Dear Editor:
What can the voters of New Westminster learn from the people of Hong Kong and Scotland?
We can learn how to be passionate about having the right to vote, and using that right to vote when the opportunity arises.
As I write this, the Hong Kong people are standing out in the rain, by the thousands, giving a big No to those who would pick their candidates for them. What would our citizens do if someone tried to pick candidates for them?
And, look at the recent referendum in Scotland, where the turnout was over 80 per cent. Do you realize that if New Westminster doubled its turnout, we still wouldn't match that of Scotland.
It's not that hard, people. It's now only once every four years we have to make the effort.
There are three days of advance polls, in addition to general election day Nov. 15.
I worked for the city in the last two general elections, didn't see any lineups.
So, spend an hour getting to know the candidates and their positions, half an hour making your mind up, and half an hour to vote. At one civic election every four years, that averages out to half an hour per year.
Can you afford half an hour per year? Perhaps a better question - how can you afford not to?
Chris Dumfries, New Westminster
