sorted out the fundamentals of B.C. politics.

Evidently the B.C. Liberal Party is not, and never was, a liberal party but rather a collection of anti-NDP zealots driven by a belief that the interests of corporate enterprises should always prevail. Mr. Campbell’s government wishes to reward its senior executives who have been appointed to do their bidding in implementing an ultra-conservative agenda; thus the massive pay increase recently announced for said executives.

Mr. Campbell’s government intends to increase corporate profit opportunity in traditionally not-for-profit services; thus the appointment of regional health authorities and myriad other appointees who will steadfastly serve the mantra of privatization. Mr. Campbell’s government privatizes ferries, utilities, forestry reserves, various aspects of medical care and other services, thus ensuring the government’s corporate friends are well-positioned to bankroll future electoral victories.

My further study of B.C. politics reveals the NDP has evolved to be a traditional liberal party. The Green Party is a bonus for Mr. Campbell (as it is for Mr. Harper) by taking support from the NDP and thereby assuring continued government by and for conservative corporate interests.

The Campbell government uses extensive public funds to frequently tell us that B.C. is “the best place on earth.” This is quite possibly true, given the province’s natural blessings. However, my introduction to B.C. politics reveals the province has also become home to a reactionary, dogma-driven, right-wing political regime—one that, sadly, is being aided by apparently well-meaning folks in the Green Party.

Brian Cousins, Victoria

Hey, we never said “overpaid”

Re: “Academic Advancement,” September 11-17

Jason Youman’s article is disappointing and misleading for a number of reasons. First, Youmans confounds the ongoing strike of SUB workers (and their desire for higher wages) with that of faculty and staff wages. The University of Victoria does not pay the wages of the SUB workers—they are paid by the student union and, by extension, the student body.

Second, it is in extremely poor taste to print the names, wages and expenses of these faculty and staff. Although this information is probably public knowledge, that doesn’t mean Monday Magazine should make it into a public spectacle. These women and men are the best of the best at UVic and they are well paid because they have worked hard in their respective positions and disciplines. Notably, none of them were interviewed for this article, nor (I assume) were they asked if their names and salaries could be printed in this magazine.

Third, there is no attempt by the author to demonstrate that the wages received by these faculty and staff are, in fact, unfair. Facts and figures are presented with the unstated intention that Monday readers will get fired up about the amount of money earned by UVic faculty and staff. Where is the evidence to suggest that UVic higher-ups are overpaid? And once again I ask: what do faculty and staff wages have to do with the SUB workers’ strike?

I think that it is perfectly reasonable for Monday and Jason Youmans to begin a debate about the wages of UVic faculty and staff. But this article is not a promising start.

Lee Blanding, Victoria

Spin doctors

Re: “Digital Antidote,” September 11-17

Isn’t it ironic that within the next few years the only physical music carrier left standing will be vinyl LPs? They are for true music lovers who want to be involved with and immerse themselves in the music. It needs commitment.

With CDs, mp3s, hard-drive music servers and anything digital, there is no involvement: press a button, click a mouse. Its very casualness disconnects you from the music. It is just aural wallpaper. Visit a friend who has a half-decent stereo system, listen to a CD or two and then put an LP on. You get a feeling of musical naturalness, flow, coherence and continuity you didn’t know was there with digital.

It’s the difference between a very high-quality reproduction of a painting and a cheap colour photocopy. An Ansel Adams print to its rendition on your computer screen.

Demetri Tsimon, Victoria

Correction

In an August 21 story about Victoria mortgage broker Sam Seera, Monday wrote that he had been suspended from practicing for 4.5 months by order of the provincial registrar of mortgage brokers. In fact, Seera voluntarily agreed to cease practising for that term. Monday regrets the error.