a government which only spins

another good analysis, thanks Will. (Also see Paul Willcock's article along the same lines.)

What a contrast to the hype from CBC and Telus' BC news. I've been boycotting Canwest for the past three years.

This is a government with ADD, it can't govern for the long term, all it does is spins, churning out annoucements and re-announcements.

Note to Premier and PAB: spinning issues is not the same thing as governing.

Even Paler

Almost a half of the "green" money is devoted to the Hydrogen Hypeway. This money would be better spent on adding buses or rail improvements. The BC government won't even spent $20 million or so on track upgrades so Amtrak can add more trains to the states.

Even with the Canada Line included, the amount spent on highways is much, much greater than that spent on transit.

Not nearly enough....

This budget does not even com close to returning monies to the average person in this province that have been consistantly ripped off since 2001.
I mean what is so glorious about giving a pittance of what had been ripped off back to the electorate.
And furthermore they disguise it as a gift. Come on, what a load of crap.

disconnect

in the past (not so long ago):
The budget was a financial reflection of the Throne Speech.

in the past (not so long ago):
When a political figure was caught in a very compromising situation of his own creation...he fell on his sword and regsigned.

in the past (not so long ago):
There were committees struck, which were taken from all parties to plan and discuss items of import to the 'people'. These items became bills, again discussed in the Legislature. Then, after consideration, these became law.

Now:
A 'star-chamber' with morally 'bullet-proof' members, knows-all decides-all and delivers such disconnected (from the people) things as budgets and throne speeches which logically connect as well as oil and water...

We need to end this plague of 'party politics' sooner rather than later.

I am quite prepared to give

I am quite prepared to give the government back the 50 bucks or less a year this tax rise, but only if they give me back some ER's that work,less poor sleeping in the streets,a return of medical benefits, the list goes on.And please admit the convention center is costing way n\more than the fast ferry development, a item brought up on most occassions. Ditto for the Olympic overruns that somehow arn't over runs. This government who supposedly are big time in enviromnental issues prodcue a lot of green house gas each time they spin us a new line

FWIW

On the early News Hour last night Ms. Taylor mentioned that the Energy Minister would be making an announcement, in the near future, regarding a surcharge on utilities to help pay for continued support for projects aimed at attaining energy self sufficiency in BC.

I'm just guessing but if it is 3% say it could be close to reducing the tax cut to only 9% for those that have utility bills.

Where did the surplus come from?

Try to keep in mind that our 'booming economy' gets the lions share of its numbers from the north east corner of the province where oil and gas reign supreme. If we were being responsible with our money those non renewable dollars/royalties/taxes would go to paying down debt and establishing a long term heritage fund to support us when time ge truly lean. If that were the case, and we actually lived within our means, we would be in much more difficult circumstances, with no increases to health care, higher taxes, and less services. According to the G&M the wealthy in this province pay $2600 less a year than in Ontario. We are taking an unsustainable approach to our spending that is truly anti-environment, by not using our non renewable resources for long term goals and prosperity. Instead we are frittering the dollars away.

Budget

This is a lower mainland budget. Very little in it for the poor or rural people. If you are prone to seasickness don't drive the Island Highway between Victoria and Nanaimo the side to side rolling motion is akin to being aboard a BC Ferry.
Ah yes to have Bill Boring and Mike the Cheerleader show so little empathy toward the ones who called about how the $50 raise in housing allowance won't help is frustrating.

Can West/Global Sucks

I agree totally with you on the Can West News boycott off-the-radar. I used to get a paper everyday and then about 3 years ago I read the most slanted biased article that made me want to scream and canceled my subscription. I have scanned the headlines and articles since then and Can West/Global has not improved. In fact I think they are getting worse. I don't watch any of their news on TV either....on purpose.

Disabled out in cold

This budget might be another slight of hand job by the BCLiberals but for the disabled, this is yet another slap in the face. We do not get the extra $50 support per month as it is only for employable welfare receipients. Because we are disabled and can not work we are once again passed over for any increase. The citizens of this province should be appaled but, as per usual there is no mention of this in any of the press including the Tyee. I guess that the increase in suicides seen in the disabled community due to dispare over our treatment is acceptable. I personally can not wait for the olympics as we have been very successful in obtaining funding to stage a large protest to show the world just how heartless the government and the silent citizens of British Columbia are to its most vulnerable.

Gary is right

Mind you I didn't ever expect that all those extra cost they passed on to us and that they told us were necessary by some phoney structural deficit would ever be returned. It was their friends that got their money returned. This budget was a little more of give them a few crumbs now but taking later. We will have increase costs and they'll claim they are part of the greening of B.C.. In any event all the costs which Campbell can wash his filthy hands of like hydro, natural gas etc. will be ours to bear.

Carol Taylor might give a slightly better impression than that Collins feller, but a phoney is still a phoney.

Do you think she really believes her comments?

Barbie's budget to ensure homelessness

People have been stripped of their dignity, their identity and their homes AND are not thinking rationally because they would realize it does not matter what they do the big greed machine, the OLYMPICS will put them under. Its the nature of the beast its why they are here$$$$$$$$$$$. And speaking about social housing did you realize that $70 million allotted for homelessness had disappeared in 2006 but has managed to reappear in Barbie's(carol taylor) budget to ensure homelessness. A whopping $50 dollar rent increase for the disabled receiving $300 MONTHLY rent in a city hosting the Olympics only after clawing away on other supplements and food banks so no increase its a decrease. I'm certain the Olympics will be the death of many BC residents not equipped for the big greed machine, the OLYMPICS.

Carole's comments

I know she said the other day it's up to all of us to do our part to combat climate change and the rise in greenhouse gases. So, be sure when you see her, to ask her if she's taking the bus, reducing her meat intake, and doing her part in the fight.

My hunch is it's just more hot air and hypocrisy.

WOW!!

Wow, a whole 20 bucks more a month for me to help find solutions to BC's problems myself with all the extra money "jingling" in my pocket. Maybe Campbell has recently invested in shares of Kraft Dinner, 'cuz that's where my extra money's going!

I doubt Taylor fully

I doubt Taylor fully understands the budget herself, she's just the latest front person for the permanent government that decides who gets what. If she does understand then she's as mean as her elite masters.

If the government was serious about homelessness they would have taken care of it a long time ago. It is the persistence of poverty and homelessness that reveals them to be the liars that they are. Let's not forget, $100 million for a luge run. There is no shortage of money, there is simply the enduring reality of elite rule. They are not on our side and we must stop them or suffering will increase.

