Dear Editor:
Re: Is this the end for the B.C. NDP?, The Record, June 5.
It is certainly a cogent and articulate column Keith Baldrey wrote, which explains mostly, but not entirely, the surprise B.C. election results.
He seems to suggest that several thousand voters in certain ridings play a crucial role in deciding the whole election result, with apparently stereotypical thinking.
It may well be that some voters do not think carefully about such buzzwords as "socialism" and "free enterprise" or what exactly is meant by these.
Bill Tieleman suggested in a recent column that "dog-whistle politics" may have summoned right-leaning voters who don't normally vote. Certain key phrases, though unrealistic and almost meaningless to most voters, have a potent emotional effect on some voters in key regions, however irrational.
There seems to be a problem with mass consciousness of sociopolitical reality. People are not skeptical of claims about unverified high "job numbers" with no specific information.
Many voters in some regions lack interest in the real issues, including even scandals and professional competence.
Some even have the attitude that major issues are purely speculative with no serious consequences in our lives.
There is a serious problem in our society with mass indifference, which can slide easily downhill to apathy and hopelessness.
Even when problems are well known, there is a common attitude of, "nothing we can do about it, is there?"
Terry Hilmar, New Westminster
