I think he is dreaming in Technicolor!

In the USA, the electorate actually has a say in what taxes are passed and how tax money is used. No such thing in BC, where the Premier can do what he damn well pleases, with no threat of of voter backlash.

BC's carbon tax is mere 'Greenwash' as the tax goes to general revenue and not into dedicated areas like transit (true carbon tax) or tree replanting.

The chap who wrote this also does not mention that almost 50% of the electorate did not vote, which is sure sign of a weak political system and a complete distrust of the government.

If the basis for better government rest with the carbon tax, then I think his entire premise is a joke as the carbon tax was brought in by a cash strapped government, looking at huge financial shortfall because of complete fiscal mismanagement.

Let me repeat again, the carbon tax is a gas tax and a tax on the poor.

And the voter; can't do a damn thing about it.

Go peddle your nonsense somewhere else.

Carbon Tax

I hope you're reading this Mr Durning.
Sounds an awful lot to me as if you've been smoking some BC bud.

Campbell's GAS TAX is not a carbon tax - it is nothing but a money laundry - in fact, including administrative costs it's a money loser for the BC Finance ministry AND, more important, it has not taken one polluting vehicle off the road; reduced the consumption of carbon based fuels one litre; had any affect upon the production of greenhouse gases and assisted one individual to take public transit rather than his or her car to work.

It was and is, simple smoke and mirrors - You need to look a lot more closely at affairs across the border then you have.

Furthermore, the Campbell Tax doesn't apply to airlines, cruise ships or maritime bulk traffic.

So, don't spend too much time mooning about the effectiveness of a political regime you clearly know nothing about.

Cheers though. You have to be very careful about who you listen to - there are still a few folks singing in the Campbell choir - despite the fact it has been seriously out of tune for years.

is he wishing for a system

where government does what it pleases and no one votes?

Just be really.....

careful what you wish for!

carbon tax = wedge issue

Much has already been said, but just to be clear look up
wedge issue.

And thanks for recognizing the good in our system. Would that we who are closer could see it and put it to use.

P.Markunas

I agree that the Campbell tax constituted a wedge issue of short-term effect...he and his advisors thought to alienate some traditional support for the opposition by adopting a measure which was 'sold' as an effective way to address AGW.

While that may have worked - although I doubt it – (because the electorate in BC is not all that different from that of an American state and BC traditionally and historically votes for right wing governments about 80 % of the time (since 1950)) - the Campbell Tax has no legs as a wedge issue now because it is so transparently useless as a way to effectively address environmental concerns. Furthermore, the other aspect of the Campbell Tax which has been promoted outside this province is the ‘idea’ of revenue neutrality. Since its inception, the financial results of the tax in operation have proved that it is not only not ‘neutral’ it is, in fact, an additional drag on the treasury such that it is now sucking funds from other programs…

Even the compromised faction of the environmental movement would be hard pressed to find much good to say about it now.

I'm not sure that says very much 'good' about our system - something so easily and dishonestly manipulated is little better than what our American friends have to deal with.

the grass seems Greener

I've lived in both countries and see both as highly flawed in their democratic processes. The common factor is a first-pats-the-post electoral system that fosters political duopoly and divisive politics. The political "debate" in Canada is less shrill than in the U.S., but in both countries, many voices are marginalized because small parties are unable to elect any representative, hence many people lack incentive to vote. One is left with two dominant parties that are often fighting over a narrow terrain.

I like the fact that in electing state officials, a citizen can directly vote for several offices, including the executive. In the provinces, one gets only one vote, which effectively elects your legislative representative and the executive. That to me seems less democratic. Canada does have a robust tradition of public consultation, which is admirable, but I've been unconvinced that the results are taken seriously anymore by people with real power.

A truly pluralistic system would permit multiple parties to function with less posturing and unilateral policy-making, and more collaboration and even consensus. That might work well in a parliamentary system with multi-member representation. And then we would need reform of campaign financing, the role of corporate media, etc.

