A Wake-Up Call For the Left

Victoria, BC: Proof Positive of the Downfall of Canadian Society

If Victoria, British Columbia is an example of where Canada is headed then we are all in deep trouble. Madam Justice Carol Ross, in her infinite [lack of] wisdom, threw out a city bylaw that restricted camping in public places. Now roving gangs of young "homeless" kids, many "homeless" by choice, apparently have the right to pitch tents wherever and whenever they want. You can read more about this Kafka-like decision here. One thing in the story that is not correct is that there are enough shelter beds in Victoria. These folks just don't want to sleep there.

---

This issue was being discussed on Roy Green's show on the Corus network. I sent the host this note:

Roy, As someone who lived in Victoria for 4 years [1997 - 2001] I have a pretty good handle on what is occurring there. Victoria, with its relatively warm weather, is a magnet for young people from across Canada to move out to. After arriving they generally have two lifestyle options:

1. Get a low paying job or two in tourism and live in shared accommodations with other kindred souls.
2. Live the drug-laden hippie lifestyle on the streets, camping out all day on Douglas Street, begging for money from tourists.

Many opt for #2. Are they really homeless? In a technical sense, yes, but it's more a matter of a lifestyle choice than any unavoidable poverty. In the process they have pretty much wrecked the downtown core. Tourists are afraid to venture too far away from the main tourist strip of Government Street and so the businesses beyond this narrow strip are hard pressed to stay alive. I absolutely object to the recent decision by the female judge because she has placed all the power in the hands of those who make zero contribution to society and instead just leech off of it, day after day after day. Is this the example that we really want to set for future generations of young Canadians? If so, then God help us!

Joe The Plumber

In this strangest of political campaigns, who would have ever guessed that a plumber named Joe Wurzelbacher would become the most famous man in America. His name came up over & over again in tonight's debate.

Trying to put myself into the mind of the average undecided American voter, I think that Obama came off as calmer and more collected. McCain sounded a little snippy at times. McCain did his best to throw the most significant charge (ie. William Ayers) at Obama but the latter offered a reasonable sounding response.

Where the truth in any of the back & forth tete-a-tete actually lies, who knows. Mine is simply a first impressions evaluation. Stanley Kurtz, for one, thinks that Obama was somewhat disingenuous with some of his answers.

Kudos though to both men for engaging in a respectful, adult conversation, letting the other speak. In Canada's recent English language debate, all but Stephen Harper were able to do the same.

I still adamantly believe that an Obama administration will be a great disaster for America because socialist-leaning policies always kill the incentive of the most industrious in any society. And without them, societies slip backward. Britain is learning that now. So is France. Canadians have been wise enough never to elect the NDP. On November 4th we'll see if Americans need to learn a painful lesson.