Dear Editor:
D.J. Stewart’s (May 27) letter claims that if we vote No on the non-binding transit plebiscite, we would have no right to call our politicians to account. The letter states that we rarely have the opportunity to specify how our tax dollars are spent and that by voting No we have voted away our right to complain about congestion for the next 10 years. Really?
I have exercised my right (make that civic duty) to vote and because I saw the situation different than some, I am to be banished to the sidelines whenever this topic comes up; even worse,
I cannot call our politicians to account on these matters for 10 years?
In reality, anyone who makes the effort, as small as it may be, to vote has the right and capabilities to talk, complain, praise or protest no matter how they voted and no matter if their side won or lost.
That’s what living in a democracy is all about. In one sense, D.J is right. We don’t often get a chance to specify how our tax dollars are being spent. I have looked at the issues, the proposed solutions, the current mess that is called TransLink and I have done just that.
I have voted No and I am pleased as punch to have had the opportunity to specify how my tax dollars are to be spent. I only wish I could have had a say on the millions of tax dollars spent exclusively on the Yes side.
As far as having a conversation regarding my vote or reserving the right to call my politicians to task at a later date? We live in a democracy and such privileges are something than cannot be taken away or ignored.
T. Cattermole
North Vancouver
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