Unfortunately, as soon as anyone talks about democratic reform, most people reach for their Blackberry, drink, TV remote, or whatever will change the channel. This topic is way too wonky for most Canadians and Americans, so we’re stuck with a dysfunctional system that allows Gordon Campbell to pretend to be deep Green. He has even fooled smart people like Mr. Durning.

@ GWest

"Even the compromised faction of the environmental movement would be hard pressed to find much good to say about it now."

Well, the ones I talk to still have a lot to say about it.

The NDP conceded they were wrong to take the position they did, regardless whether right or wrong from a public policy perspective it did waste a week of precious campaign time fighting rearguard action rather than finding footing on the economy.

The scheduled lifts in the tax only run to July 2012. I wonder how this might be turned to a campaign issue in 2013? Greens demanding tax increase from Liberal government with many excuses for not doing it - NDP contemplating woeing the ones who inflicted the pain in the 2009 election by joining in the demand for a tax increase that will do nothing to help build schools or pay teachers, yet no one accepts is revenue neutral.

See, there is good here.

NDP CONCEDED

Don't think so!

The NDP agreed to stop talking about it - everyone I know thinks the battle should have been fought a lot harder - beginning when the bill was introduced at the start of the year - and not waiting until the campaign started.

There is no good in the campbell tax; certainly nothing green about it. I just hope the NDP doesn't make the same mistake relative to the HST and actually fights the thing to the last drop of blood.

The people aren't dead - they're just asleep.

I ran into Carole James in the James Bay Thrifty's on the weekend - all by herself - doing her family shopping.

There is something comforting in the fact that the opposition leader can walk around her home community without the hangers on who keep Campbell out of trouble but I'm afraid its time for her to either pick up the cudgels and fight or to step aside and let someone deal with these issues in a way which makes an impression on the electorate.

It wasn't the fact the NDP opposed the Campbell Tax, it was the absolutely stupid way they went about it.

As for the "environmentalists", most of the folks I know who call themselves 'that' seem to spend most of their time arguing with AGW denialists about what's happening to some glaciers in Nepal. The odd one like Suzuki still try to make the case for Campbell's tax - but then, he's always been a lot more concerned with his 'image' than he is about change for the people who really need it.

Off the topic, but....

I believe you to be 100% wrong about David Suzuki and just don't think you should get a way with your statement unchallenged. One of our greatest Canadians for sure. Intelligent beyond words, dedicated,selfless, courageous, determined and principled. One great human being!

A real carbon tax would be a

A real carbon tax would be a good thing -- if it applies to fossil fuel industry, if subsidies to that industry were removed, and if the proceeds were used for something greener than reducing corporate and individual income taxes. Rebates to low income folks apparently cease to compensate them this year.

How has Campbell pulled the green wool over the eyes of so many ostensibly sophisticated people? Can his secret be replicated for more desirable purposes?

Maybe I'm Misinterpreting

Durning, but I read his explanation of Campbell's tax as an example of how the Canadian system can get a proposal enacted expeditiously. As opposed to what we see happening in the USA now with Health Insurance not being available for another two or three years.

You folks in B.C. are much closer to Campbell so I'll defer to your intense dislike of the man. But I don't believe that Proportional Representation will resolve that emotional firestorm.

Really?

"Gordon Camlpbell (sic) and his B.C. Liberal party have the worst environmental record and by far, the largest deficit in history."

Worse that those of Alberta? Well, I stand corrected. Where are our tar sands, btw?

"Our tar sands"

"Our tar sands" are in the north east where coal shale gas is being mined and hydrogen sulphide (sour gas) is being released in the atmosphere some near communities. And it is in the pipeline that is planned to transport the bitumen from the tar sands to Kitimat where it is to be shipped along the west coast.

Binational Canadian/American

Hi Folks,

While Alan's comments nail certain basics correctly about the superior flexibility and representative aspects of the Parliamentary model, he's perhaps overly sanguine about the superiority of the Canadian political system today vs. America's.

This judgment is not made carelessly, but only after lived extensively in both countries.

For far more specific details, please see:

http://scottschneider.dbetv.com/american-declares-canada-superior-to-his-own-country-251