Dear Editor:
This letter is really addressed to North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
For the majority of my voting life I have been open to the ideas and visions put forward by all Canadian political parties. I have voted for the party and leader whose values most aligned with mine and whose vision for Canada most inspired me. In fact I have, over time, voted for three of the four major political parties.
However, the increasing use of attack ads in Canadian politics, particularly by the Conservative Party of Canada, has been very disappointing and left me wondering what the Conservatives stand for.
Last week's attack ad directed at the newly elected leader of the New Democratic Party finally changed my openness to all parties. Instead of congratulating Mr. Mulcair and indicating your willingness to work with the new leader of the official Opposition, you attacked. You missed an opportunity to show respect and to act with dignity - two values which I respect and which I consider universally Canadian.
I'm tired of the attack ads. They don't demonstrate the values that are important to me and the vision of Canada that they represent doesn't inspire me - it scares me.
I've been holding out, hoping to hear something about the Conservative Party of Canada's vision for Canada and the values they wish to prioritize in our society. Unfortunately, I can't hear anything for the attack ads.
I now consider myself open to the ideas and values espoused by only three of Canada's four major political parties. The Conservative party has proven that it doesn't have anything to offer me. It's too bad; there was a time when I would have voted for the Conservatives but those days are gone now.
Please consider eliminating all attack ads and instead spending your communication dollars promoting the ideas and values that you think will make our country greater.
Thank you for your public service.
Matthew Jackson North Vancouver
