Dear Editor:
Re: 'Machine' is run by volunteers, Letters to the editor, The Record, Oct. 31.
In her Oct. 31 letter, Jane Player writes that 'the machine's' "entire campaign is run by volunteers."
Now, I started political volunteering at age 16 and have worked as an independent contractor for the NDP in two elections. Volunteers are important to any campaign, small-budgeted or large!
But it stretches the imagination to say the labour-backed candidates rely solely on volunteers to run their campaigns.
Jane, I implore you to consider the office space, phones, leaflets and signs you mention. Were they all donated on a voluntary basis? What about the data lists used by phone banks? No paid effort went into compiling these?
When people say 'the machine,' they aren't denying the existence of hard-working volunteers. It refers to substantial funds (check the candidates' declared donations) and logistical support that labour backing brings and independent candidates can't match.
But please don't assume that the 'machine' has a monopoly on volunteers. I've donated 100 hours of my time to indie candidates so far, and I'm grateful to be joined by my friends and neighbours!
C. Grekul, New Westminster
