Tax the answer

Dear Republic:

I like Kevin Potvin's idea of local small businesses forming cooperatives to raise capital and help maintain their viability (“Small businesses are flourishing,” Issue 125).

However, I think a highly politicized City Hall is the last place to try and promote such ventures. If anything, Vancouver has been the enemy of small businesses of late, by helping in the escalation of property values and taxes through their rubber-stamping of condo developments throughout the City.

Potvin is lucky to have his business on the relatively low-rent Eastside, as small stores on the West side are literally getting crushed by skyrocketing tax-inclusive leases. I personally know of a small magazine outlet on West fourth, not dissimilar to the Magpie, that closed its doors this past summer due to a sudden doubling of their lease.

If Potvin really wants to help small business when he gets into City Hall, he can start by proposing a small business property tax compensation scheme. Otherwise there just won't be enough stable businesses around to form coops, or any other such long term organizations.

- Charles Leduc, Vancouver

No more lions

Dear Republic:

I have recently discovered your newspaper and I want to thank you for addressing the suffering in our culture in a unique and perceptive way. Phil Rockstroh's article "The United States of Dixieland" (issue 123) and Michael Nenonen's article "Ecstasy and the traps of Beauty" (issue 124), in particular, discuss the problem of drugs and addiction through narratives that are far more compelling than news articles crammed with facts and the rhetoric of talking heads. As both an English student and an aspiring journalist, I believe you have tapped into the language and genre that will speak to this generation.

Though overall I was impressed by the articles, I noticed that both of them associated the Christian right with the negative aspects of drug abuse. Though I have no doubt that radical fundamentalism has inflicted injustices on society, this is not the sum of Christianity. The Bible records many anguished cries of humanity, always instructing its readers to respond with justice and mercy. In my interactions with Christians, I have found many whose lives are devoted to compassion for—or suffering with—the most marginalised people of society.

Those who call themselves Christians deserve to be called to account, and I know your paper will continue to do this. However, neoconservatives and Bible-thumping bigots are easy targets, and I think the depth of your paper would be increased by exploring the acts of compassion that are administered by those of every faith.

- Sarah Weigum, Managing Editor, Mars' Hill, Trinity Western University

Who indeed!

Dear Republic:

A friend of mine sent us the article you wrote on Premiere Campbell. (“Is Campbell a made man?” Republic Issue 113).

It came at exactly the same time other friends of ours have been commenting on the fact that the media here in BC seem to be utterly speechless when it comes to reporting on Mr Campbell's rather questionable ethics.

As you so clearly pointed out, the media has been aggressive about exposing scandals associated with past premieres yet it is strangely silent now. We have just lived through a shameful display of bully-power by Campbell and his cronies in regards to the passing of Bill 12 for educators. The labour unions are poised for a springtime confrontation and this would be an excellent time to pull back the curtain on a man who speaks and behaves as if he possesses some great moral standing.

I can understand political parties protecting their own but I don't understand how the media, including print, television and radio, would agree to "ignore" relevant information regarding this particular political figure. Who is the power behind Campbell?

- G Holden

****