The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns

5. How should we deal with the homeless?

[Saul Andersen] how should we "deal" with the homeless? well, let's address the systemic inequalities that lead to poverty and homelessness. let's work on empowering people, maybe starting with a guaranteed annual income. let's restore mental health care funding. most of all, let's talk with care workers on the front lines and ask them what solutions they see as necessary.

6. How do you feel about prostitution and how the present government deals with this issue?

[Saul Andersen] prostitution? hmmm... first of all, let's admit that its happening, and try to make it safer for those who are choosing this lifestyle. let's have more support groups like P.E.E.R.S. that help people find a way out. perhaps there should be government regulation, a la amsterdam? i don't really know what the answers are, even though i have had many encounters with both sex trade clients and workers in my years as a cabbie. the (mostly) women who do this need to be protected, and often need help getting off drugs, but again we are dealing with larger systemic issues at the root, such as a lack of affordable housing.

7. What are your feelings on drug harm reduction (eg. safe injection sites, providing free drugs to addicts)?

[Saul Andersen] harm reduction is totally necessary. safe injection sites will make our cities safer. i don't want to hand out drugs, but how do we make it so these people don't have to steal or sell their bodies to support their habits?

8. The Marajuana Party of Canada wants to legalize the drug. What is you opinion on legalising soft and hardcore drugs? Further, what is your opinion on decriminalizing drug usage?

[Saul Andersen] i don't believe that anyone should be a criminal for choosing to smoke marijuana. meanwhile, pot is estimated at what, a $7 billion industry annually? eliminate criminalization and you eliminate the criminal element that revolves around pot, and now is increasingly arming itself to protect its valuable cash crop. this could make it safer for the cops, and free up millions in court-related and enforcement expenses.

9. Independents rarely win a riding. Do you honestly believe you can win? What is your motivation for running?

[Saul Andersen] of course i believe i can win, i wouldn't do it otherwise. i could no longer sit idly by. in ten years of cab driving, i have come to recognize a constituency of disenfranchised and disaffected people. i will be the best advocate for the people because i am only motivated to serve the citizens that i talk to every day.

10. What's your position on gun control and registry? If in favour, do you believe criminals will respect the law and not obtain guns in other ways?

[Saul Andersen] criminals will probably find guns regardless of whether we register them or not; meanwhile maybe it isn't such a bad idea to have a registry. honest gun owners shouldn't mind, i think.

11. Have you ever participated in a protest? Do you feel they are effective ways to get a message across?

[Saul Andersen] yes, i have participated in a protest. i think direct action can be an effective way for marginalized voices (and even not-so marginalized ones) to be heard, and let's face it, you need to manufacture a spectacle to get the corporate media to notice. i the words of malcolm x, by any means necessary.

12. How do you feel about Americans? And, what is your opinion on Paul Martin using attacks against Americans to appear as a strong leader who does not bow down to US wishes?

[Saul Andersen] i love americans. noam chomsky, naomi klein, the list goes on. check out radio programs like democracy now, alternative radio, this way out. visit the bioneers website. or the yes men. F.A.I.R., the Nation, utne reader, on and on. let's not forget the significant number of americans who voted for al gore. we need to reach out to these people in the interests of both our countries. meanwhile, who can really trust anything paul martin does?

13. How would you respond to Tucker Carlson's characterisation that Canadians live in igloos and ride dogsleds to work? Referring to http://www.twbookmark.com/books/16/0446529761/chapter_excerpt17539.html

[Saul Andersen] tucker carlson is clearly not as smart as he thinks he is. or as funny. and if he got his head out of his ass long enough to really take a serious look at canada's influence in the world, well, i don't think that's gonna happen. (and canadians don't need to worry about it.)

14. Why should people with more money pay higher taxes?

[Saul Andersen] they shouldn't. unless of course, we do something sensible and shift tax from income to consumption. presumably, rich people would buy more consumer goods (because food and books and children's clothes should not be taxed) and would therefore end up paying more in tax. either way, income tax has made liars out of more people than golf and fishing combined; we should abolish it and look at a value-added tax system on a scandinavian model.

15. When the government tends to be horribly inefficient and ineffective, why do we continue to tack on social programme after social programme, crippling our population's tax burden?

[Saul Andersen] is there really an answer to this? meanwhile, i want to make government more effective in general.

16. Aren't there more effective ways to solve problems without government?

[Saul Andersen] like what? whatever form of social organization we create, that will be a form of "government", so whatever. in my heart, i'm an green anarchist; we need to dismantle ineffective systems and move on to a restorative path.

17. If you have a millionaire willing to pay for his own private medical care, why should Joe-poor be forced to pay for Joe-rich?

[Saul Andersen] universal medicare is part of the canadian fabric, so that's just par for the course, i guess. i support the continuation of a single-payer system.

18. Everyone born and raised in BC has smoked pot. Have you? And, did you inhale?

[Saul Andersen] i guess you will have to pass me a joint to find out.

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

[Saul Andersen] other than your blog, a short list would include: the nation, f.a.i.r., the yes men, the rainforest action network, the bioneers, and my daily chinese horoscope at astrology.com.

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

[Saul Andersen] you can contact me via email (saulstar@shaw.ca), cellphone (250-883-5309), or check out my website (saulgood.ca). thank you for your time.

Thank you very much for your time in responding to a few questions for my readers.