Environment

As so called "environmentalists" and green politics have decided both of the last two elections Rafe you are correct that it will be front and centre once again.

Remarkable that mainstream media paints Campbell as a Green Premier, for doing what politicians do best, introducing a tax and then they paint him dead for doing what politicians do best- introduce a tax.

Tis amazing what a little green pixy dust can deliver.... lets hope the next thing is something good for BC.

"It's a Rye and Ginger crowd"

Was that Gordon Pinssent?
Politics:
AAArghhh
B.C. Politics:
Sorta like that gas under the lobby (get it?) in Playa del Carmen

Diane Watts Says She's Not Running For The Top Job In BC

As annouced on the evening news Diane Watts has turned down the idea of running for the leadership of the BC Liberals. Although a very popular idea with the public I don't blame her for turning down the idea of running. As for the rest of the cabinet within the BC Liberal party, well no one wants them. The NDP does not fare much better with the current leadership lineup either. Whom ever wins they have a mega huge job ahead of them. I agree that 2011 will be an "animal of a year" in BC politics, good for us as voters as we will all finally have our say.

Ooops!

That comment was in response to Andrew MacLeod's piece, BC Hydro Spent $62,000 on Party for Politicians

Sorry 'bout that. Feel free to delete moderator.

Much ado about nothing.

I doubt that anyone working for the BC Liberal party rolling in corporate donations needs to worry about drawing some sort of a stipend for their work. The Business interests would make sure they were suitably compensated for their time after all they have benefited from all the Campbell legislation. In the past the people in the NDP that held the job all have had salaried positions and supposedly did the work as "volunteers" while their employers (some were unions) agreed to the "rearrangement" of their duties. So one of the unions is paying him for his time. So what is different in the BC liberals?

What's different is that it is Sihota. Just admit it and move on.

left of centre -right of centre

Roughly, I think that a person left of centre on social issues would direct government support to the vulnerable, and to prevent situations that make people vulnerable.
A person right of centre on fiscal matters is a one who would see that revenues and expenditures are about the same, with, perhaps, a small contingency fund.
However, something I am not sure of, is what a left of centre fiscal position is. If I am correct in my above comment about what a right of centre fiscal position is, what would a left of centre fiscal position be?

Say it ain't so Moe, just say it ain't so...

"Moe is now being pilloried for accepting a union gift as a salary and not telling anyone about it... "

'Not telling' is the difference.

the good ship Lollipop

So the Titanic is hitting the iceberg and the captain abandons ship.
Wonder why nobody wants his job now?

Perhaps they are waiting for rescue by the NDP and then once everything is smooth sailing again they will begin to fight to become captains once more?

Ship of Fools and Charlatans

Nothing really to look forward to!

Yes R/man

Neither did the BC Liberals ever tell who paid the salaries or subsidized the salaries of their political hacks. In fact wasn't it sometimes the tax payer who paid? So no, there is no difference at all and for you, a rabid loyal BC Liberal who feels Campbell could do no wrong, to be commenting is a bit insane.

Looking forward

I like what you have to say about politicians having to come up with more than one liners and sitting in on various boards to win the day.
What about the media it sure gets in the way of progress as it fuels the past as big coporations don't want things to change for the better because there is no money in that.
Watts is a Surrey favorite and is sitting this one out as so is Taylor as the mighty take a fall. Watts will most likely take a run at it after this election after all the rubble settles and Liberals get back on the ball. Being a Liberal supporter sure is lonely out there.

Sickly Sweet Apple Pie

"Hang on tight, British Columbians, this is going to be quite a ride!" Rafe

Actually, I disagree.

It's going to be the same old, same old smoke, mirrors and light show with no sunstance, typical of the ruling class controlled political system...such as what passes for democracy here and elsewhere. Where, in the absence of people in the streets "force focusing" the real issues of the economy and democracy, holding eveyones feet to the flames and filling the system serving politicians of all parties with fear, trite statements, phony scandals, and sickly sweet apple pie assurances will continue to be the order of the day.

I think I'll sleep through this one too. When the shit finally does hit the fan, we'll all know it.

Jerry Munro

Says hang on folks get ready we are being taken for another ride and how sweet and sickly it is when the ruling class have their way with our government of the day.
Jerry has a valid point and am wondering what changes can be made so are democratic principals aren't tampered with so the ruliing class have the final say?

