The Hook

If anyone

If anyone still believes that we live in a dmocracy, then I suggest that they are delusional and immediately make an appointment with a psychiatrist.

I've always been a proponent of doing things within the rules, but I think it's time to take the gloves off. The rules we live under are designed to thwart our democratic rights rather than promote them.

I wonder what loopholes recall legislation contains.

There will be calls by many for a general strike. I think this is the wrong approach. It plays into the hands of the rightwing crowd and would most likely turn into nothing but an unorganized mess.

THere were over 700,000 people that signed the initiative which is approximately 17% of BC's population and I would guess over 20% of people of voting age. That is a lot of monetary clout. I suggest we go on a massive osterity program. Only buy what is necessary for us to live. Postpone the purchases of the trinkets and toys. The objective is to put financial pressure on the business entities that will gain the most with the HST. Let the Chambers of Commerce and the other groups that brought about the frivolous court challenge to the FightHST Initiative, answer to their members as to why their individual businesses are going down the crapper. The BC Liberal Party is nothing more than the legislative arm of big business and once we turn off the money tap, we will see a change of attitude. They may not understand democracy, but they do understand a hit to their bottom line.

Crankypants

First let me say that if Campbell messes with the recall I will be the biggest proponent of a General strike. and I'll tell you why.

The only thing big business understands is money. If they get hurt in the wallet (as we have been)they may listen.

To go on a austerity program, or boycott businesses if you will, would only hurt the small businessman, who most likely will have to layoff or go out of business. And just as a matter of fact, the BC Chamber of Commerce is one of the outfits that is pushing this court case. Many businesses didn't even know that the Chamber they support was party to this action and I have word that some are threatening withdrawal. An austerity program would only hurt them. Did you know that a restaurant in Williams Lake has already closed it's doors because of the HST? How many more are there that the mainstream media isn't talking about?

So I'm saying try not to target them. Go after the big businesses such as mining, forestry, manufacturing, 7/11, and any outfit that raised their prices under the gun of the HST.

No one, especially me, wants a strike. But if my hand were forced and that's all that is left then clear the track.

Who are these businesses in the coalition.

I'd like to know who they are so I can start my own boycott of their businesses or any related business. Then go for Recall Bill! We can get rid of the bums once and for all along with the wuss in BC Elections.

General Strike?

I'm sorry but I cannot support a general strike. For one reason, since the "downturn" (ain't that a great term). in the Forest Industry, I don't have an employer to strike against.

I don't believe that a boycott will work either, because I haven't bought an aluminum ingot, a pound of copper, or a truckload of lumber . . .ever. It's not hard for me to not buy that extra magazine, or that ice cream cone, because I really can't afford it anyway, but hurting my local bookstore will not faze the CEO of the BC mining council at all. It isn't my local bookstore that is promoting the challenge against democracy, but only those who deal in large commodities on an international basis, and their pet premier.

One thing I intend to do, wether I can afford it or not, is send Vanderzalm a little bit of money so he can continue to fight these a$$hole$ son my behalf.

Outrageous

This should have been the Tyee's lead story!
Here comments will be stopped in 24 hours or less.

This is the news of the year and it needs to be shouted from the rooftops!

Once Again Gov't Has Duped Us

Yep, I totally felt the same way the "Zalm" did after the stunning revelation at yesterday's news conference. I agree and some BC Liberal supporters are attempting to stop the democratic will of the people. I agree that a general strike would not be a good idea but I think we as citizens must act to demonstrate our outrage at this obvious undemocratic process. Campbell and company are not my government as they have chosen to no longer represent the true issues facing our province today. To me this is the most critical issue we as a society face regarding this issue. The BC Liberals are toast in my view and have no mandate to govern anyone in anyplace. Arrogance, uncaring and just plain stupid is what this government is and nothing more. Recall is now even closer especially within the average voters mind. I have always been very proud to live in country that always respected the will of the people and that is what I hope personally wish to continue, bottom line here is that we need to remove these goons from office and send them packing.

It would be very nice, and

It would be very nice, and very democratic, if it would be possible to recall crooked politicians and governments, but the system is designed to fail.

To the best of me knowledge, the law demands 40% of the registered voters in a riding to force a recall.

With only about 40%, or just over, even bothering to vote in elections, for all parties, expecting them to vote for a recall is hopeless. Never happened before.

