The Editor,
Re. "Is the TransLink referendum pure democracy or pure politics?" (Face to Face, The Tri-City News, Oct. 4).
Referendums on taxes often have disastrous effects - look at the aftermath in the State of California with Proposition 13 - and voter turnout is low enough in elections that a referendum would likely only reflect the views of whichever interest group can get its vote out.
If we must use costly referendums to shield the government from wearing unpopular decisions, how about adding a question on the ballot about opening some beds at Riverview Hospital at the same time? Vancouver's Downtown Eastside is a crisis that is being ignored and there's people who desperately need shelter and care.
Also, we should have referendum on tankers carrying bitumen through the port of Vancouver and having a Coast Guard base in the port.
A referendum on requiring the B.C. legislature to sit regularly so our government can be held accountable would be nice.
Another question: Should school boards have to divert money to the Pacific Carbon Trust to fund private industry?
They could all fit on the same page.
B. Tennant, Coquitlam
