The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns

4. When I first saw of your candidacy I noticed an artist rendering of your profile when driving through Surrey. To be honest, the first funny thought that came to my mind was “oh great - the Uni-bomber is running for office. Just throw a hood and sun glasses and it’s a match�. Now, you seem nothing like the Uni-bomber on your DVD. Is this similarity intentional or just from my own warped mind? Why the sketch drawing?

[Jack Cook] I will answer “Why� first�. When an election is called, it doesn’t matter whether Federal, Provincial or Municipal, the same sequence of events happens. A person decides to run, they believe they must get some signs made, flyers published, campaign office opened, etc., but the candidate never stops to think about what he or she is actually doing. They are marketing themselves. Most candidates use the cookie cutter concept… they all look alike.

On the other hand I had to do something that was unique and different just to get noticed and my name in their minds and then I had to educate people about who I am. The local papers were certainly not going to do it for me. Most political signs are very busy and colour coded to represent their party. In my case I used only 20% coverage, using an artist’s rendering and in black. We actually considered using a caricature at one point. Using the standard 4’ x 4’ sign together with all candidates mine stand out. The sign was only intended to create a question: WHO IS THIS GUY?

5. Can you give my readers any hints at what crazy ideas are next for Jack Cook on his campaign election?

[Jack Cook] There is one more step to the campaign, but I can’t disclose this until after the election as we are still keeping the competition guessing.

6. I have to say donating 100 units of blood in 4 countries is quite the feat, especially when I’m deadly afraid of needles. Why would you put this and other personal life facts on the film without including any hard hitting explanations of your political beliefs, leanings, and policies that you believe would be good for Canada?

[Jack Cook] The DVD was only intended to introduce myself to the citizens of Fleetwood–Port Kells. If the voters liked what they saw on the DVD then more information and opinions were available on my website. If the website still didn’t provide the information they wanted, I am available via eMail, telephone, and Blogging.

Personal accomplishments, I think, are very important. Every individual has these and are proud of these accomplishments. I wanted everyone to understand that I didn’t have horns and I was safe to invite over for dinner. (Should anyone ask)

7. There was some comedic value to the DVD, including the musical scores, the dancing/mime Jack, and when those Segway machines scrolled past the screen. Can we expect a movie/TV career from you if the election doesn’t go your way?

[Jack Cook] So far no offers. Personally I had done very little in the way of camera work previous to this DVD. I feel I was very wooden in the beginning, but I started feeling a lot more comfortable later into the DVD. It was a lot of fun, but for now, my only fingers into the movie/TV industry is the completion of my Screenplay.

8. I noticed in your DVD and old commodore machine. My technical Igor and minion that keeps www.SamanthaBurns.com running has three of those machines lying around. What is it with you ol’ computer geeks and those machines?

[Jack Cook] Well, this is when I have to let the public in on a secret. The Commodore that was in the DVD was actually a 4032, which was the second generation of Commodore machines. The original PET that I had is gone and I couldn’t find one for the shoot. The 4032 actually used the old 5.25� disks but the PET used cassette tapes for storage. Tell your friend not to sell them, they have good value and it can only get better. I am sure your IT department has some great stories to tell about the beginning of the computer industry.

9. I noticed on your website you mentioned that replacing “Unemployment Insurance, Welfare, Canada Pension, Old Age Pension, Military Pensions, Workers Compensation, etc.� with a $1000/month check per Canadian man, woman, and child would be far cheaper than maintaining these government programs. Are you serious in this statement or making a point? If not serious, then what is the point you are making? How can the government provide a social safety net efficiently, effectively, and more importantly, in such a way that people no longer require a government handout?

[Jack Cook] The idea came not from me, but from a Talk Show Host from years past: Gary Bannerman at Bannerline Communications. Gary Bannerman used to be the talk show host of CKNW before Bill Goode, Rafe Mair, and Barry Clarke. He suggested that the cost of administration for all government (Federal & Provincial) was so excessive that it was cheaper to have Revenue Canada send a cheque to everyone monthly, claw it back in taxes than it was to continue to operate most of these government programs. I have thought about it over the years and the information that I have been able to acquire suggests there may be merit to it. HOWEVER, all I suggested is that we should take a look at it. Workers compensation, ICBC, etc. also provide services that a monthly cheque can’t deliver. Nothing is as simple as a 15 second sound bit!

