Intolerance and decisions

Can activists govern? We all hope that those who govern provide care and protection for those they represent. History tells us that activists who become revolutionaries may then become dictators. And dictators are angrily intolerant of the views of others.

When our elected governors give ear to activists, and ignore the “opposition” providers who contribute goods and services to meet the needs of society, do our governors cease to govern?

Last year, the City Council listened to housing activists berate all landlords as being part of some sort of evil empire. New regulations in the city should help eliminate some low cost sub-standard housing. Will the activists house those displaced tenants?

This year, the City Council listened to the “anti-someone else’s religion” activists, and helped curtail the activities of the UGM. This should help suppress efforts to grow services for the homeless. Will the activists house the homeless?

I may not agree with the activities of slumlords; and I may not fully agree with UGM’s religious views. But I think the good they do (providing goods and services) outweighs the good of the activists’ words. Those loud angry words harm the poor and the homeless, and our governors should rise above that noise. We need solutions (housing) more than platitudes.

Jerry Bishop

Chattaroy