Campbell's dirty politics

You mean dirty enough as remember it is Campbell she has come up against and he has a arsenal of tricks that would put any opposition through a meat grinder so his party could come out on top.
If anything I would like to see Carol crack a smile more often supporting her relaxed and confident demeanour knowing she is more than qualified enough to get the job done as premier of this province for the people of BC. What do I think Carol will be different because she will be all ears and wants to make the kinda changes that will have a positive affect on British Columbinas for many years to come instead of the other way around. And lets not forget the Liberals have proved they make a better opposition than the ruling party as every thing is now hush, hush but vote the NDP in and that will soon enough change.

Being a university 'chancellor'

Being a university chancellor is pretty much signing on to do nothing for the duration - the suggestion that it's a real 'job' is risible.

Ron Lupoy, who was the chancellor of UVic for about a 'century' managed very nicely to use exactly the same convocation speech every year of his term - only those of us who were unlucky to have to attend a lot of those ceremonies (someone has to draw the short straw) knows exactly how useless and foolish the ceremonial aspect of a 'chancellor's duties actually are is aware of what a sinecure Carole Taylor's current appointment is.

SFU and UBC are no different...

But then, that's pretty much what you'd expect from someone whose entire claim to fame consists of having won a beauty contest and becoming the trophy wife of a very rich man.

Carole Taylor was a joke in every job she ever had...she'd have been a joke as premier too.

Lord of the Flies

Now here is an interesting spectacle to watch in real time: The Liberal MLAs turning on the leader they 'adored' and 'admired' just a few short months ago. Now they see him as a solution to their problem of unpopularity. An asset who became a liability who is now turning into an asset again if it doesn't make your head spin.
'Yes.' They mutter among themselves; rubbing their foetid fingers in their filthy wallets, 'It was our government, it was all of us who ruined and destroyed this beautiful province. But what matter, amigos, when we can pawn it all off on the Formerly Great and Revered Leader Campbell?'
'Why?' They question; avid little eyes aglitter, 'Should we be the ones to suffer recall and ignominious unemployment when we have something to offer? Sorry Gordo, but you knew what we were when you joined us. Now we must offer you up to expediency. Can I offer you a bottle of tequila? Would you like a blindfold? Oh, come now old chap; nobody can be lord of the flies forever.'

Carole Taylor Perks

Carole Taylor has been the benefactor of many opportunities and perks in the public sector. Perks and opportunities provided by friends in high places, whether she was qualified or not.

Carole has not stayed long enough in any public sector role to be penalized for any misdeeds. She usually abandons ship before she getting any egg on her face...... except maybe the cancellation of the bank taxes which resulted in a very generous stipend from TD.

Driftwood

Just like Kruschev after he took over from Stalin. He then made a famous speech about the dangers of the cult of personality

Wilson and Delaney?

As I have said before, the Libs are dead, the NDP is gaining but..., and the Conservatives are a non-event. In such a scenario there may indeed be room for another party (notwithstanding there's apparently something called the BC Party around). However the NDP could stand some competition given the vacuous state of the Libs. But who to lead? Not Wilson nor Delaney I hope. And who could they get as candidates, and what would their policies be? Tall orders for a new party to arise from the ashes methinks! If indeed environmental issues become prominent ( which would be a good turn of events) no one outchampions the Greens at the moment. Perhaps they could throw in their lot with the NDP to form a formidable force (has a nice ring to it). Then if Moe is somehow removed perhaps a strong left-centrist green movement will arise. But that still leaves a vacuum where the Libs once stood....

I hate to be crasse but....

[SEXIST COMMENT REMOVED. -MODERATOR.]

Awareness and Engagement I...

"...am wondering what changes can be made so are democratic principals aren't tampered with so the ruliing class have the final say?"morechatter.

And until that is the vital question on everyone's mind, at least here in the common herd, I'm afraid its just going to be more endless Kabuki theatre.

which actually points the way to what needs to occur.

1. An awakening and engagement of the masses. See France, Greece, England, and elsewhere in Europe. (Though the US citizenry, if in a fucked up Tea Party way of its own, is beginning to show signs of restiveness too.)

2. A realization that so long as the ruling class controls the economy, which also means the media and the investment wealth upon which the capitalist economy depends, they are positioned with a veto, whatever the good or ill intentions of this or that party.In the end, unless they want the ruling class to exercise their veto position, the day after the election, they will all, certainly of the current crew, bend the knee and kiss their Godfather hand.

3. As part of this Great Awakening, which is the essential prerequisite condition, without which it is all poop and blather, a working class centred movement to challenge ruling class ownership of the economy, and democratize the system, drawing in all social elements to participate with it, in the ownership and direction of plants and enterprises.