Slip sliding away

It was mentioned to me yesterday that a beautiful chunk of river and forest is being 'developed' for the Overrunlympics bobsled run. This run will be a great boon to the five hundred bobsledders in the world.

Hard to know whether to laugh, cry, or scream.

also Barbie's magical shoes?

And the road ahead for some bc's residents is not yellow and paved in gold, but red and distraught and in constant crisis much like the shoes Taylor wore for her budget address in 2005 - 2007 as many will die because those who could make a difference didn't!

Her boots are made for walking

This is a budget and a finance minister of absolutely no substance. Quelle surprise... haha!

Where are the actual plans in it for anything? Where are the actual details? If you see any actual detailed plans, would you kindly expound on them?

And what a clever distraction the tax cut is and made to disguise the fact that almost nothing is going to actually happen via the government to address homelessness, health care or the environment. (In fact, the value of the tax cuts takes up 3/4 of the housing budget, leaving hardly anything left in this lemon budget pie to actually do anything with, in either a "planned or strategic" way...or more importantly, in an "effective" way in terms of housing itself.)

So the pretend government continues to pretend it is interested in governing.

As Will states:

And in the end, not really that much jingle left in the pockets, if you do the math.

So forget the ruby red shoes, Ms. Taylor...and let the shoes fit the crime.

A pair of boots (stiletto heeled) would have been much more appropriate as little ol' ever-smiling you, smug budget in hand, kicks more of the poor out onto the streets, and tramples ever so daintily right over top of them.

For thinking we would actually believe this stuff, Taylor deserves to hear her own words thrown back at her.

On Monday, offended by the recent anti-poverty group protest at her office she said:

"It's for attention, and it's the kind of demonstration that I think should be condemned in British Columbia."

Well, the same goes for her budget.

It not only offends.

It is purely for media.

It's for attention ...(not to mention distraction)... and it's the kind of charade that should be condemned in this province.

You and Will are confused

How do you and Will rationalize that $34B of government intervention rates as “doing it ourselves?” What threshold of expenditure would satisfy you?

$34 Billion of Government intervention

What are you talking about NLN?

Providing services like health, education and policing; building infrastructure like roads and parks are really investments in the future - hardly interventions in my view. If the Government wasn't paying for these things out of taxes, how would you propose to have them provided?

That's the problem with neocon ideas. You don't actually live in the real world but in some hypothetical utopian construct where babies aren't born helpless and old folks don't get frail before they die.

Where everyone has his own private road to his own jolly castle complete with water supply and personal army self-educated, self medicated and selfish beyond belief.

I think you need to read a bit more about the nature of the social contract and forget about Adam Smith - whom you (and most neocon economists) really don't understand anyway.

Apart from not understanding that $5 billion of that $34B figure is for capital expenditures to boot.

Government intervention indeed.

How do you and Will

How do you and Will rationalize that $34B of government intervention rates as “doing it ourselves?” What threshold of expenditure would satisfy you?

noleftnutter must be one of those who enjoys empty rhetoric such as the absolute bullsh!t dorothy was expectorating while fidgeting about in her ruby red shoes.

she couldn't wait to click her heels and get back to kansas to cuddle amongst the half witted KKKampbell KKKlan.

anyoneone liking smoke being blown up their ahole would have like this budget.

Those of us that can see through the BULLSH!T know this is typical NEOCON/FACIST HYPERBOLE...as per usual

the rich get richer and the middle class gets crumbs and the poor get spit in their faces...like the poor disabled person that posted early said...out in the cold again !

TO BAD THE NEOCONS WON'T LET THE DISABLED KEEP THEIR FEDERAL PENSIONS WITHOUT CLAWING BACK THE MONIES THEY GET PROVINCIALLY...SOME MAY ACTUALLY LIVE LIKE HUMAN BEINGS IF ALLOWED THIS SMALL MEASURE,BUT IR SHOWS YOU HOW VICIOUS THESE NEOCONS ARE...ESPECIALLY TAYLOR !

good budget - not great

I like the tax cuts and moderate spending increases. This continues to be a fiscally responsible government.

I would have like to see a 10% tax cut for everybody - not just incomes under $108K. We need to put more money in the hands of the wealthy. It is they who invest in business in BC - and we're going to need their investment as the real estate and commodity markets continue to cool...

Bad readers

AliCiabatta and Thomas – clearly you don’t read very well and would rather spout off than add to the dialogue. For you hard of hearing types my question was - How do you and Will rationalize that $34B of government intervention rates as “doing it ourselves?” Any takers?????

We need to put more money in

We need to put more money in the hands of the wealthy. It is they who invest in business in BC - and we're going to need their investment as the real estate and commodity markets continue to cool...

Cappy yer such a putz,the wealthy don't spend here !!!

it is the middle class that keeps the economy going,the enslaved, one home ,one cottage,three kids going to school ,you know ???your neighbour .

and by the way Cappy,your postings have me beleiving your IQ has somehow gotten remarkably better...SOMEONE WRITTING THEM FOR YOU ???

oh puh-leeze

Do tell. Reconcile that statement with their slavish devotion to the Overrunlympics, RAV, and the Gateway Smog Monster.

Betcha can't.

Yes! That's it!!

Capitalism is right! The longer we fight them the more subversive they become. The decisions they make go underground and into the back rooms of seedy mansions and five star resorts. How are we to fight the rich and powerful. They just bend us over at every turn and thrust. Fuk it. I'm joining the other side. I advocate a full cooperative effort to the side of ecomomic fascism immediately in order to hasten the fall of the Western Empire. The sooner the better. Then in a few years, it will be painfully obvious that we have nothing left and only a handful of sloths have the wealth. Then the revolution can begin. I'd say this process will speed it up by decades! You'll excuse me, I need to go to the bank and immediately take out a home improvement loan so I can start playing property ladder. That million dollar home I saw the other day is starting to look better now, yes indeed! What? Bubble? What bubble? Comon everyone meet me at Walmart tonight! I hear they have a built in McDonalds!! I'm going directly to the clothing department to buy my new wardrobe of sports related sweat suits. Room for expansion with my new high fat, low exercise diet. I'll need a new handle for the website now, as Clubo Frome keeps being read as Club of Rome, fukking lefties...

Quote: For you hard of

until that money is SPENT,the figure is EMPTY RHETORIC...

Only someone with a limited intelligence will believe money supposedly EARMARKED for spending will be SPENT.

