July 23, 2:09 a.m. - Voting clarity courtesy of Dr. Phil's favourite question

TV's 'no nonsense shrink' Dr. Phil likes to ask guests about their problems and how their perceived solutions are going. The most telling question about their failing performance is usually: "Is it working?"

After decades of Nova Scotians flipping between Liberal and Conservative minders we remain a 'Have Not Province'. We now possess proven resources we nearly give away while we also pay dearly to educate thousands at the country's most expensive universities who regularly leave with skills we can't attract. This only guarantees we shall remain a 'Have Not Province.’

Is it working I ask? Not yet!

We are a HAVE province now and I'd like to HAVE some it stay here first. This apparent conspiracy of complacency by voting along traditional dead-end lines must end. Taking control of the government isn't the goal; moving the province
ahead is the goal.

Proven solutions exist for our insurance, natural gas and education woes and the NDP appear to be the only party willing to responsibly embrace these ideas. I don't think they were ready to govern last election but they have proven in the legislature they are now capable and this is their time. It certainly is time we as Nova Scotians collectively enjoy
what we already own and pay for. We must not drive our own children and future away by endorsing the Liberal/Conservative status quo with blind, habitual voting.

Being loyal to your family should come before being loyal to your Dad's party.

Is it working? I believe it can with the NDP this time.

Thanks Dr. Phil.

   - Kevin Goodlad, the Valley

July 23, 8:58 a.m. - not all issues covered

I am disappointed that many issues have been left out of the campaign. Issues such as Sunday shopping, the homeless, the poor, rent control and affordable housing. Many landlords charge over $1,000 for a 'hole in the wall' and people on lower incomes just cannot afford that, so many end up on the street. The Hamm government says they have programs to help the poor but at the same time they take all your income away. If you are truly ill and need help with social assistance, they have cut back so much, that it is almost impossible to eat right and get healthy so you can get back working. For example, if you need an eye exam, they cover $40 of the cost, but the majority of eye doctors charge $65, so the cost difference comes out of your rent or food budget. If you are on your own, you only receive about $250 for rent. I hate to tell the government, but you cannot even rent a bed for that price. Most places run at a cost of at least $400-$500, so now that person will more than likely end up homeless.

Sunday shopping is an issue with many. I have lived in places where there is Sunday shopping and where there is none. It is possible for the government to make a compromise. Open the stores on Sundays, but wait until the afternoon so people who want to go to church and spend a little time with their families are able to do so, and the people who want to shop on Sundays are able to also. Having stores open on Sundays is also a benefit to many young people who work part time trying to pay for university, etc. They will be able to earn just a little more money to help make ends meet.

There are many topics and many issues not covered in the campaign, and I am disappointed that the leaders are too afraid to tackle these issues.

   - C. Britten

July 23, 11:52 a.m. - "Who's your Maggie": Leadership Debate

I just wanted to add my own personal impression of Mr. Graham's closing remarks. I do not have a transcript of the debate in front of me, but to paraphrase, I believe he said something like "You have heard a lot tonight, which you may or may not fully understand" and then asked voters to think of their "Maggie" and vote Liberal. In other words, don't worry your pretty little head about the details, which may be too complicated for you, just think about the people you care about and vote Liberal. I don't know if anyone else found that slightly condescending or insulting, and I'm sure it was not intended to be, but it was at the very least an unfortunate choice of words.

   - Brian Willcott

July 23, 12:32 p.m. - Hamm owes apologies

Hamm owes apologies to environmentalists. In a CBC interview on July 21, John Hamm made this statement: "We will never ever be able to balance to the satisfaction of the environmentalists the use of our natural resources in the province."

This is an election statement I would like to respond to.

I am a forestry contractor who owns and operates a cut-to-length tree processor to selectively harvest private woodlots. I selectively cut the slowest growing and poorest quality trees, leaving the healthy and productive trees to remain growing. While the option does not supply all of the wood in one forest to the mills at one time, it does supply wood to sawmills, considerable income to the landowners, full-time employment for three people and, perhaps most importantly, it saves woodlots from being needlessly and indiscriminantly clear cut. In fact, in the long term, the economic value of the woodlot is enhanced because the remaining trees grow faster, and are of higher quality and value. With due consideration during the harvesting process, the natural Acadian forest ecosystems of Nova Scotia can and are actually being restored using these selection management techniques. A growing number of harvesting contractors are switching to these methods as landowners in the province become aware that clearcutting isn't the only option for their woodlots. It rarely requires replanting and rules out the need for herbicide spraying.

I personally feel that it represents a balance between what is best for forest ecosystems, economic well being, and Nova Scotian communities. We all depend on healthy productive forests and a healthy economy. Every environmentalist I know supports this kind of selection management.

One fact remains however: that in the short term, contractors and large industrial harvesting companies will likely have better net profits this year if they keep "efficient" and cut every tree in every location. What John Hamm said about environmentalists is exactly what big industry would have us all believe so that they could continue with their goal: maximum short term economic gains at the peril of our natural resources and at the peril of the Nova Scotia our children and grandchildren are inheriting.

A true statement would be that "We will never EVER be able to give big business everything it demands and still be viewed by Nova Scotians as using our natural resources wisely."