4. Upon the foundation basis of the above, moving to break ruling class influence over political power, proceeding democratically and with the clear electoral approval of the masses, to change the financing mechanisms for election, creating a level "financial" and "media access" playing field for, at first probably, ALL parties to the electoral system.

My own hope being that, over time, as an awareness and understanding evolve, that there will be a disbandment of all "parties" per se. Instead, going over to a system based on work place, educational institution, neighbourhood nomination of non-party individuals, leading to regional selection of candidates for elections that would then ensue. (Candidates beholden and responsible to their communities, rather than Party good old boy/girl networks.)

next post...

Awareness and Engagement II...

from what went before...

In any case, all is subject to more opinion than mine of course, but begins with an explosion of awareness and engagement of "the masses", taking to the streets and engaging the ruling class in a struggle to transform society and The Nation. Without this blooming of a new individual and social awareness and action however, all that will be is what is... a waste of time. Certainly for the likes of me.

Who knows, with the "awakening" I describe, for it all does really hinge on "the masses", we might even discover a "Party" suddenly rediscovers its cajones/vagina to break with the bullshit, and go after a democratically arrived at mandate to transform society in the more or less mannewr I describe. (I mean, this Party ain't likely going nowhere or achieving anything fast anyway. Just spinning its wheels. :-)

I ain't holding my breath though. :-)

Driftwood

I get what you are saying because how long does the Liberal party think the people of BC will tolerate having a provincial leader with a party they feel who they cannot trust and are angry with the ways things are. Two years? Two months, two weeks is more like it as Ida Chong in Gordon Head is heading up the list when it comes to recalling Liberal MLAs and I don't think there is any coming back. Recall the wrong thing for the province and Ida Chong is wonderful on the job as news team asks outside worker what they think and the HST a necessary evil while another couple was happy to sign as they felt it was a must while the hot button issue is definitely trust. News team was blaming the NDP for the recall but that is not who is responsible it is Mr. Campbell and his Liberals who should be taking all the blame.

Jerry munro

Public awareness is a good start as I have this visualization of this one room store front with a printing press in the back being looted by intruders who didn't like public awareness one dam bit. Made me think of Tieleman and his office being broken into as he shares his views with the public about the outrage of BC Rail. It is the kinda stuff that makes you know things will be okay and not everyone can be bought out.
Although it sure must be real hard to say no to selling out with little chance of being caught and if you do someone will figure something out so there will be little consequences other than the loss of public trust at the public's expence says change is long over due.

"Made me think of Tieleman

"Made me think of Tieleman and his office being broken into as he shares his views with the public about the outrage of BC Rail. It is the kinda stuff that makes you know things will be okay and not everyone can be bought out."

Amen, brother. :-)

B.C. Forest Service scrapped

And don't forget, Rafe, that days before he announced his resignation, Campbell terminated the B.C. Forest Service, an organization that has contributed world-class research to our understanding of forest ecosystems and how to manage them without destroying them.

Guns and money

In the words of someone much more famous than the writer, politicians are simply student councillors with guns and money. Ergo the trick is to replace the councillors with a much more benign joe and mary sixpack type of politician.

The NDP are their own worse

The NDP are their own worse enemy. Barrett would of won against Bennett yet his big mouth about restraint being over 3 days before the election allowed Bill Bennett to win a third term. Until that moment it looked like the NDP was going to win.

Now the amateurish Carole and Moe show? puleease, how can anyone take these guys seriously? Either the NDP dumps Carole and hopefully Moe by next election or I will vote Independent or for a third party if one starts.

The NDP's alleged 'big lead' will be gone if the Libs get a leader without baggage plus the new leader has about 2 years to bribe us with our own money. The NDP are just marginally up from last election but the libs are way down and makes the NDP look better even though the NDP has picked up very little of the people not supporting libs...

I see at CBC and other blogs/forums now that Campbell is quitting many of the anti libs returning to the fold and I know not scientific but the 'agree/disagree' on the comments are not so one sided like before Campbell announced he is quitting.

I predict Ms. James will stay on, which will cause the party to divide and the libs will win a 4th term in 2013. 4th terms are not rare in BC, just look at election results from late 1940's. Plus where are the NDP going to pick up seats? The retiree's in Okanagan vote for whatever the furthest right wing party is, as does most of the Vancouver suburbs, Fraser Valley, Peace area. The only NDP strong holds anymore is the Island and a few seats in Vancouver and Surrey and the very odd interior one.