Those of us that have seen the SMOKE AND MIRRORS that EVERY POLITICIAN PRACTICES know these PROFESSIONAL LIARS are the foulest of our species and following them are the BLIND who believe every word out of the mouths of these CRETINS.

When the money is SPENT...START YAPPING NOLEFTNUTTER...CAUSE TIL THEN ,YOU JUST SHOW HOW VACANT YOU REALLY ARE .

Do the math

Thomas - do the math, there's about $100M being spent every day, still not enough to make you happy.....

Doesn't mean a thing

"there's about $100M being spent every day," It doesn't mean a damn thing if we have a homeless crisis, longer wait lists for surgery, increased poverty, higher msp premiums and other fees, higher tuition, etc. while the wealthy get 6 years in a row of paying less taxes.

Are you sure you don't write for the CanWest papers? Sounds so familiar.

No Left Nutter

Spending money every day for services and as an investment in assets for which there is a public need and a social contract agreement is not such a bad idea for a provincial economy in which some 4 million people live and make their livings.

You obviously didn't understand Lynn's statement was meant ironically and referred to Carole Taylor's idiotic notion about solving the problems of the weak, the handicapped and the homeless will be addressed because she's reduced the level of provincial tax by 10 %.

Give me strength.

How can you manage to tie your shoes and button your waistcoat each morning? If nothing else argued for the insanity of leaving the economy in the hands of business men who think like you and Cappy do your statements on this subject would convince me.

If there’s anything left of this province when Campbell and his clones have finished with it we’ll all be very lucky.

$100 million for a luge run? What river? What forest?

Stump:

Whichever river it is, messing with rivers is all wrong. Aren't rivers sacred? Scream! Scream!

BC Mary

There wouldn't be civilization in BC if it weren't for industrial use of the Fraser River.

Sometimes it is necessary. Not all rivers can be protected.

There wouldn't be civilization in BC

What are you talking about?

What in the name of all that's holy does 'industrial use' of the Fraser River have to do with Civilization?

Please, tell me?

What is the connection? Enlighten us.

Ever tried an FOI request lately?

So many great comments here.

NoLeftNutter,

Government spending (with our money) is only as good as the information we get about it. And under the present regime there has been an almost complete shutdown of information. As citizens of this province we don't know if.. when... how ...or where exactly our money is being spent. But we sure know who isn't benefiting from the present government's spending... our public health system, the homeless, the disabled, our environment, or our public school system.

And certainly our children are not benefiting as BC has the highest child poverty rate in all of Canada.

So who exactly is benefiting from the way this government spends our money?

Great Question Lynn

So who exactly is benefiting from the way this government spends our money?

What a great idea Lynn. Instead of insisting that all governments spend more dollars on any projects how about a true accounting of what is being spent on whom. In the meantime please feel free to join me in asking that the government reduce my taxes and take less money until they figure out how to spend it effectively.

Unfortunately

But we sure know who isn't benefiting from the present government's spending... our public health system, the homeless, the disabled, our environment, or our public school system. Lynn

The rest of your statements about government spending aren’t so great. Spending in most areas you mention is at an all time high. How much is enough?

Garth

I don’t disagree with the required government spending that supports our society. I waded into this discussion with the question - How do you and Will rationalize that $34B of government intervention rates as “doing it ourselves?” What threshold of expenditure would satisfy you?

Still waiting for an intelligent answer……….

NoLeft

I wouldn't expect anything good outta Garth. He, much like most lefties likes to point out everything (they perceive) that is wrong, yet can never offer any solutions.

Garth doesn't know what he's talking about. He spends his time "finishing" these mysterious contracts. He's probably a leasing agent at a rental car company.

Don't hold your breath.

You're both hopeless

It's not the level of expenditure that's important, it's the the rejection of the idea that 'doing it ourselves' has any relevance in a modern collective society.

You haven't any intelligence and that's the answer.

As for you Cappy, I'm still looking for the connection between civilization and the idustrialization of the Fraser River.

Crapitalism

I call bullsh*t. Lots of solutions have been proffered. You just don't like them.

Still waiting to hear you rationalize how the 2010 debacle is an example of financial smarts by the current gov't.

Thanks for making me laugh!

Funniest thing I've seen all day:

"We need to put more money in the hands of the wealthy. It is they who invest in business in BC - and we're going to need their investment as the real estate and commodity markets continue to cool..."

Do you know any rich people? I do. A ton if it goes offshore. It's the poor and middle-class that keep all their money here and spend it.

Chris H.

I know a few rich people, yes. $108K isn't even rich. It is the higher end of middle class.

You'll never understand this - but tax breaks for the wealthy is very good for investment. The middle class doesn't invest, they spend. The middle class is the engine in the economy. It is the rich who build the car and drive it.

Gavin

It was an overstatement, but the importance of the Fraser River on our economy cannot be overstated. Go look at pictures of the river back in the 60s and 70s.

It has been used for years to transport lumber and other commodities and generate electricity. This province is very mountainous - for years the Fraser River was the province's highway - so to speak.

If you shut down industrial use of the Fraser - we'd be in a lot of trouble.

GW

It's not the level of expenditure that's important, it's the rejection of the idea that 'doing it ourselves' has any relevance in a modern collective society.-GW

Even for you that’s a stupid statement GW. The reason that the individual has no relevance in modern society is because of the huge amount of government intervention that you, AliCiabatta, Lynn, Will and the others support…

Cappy

It was a stupid statement Cappy; not an overstatement the concepts are unrelated. Period.

Now for you Nutter:

I'd love to see how long do it yourself lasts if the Fraser dikes are breached this spring, or if there's a major earthquake 5 k off the coast. Or if you need the services of radiologic diagnosis, or a policeman, or the hydro guy when a tree falls across the supply lines to your neighbourhood. The individual has all kinds of relevance, but in a modern industrial society to suggest that a $50 tax reduction is going to produce any social housing isn't only foolish - it's funny. That's what people were laughing about; that and you.

Ideology trumps reason yet again

LOL. Capital and bosses without workers are simply a pile of useless paper overseen by useless parasites.

Workers without capital can organize, pool their resources and do just fine w/out having to see the profits from their efforts siphoned off for CEO's exorbitant salaries.

With every post you highlight your slavish devotion to erroneous ideas.

Thats a joke

The only thing workers do is organize and attempt to withhold their services from their employer. Workers are just that, workers. There is nothing wrong with that - not everybody can be a businessman.

