In keeping with the spirit of the holiday and tradition, your Face to Face columnists are, for this week, Arm in Arm for our annual Peace on Earth column.After having met recently for a holiday drink (alas, just coffee), we were again surprised at the number of things about which we agree, including...
Andy Radia: While my debating partner and I sit on opposite sides of the political spectrum, like most Canadians, we have similar goals and values. We all want to live in a prosperous nation with safe streets, reliable health care for our seniors and a solid education system for our children.
Jim Nelson: All worthy Canadian goals. Our ends are similar (though mine is slightly larger), the means we espouse different. Face to Face is a microcosm of Canada's proud tradition of civilized political discourse and, so, in recognition of this, I have removed my pink underwear for this holiday edition.
Andy: And I've removed my camouflage gear for the season.
Indeed, when looking back at 2011, there are several topics on which my colleague and I actually agreed. For instance, Jack Layton's death was inarguably the top political story of 2011 but it was an event that transcended politics. His death touched an emotional chord with Canadians of all political stripes. I didn't agree with many of his policies but respected the man for the way he conducted himself in a reasonable, honourable and positive manner.
Jim: I think most Canadians were surprised at the level of emotion and respect we felt as a nation in response to Jack Layton's death. Part appreciation, part patriotism, our national response was a reinvigorating, non-partisan, outpouring of unity.
The last year also saw the final outpouring of funding for the long-awaited Evergreen Line. My colleague and I both understand its postponement in favour of the Canada Line but we agree that it's long past overdue. Still, before buying condos in Burquitlam, we might wait until shovels actually hit the ground.
Andy: Certainly, the Evergreen line has been a long-time coming. Our Tri-City mayors and councils must be commended for their unwavering efforts to make the rapid transit line a reality. The project is evidence that when all three levels of government work together, great things can happen.
Jim: We also agree that during this season of brotherly and sisterly love, governments need to work together to address the alarming economic inequity in Canada. In 2011, the Occupy Canada Movement and the tragedy in Attawapiskat have focused Canadians on the unacceptable disparity between rich and poor - something must be done.
Andy: In Attawapiskat today, there are elderly people living in sheds without water or electricity. In a wealthy country such as ours, it's indefensible that any group of Canadians are living in those types of conditions.
Governments, businesses, and non-profits need to intervene and find ways to narrow our society's income disparities.
Now, looking ahead, Jim and I are both looking forward to a year without any election campaigns. After two federal elections, one provincial campaign and a civic election in the last three years, 2012 will be mercifully election-free.
British Columbians, even political junkies like us, are tired of the vicious political attack ads, the constant robo-calls, the fundraising drives and the piles of election literature falling on our doorsteps.
Jim: No elections for awhile - nice. That said, my colleague and I also agree that if an election were held in 2012 featuring as candidates Jesus Christ, Carole Taylor, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and Santa Claus, Ms. Watts would win with 75% of the vote.
Speaking of Santa, my colleague and I both feel that the advent of the digital world has helped make the logistics of Santa's night of worldwide philanthropy infinitely more possible for him and his unionized elves (who probably retire on bloated pensions).
Andy: And those elves better not strike or the Harper government may just have to legislate them back to work.
I don't believe Santa's red suit, however, is indicative of his political disposition.
And I agree with my colleague that technology has indeed made Christmas a lot easier for Saint Nick.
With iPhones and iPads and Blackberries, he can keep track of his naughty or nice lists, receive emails instead of letters, and better manage the whole production and distribution process.
In closing, I hope Santa is kind to you, Jim, to the staff and management at The Tri-City News and to you, the readers.
Jim: And to you, Andy. Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings and kudos to The News and our editor for allowing - nay, encouraging - our weekly partisan bickering.
And to our faithful readers, whose ire we raise weekly, I wish you a 99% Merry Christmas and a Happy 1% New Year.
Face to Face columnist Jim Nelson is a retired Tri-City teacher and principal who lives in Port Moody. He has contributed a number of columns on education-related issues to The Tri-City News.
Andy Radia is a Coquitlam resident and political columnist who writes for Yahoo! Canada News and Vancouver View Magazine. He has been politically active in the Tri-Cities, having been involved with election campaigns at all three levels of government, including running for Coquitlam city council in 2005.
