The Editor, Re: "Hands off our $26 M: Trustees," News, April 30. I have witnessed the repeated depredations on education, health care, environmental controls and social services for more than a decade, ever since the provincial Conservativesin-Liberal-wool won the hearts of elitist wannabes under Gordon Campbell, and we elected another Brian Mulroney in the form of Stephen Harper.
A close friend, mentor, and senior attorney recently quoted Frank Underhill, who paraphrased the American Declaration of Independence as "government of the people, by the lawyers, for the corporations."
Sounds familiar. Our B.C. government even considers itself superior to the Supreme Court, apparently, if I can believe what I read in the news.
Now we are, yet again, looking at another round of environmental battles, and teachers and health care workers walking picket lines, not only out of concerns for their livelihoods, which is fair enough, but also because of their compromised ability to effectively practise their professions. Canada, B.C. in particular, is being converted into a Third World State.
Corporate sponsored pigs-at-trough would do well to remember how justice is inevitably achieved in other third rate, corporate-government-for-profit, top-heavy hierarchies.
That said, let's not forget that there are many good people working in our corrupt governments.
John Yap, (MLA Steveston) for example, and his executive assistants, Paige Robertson and Ho Wah, have always been willing to assist me in my efforts to find justice for the disadvantaged members of society, within the constraints of the government they serve under.
People are the problem; people are also the solution. Like those who honoured World Press Freedom Day with their gutsy letters and editorial.
Getting more everyday citizens involved is the challenge, and I know how: stop volunteering! This society hangs together because of willing volunteers. Taking their services away will create a vacuum which will affect everyone, no matter how wealthy or poor.
Volunteers can't be over-ruled by government mandate. They don't have to appeal, and appeal again to the courts. They don't have to tow the corporate line of "monotheistic religion" to keep their jobs.
All they have to do is nothing. Bringing the chickens home to roost, will certainly get the attention of the non-involved members of our city, province, and country.
Ramblin' Ryan Lake
Gnarly Old Dudes and Dames of Steveston (GODDS)