You're right. Businessess need their workers as much as workers need businesses. It is a give and take relationship.

sorry, but you're wrong

There are too many examples of worker-owned cooperatives (which is what I meant by organizing... not the unionizing aspect) to be able to say that workers need capitalist bosses to stay employed.

Garffy

I understand your frustration, I really do. Unemployment is at an all time low. There’s record spending on Health Care, Education and Social Services. Even the regular Tyee commie-wannabees can barely get it up for a chorus in support of Will’s latest piece of fluff. I’ve seen more interest in a movie review thread. So you’re reduced to throwing wild assumptions along with a little mud to preserve your illusion of being society’s conscience.

It’s $34B Garffy, and if you and your navel-gazing buddies want to try to make a story out of how we’ve been abandoned to “go it alone”, in support of greater taxation and spending, you go girl. It’s going to be mighty chilly sitting there on the outside looking in for the next decade.

Did you have a point?

Or is it just the usual straw-men and ad hominem nonsense?

You right-whingers must be getting desperate.

Stump

Is that your best? What are you smoking? Since when does $34 of geovernment intervention qualify as "going it alone?"

It's s simple question but apparently beyond the capability of those on the wrong side of the political spectrum to answer.........

Once again NO Left Nutter

You prove by avoidance that you haven't got the intellectual beans to even understand what's wrong with your rosy picture of reality, let alone know anything about the economics involved in government finance and public policy.

$5 billion of the 34 is a capital expenditure....and a great deal of the public debt is also, in effect, a mortgage on the assets and the future development potential of this province.

You and the rest of your capitalist running dogs think if something is owned by a corporation that's preferrable to having its ownership vest in the actual people of the province. In this day and age, as the Campbell government is transferring ownership of the commons to people who don't live here or care a whiff about your future needs, you'd better enjoy what you think is good times. 'Cause they won't last.

BC, more and more, is a place where nothing real happens and the party will not last. 2010 will be their last hurrah.

In the end, don't come knocking at my door when it falls apart.

I grew up on a farm. I do know how to survive when the going gets tough.

AliCiabatta

Is that your best justification of Will's piece of fluff? That $5B is capital expenditure, therefore, it's different.
With all of the knowledge that you apparently have about government finance and public policy maybe you can answer my question. Or is it beyond your capability too?

I don't know why anyone even bothers

You haven't even got the intellectual depth to cut and paste accurately.

Moreover, I once thought you might actually have half a clue.

Guess I should have known that someone with that kind of a 'handle' wasn't into logic, dialogue, or even a cursory knowledge of neoconservative economic theory.

Sorry, you're off my list for serious discussion. Even Elliot, in his occasional sane moment, shows signs of having once been conscious to a reality other than his own. Bye.

30 million for MOT?

Gee that's enough to build 1 large or 2 medium sized bridges. It is enough for about 15 small ones.

GW

Sorry to hear that you were overcome by a dose of logic. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out…..

I'm still waiting

Do you know what capital expenditures are?
How they are accounted for under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles?

DO you even know the colour of the cover on the CICA binder?

I'm sorry, Mr. Nutter, you are a complete waste of time.

British Columbia is fast turning into a place where no productive 'work', apart from transshipping resources to and from other places, is done at all. Gordon Campbell may think that selling this province and its future to his friends for tax write-off purposes is a 'great' idea or that a 10% reduction in the provincial portion of the income tax really means something or that it will actually be useful in addressing the severe shortage of affordable housing.

I would have thought that even you would understand why it isn't and, further, why the only person who said anything positive about Carole Taylor's little performance yesterday was Sam Sullivan.

You need to get out more. And, you'd be a lot happier hanging around at 'little green footballs.' There are quite a lot of folks there you really might identify with.

Quote:I understand your

noleftnutter sez he understands ???

well consider the following...the governments of Canada AND British Columbia have over the years CUTBACK SERVICES TO ALL OF US AND THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM HAVE SUFFERED THE MOST.

Now that TIMES are GOOD the GOVERNMENTS OF THE DAY are SUCKING UP to their SUPPORTERS by giving them TAX BREAKS up the YING YANG.

Have you seen a HOMELESS FAMILY cheering on the TAX BREAKS WE GOT ???tell me what services they got that are draining the GREAT RESOURCES THIS COUNTRY HAS ???

I know what we drain this country of, because i see it every day as does every other person with a conscience,but as most will gladly pay more in my TAXES,IF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO SPEND IT PROPERLY !!!

I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY GOVERNMENT CUT THE PIE WITH A CONCERN TO EVERY PERSONS INTEREST...

THAT OF SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL ,AS PER THE CHARTER OF RIGHTS.

something i really doubt any right winger posting on these pages has ever read .

and I AIN'T NO COMMIE...just a CENTRIST that believes there is enough for every one to share in without getting a heart attack from,sloth,greed or overwork .

Capitalism

"I know a few rich people, yes. $108K isn't even rich. It is the higher end of middle class.
You'll never understand this - but tax breaks for the wealthy is very good for investment. The middle class doesn't invest, they spend."

Who said $108K was rich? Do you know any rich people? I'm talking about people worth atleast $10 million. Some of them invest locally, but the greatest proportion of them have their money in US stocks and offshore accounts. The middle-class keeps all their money in the local economy because they don't have the disposable income to invest and make real money. Can you understand that? Money that leaves the country doesn't nothing to get people working here.

Chris H

Yes - I know several "rich" people. Yes, they all invest locally. Even if you are right and they do invest in US stocks - they pay CG tax in Canada = more tax revenue.

I know what I'm talking about on this one.

A rarity...

That just means you don't know what you're talking about on all the others... range varmint...

Really

You think you've finally found something you 'know' about? mirabile dictu, can this be true?

I'd say you don't - just like all the rest of the time.

Capital Gains tax is a 50% tax holiday for sponging capitalists playing with the banks' funny money; that's all. A holiday for folks who don't do anything, don't contribute to real productivity and, for the most part, are involved in funny-money refinancing of stupid corporate takeovers; in many cases for the accumulated tax losses.

Capital Gains tax is a moral crime against the income earners who toil on little better than minimum wage and still have 17% of their pay grabbed up to finance Stephen Harper's promises to his fundamentalist friends.

Nope, You still don't know what you're talking about - just like all the rest of the time. Take a bow - your record is still perfect.

Government Intervention????

NLN:

That's our money, not Gordon Scrambled's to dole out as he sees fit. The government ostensibly works for us, not vice versa.