10. Many doctors end up in other countries where private health care exists because the income levels from private health care is tremendously better. How can Canada compete and retain good doctors with a public health system?

[Jack Cook] It can’t! The only thing that Canada can offer is a quality of life… that I don’t mind saying is slowly eroding as well. But there needs to be a political will to change and to take some heat for some unpopular decisions. Slashing GP’s income (or teachers, nurses as well) is not the answer. Only 7% of healthcare costs go to GP’s. If this increases to 8% we don’t have a doctor shortage. Perhaps it is time to look at assembly line medicine not unlike what Alberta and Manitoba have done with respective surgical procedures.

11. Canada has a birth rate of 1.5 per woman and 2.1 per woman birthrate is required to sustain population numbers. Perhaps your $1000/child/month idea is a good one as a woman with 10 children would earn $120,000/year and the birth rate would soar. In all seriousness, what can be done about this looming crisis?

[Jack Cook] I’m note sure if it is a crisis. It is true that the only way for Canada to sustain an economic structure to what we are accustomed is to have a specific birth rate, but immigration is mostly meeting the needs of the country. Is this a crisis? Actually the figure would be $132,000 per year as mom would be included as well. But consider the mortgage for a house with 7 bedrooms, food, two cars, fuel, dental, etc. I’m not sure if the family would be all that well off. I am sure that dad would have to work as well. A trip to Disneyland would cost $15,000+/-. Quebec already offers a baby bonus.

12. You mentioned that a minority government is a probability. As a result, any minority government won’t be very effective at getting any interesting legislation done. Sometimes, I feel that politicians who achieve virtually nothing is a good thing when they aren’t able to muck around in people’s lives. As an Independent, how effective will you be in a minority government?

[Jack Cook] I think that if we do get another minority government, the politicians will get it this time around and will work together much better. It will probably be conservative; the other parties will offer support when the conservatives water down some of their severe right wing ideas. The conservative leader (Harper) will not want to burn too many bridges, so he will understand that everyone in the House of Commons is important. This will make the House more effective and Independents like me more effective. If he goes arrogant, then a whole new rat-pack will morph into a headache that he will be the architect of.

13. In your opinion what are the most important roles government have in our Canadian society?

[Jack Cook] To better manage the people’s assets, making for a fair & safe society and insuring the well being of the citizens.

13a. What are the areas the Canadian government should butt its nose out of?

[Jack Cook] There are secret files on all those Canadians who went to Russia in 1972. And the government will not release these files to the individuals who went! WHY? Who cares about same sex marriage! If similar genders want to get married let them. But beware… Revenue Canada is rubbing its collective hands on this one.

14. Promising/increasing social programs tends to buy votes for those who would benefit, and cutting social programs yields protest from those whom would be affected. Realistically how can Canadians reduce the size of government when implementing cuts tend to lose votes for politicians who rely on votes/polling to survive politically? In other words, why should I believe any politician that says they will reduce government spending when it’s not in their own best interest?

[Jack Cook] Good question! I guess it gets down to a group of MP’s who can convince the voters that in the long run it is expedient to make a cut. Bill Bennett managed it a few decades ago. He was not popular but he did get re-elected.

15. Do you believe in term limits for MPs?

[Jack Cook] Yes, but let’s not forget our senators either.

16. Independents rarely win a riding. Do you honestly believe you can win?

[Jack Cook] Of course I can win and I will. Play to win, but have fun doing it.

16a. What is your motivation for running?

[Jack Cook] To finally have someone properly represent the interests of its citizens. It has been sadly lacking the last 17 months.

17. Do you have any favourite blogs or websites that you read?

[Jack Cook] This is embarrassing coming from an old techie, but other than the tyee online magazine The Tyee I haven’t blogged much. Sorry.

18. How can people contact you if they have questions or would like to aid in your campaign?

[Jack Cook] eMail: Jack@JackCook.ca or Phone: 604-288-2049 or Blog: www.JackCook.ca

19. Is there anything that you would like to add that has not been asked here?

[Jack Cook] If I am successful, expect to see a lot more DVD’s in your mail box (snail mail that is).

Thank you very much, Jack Cook, for the opportunity of interviewing you for the upcoming 2006 federal election in Canada.