Your Platform, Please

The Vancouver Sun has been polling candidates for municipal office.

Several findings were encouraging.

Under the heading "Religion," 28.3% refused to answer.

As they all should. I don't want to know about your religion. IN fact, I really, really don't want to know.

I want to know about your stand on matters of public policy.

Under the heading of "Ethnicity," 12.2% refused to answer.

As everyone should.

I don't want to know about your "ethnicity."

I want to know about your stand on matters of public policy.

And under the heading "Immigrant," with a choice of No or Yes (in that peculiar order), 5.6% refused to answer.

As everyone should.

I don't want to know if you are someone called "an immigrant."

I want to know your stand on matters of public policy.

The photograph, by the way, is of Jeff Kuah, one of the 13 other candidates for Mayor of the City of Vancouver.

Where is the Independant Voice?

Campbell turns his attention to the economy with a worthwhile package

Vancouver Sun

Published: Friday, October 24, 2008

Enough said?

Could this editorial be any more out of touch with its readers?

Most people have seen through the Premier's 10 point rescue plan as the usual window dressing and falafel.

Nothing new, nothing extraordinary, nothing substantial.

When our major daily sidles up to the sitting power with such comfort, it is time to

a)Head for the hills and buy the 12-gauge?

b)Stop reading the morning paper?

c)Consider Auckland or Christchurch?

In His Counting HOuse

Premier Campbell's economic announcements of last evening are much like the man himself - shallow, glitzy, pleasant, practical and expedient.

While the ten point plan shows no real depth or long-range vision, it does offer a few Christmas and pre-election goodies.

Tax reductions are always welcome, thank you.

Some explanation about how you're going to make up the loss in revenues would be enlightening.Or does that come in January?

And, most welcome of all, a hefty one third reduction in ferry fares and a return of previously cut service.

But tell me this.

Once we enjoy through December and January ferry prices at two thirds of what they were, how are we going to feel when they arbitrarily jump back in February?I'm not sure that's the most clever move we've ever seen.

So. Let us serfs and peasants enjoy the king's largess until he gets his next gas pain.