Editor: Re: It's imperative not to confuse capitalism with democracy, letter to the editor, Feb. 28 For capitalism to succeed, democracy is a necessary ingredient; for democracy to succeed, capitalism is a prime component.
Democracy: a system of government by the whole population, usually through elected representatives; capitalism: an economic system in which the production and distribution of goods depends on invested private capital and profit-making. [Definitions from the Oxford Reference English Dictionary.] It would appear that in the Southlands situation, elected representatives - duly elected by the "whole population" - permitted, under the democracy that we enjoy, capitalism to further the "economic system" through "invested private capital."
Similar things are alike things and thus, capitalism flourishes under democracy and both are significant in Canada where each depends on the other. It is difficult to separate one from the other and retain the benefits of each.
As to whether the "costs for the Southlands application" will be paid for "primarily by the people of Delta" and are an "insult" is not for me to comment.
Bob Orrick