It's always surprising that right-whingers fail lesson #1 of the "market-place" as it applies to governance, namely that the businessman who fails to provide value to his customers eventually finds himself out of business. There's plenty of other companies (political parties) willing to take our money and have a crack at delivering the services which are expected of government.

In the 'real world' a company that has poor relations with both its suppliers and its customers (the public service and the general public in this case) is doomed to putting up the going out of business sign and selling off the fixtures. Unfortunately, in this case, the company in question (Liberals) thinks they are privately-owned, when in reality, our government is more akin to a giant co-operative... and they are selling off the store inventory without consulting the members.

Can you imagine what would happen if the executive team of Mountain Equipment Co-op decided to liquidate its assets without the permission of the members? They'd have their heads handed to them on the end of a trekking pole!

The current government would do well to stop treating our tax dollars as their rightful tribute and start realizing they are an advance to be spent on your so-called interventions (I'd characterize them more as services for which I am paying). It's our money. We demand value for that money, not a taxpayer-financed fire sale of the resources and holdings we already own -- to THEIR favourite bidders.

I can't wait to cast my vote in the next election and cast these clowns out of office... so they can pick up their pensions for a job poorly done. Man, I wish we could get that deal for the workers at the company where I'm employed... a lifetime pension for ten years of sub-standard work.

So, to reiterate, what you call intervention... I call the stuff I'm paying for. How often do you go to a restaurant and pay to sit in front of an empty plate?

Stump

Take a deep breath. You analogy of the businessman is simply stupid. We’re talking about $34B this year that the government intends to spend. I know it’s our money and I don’t think enough of it is spent properly. Don’t be another whack job that ignores the heading of this thread, that it’s a “do it ourselves” budget.

I’ve consistently supported the concept of more responsible spending, I know that many of you get that but choose to make light of my position. I, in turn, do the same with most of the posters here. I call it intervention to draw attention to how little of their activity is actually necessary. Voters have been suckers for bribes with our own money for years. Unfortunately, none of the options in BC are likely to take less of your tax dollars to spend on their pet constituency.

In simple terms that’s why I favour lower taxes. Much of the heavy breathing that goes on here at the Tyee is reminds me of that old punch line – “we know what kind of girl you are, we’re just haggling over price……”

Yeh! I know what you are too.... and you're not funny!

$29 Billion (remember the extra 5 is capital cost) is a lot to pay for the quality of governance Campbell's delivered. The "do it yourself" of the title, for the last time, refers to a concept of Ms Taylor's that by reducing provincial taxes 10% the people of the province will be able to 'do it themselves' and solve the housing crisis that puts at least 30 % of BC's population in danger of being out on the streets (those who aren't already) and subjects the largest proportion of our country's children to live in poverty in the whole country.(You can look it up).

It isn't the people who question the sanity of someone like Taylor to make such a ridiculous claim with a straight face who are the problem.

It is people who think that merely ratcheting down the level of provincial intervention and reducing taxes still more that anything will be solved. It can't, it won't and it never has. Not for Ronald Reagan, Brian Mulroney, George Bush, Jean Chretien, Paul Martin or Stephen Harper.

Furthermore, Stump is absolutely right to point out that the current fire sale of assets is jeopardizing our ability, ever, to pull this province back into some kind of realistic and equitable fiscal balance.

Wake up and smell the coffee.

Quote:Furthermore, Stump is

Private interests will ensure this country gets pulled along. Many economies have long been without "crown" assets - and they continue to outperform Canada. It has only been the past 10 years where we've actually met the economic performance of other developed countries!!

As long as Canada remains a good place to invest - we'll continue to be fine. We'll see peaks and valleys along the way, no doubt.

Good try again Gavin. Why do you count on the government to bail you out? The government couldn't manage a popsicle stand. I think it is time that you wake up and smell the coffee.

if we're just haggling over price.....

I guess, then, my b!tch is my price hasn't been met.

GW

You back for more? Sorry, Carole makes no reference to “do it ourselves”, that’s completely the work of the author.

In fact Carole clearly likes tax and spend governance.

You complain when government spends money on initiatives that you don’t like but you want them to spend more….smells like hypocrisy to me.

By the way, I prefer Timmy’s

You might want to have a look at an analysis

You might want to have a look at an analysis of just how well those assumptions have panned out relative to NAFTA and Mexico NLN.

I just posted a lengthy discussion of the subject on the top story - I hope you'll find it interesting reading.

Private interests are not public interests. Private interests are always fungible. Families and children aren't. If you think they are, you're in for a very rude awakening. You know nothing about accounting and even less about economics and trade.

Just like the people in Victoria who are failing the citizens of British Columbia.

You think you know

"I know what I'm talking about on this one."

You think you do, but you don't. There are many ways of getting around paying capital gains taxes. Money that leaves the country does little to stimulate the economy. Ask any economist. Given your logic, the economy would be greatly strengthened if we didn't tax "rich" people at all. Why tax them when they are certainly investing in the economy and making jobs for people? Tax the poor and middle-class up the ying-yang! Obviously, that's the way to go.

That being said, I don't think there is anything wrong with making money.

As for 'do it yourself' as a credo

I actually listened to Carole Taylor's speech, and the interviews she gave afterward. You might have thought to do the same if you'd hoped to comment intelligently on her intentions.

Chris H

You're absolutely right there is nothing wrong with making money. The problem is that we're saddled with a taxation system that thinks some kinds of earnings are more worthy than others. We need electoral reform and tax reform in this country, and, as you know, a more accountable and democratically founded justice system.

Every dollar earned should be a dollar available for tax and there should be no special deals for guys like Cappy to sock away 50 % of their capital gains tax-free while working people are dinged every time they draw a paycheck. Until some rationality reappears in the tax system and we stop permitting the banks to pretend that money can be printed at will (with no real relationship to resources, labour or environmental values) this country will continue to go downhill while capitalistic hangers on pretend everything's fine.

It isn't, and it's getting worse. By the day. It's time people, the vast majority of people, called a halt to it. And the organized crime that goes along with a sick system.

Correction

The problem is that we're saddled with a bunch of lefties who can't recognize the importance of investment income on society.

We should come down to a 25% flat tax (provincial and federal) and have capital gains be 75% tax-exempt. Then i'd be happy.

I'm not surprised

Making you happy is not the priority of the vast majority of people who'd much rather everyone pulled their weight.

You've had a free ride far too long and the condition of this society and its infrastructure shows it.

Coyote

Hey Garth,

When are they letting Coyote back?

