Writer Terry Glavin takes a
Writer Terry Glavin takes a stab at illuminating the perenially black comedy that is British Columbia politics, as the province heads to the polls to toss out its old, smelly government — while preparing to hold its nose for a new one.
Glavin intelligently recounts the unique dynamics that make being a voter in B.C. such a nauseating, uh, thrilling experience. The roots of what has usually been utter acrimony trace back to the unstable origins of the province — B.C. has been dealing with the “native question,” for example, pretty much since day one.
All these things have caused British Columbia to be fertile ground for factionalism and polarization in our political culture. Our politicians conduct themselves like grudge-holding hillbillies, and we've been whipsawed by dramatically opposing political agendas for far too long.
Between elections, we allow ourselves to be convinced that as soon as we throw out the government, everything will be better. During election campaigns, we succumb to a kind of collective amnesia, forgetting that the pursuit of one political agenda wholly at odds with the other hasn't solved our problems. It is the problem. We shouldn't forget it.
Wise words to voting British Columbians.
Previously: “Vancouver’s landscape is awe provoking
Subsequently: Sometimes I have a lot
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