Dear Editor:
Is pointing out intrusion of our democracy intolerant?
Having read Mack McCorkindale’s Diversity in Politicians is a Goal Worth Pursuing and Rhonda Spence’s Lautens’ Intolerant Views Aren’t Shared by Majority, Aug. 4 Mailbox responses to Trevor Lautens’ feature New Bigotry Repackages Prejudice as Virture, July 28 This Just In onion column, I thought I should re-read his article.
Judging by their focus and comments, either I or they must have somehow missed the two key and main issues raised. Well thank goodness I had focused on the two serious issues affecting the future of democracy in B.C. and not, with a narrow mind, decided that he was racist, intolerant and anti the advancement of women and minorities in politics and business. A very convenient and widespread response, these days, by persons wishing to muddy the waters.
In my opinion his column brought to our attention two frightening undemocratic policies of our new NDP government. Firstly that all future prospective NDP MLAs should be selected in a highly discriminatory way and secondly, as he quoted from the Vancouver Sun, that as much as three-quarters of the New Democrat government agenda could be implemented through cabinet orders, cabinet-approved changes to regulations etc. in place of bills requiring a reading and vote in the house.
Rhonda Spence states that “straight white males” are over represented. The fact that this situation has been caused through a combination of factors in the past, including the old school tie scenario, does not make a 180-degree shift to a new preferential discriminatory process correct. Yes, it was wrong, but is the proposed selection of politicians and senior personnel in the work force, not the same thing in a different guise?
Taking this flagrant flouting of democratic procedure to account, not only do I agree with Trevor Lautens’ bringing both these examples to the attention of readers but feel that the press, as a whole, needs to question whether these are, in fact, policies that the NDP intend to follow.
As a citizen, father, grandfather and taxpayer living in a country that boasts about freedom of speech, democracy and rights of the individual, this is a further example of the ongoing intrusion of politicians in our lives and disregard for democracy.
Whichever political party one supports, beware. For NDP supporters this may seem great in the short-term, however, in the long-term this type of government is a threat to all of us and needs to be stopped right now.
Chris Baddeley
North Vancouver
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