Letters, Sept. 21: Focusing on past issues ‘unrelated to the job’ isn’t fair to politicians
rerolled on giantweed from the source
Why is it that we — and especially the media — seem to think that every person running for political office today should have every past indiscretion, regardless of how trivial, publicly aired and discussed as if it were some mark they should wear on their forehead forever?
Who cares whether Wai Young received a distracted driving ticket? A spousal abuse charge from eight years ago that was never prosecuted or a failing-to-blow charge from 12 years ago does not make former Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Ian Campbell incapable of doing a good job as mayor.
I don’t know either of these people, but they are human and should be judged on their ability to be mayor, not whether they had some past issues that are unrelated to the job. Let’s focus on their political positions and history and what have they done or propose to do that makes them a good candidate?
Perry Coleman, Delta
On the other hand …
So Vancouver mayoral candidate Wai Young expects us to believe that the ticket she received for distracted driving occurred because a police officer mistook her compact for a cell phone. She claims she was heading to a meeting and was powdering her nose.
She clearly doesn’t understand that putting on your makeup while driving is just as stupid as using a cellphone. People like Young are the problem. People who read or shave while driving are also not safe. Perhaps Young thinks she is privileged and that the law doesn’t apply to her.
Shawn Storey, Surrey
Pot cash for mental health, addiction
I found it very interesting that the Union of B.C. Municipalities said it wants 40 per cent of B.C.’s share of cannabis revenue about the same time a report came out from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business showing that spending by municipal government is less than disciplined.
It is my opinion, anything less than 100 per cent of the government revenue from cannabis going toward mental health and addiction services is an opportunity lost.
Mike Maclean, Saanichton
What gives?
On the one hand, experts say that anyone even indirectly associated with the Canadian pot industry could face issues trying to enter the U.S. On the other hand, we learn that U.S. corporations like Coca-Cola and Coors are looking into partnering with cannabis producers.
Something obviously doesn’t jive.
Charles Leduc, Vancouver
Ethics should matter
Mark Bonokoski’s column — Ethics? What ethics? — highlights that the federal Liberals’ sense of entitlement is alive and well.
The demonstrated lack of ethics by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Finance Minister Bill Morneau and now Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc is totally unacceptable in a democracy.
Should the lack of ethics by our highest-ranking elected federal government ministers be an election issue? I would certainly hope so.
Steve Gunson, Abbotsford
Canadian dairy is best
I do not trust the American dairy industry with their unregulated use of steroids and other practices to increase the size of the steers, as well as their unregulated use of drugs on other farm animals.
We have a good system without the subsidies paid to U.S. farmers by their federal government. We have enough issues with NAFTA discussions without having our own people falling into the Americans house of cards.
Ron Glauser, Richmond
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