Dear Editor:
Christy Clark's promised referendum on TransLink funding is both undemocratic and inappropriate.There will be heated debate and misleading statements from all sides. At the end of the day we will not cast our votes based on what is best for regional transportation or Metro Vancouver. We will each vote for the option that costs us the least personally.
Who wins? First, the voting block that has the largest number. Like everyone, they will vote for the option that costs them the least. Due to their larger number, their option will win leaving other groups to pay an unfair share of the costs.
But the biggest winner is the Clark government. They get to disclaim responsibility for an unpopular decision and blame voters instead.
Funding TransLink is a complex issue. As citizens we don't have access to thefacts, we don't understand the issues and we are not connected to the larger vision. We elected our government to make wise, well-informed decisions that serve the population. Not to shirk responsibility and leave amateurs to make the difficult decisions.
A referendum is not democracy, it is mob rule. It guarantees we will get a senseless solution.
Andrew Starkey
North Vancouver