Whether we know it or not, the wise use and protection of our natural resources is the most important issue facing the future of Nova Scotians. Though I never have before, this year I'm voting for the NDP, who tried twice during the last four years to pass legislation that would require a permit for large clearcuts, and that would outlaw indiscriminant/ unjustifiable clearcuts and the associated herbicide spraying. Both times Hamm's Tories quickly squashed these legislative bills. I think Hamm should find some way to make his living other than by selling out our future to industry.

I will not go so far as to call Hamm a liar; I will assume he is either naive or a fool or he just hasn't done his homework. From what I can see, he has absolutely no grasp on what is good for Nova Scotia. Certainly Mr. Hamm owes Nova Scotians who care about their environment a huge apology, maybe even two apologies: one for stereotyping environmentalists, and another for his complete lack of ecological and environmental concern during his (hopefully short) time as a premier.

   - DeLancey Bishop, MSc Biology, harvesting contractor, Canning, N.S.

July 23, 6:04 p.m. - Impressed with Graham

I must say that while watching last night's far-too-calm debate on CBC, I
may have made up my mind on where my vote will be going. Premier Hamm, who
is obviously a kind and honourable man, seems a little tired to me. It looks like the Tories are going for as little imagination as possible this time, and I think things need to change. Things haven't improved that much
over the past few years from my end, despite what Dr. Hamm seems to be claiming.

Meanwhile, the NDP, who have a strong, young, everyman leader, seems to be very short on the details, and I worry about how they are actually going to execute their lofty but overly simple plans, or, as Hamm calls them, the Seven Platitudes.

However, I was impressed by Danny Graham. My vote probably wasn't going to the Liberals before (I have been a little nervous of them ever since the Savage years) but what he said last night made sense to me. He seemed a little nervous at first but he got past that and as I took a hard listen to what he was talking about, and it made sense.

About his so-called "Grandchild Rule," where whenever the government makes a spending decision, we think of our grandchildren and whether or not they'll have to pay for it. About how if we want better healthcare, etc. now, we may have to forgo a tax cut for a little while. About paying down the debt (I had no idea of its enormity before reading about it and hearing it last night). And the rule of gas taxes going straight to roads and legislating an auto insurance cut instead of wasting money on an expensive government-owned system are good as well. His closing speech drove it home to me. Sure, the "Who's your Maggie?" quote may be a tad cheesy, but it hit home. I have fairly young kids, and I don't want them to have to pay for a tax cut that we want now.

I want a government that will be strong, clear, and sensible with me. I'm not sure any of the three parties will be able to pull it off, but right now, it looks like the Liberals may be best suited for it.

   - Tom MacBride

July 23, 6:49 p.m. - who's your maggie?

I believe Danny's message was of real concern because I have three children that I am concerned over. I do not want another four years of cutting education for my children. If you have children, you would easily understand his message.

   - Derek Lesser, Yarmouth

July 23, 9:57 p.m. – coalition

We can't decide what we want with one leader. With a coalition it will be for years of nothing.

   - Len MacIvor

July 23, 11:18 p.m. - Nova Scotia Government--What do the public really know?

Are the public aware that the N.S. government has printed on each and every Child Tax Benefit cheque that it is an initiative and funded by the N.S. government? Dah! The Child Tax Benefit has been initiated by the federal government and increased to answer to the "BIG" issue of child poverty. The N.S. government has clawed back portions -- or in some cases all -- of the Child Tax Benefit to fund its Community Services Department from the people who really actually need it: the disabled and the impoverished, who, in fact, at this point in time almost have no say because they are so challenged with just everyday living.

Health care begins at home, in the kitchens of Nova Scotians, not in the drug atores and hospitals. Who can afford to eat broccoli and drink milk??? Yet these are the simple grocery items which are denied to many Nova Scotians. They say the way to your heart is through your stomach. Feed the people, for God's sake, and the health and happiness of everyone would be improved.

Then there is the smoking issue. Well I don't even want to go there. Smoking evolved with this country. "Freedom of Information"???? What is that? I requested information from a tobacco company for a research project and was told that they were not allowed to disclose any info to me, as it could be misconstrued as advertising. I know this is also a federal issue but I am concerned about the erosion of our rights and freedoms.

I did notice the timing of Mr. Hamm, getting his $155.00 cheques out and his "bluebook" in the mail. I wonder how many noticed that tuition is 1/2 price for seniors? I am all for opportunity for everyone but really Mr. Hamm, the young students are hurting and the aged population gets a break on tuition. What about volunteer work?? I think it is a good way for seniors to still contribute to society, let alone getting a half-priced law degree at 75 when they are not able to use it. What a waste.

Then there are the transition houses which are desperate for funding, a very worthwhile facility, particularly in a province with a high rate of family violence.

What about the N.S. community services minister cutting the incentive payments to those successful in finding employment and clawing back payments that were made to businesses for part of the wages of the individual, not from the business, from the individual?

I am not impressed with Mr. Hamm's track record and I know that if the people of Nova Scotia were more knowledgeable about the things his government has done, they would not be impressed either.

   - V. Weeks

to top