Where's the 'yote been?

GW

"You know nothing about accounting and even less about economics and trade." GW

Another false assumption on your part, my work involves elements of both.

"I actually listened to Carole Taylor's speech, and the interviews she gave afterward. You might have thought to do the same if you'd hoped to comment intelligently on her intentions. GW"

Again, you’re being careless with the truth. In this story the writer describes the budget as - “The underlying message may be that the Campbell government……”

Your rationalizing the outcome of what Carole may have said afterwards. There is no reference in her comments within this story that anybody is going to have to “go it alone.”

If there is, I’d be willing to shut up if you show me where it is…….Alternately, if you can’t show me then maybe you wouldn’t mind a trip to the sidelines……

you promises you'll shut up - remember

http://www.bcliberals.com/EN/309/9834?PHPSESSID=1f26ed63bb75238fb3c4d11c6507c185

Now if that isn't a tax-cut billed as the centre of a housing strategy I don't know what it is.

Bye now.

About Coyote, Cappy. I'll bet he doesn't know you cared. He is missed. You wouldn't be.

As for when he'll be back. You'd have to ask David Beers - I'm not your gopher.

errata

that subject line should be 'you promised you'll shut up - remember'

Now Now Garf

We all know you'd miss me, NLN and others. You don't even comment on the articles. You merely look for one of our responses, tell us we're wrong, call us greedy, stupid and heartless.

We give you purpose to your life! I'm happy to oblige!

No Cappy, I wouldn't miss you, not in the least

If you think that's what I'm about you're a bigger idiot than your writing and your constant mistakes indicate. Pointing out your errors and your consistent failure to actually read and understand is about the easiest intellectual exercise I've ever encountered.

Fly-fishing is a bigger challenge.

You're the one living a life without purpose and direction.

I fondly imagine the day when your evident lack of self-control and moral confusion leads you to post something the editors will realize is in fundamental violation of the rules around here and you'll be banned.

Coyote made a contribution. He was a mensch.

You're just underfoot.

GW

Sorry, I read the document at the link you posted, perhaps you made a mistake. Nowhere in the document does it say what WM claims Carole Taylor’s position on the budget is - that we have to “do it ourselves.”

Like most discussion here I’m simply asking for verification of what the writer claims and what you insist was said. Apparently, Carole Taylor has never said what you and WM claim she did.

An impartial observer would logically conclude that you’ve lost the wager. Time for you to shut up, as quite clearly, you have failed to put up……

Wrong again

That is quite possibly the best example of sloppy thinking I've ever seen. It's hardly hypocrisy to question where taxes are spent while suggesting addt'l taxes are necessary.

To use a housing analogy... is it hypocrisy to decry the purchase of new furnace when you think what your house really needs a new, albeit more expensive, roof?

Man, at least make it a challenge to point out your faulty logic.

NLN, if the businessman example is stupid then please throw me a bone and explain why. I would have thought you'd actually get that analogy. If you won't prove it to be erroneous I'll just have to assume you can't.

correction

Oops. the graveyard shift can make for sloppy writing when one should be in bed instead of tilting at right-whinge mills.

"is it hypocrisy to decry the purchase of new furnace when you think what your house really needs [/b]is[b] a new, albeit more expensive, roof?"

correction

Oops. the graveyard shift can make for sloppy writing when one should be in bed instead of tilting at right-whinge mills.

"is it hypocrisy to decry the purchase of new furnace when you think what your house really needs is a new, albeit more expensive, roof?"

Apparently you can't read

This is the heading of the budget blurb:
BC Budget 2007 - Building a Housing Legacy

followed by this heading:

Balanced Budget 2007 is dedicated to housing.

It delivers a comprehensive range of new supports for British Columbians to help address the housing challenges created by a growing economy.

Balanced Budget 2007 takes a major step towards ensuring every British Columbian has access to a safe, appropriate and affordable place to call home.

And then this.
Tax Relief to Help Every Taxpayer With Their Housing Costs

Or don't you read the headings.

You don't even have faulty logic. Get outta here.

Here's a question for you Stump.

How many folks do you figure will be able to move into new digs on the $56 that the budget will save them in taxes Stump?

$15,000 taxable income - savings from carole's do it yourself program = $56

Taken from that lovely table the Government has posted up on its fancy pants website.

Can't wait to see the housing crisis knuckle under to that kind of fiscal discipline, can you?

Wasn't it Trooper that had a little song about a three dressed up as a nine?

Short term gain long term pain!

I just want to go home to Kansas Sir! Just Me and Toto! So if Carol is Dorthy, then who is the Great Oz, Campbell. There is no openess, honesty, transparency, or accountability with government and its citizens. When they spoke of their great moves towards housing the homeless it is just not so and have sufficent finding this government has done everything possible to ensure its citizens end up homeless. I will post the supporting documents for all to see, it is a scandal! ps also gov blooper like pubic transportation! How is that working for you? Are you seeing red yet? I'm wearing it. If one group's right do not matter and are ignored then no one's right matter. Now that is a given. We all lose!

Sharing the wealth

Probably only the slumlords who will raise rents as high as they can get away with on every little bachelor suite and SRO they own. $56 ain't much... unless you multiply it by a few dozen tenants, and then you're talking real money.

Unfortunately, they can only raise rents (4%) once a year on existing tenants.

Fortunately, there's lots of turnover, and they can charge anything the market will bear when someone new moves in... ie $325 plus $56 in all likelihood.

Thank you stump

Now I see all the flotsam and jetsam has foregathered on the Campbell thread. Having routed the moles from one area, they immediately pop up for another bashing somewhere else

Housing or "do it ourselves"?

GW, I’m clearly missing something. I am asking you for proof that Carole Taylor referred to her budget, as stated by WM and you, that it is a “do it ourselves” budget and you refer me to statements about housing. Huh?

Are you thinking that it’s because most of us have “our own” house that it’s relevant? Is it that Carole claims that her budget is about housing? Is it that my question is unclear? I could go on but clearly you’ve missed the point.

Come back after your time out……

Why stupid?

Stump Because it misses the point of the discussion although I appreciate that this governments’ treatment of so-called public goods and services may be your pet peeve. I recognize that your “businessman” analogy frames that concern.

However, it doesn’t address the issues that I previously raised so it appears to me that you were too stupid to understand my point, that’s why you posted an erroneous analogy……

You are missing something

What does this mean to you?