Does anybody know any young people who vote?

I sure don't. And this is why the age old historical fact that democracies self destruct, because people are too stupid, or too lazy, to want to make decisions over their own lives.

Our whole economic system is planned and built as a dictatorship and the controllers of the system and the world also own and control our so called "elected" governments.

And it was Zalm, following the same racket, who sold off many of our public services, like road maintenance, now little more than a cruel joke.

How about when he sold Beautiful BC magazine, that had no advertising and making a yearly $500,000 profit for the govt. to dear Jimmy Pattison for $500,000 ?

Look at it now.

Ed Deak.

Ed Deak.

Restore The "Real" Cheif Electoral Officer

We all know that Mr. James "the Acting Chief Electoral Officer" is only a replacement, put there by the liberals because the "real" Chief Electoral Officer would not do the bidding of the Campbell regime. Not only has Mr. James gone well beyond the mandate of a civil servant, but he has done so to protect the political bosses, (like Mr.de Jong) from having to take responsibility for this actions. Mr. James your reward of a directorship with BC Hydro or your cushy position with ICBC or your posh offices with Lotto BC may not become a reality for you.

Recall and Initiave Act [R.S.B.C. 1996] c. 398

Am I missing something here? I'm reading the Recall and Initiative Act and it clearly says, at s. 10:

If the chief electoral officer determines in accordance with the regulations that

(a) the initiative petition meets the requirements of section 7, and

(b) the proponent has complied with Part 4,

the chief electoral officer must send a copy of the petition and draft Bill to the select standing committee.

Wouldn't this mean that the Chief Electoral Officer doesn't have discretion as to whether or not he passes this on to the Select Standing Committee?

And if he has no discretion, isn't what he's currently doing in contravention of the R&I Act?

1-BC Liberals 0-Democracy

here we go again with another "its before the courts". looks like Campbell was able to pull another rabbit out of his hat.
Big Business got what they paid for and if this doesnt show you how much greed and how far there willing to go to make a buck here in BC i dont know what will.

THIS ACTUALLY IS GOOD NEWS!!!

The more Campbell interferes with the democratic process the angerier all those who fight the HST have become at the gaul of this dictator. The result will be an even greater whiplash effect. Already this has spawned cries for a general strike (and due to the support of all unions against the HST, we also have the leadership in place to effectively realize a general strike). Campbell has overestimated the strength of his hand and his interference has created a greater public outcry than simply letting the bill go to the legislature and voting it down. Once again Gordo, thanks for making the case against you even stronger as even those who typically do not watch politics are now up in arms over Campbell's refusal to listen to his voters.

BC voters must now understand what Guy Falks meant when he said:

"GOVERNMENTS SHOULD BE AFRAID OF THE PEOPLE, INSTEAD OF THE PEOPLE BEING AFRAID OF THE GOVERNMENT!"

I SUPPORT GENERAL STRIKE AND RECALL.

young people voting

"Does anybody know any young people who vote?"

Well, it depends on how you define "young"...but now you might know one. I'm 33 and have voted in every election since the age of 18. My sister is 31 and ditto.

Mining & Forestry

There is no wonder that mining and forestry want and like the Hate Sales Tax for one thing the forestry sell very little of their product here in Canada most going off shore or too the U.S same goes for the mining. Therefore all taxes would go straight too their own pockets and as for the small businesses or the Chamber of Commerce goes each and everyone of the people in BC should get a list of who belongs too the Chamber of Commerce and BOYCOTT THOSE BUSINESSES and then who would be crying foul that is where we start too get rid of the one man that the people foregave for an Impaired Driving Infraction well now he is throwing it back into our faces. If he had been caught in Canada drinking and driving he would have had a criminal conviction and not allowed too hold a public seat. But only in Canada our laws let the biggest crooks get away with whatever they wish. BC Rail was a good reason too see where he LIBerals are taking this province the next state of the United States

did Hanson have a smug face

Saw Hanson on TV tonight with a smug face
He may soon loose his smug look as he probably be removed by recall
Its sunny how the lieberals think they can get away with ignoring the voters.

I agree this move by (someone I see as)the power monger gordo will make it even harder for them to not loose out when recall happens
Thank you for being so arrogant
RECALL