Message from Angela Reid

Dear Burlington,

The turning of the seasons brings about changes in the colours of the leaves and the look of the landscape. The last of the harvest is being stored, kids are back in the swing of school days, and we adults continue on our chosen courses of life, looking forward to the somewhat slower pace and coziness of winter.

I feel these changes, and they remind me that our community and the world around us is in a constant state of change and fluctuation, and that if we don’t like things the way they are, we can change them too. A few things remain the “same old way,” but when you start looking around and listing to the variety of organizations in your neighborhood, groups of dedicated citizens working to make changes that will benefit all of us, we are seeing change in action.

The Green Party started out as somebody’s dream. Today, we can be proud and excited to have made history in so many ways. Not only is the Green Party evolving, we are also influencing the policy of other parties. Watch and listen closely to the positive change. At the same time, be aware of the commitments and impressions made during the election. Do you see the changes you wanted to see? Are your friends and neighbours who didn’t vote Green disappointed by the current state of affairs locally and nationally?

Remind them and yourselves that if we don’t demonstrate through our vote that we don’t like the way things are today we are never going to see things change. And we don’t have time to wait for things to change themselves. Look around and notice the increased air quality warnings this summer; increased urban sprawl and poorly planned rapid development, the traffic congestion that never gets better; the mounting cases of preventable chronic disease and illness as a consequence of growing pollution and poor health, and the resulting increased pressure to privatize parts of our healthcare system since the current system can’t handle the demand; a tax system that is not logical with taxes on income and investment too high, and taxes on things that are detrimental to our health, our public systems and our environment, too low.

The changes we need to see in the near future are not happening with our current government. Throwing more of our tax dollars at old problems is not change. It merely provides instant gratification; a short term, temporary band-aid that does not solve the underlying problems. Unfortunately, this is how our current elected government works.

As you anticipate the next election, I encourage you to continue educating yourself about the Green Party platform and how our ideas compare to the mostly outdated ways of thinking of our elected government. Discuss and share this information with your friends. During the election, it was so amazing to see how quickly people responded positively to the value, integrity and balanced approach the Green Party brings; how surprised people were when they actually had an opportunity to listen to us talk of fiscal responsibility, proactive thinking and making simple shifts in our lifestyles, not radical changes.

People are ready to hear some new ideas. Please share with them the fresh approach the Green Party offers. Show them our platform at www.greenparty.ca or contact our local office and invite a member to join you for some thoughtful conversation over a hot chocolate.

Thank you for the continued support.

Yours for a healthy, wealthy and beautiful Burlington,

Angela Reid

Three Reasons To Vote Reid

Photo Album

Aldershot High School, June 9, 2004 Community Council Meeting	Angela Reid, Spener Smith Park Green Party Candidate
Angela and Green Party of Canada Leader Jim Harris discuss preventative health care in Burlington on June 9th.