Greens’ self-interest behind push to lower voting age
Having been a foolish 16-year-old myself and now having two young girls, I oppose lowering the voting age to 16. The proposal is pure self-interest by Green party leader Andrew Weaver and other politicians who support it.
If Weaver feels a 16-year-old is responsible enough to vote, I shudder to think what he might propose next to be consistent. Lower the drinking and smoking age to 16? Allow 16 years olds to decide if they want to quit school? Allow them to enter contracts, including marriage? Colin Yip, Vancouver
Teens think for themselves
Letter-writers Gary McGregor and Cherryl Katnich are wrong to suggest that high school students are empty vessels who only reflect the views of the adults around them, incapable of critical thinking or original ideas.
A student spends about 990 hours with teachers each year, compared to 7,770 hours spent with family. By the logic of McGregor and Katnich, wouldn’t young people be more likely to vote like their parents?
Teachers are not into mind-control and agenda-driven indoctrination. I believe 16 year olds are as capable of voting as intelligently as anyone. Barbara Carter, White Rock
What is Horgan thinking?
Let me get this straight. Premier John Horgan is going to do everything he can to stop the federally approved Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, but wants the federal government to do something about B.C.’s high gasoline prices?
It’s embarrassing to live in B.C. with these clowns running things. Ed Schroeder, Surrey
Teachers work hard
I think letter-writer Brian Slade needs to get his facts straight about the teachers’ work schedules.
Most teachers mark papers at home, volunteer their time coaching sports teams and supervising activities. Professional development days are not days off. Teachers work on them, primarily attending workshops and meetings. They aren’t paid during the summer unless they teach summer school.
For someone to suggest teachers are not working hard enough is absurd.
Jeff Liang, Vancouver
No sympathy for developer
I have no sympathy for Eric Woodward and his plan to redevelop the shops along Glover Road in Fort Langley.
When he bought those properties, there were already guidelines and bylaws to guide how properties could be designed. It would seem from his statements that he wants to see Fort Langley built to his plan, without serious consideration to the heritage feel of the town or its long-standing commitment to historical preservation. I support maintaining its unique look and status within our province.
It is part and parcel of what Fort Langley is and why tourists flock there. They won’t come to see a redesigned main street with no heritage. Barbara Ewart, Langley
No one else to blame
I feel bad that Tyler Hatch lost all his money because of his gambling addiction. But it is his addiction. The B.C. Lottery Corporation is not responsible for his decisions.
Hatch was aware of the self-exclusion program, as he had been on it twice in the past. If he knew his addiction problem was so bad, why did he only sign up for six months, not the three years that are offered?
Unfortunately, we live in a society now where people blame others for their mistakes and want somebody else to pay.
Paul Douglas, Burnaby