Pubdate: Wed, 07 Nov 2012
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Dale Bass

MAYOR: U.S. ELECTION TURNOUT IMPRESSIVE

Perhaps one of the solutions to improving voter turnout in B.C. is to 
figure out why it works in the U.S.

Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar noted Americans treat their right to 
vote in a different way than do many Canadians.

"It is one of the most convoluted and difficult systems to track," 
Milobar said, "yet their voter turnout is two or three times ours.

"I go to vote and I can do it in 15 minutes. People in Florida stood 
in line for five, six hours, to vote."

Milobar said he believes the many options presented for voting in the 
U.S. may also encourage people to exercise the right, pointing out 
states control what goes on ballots and how the votes will be cast, 
ranging from the familiar 'X' on a paper ballot to smartphones, by 
mail or online, depending on where they live.

"They take it a lot more seriously," the mayor said.

"We should ask ourselves, why do they as a citizenry take it so seriously?"

Kamloops-South Thompson Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger agreed with 
Milobar's observation there is something about the American culture 
that drives people to vote.

"People there [in the U.S.] have been absolutely committed to their 
vision of how their democracy will unfold," Krueger said.

"Their [voting] system was designed by people with great forethought 
on how it should be done."

Another aspect of the U.S. election that should get some attention in 
B.C. is the decision in Colorado and the state of Washington to begin 
the process to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana production and sale.

"I hope so," Krueger said when asked if the proximity to a state 
whose populace has endorsed legalization should be studied by his government.

"We have to stop playing into the hands of the Hells Angels and the 
other gangs and criminals who control it now."

Krueger said marijuana should be viewed by government as is alcohol 
and gambling, vices for many, entertainment for others, but a reality 
that needs to be addressed.

"It is a huge agricultural industry," Krueger said, "and it makes no 
sense to tie up our courts, police and jails with it."

In the adult population, people get to choose and a lot of people 
enjoy marijuana, Krueger said, noting the justice system often treats 
those charged with marijuana-related offences differently than they 
do those with alcohol-related charges, "giving them longer prison sentences.

"It should be licensed and regulated and taxed as a revenue source," 
he said. "There should be off-ramps for people to get out of it if 
they want to [due to addiction]."

"When they say it's a war on drugs, it's not. It's a war with 
organized crime," Krueger said.

"And, it's time to stop giving them this gravy train."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom