Dear Editor:
Regarding your excellent April 14 editorial, Cheaping Out, it is my opinion that our political and industry leaders are failing Canada and Canadians. Have none of them heard of Henry Ford? He found out that his employees were not making enough money to purchase the cars they were producing. Soon after he paid them more and his Ford Motor Company became more successful. Ford found that in a consumer economy, people need money to purchase goods and services, and that in return profits rise.
I wonder what these industry leaders would say if we brought temporary workers to do their jobs. We would save much of their wages and save even more from not paying for the extravagant benefits.
In the political area, here is what the marching orders would be for the temporary imported politician:
- Not to prorogue Parliament under any circumstance; we pay taxes to have healthy debates in the house and make better decisions.
- Make bundling of bills illegal. Each bill must be debated on its own merits.
- Make illegal all attack ads.
- Put Canada and Canadians before political party and re-election.
- Give free speech to government scientists so we know what we get for our tax dollars.
- All projects to undergo a "cradle to grave" analysis so voters will know what benefits and liabilities we can expect.
- Give the backbenchers freedom of speech, this will require the elimination of most Prime Minister's Office employees (more money saved).
- Make illegal all political contributions but give from the public purse a set amount, enough to do some advertising so politicians can resume door-to-door knocking (I have not seen a politician knock on my door in 30 years).
- Make illegal all phone solicitations. This will eliminate "robo" calls and save money because Elections Canada does not have to investigate.
I could continue, but you get the gist.
As a provincial election is upon us and with a new leader of the federal Liberal party, I am keeping score of all attack ads. The party with the least attack ads will get my vote. I encourage my fellow Canadians to do likewise. We have the power to reclaim our democracy and force respectful debates. When it comes to politics, we should always be in opposition, the only way to get better outcomes.
John Consiglio North Vancouver
