Dear Editor,
Re: “This byelection is an important one," Our View, the Record, June 2.
I agree with most of your excellent editorial but hedge on one vital point. In Paul Sweezy’s words: “Most people take (democracy) for granted, just as we take the sun for granted. It has always been with us since time immemorial; it always will be with us when our grandchildren are old.” But 20th-century history suggests otherwise, with the emergence of radical opportunism leading to totalitarianism. A study of history of Central Europe, Russia and East Asia shows how fragile democracy can be.
It’s true, we can lament “what a one-party government … has done to transparency and citizen involvement. But we suspect the majority of voters will simply shrug (it off) and see it as politics as usual. And they could very well be correct.”
No! Such an attitude is particularly bad, similar to one student I knew who thought failing a grade “is really nothing. Life will go on as usual with the same courses and new friends” or another student who convinced himself he was “helpless! Absolutely helpless! I can do nothing. I’ve no power to make any difference!” What if a thousand voters had these same attitudes?
Voting is of vital importance. “In choosing for oneself, one chooses for everyone,” wrote Jean-Paul Sartre, who also said, “Bad faith is something we’d all be better off without.”
It’s true that provincial party politics is seen as arbitrarily or inappropriately (in the opinions of many) being played out on local school boards, and rightly “folks are leery about” this, including allegedly inappropriate involvement** by federal politicians. What do the feds think this is?
New Westminster needs balance and diversity. Labour Council is extremely heavily represented in Burnaby-New West. They have enough! I don’t believe that certain members have papal infallibility. Many other constituents DO need to be represented as well.
Mary Lalji has a long record showing great motivation, commitment and resourcefulness, especially with extraordinary courage under pressure – definitely a requirement in New Westminster politics!
As such, Mary is a highly dedicated professional (especially in attitude), including “doing one’s best, even when one is exhausted,” a further example of her extraordinary strength of spirit!
Above all, her number 1 quality is that she is a good listener, which is more than we can say about some people. Mary is a most outstanding and exemplary candidate. If you prefer this to old “politics as usual” and prefer an excellent listener to represent you, elect Mary Lalji for school board trustee. It is a vitally important byelection!
Terry Hilmar, New Westminster
