General · 18th April 2009
A. Cameron
Isn’t it too bad that under our dysfunctional electoral system every single green vote “from the heart” puts us one step closer to a liberal government who will continue to put “for sale” signs on every one of our resources that can be given a dollar value, no matter what the cost to the environment.
And aren’t we lucky that in this riding we can vote for Claire Trevena who has proven that she can be elected and who as our MLA has already taken a stand against the development of a hydro project by General Electric in Bute Inlet, who has consistently fought raw log export, advocated for closed container fish farms and as part of an NDP government will repeal Bill 30 so that our local government will have a say in the development of our local resources.
Of course it’s crucial that we vote for STV and the NDP have said that if the referendum passes they will implement it. New voices and new visions in the legislature are long overdue. But can we allow the liberals another 4 years of selling off this province? I think not. By then it will be too late for Bute Inlet and hundreds of other rivers, for our fish, our forests and our land.
While the NDP may not embody all my dreams, it is a thoughtful vote that will mark Claire Trevena on my ballot.
Give your head a shake. seriously.
Comment by Jo-Anne Moore on 21st April 2009
So we agree Paul. The liberals suck. Yes, I agree Claire does respresent everyone in her riding and she does a great job as a member of the opposition.
Being in opposition. all she can do is talk while our forests continue to be raped and our rivers distroyed and our natural resources are sold to the lowest bidder.
That's not a difference and perhaps where our opinions diverge.
Since the NDP are not going to form a government anyway why waste your vote on a shaky platform that doesn't really address green or economic issues in any real way? The Green Party has long term vision for sustainability and our economic woes. While they are even less likely to win this time around than Claire we have to start somewhere. Why would we settle for half baked?
The side effect of voting truly Green is getting a representative who actually sits in government. Someone who can actually take action rather than just 'advocate' and 'take a stand'. You will however, not catch me voting for a liberal in this lifetime.
What I'm saying is that we, the constituents, have to be willing to take RESPONSIBILITY to push our agenda regardless of who gets in.
As much as I respect and admire Claire, nobody with any power is paying attention to what she's saying and consequently, to anything we're saying. If we take action with a representative who's actually in government, it could look different. Are we willing to continue the fight that started with the Rally for Rivers? This issue would get alot more airtime if it was against a member in government.
Don't just think about the past 8 years, I am acutely aware of the effect the past 8 years have had on our communities, trust me! Think of the 8 years before that too. The NDP weren't hotsh*t either. They, too, sold off TFLs to multinationals, made private deals with their buddies and gutted our economy to boot!
Voting for the Green Party sends a message that it's time for a true, fundamental change to how we care for our environment and each other. And while we may not see direct benefits now (same as a vote for the NDP) supporting the Green Party with your vote now will bring about the change we want sooner than waiting to jump on the bandwagon when it's too late for change.
If you're truly happy with the status quo, have at 'er, continue to vote for Claire. I'm not, I believe we can do better.
RE: Powering your Vote
Comment by Paul Ryan on 20th April 2009
Claire Trevena DOES represent everyone in her riding, whether you voted for her or not. That's the difference! Do you vote for political parties or do you vote for individuals? Does anyone really think that by voting in a liberal in this riding, that things will change for the better? Give your head a shake! Gordon Campbell's government does not give a rat's ass about people in rural communities. That's not where the votes are. That's not where the Power is! Consider what has happened to our quality of life in the past 8 years and then you decide!
Misguided fear mongering.
Comment by Jo-Anne Moore on 19th April 2009
"taken a stand against hydro projects"
"fought raw log exports"
"adocated for closed container fish farms"
These are all things that continue to occur and will continue to occur along with "for sale signs on every one of our resources that can be given a dollar value" as long as we continue to vote for the NDP.
Whether we like it or not, they are going to continue to sit in opposition. Their party platform is all over the map and poorly thought out on economic and green issues. Shall I mention their track record?
The STV vote is crucial but the NDP will not get a chance to implement it because they are not going to form a government.
It is our RESPONSIBILITY to hold our elected official accountable to respresent their constituents. That is what is going to make change. That is what is going to save our rivers. If a liberal candidate wins our seat because she's won only 34% of the votes, she still has to respresent the other 66% of constituents. And she'd be in government. Don't you think we'd have a better chance of getting our voice heard in the GOVERNMENT not just in the OPPOSITION? People forget that candidates are supposed to represent our region in government not the party in our region. 34% is not the majority.
If our rivers are really that important to us wouldn't we want to vote for the BEST POSSIBLE plan to save them? One that embraces our economic woes too? One that responds of our marginalized? One that is looking beyond 4 years?
Change does not happen overnight. Just like Bute Inlet didn't happen overnight, Plutonic Power has been quietly distroying Toba Inlet for years. Where were you? Where was the NDP?
Voting is one piece of this political system, here are some links to consider. Voting strategically simply is a vote for the status quo. Are you happy with how things are going?
http://stv.ca/join
http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/greenbook/economy
http://www.bcndp.ca/why-ndp/BCNDP-platform-2009
http://www.bcliberals.com/platform/
Respectfully Submitted for your consideration. Thanks for "listening". And Thanks Gumboot for the forum!