Tax Relief to Help Every Taxpayer With Their Housing Costs

To me, and, I’d assert, anyone who's capable of abstract thought, it conveys exactly the same meaning as 'do it yourself'...and furthermore through concrete examples as the material on the budget website explains, in terms of dollars and cents, what that means.

This is the budget material prepared and published by the finance department of which Carole Taylor is the minister. I did not invent the rationalizations contained therein.

It is her policy and her idle justification (in my opinion) for doing absolutely nothing substantive about the crisis in affordable housing that many of the people in this province are currently suffering through. If you think that a 10% reduction in the provincial portion of tax, retained in the pockets of a populace most of whom cannot now afford housing in many urban areas of this province without incurring a monthly expenditure in the neighbourhood of 70% of their pretax income, then there is simply no point in even talking to you. The very idea of do it yourself in this atmosphere is an insult to the intelligence of the thinking voters and citizens of this province.

If you're incapable of understanding that, which is a concept already captured by every commentary I've seen on the budget, here and elsewhere, then I can't help you.

You are beyond reason and logic. Look at the link I posted again and I believe, if you're an honest man, you'll see what I and every other sane British Columbian with the ability to read has already understood.

I can't force you to live up to your promise to leave if you're incapable of making the connection but I will certainly never engage with you in a discussion about anything again. Good bye. You certainly are missing something.

Quote:Don’t be another

GEEZ,if we all had the same tools to work with that DIY mentality would be just SKOOKUM !

But,some got spoons,some got shovels,shome got big earth moving machines and as usual those BIG GREEDY EART MOVERS grab the most...

BUT ,HEY! IF YOU SAY IT'S A REASONABLE ECONOMIC ETHICAL METHOLOGY...IT MUST BE SO .

Your constant posting of such BLIND FAITH shows how really VACANT ,you and your RIGHT WINGED BUDDIES are and it is no small wonder the KKKAMPBEL KKKLAN got voted back in and most likely will be inpower for some time...

And looking to the future for those with no future(hey maybe you might be disabled/homeless/whatever)you don't have to wonder aloud why ADDICTION and SUICIDES are COMMONPLACE in such a great country like Canada....

then again,it's my CANADA and your KKKanada,so i no longer wonder why people are dragged into an alley by POLICE to be left to die.

IT'S THAT KKKAMPBELL KLAN MENTALITY that the CESSPOOL OF HUMANITY HAS DREDGED UP TO LEAD THE LEMMINGS.

GW & Thomas

You've failed the test again. You can't prove your point, only make conjecture and infer abstract references. I suppose that's good enough for most of your loyal fans but in plain terms, it's simply not correct in this discussion. Clearly, you’re incapable of rational thought, that must be why you resort to the posturing that you do……Sorry to disappoint you but I won't be sitting on the sidelines.

As for you Thomas, what does the 49 stand for, your IQ? Clearly typing and thinking at the same time aren’t skills that you’ve mastered. You’d be better off if you took your keyboard back to the sandbox…….

Nope sorry

I never said, and neither did Will McMartin, that Carole Taylor used those words precisely.

If she had, they would have been surrounded with pairs of inverted commas.

I can't believe such a worldly fellow as you would not be familiar with that convention. You might want to consult someone like Norman Spector, or any other active journalist, on that convention if you don't want to take my word for it.

Give the journalism school at Carleton a call; phone the Vancouver Sun; check with David Beers - even the Province would know about it.

You are so embarrassedly wrong that it is simply unbelievable.

There is nothing abstract about the intent and the labelling of this Liberal Budget.

Here, in black and white, is its label again:

BC Budget 2007 - Building a Housing Legacy.

And here, again in its own words, is the mechanism for that project:

Note carefully the words - "every taxpayer"

Is that plain enough for you?

Don't make me read the speech!

Herre's the original quote and your comment in response re: doing it ourselves NLN.

Below that, you'll see I went to the trouble of wading through the propaganda to pick out some choice bits for you.

Quote:
That is, the province is not going to take the lead in solving problems in health, in housing or with the environment, but will encourage individual British Columbians -- with additional dollars jingling in their pockets -- to find solutions themselves. lynn

How do you and Will rationalize that $34B of government intervention rates as “doing it ourselves?” What threshold of expenditure would satisfy you?

Now here's some direct quotes from Taylor's budget speech.

With this budget, we are also providing new support for first-time buyers whose homes are built by volunteers with Habitat for Humanity. These are lower-income working families who contribute sweat equity … in return for affordable, interest-free mortgages.

As a government … we want to encourage and support those people and organizations that help make affordable housing a reality for more B.C. families.

What can we do as a Province to help?
Well, we can start by leaving more money in their pockets.

A family of four with both parents working … earning a combined total of $70,000 … will now save more than $1,800 a year.
That's money they can put towards their own, personal priorities … dollars that can help each and every family cope with the high cost of housing in British Columbia.

We need housing choices for the aging parents of disabled children who want to partner with government in finding solutions.

In addition, the budget provides $38 million over four years for LocalMotion grants to encourage and reward green initiatives

Health care is a good example. As we announced in January, we are committing an additional $885 million to health care in 2007/08.
That includes a $100 million Health Innovation Fund to encourage and assist our health authorities to move forward immediately with new ideas to improve patient care

For low-income working families, we're providing more rental supplements — direct cash payments they can apply to the housing options that best meet their needs.

I'm confident that we can meet these challenges together, as a province. As the Throne Speech pointed out … British Columbians accomplish what we set our minds to do.

A place where every one of us can share in our province's success, where we work and raise our families and plan for the future with a real sense of confidence and where we build opportunity, and prosperity, together.

I don't know about you, but when I look at all those statements I see a common thread: "Here's some money, you figure it out... I've got to decide which shoes to wear at the Opening Ceremonies."

Some leadership. No new ideas, to paraphrase Bush the Elder.

GW, My last comment here....

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You wander around the Tyee like some slap-head 60’s street front legal-aid lawyer insisting that the world conform to your perspective. When anyone questions your perspective and points out your shortcomings you go off like Jim Nabors – “Surprise, Surprise” and try to change the terms of reference to suit your points.

As I understand it, here’s the offer I made that you were incapable of proving -

I won’t hold against you that you busted your balls trying to prove a point that didn’t exist. I admire your enthusiasm and energy for most subjects.

No about that trip to the sidelines………..

GW, My last comment here....

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You wander around the Tyee like some slap-head 60’s street front legal-aid lawyer insisting that the world conform to your perspective. When anyone questions your perspective and points out your shortcomings you go off like Jim Nabors – “Surprise, Surprise” and try to change the terms of reference to suit your points.

