Power corrupts
Premier Christy Clark’s oligarchic handling of the Liberal’s Abbotsford South candidate nomination process provides a clear example of the second, most dangerous half of the power-corruption equation: power can corrupt, but some corrupt power.
While some are undoubtedly corrupted by power, we should be more greatly concerned by those who choose to corrupt the condition of power itself. By ignoring fair and due process, parachuting Darryl Plecas into the candidate’s position, and cynically consigning longtime Liberal loyalist Moe Gill into party irrelevancy, Clark insists on finding new ways to cause both the public and party faithful to distrust her.
Ray Arnold, Richmond
PST won’t change
Jordan Bateman is wrong; our government is returning to the PST with the permanent exemptions in place, just as we committed following the 2011 referendum.
We have been clear: the PST will return on April 1, 2013, with all permanent exemptions. Consumers will again not pay PST on purchases like food, restaurant meals, bicycles, gym memberships, movie tickets, school supplies, and others, nor for personal services like haircuts.
The expert panel on business taxation was appointed in January to provide analysis and recommendations to the province on business tax competitiveness. The panel also recommended a number of procedural ways we could make the PST easier for businesses to administer, some of which we are able to put in place in time for the April transition.
Not surprisingly, the independent experts offered a wide range of suggestions, and the report deserves the public’s consideration. However, I can tell you categorically that government will not be expanding the PST as suggested by Mr. Bateman.
To get the facts on the return to PST, visit www.PSTinBC.ca.
Michael de Jong, B.C. minister of finance
Poverty has no season
My gratitude to Mavis Lowry for putting the child-poverty issue in such succinct form in Sunday’s featured letter. Indeed, it is that time of year when, “we wring our collective hands.”
Last year at this time when the Vancouver Sun ran its usual “we must do something, we must have your donations to feed kids in schools,” I wrote to the two reporters spearheading the paper’s campaign — and to their credit they both responded — pointing out the futility. They didn’t agree with me, of course. I am glad to see Mavis’s opinion in print, making the same point. She is right.
I think those of us who find predictable, seasonal, “Look what we’re doing, pouring money at the problem, it makes us feel better and you should do the same” — cry from the media objectionable should continue to point out, as Mavis does so eloquently, why this is offensive.
Nancy Richardson, Vancouver
Ageism isn’t too sharp
Concerning your recent Empty Stocking Fund story on Bill Auger, who lives in a Delta seniors home, you report that at 63 he’s “grateful for his still-sharp mind?”
Are you kidding me? Unless Mr. Auger has early onset Alzheimer’s, his mind should be sharp at 63. Most people are still working at 63. Hillary Clinton, who’s 65, just negotiated a cease fire between Israel and Hamas. Paul McCartney is still putting on sold-out rock concerts at 70.
It’s bad enough that reporters stereotype seniors who are much older, now we’re expected to applaud someone who’s mind is “still sharp” at 63. Give me a break!
Fiona Reid, Richmond
Journalists are not the threat to justice
Phil Rankin complains that “yellow journalism” interferes with our independent courts and threatens us all. Has Phil noticed how out of touch the courts are? Our courts move like molasses while coddling criminals and lining the pockets of charlatans. There is little interest in justice or protecting the law-abiding public.
They speak of rights while enforcing technicalities that allow drunk drivers, gangsters and murderers to walk free, grinning like Cheshire Cats. Kill during an armed robbery? Only seven years! Double time credit! Serve two-thirds of your sentence. Give me a break! Journalists are not the threat!
Our courts have become a joke because they have their heads stuck in the Kitty Litter box.
Hopefully with some light from the journalists the courts will begin to serve us again instead of the criminals.
Randy Bates, Mission
Say Merry Christmas!
My spiritual beliefs transcend the boundaries of any one religion, but I’ve always celebrated Christmas.
Can we please honour the reason for the season and restore “Merry Christmas” to its rightful place in our society? We don’t say, “Happy Holidays” to others at Hannukah or Kwanzaa or Diwali or Easter or any other celebration arising from the many religions practised in Canada. Instead of resorting to bland terms we hope will offend no one, let’s honour each celebration with its proper name and embrace, or at least respect them all. That is our Canadian way.
Linda Baker, Port Coquitlam
The editorial pages editor is Gordon Clark, who can be reached at gclark@theprovince.com. Letters to the editor can be sent to provletters@theprovince.com.
