Dear editor,
I have been a political junkie since the early 1950s.
I have seen phenomena like Mulroney, Trudeau, Barrett, Vander Zalm and Preston Manning cross the political sky like Roman candles. I have seen usually reasonable and normal ‘nice people’ turn to Jell-O mush at election time and in an emotional moment vote for these phenomena.
These ‘nice people’ spend little time thinking about what is happening in their life, the changes in service levels for their children, family, aging parents, streets and roads, level of police services, wait times at the emergency ward in their hospital — or why it is happening.
Many of these people are struggling, often with two jobs or both adults working to keep food on the table, running a business, caring for aging parents. A few others are hooked on red carpet rock stars or reality TV shows.
So, how to change all this?
Well, I have a solution, but it requires thought and action. Between now and May 14, look at your life, how it was, how it is and what the future looks like for you, your family and friends.
The environment is at a turning point: Our coast, watersheds, lands, industries they support.
Need a job? Got the skills or the ticket?
You or your kids want to go to school? Have a parent in need of services to keep their independence? Who will best support your expectations for these and other issues?
We deserve better from political parties and our elected officials. Only we can do this.
Make sure you vote. Don’t complain about how the ball bounces if you are the one who dropped it.
After May 14, make a note of the name, address, phone number, e-mail address and website of your MLA. Then, make a list of your concerns and frustrations, put it on the fridge and at least once a month, phone your MLA and ask about progress on your issue — talk to the MLA AND the staff.
Hold their feet to the fire.
On May 15 and going forward, demand that your MLA interpret the Comox Valley to Victoria and not come back home interpreting Victoria to the Comox Valley.
Cliff Boldt,
Courtenay