As I understand it, here’s the offer I made that you were incapable of proving -

I won’t hold against you that you busted your balls trying to prove a point that didn’t exist. I admire your enthusiasm and energy for most subjects.

No about that trip to the sidelines………..

GW, My last comment here....

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You wander around the Tyee like some slap-head 60’s street front legal-aid lawyer insisting that the world conform to your perspective. When anyone questions your perspective and points out your shortcomings you go off like Jim Nabors – “Surprise, Surprise” and try to change the terms of reference to suit your points.

As I understand it, here’s the offer I made that you were incapable of proving -

I won’t hold against you that you busted your balls trying to prove a point that didn’t exist. I admire your enthusiasm and energy for most subjects.

Now, about that trip to the sidelines………..

Apologies

Sorry I three-peated. Trying to correct the first word in the last line....

Stump

I appreciate the effort, again, I joined this thread to address the specific claims by some that this budget was a "do it ourselves budget", taint so. You can choose to read that into it if you hate the GC Liberals but don't fail to read the last paragraph that you posted

TTFN

Talk minus action

equals zero

Sad when a guy who used to go by the last name Sh*thead has more wisdom than our leaders.

Just leave

You would have embarrassed yourself enough with one post. Three is overkill.

You are clearly incapable of abstract thought. Furthermore, it has everything to do with the English language and proper usage and absolutely nothing to do with the law.

It's also consoling to see that, at bottom, you are reduced to calling me names and casting aspersions on the legal profession - not that the lawyers will mind. Pretty much de rigueur for someone whose wits have failed them I guess.

When I see some evidence that anyone in this government is capable of behaving in any kind of a true and honest relationship to those words I'll let you know.

Until then, I won't be holding my breath. This is a do it ourselves budget and it is a great failure. Next time read a little more carefully. Moreover, think about what fantastic housing expenditures one can make with that $56.00. Ain’t choice wunnerful? Do it ourselves indeed!

For someone who apparently cares so little about your fellow citizens faced with sterile choices about how to cope with their housing difficulties - even given the munificence of Ms Taylor’s profligacy - I think it's a little hypocritical for you to even quote those words.

Your whole involvement in this thread was originally centered upon a shocked realization that the total budget estimate was $34 billion, remember?

Mythology

Another budget from the realm of fantasy. Always good to see the Right shy away from reality and couch themselves in myths instead.

That said, I'm glad Carole Taylor is finance minister. About time we stopped taking provincial finances seriously and Carole is just the girl to lead us to that goal.

Someone has gathered quotes on the Campbell budget

Well-known New Democrats have collected these
Quotable Quotes on Gordon Campbell's Budget      
and catch Campbell telling a tall tale about a "$2-billion housing program"

Keith Baldrey, Global TV: "the most misleading part of any budget I have seen since the Liberals came to power." (BCTV, Feb 21, 2007)

Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun: "...Carole Taylor insisted Tuesday that (her budget) was all about 'building a housing legacy and pointed to a reputed $2 billion housing plan. The claim was entirely misleading." "Taylor could have just as easily packaged her tax cut as 'building a legacy' for child care, education, retirement or buying a new car." (Vancouver Sun, Feb 21, 2007)

Michael Smyth, Vancouver Province: "Somebody should sue the Liberal government's spin doctors for malpractice, because they sure botched the operation yesterday." (Province, Feb 21, 2007)

Paul Willcocks, Victoria Times-Colonist: "...can anyone argue with a straight face that a tax cut worth $25 a month to a typical family is really the centrepiece of an effective housing strategy?" "...it shows a baffling disconnect between the realities of life in BC, as experienced by ordinary citizens, and the government's choices." "It's risky for any government to choose ideology and ignore the public's wishes." (Times Colonist, Feb 21, 2007)

Don Cayo, Vancouver Sun: "...this could have turned into a real housing budget. But, despite modest increases for the homeless and low-income renters, it isn't. And Minister Taylor and her colleagues deserve to have their noses tweaked for pretending it is." (Vancouver Sun, Feb 23, 2007)

Michael Prince, Professor of political science at UVIC: "When you consider we have a growing population, a waiting list for housing, and a continuing homeless problem, it's a very timid, modest start of a housing policy." (Globe and Mail, Feb 21, 2007)

Tsur Somerville, Sauder School of Business: "the notion that somehow giving people a tax cut and then calling that a housing budget strikes me as somewhat laughable." (CKNW, Feb. 20, 2007)

Alice Sunberg, Director of BC's Non- Profit Housing Association: "Once you start to see the details, it really starts to fall short of what's really needed." (Vancouver Sun, Feb 21, 2007) "what we need is more supply of housing and this is really a drop in the bucket." (Globe and Mail, Feb 21, 2007)

Oops. Sorry, these aren't New Democrats but the trolls will undoubtedly find something to complain about.

All those column writers and

All those column writers and people who work with the poor have all decided not to accpet MS.Taylor, and the guy who leads her by the lease's BS. When folks like keith Baldrey say its nuts, it turns one head a bit, as Keith is such a Liberal supporter on most things. Watching the lady on Voice of Bc shows she shoould have been a selected for the upcoming Oscar as most able to twist things

Quote:Sorry I three-peated.

It makes me giggle when some half wit is DRUNK WITH POWER and cannot even use light machinery.

The FACT nln cannot fathom the explanations given are indicative of a slow witted village IDIOT that needs to have EVERYTHING explained a dozen times,just to catch the drift of the debate.

Then become self righteous and blame us because he is so slow to catch the special bus to the education he sadly lacks.

You NLN,Cappy,Elliot AND A FEW OTHER choice right wing TROLLS are the slowest mental deficients I have ever come across and as a pro photographer i meet hundreds of half wits every week doing modeling portfolios,PRETTY PEOPLE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO BRAINS,that have to be told a hundred times what to do !

I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE PRETTY,CAUSE YOU SURE ARE SHORT ON GOD'S OTHER GIFTS...

Mary

Getting comments like these from the likes of Palmer, Baldrey, Smyth and Willcocks could be the beginning of something but I am not sure what as they have collectively been nothing more than apologists for the Campbell bunch for the past 6 years. Oh sure once in a while there will be a slap on the wrist with a wet noodle from them just so they can claim balance. I wonder if the Opposition took the gloves off and ignored James' preoccupation for being nice, might Campbell actually be held to account and might the public then get a different perception of what is happening in the Province?