Friday, January 30, 2009

City votes to embarass itself, again, with Supreme Court appeal

Last night, January 28 2009, the recently elected City of Victoria Mayor and council voted unanimously to keep the voices of homeless people alive in the Justice system.

"We haven't heard the last of them yet," explained Mayor Fortagain, "we've got all kinds of money - did you hear about my 25% raise - and I haven't even done anything yet! Lawyers, legal fees, what the hell. Let's take this thing to the Supreme Court of Canada! Taxpayers hate these homeless and their attempts to look after themselves. What would happen to all our healthily paid service providers if the homeless all became self-sufficient? Keep poor-bashing alive! This country was founded on colonialism, and by God we're going to do the HBC proud!"

In addition to keeping tax dollars flowing to the already employed while successfully ignoring those who could really use a hand up, last night's council proved that the NDP and the Greens can actually work together.

Elected on a Green slate, councillors Blander and Lootus said with one voice "last night's vote proves that, no matter who you vote for, the government always wins. We're just thrilled to have a secure paycheque so we can raise our infant children in the style to which we never thought we'd be accustomed." When asked about Green values of environmental sustainability and fairness for all, Blander-Lootus explained "words are one thing, but living in a tent is quite another."

Former NDP MP Councillor Huntress concurred. "We could have used these five weeks to offer TASC (the Temporary Autonomous Shelter Coalition) an opportunity to show us how a tent city can really help the street urchins by building an environmentally gentle and sustainable community, but we didn't. We're showing solidarity with the Green Party, isn't that enough?"

It'll be five weeks until the City officials are potentially embarassed, again, with the commencement of another Court case that will likely side with those whose lives are at risk sleeping outside. And if they lose, we're off to the Supreme Court of Canada.

For those not paying attention, that's where we live. CANADA. Our home on Native land. It's freakin' cold, rainy and, especially since the skinning of Bear Mountain, very very windy here.

And they wonder why homeless (and their friends) have lost faith in electoral politics.