Letters to the editor

A10

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This letter is in response to the letter published on Oct. 4, re: garbage pick-up. I too am annoyed at the short-sightedness and lack of thought that was put into these new regulations.

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These new rules will be inconvenient for most and impossible for some to accommodate. Until there is proper curbside pick-up for recyclables, this program is bound to fail.

I am sure, however, that there will be no exceptions made for any citizens outside the so-called "priority" neighbourhoods. I demand that council focus its attention on more pressing matters like the pension fiasco, getting our tax rate down and repairing our crumbling streets (mine is like the road to Kabul), and worry less about what is in my garbage bags. I, and most citizens I am sure, try our best to reuse and recycle whenever possible, and do not put mountains of garbage out for the crews to pick up. This issue should be shelved until such time there are proper pick-up programs in place.

KERI CAMPBELL

Saint John

Making our vote count this Tuesday

Now more than ever our vote should be based on our recognition as Canadians that the secure financial future of this country is not a given. One needs only look at the U.S. to see how a very powerful and supposedly financially secure nation can be taken to the brink by governments that are not on constant vigil. And it's important to realize that all issues near and dear to us are directly tied to the financial well-being of the country. Employment, the environment, health care (the list is endless) cannot be effectively addressed in financially stressed times.

We must make every effort to avoid financial down-turn here and the only recourse we have is to elect a strong government that will keep us economically sound.

The recently dissolved minority government implemented much of the platform put forth in 2005 - certainly no small feat. They made tax cuts in many areas while increasing benefits to needy Canadians - a good example of the balance of economic stimuli and social responsibility they have achieved. We need to continue this approach to governing for the next several years to successfully navigate the challenges of a shaky world economy.

In our area we have a choice of good candidates, but this election we need to look deeper to determine the effect our vote will have on local industry initiatives and the impact on the economic future of the country.

N.B. votes are more important than ever this time around. Let's make them count.

CYRIL McFATE

Upper Golden Grove

NDP represents real change

I am an NDP voter and have been for almost three decades and because of that, I would encourage you to make this party your choice when voting on Tuesday.

We constantly hear of "the Green Shift" of the Liberals and of the party who carries the green name, yet it was the environmental and pro-peace platform that drew me to looking at the NDP 30 years ago. Our stance on environmental issues has never wavered, which is more than can be said for the Liberals and Conservatives. The Conservatives have muddled their way through environmental, criminal, Arts and First Nation issues and the Afghanistan War.

Many people remember the days of Bob Rae and the debacle that resulted as he governed Ontario. Well, 15 years later the Liberals lay claim to him, so he's their problem now. Look to past Saskatchewan successes and currently, Manitoba, for great examples of visionary NDP leadership, balanced budgets and progress.

People are talking about strategic voting: vote for so-and-so to prevent the Liberal/Conservative from being elected. I am so impressed with Jack Layton over the last few weeks. He is sounding more and more like a prime minister or leader of the official Opposition. Now that would be real strategic voting! Talk to your local NDP candidate and if you really want your vote to count, vote NDP and send a message to Ottawa of your desire for real and positive change.

JUDITH MEINERT-THOMAS

Saint John

Layton has best job in Canada

Jack Layton has the best job in Canada. Why?

Firstly, he is able to make all kinds of wonderful sounding election promises knowing full well that there is no chance whatsoever that he will have to honour them.

Secondly, while professing affinity with the average working stiff, both he and his wife are deep in the government trough with inflated parliamentary salaries, perks and pensions. Imagine what their household income is and think if it mirrors that of an average worker. Layton is so full of posturing, puffery and crocodile tears it is a wonder that his body can contain it.

BRIAN STONE

Saint John

We do not need any more taxes

I read with interest Charles Moore's column Thursday. In my opinion he has hit the nail squarely on the head concerning the carbon tax proposed by Mr. Dion.

I do not believe we need any more taxes. This new tax would jeopardize our economy. I do believe in doing all I can for the environment. Since Canada has only two per cent of the world's population, what we do is still only a drop in the bucket, or as Mr. Moore stated, "A spit in the ocean."

K.E. McARTHUR

Sussex

Carbon tax is a visionary outlook

Charles Moore's dogmatic insincerity in the face of political efforts to do anything regarding carbon pollution in our environment stems from his archaic stance of old-world thinking. It must be exceedingly difficult for such an individual with one foot mired in the mindset of the 14th century, as he has proven so many times in the past, to have a progressive, visionary outlook.

His latest column slams attempts by any political party to follow through with carbon tax policies on the question of carbon emissions. He argues instead, it would be an unfair burden on Canada since many other large industrial nations refuse to play along, and will ultimately emit voluminous amounts of carbon emissions even if we don't.

But nothing could be further from the truth. For mysterious reasons known only to Moore, he chooses to ignore the very obvious incentive this would naturally provide in the supply-demand equation of a new, profitable green economy.

Both China and India are waking up to the new reality of what is possible. China, along with designer William McDonough, is embarking on building large scale, sustainable cities.

Upstart electric car makers such as Tesla Motors and Canada's own Zenn are helping to force green competition onto Detroit's Big Three.

Not only will the above examples allow individuals to enjoy lower living expenses in comparison, but a cleaner and healthier carbon footprint as well.

Ideas like these are the only politically correct path of the very near future, and need fostering.

JOHN ACKERSON

St. Martins

Bias is often in eye of beholder

I was initially surprised to read Erminie Cohen's letter ("Coverage of visit was a disservice") concerning her detection of a Liberal bias in the Telegraph-Journal's election coverage. This may come as a surprise to Liberals. Little did they know!

The Liberals may have looked at a couple of recent editions of the paper and counted no fewer than eight pictures of Conservatives. They may wonder why a picture of a lone Stéphane Dion getting off his bus in Moncton was placed beside a picture of Stephen Harper being cheered by the usual, staged crowd of supporters. What could the Telegraph-Journal be indicating by this contrast?

Bias is often in the eye of the beholder

However, some things are clear. Mr. Harper's visit to the city was extremely short. And it occurred under the usual Harperesque cloud of secrecy and control. Local journalists may have found themselves in the position of ordinary Canadians, who are kept far away from Mr. Harper.

Recently Mr. Harper set the terms and conditions on which he would speak to Peter Mansbridge on CBC news. Every other leader took questions from 'ordinary Canadians.' Mr. Harper would not. He likes to talk about ordinary Canadians, and for ordinary Canadians but he doesn't like talking to ordinary Canadians.

Ms. Cohen's letter is but one more way of controlling the terms and conditions of press coverage. Accuse the media of bias so they tip coverage in favour of the Conservatives. Such cleverness seems worthy of the master manipulator himself.

CHARLES MURPHY

Saint John