C'MON ELDER STATESMEN WRITE your OWN LETTERS

C'MON ELDER STATESMEN WRITE your OWN LETTERS

Underbelly News
Downtown Eastside

Two former Premier's of the province, Hon Bill Bennett and Hon Dave Barrett have recently announced their opposition to STV. What is particularly sad is that these two elder Statesmen allowed someone other than themselves to write their open letter to British Columbians.

I think its a sad day when two supposed leaders need someone else to write their letters and to make matters worse, the letters appear as form letters save and except a few words changed here and there.

One would expect that two such esteemed leaders could have taken the time to compose their own thoughts and feelings on such an important issue.

Posted below are the two form letters from these two rascals!


Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com

By DAVE BARRETT

Open letter to BC Citizens:

On May 17, 2005 British Columbians will be asked to vote twice. Once in the provincial general election. Secondly, on a referendum to change our voting system. It is the second issue that causes me great concern and prompts me to write.

The vote on electoral reform will ask British Columbians if they want to change how they elect their Members of the Legislature.

My opinion is based on both appreciation of our history and hope for our future. In BC for over a hundred years we have followed the British Parliamentary system. It is based upon responsibility and accountability. One person--one vote. The citizen is responsible to cast their vote wisely. The person elected is accountable to all the citizens irrespective of their vote.

The proposed system loses this principle because the complicated counting formula replaces clear voter choice with academic theory. Most importantly voters will lose accountability because they will have between two and seven MLA's representing them in huge ridings. On every difficult issue buck passing and finger pointing would replace true representation.

For those reasons when you vote on May 17, 2005 think hard about switching to a system that will hobble our Province's bright future. I urge you to VOTE NO!

Yours truly,

Dave Barrett
Premier of BC, 1972-1975

By BILL BENNETT

Open letter to BC Citizens:

On May 17, 2005 British Columbians will be asked to vote twice. Once in the provincial general election. Secondly, on a referendum on electoral reform. It is the second issue that causes me great concern and prompted me to write.

First let me acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the members of the Citizens Assembly in carrying out their duties. Their recommendations on electoral reform will ask British Columbians if they want to change how they elect their Members of the Legislature. With the greatest respect for their effort, I must disagree with their recommendation.

My view is based on both appreciation of our history and hope for our future. Our parliamentary tradition is seated in the tradition of one person equals one vote. A citizen selects a candidate or a party to represent them and votes accordingly. In this proposed system you end up with partial votes determining the outcome because of the complicated counting formula. It allows a few to manipulate the outcome of the majority in favour of biased minorities.

hen you vote on May 17, 2005 think hard about switching to a system that will hobble our Province's bright future. I urge you to VOTE NO!

Yours truly,

Bill Bennett
Premier of BC, 1975-1986