Next Liberal Manifesto

[The Green Barbarian]

As GB and others often point out, when we get to an election and are presented with the issues and platforms of each party contesting it, we will have something upon which to make informed choices. Unfortunately, in the last two elections in BC, we have not been presented with anything even close to that.

Nab

Thanks Nab! At least you get my point.

[flamingfingers]

How can anyone just decide on how to vote for a party only by the platform presented before an election.Here is the platform put forth by the Liberals in the 2001 election.
************************************************
This 2001 BC Liberal platform document, A New Era for British Columbia is no longer easily found. BC Liberals prefer it to be forgotten. I found one copy in the legislative library that had been condensed from 36 pages to 12. However, the full document, which I found at the University of Laval in Quebec, makes interesting reading, particularly parts that promise:

The most open, accountable and democratic government in Canada.
Better services for children, families & First Nations.
Stop the endless bureaucratic restructuring that has drained resources from children and family services.
Restore open tendering on government contracts . . .
. . . eliminating wasteful spending on government mismanagement, propaganda . . .
Not sell or privatize BC Rail.
Restore consumers’ right to Hydro rates that are independently set by the B.C. Utilities Commission, and not artificially inflated by government interference.
. . . outlaw provincial government “offloading” of costs onto municipal governments
Hold the line on court fees and probate fees, to ensure that no British Columbian is denied their right of access to our justice system because of onerous costs.
Protect and preserve Burns Bog.
etc.

http://northerninsights.blogspot.com/20 ... mises.html


They can promise the world,but as we can see,they don't have to deliver.

And as we can readily see, the 2001 "platform" has been trashed, thrashed, and IMHO, was nothing but a lie fabricated to get votes.

Also, most interesting that this complete document had to be accessed through the University of Laval in Quebec, as "BC Liberals prefer it to be forgotten."

[maple leaf]

And when they don't deliver, it is way beyond adult reason for those who criticise them for it to be constantly called whining uggo socialists and Marxists and union slugs and NDP slackers. It's not about the NDP, it is strictly about this government and their performance. As well, I keep reminding, we are NOT in an election, so figuring out who to vote for is NOT an issue. As GB and others often point out, when we get to an election and are presented with the issues and platforms of each party contesting it, we will have something upon which to make informed choices. Unfortunately, in the last two elections in BC, we have not been presented with anything even close to that.

Nab

I mostly agree with you Nab,it is not about the NDP at this time. It is about the currant government and what they are doing.

You said , once the next elections and parties come up with platforms, is when we will have something to base a informed choice on.To me you can't rely only on what they will put forth and promise at that time.As the example I gave, clearly shows.IMO getting informed starts now,by discussions on forums such as this one.Finding out what the currant government( because they are the ones in power making choices that effect us right now) are doing as our representatives .I don't see the main stream media doing a very good job of informing us.But we the people can hold this government to account ,by discussion,by exposing the wrongs,by pointing others to different sources of info.,by bringing light to the poor choices being made by this government.Everyone is going to have an opinion on what is right or wrong and that's ok.But putting ones head into the sand and pretending all is well,until the next election doesn't work for me.( I like Stevens picture of people with heads in the sand)Get informed now.

[NAB]

It's actually quite easy to get and keep informed about what the current government is doing, except for the stuff they work hard at to hide and needs to be dug out of them. Not so easy to know what they will do if re-elected - but one assumes the leopard will not change its spots very much. The other parties can make a comment here or a comment there, but by and large they are just fishing, so we will have no idea what their platform will look like unless and until they present one - and that's not likely to be until an election is called, if even then. So, nothing to compare, and it would be rather silly IMO, to waste a lot of time opining over who to vote for until there is something worthwhile to base it on. As I said, it's not about an election (and a lot can happen between now and the next one that will cause people to flip and flop back and forth as to their current favourite).... it's about the performance of this government and this government only, its leadership, and its deeply entrenched ideology and power structure. And lets not forget the power of the bureaucracy, which many people tend to overlook when an individual seeking election ( such as Premier Clarke) says one thing, then finds once elected it is impossible and has to flip flop around. We need leadership who can be BOLD with respect to change and doing things (and getting things done) differently, .....and so far none have appeared, or are even on the horizon.

Nab

[steven lloyd]

If Keith Baldry is correct with his assessment, Dix might surprise us:

http://www.burnabynow.com/news/effectiv ... z1cs64cqai

(link first provided by flaming)

[mr.bandaid]

I agree totally, it is not about the NDP, never has been. It is just a tact put forward to try and deflect the masses from the terrible job the LIberals have done over the past 10 years.

[NAB]

Observation: BC isn't exactly the centre of the universe when it comes to having a decent pool of credible and competent governance and leadership talent available, let alone decent riding candidates of whatever stripe. And I use those terms because "political talent" in my view isn't the same thing and has taken on a very negative connotation in many respects. In fact, to me "politics" and "governance" are two entirely different things, as our BC version of "politics" and "politicians" tends to be very..... mmmm... what are the appropriate terms I am searching for here....?

Nab

[Logitack]

sleazy?

incompetence?

self serving?

personal benefit?

[flamingfingers]

..long on 'politics' and short on (good) governance..??

[sooperphreek]

i think that greenie and richie are deathly afraid of Unions. the money that unions put into the coffers are a pittance compared to bon mot 500 dollar a head fundraisers for the liberals. not to mention all the corporation and business donations. in the end what is so wrong about unions standing up and funding what they believe in? is there a rule against that? is it because it is contrary to the conservative influence in politics?

[The Green Barbarian]

i think that greenie and richie are deathly afraid of Unions. the money that unions put into the coffers are a pittance compared to bon mot 500 dollar a head fundraisers for the liberals. not to mention all the corporation and business donations. in the end what is so wrong about unions standing up and funding what they believe in? is there a rule against that? is it because it is contrary to the conservative influence in politics?

I am not deathly afraid of unions. I think they do serve a purpose, in the real world, and a gross giant waste of taxpayer money and government time in the government world. I don't know if there is a rule against unions funding the NDP, and I know the whole tired argument about how they "have" to do it to counter-balance "big business", but I wonder if any union that donates to the NDP has ever put it up for a vote with their members to whether they are in favour of their dues going to the NDP? It would be interesting to know.

[sooperphreek]

the same can be said of a corporation funding parties. do they ask shareholders if they all endorse the funding? there may be conservatives in a union. and there are probably wealthy liberals as shareholders. does it really matter?