"..were it left to me to decide, whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." Thomas Jefferson
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In a recent Macleans Magazine interview, NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman says, "I was booed presenting the Stanley Cup in Detroit to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Had I been presenting it in Pittsburgh I probably wouldn’t have been booed."
You have to laugh out loud at the sheer audacity of his spin on being booed in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. He goes on to deny showing preferential treatment rescuing the bankrupt Phoenix franchise, after the NHL bailed on Winnipeg and Quebec City.
Bettman also denies a rift with former Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky regarding his financial claim against Phoenix, presently owned by the NHL. He says there are no issues with the Great Gretzky, "Other than the fact we haven’t offered to make a payment right now—on something that really isn’t our obligation..."
That's right....and they love Gary in Pittsburgh.
ONTARIO ROLLS BACK HST ON SNACKS
Ontario has announced additional HST exemptions for fast food and beverages costing $4 or less, and newspapers. However, the 5% GST will still apply. Still, it's a concession to consumers and small businesses not being offered by the BC government.
In addition, Ontario is giving a one-time grant of $1,000 to eligible families. The BC govt is offering families little except higher taxes, cuts in grants for school programs, and less medical care.
One BC patient reports three visits to the hospital in three weeks to deal with catheter issues while waiting for his prostate surgery. Somehow, postponing surgeries, but paying for multiple visits to the hospital, is supposed to save the govt money.
Of course, the surgery fund is separate from the almost $2 million allocated for private suites, tickets, receptions, and general partying for govt officials, their friends and insiders during the Olympics.
Will BC follow Ontario's lead and drop the tax on a donut and coffee? Unlikely, but stay tuned....hope springs eternal.
HARPER TORIES LOOK LIKE CAMPBELL LIBERALS TO BC VOTERS
The BC Liberal government lost the support of the public over the HST, but more importantly, the Liberals have also lost the support of small business people. Entrepreneurs running small cafes, retail stores, restaurants, providing goods and services at the street level have little good to say about Gordon Campbell's Liberals and their deceptive implementation of the HST.
The large resource and manufacturing companies that support the HST may represent campaign money, but not votes. Without support from small business, the Liberals are in serious trouble. But they have more than three years to gain back that support.
On the other hand, Stephen Harper's minority Conservative govt doesn't have that time. Harper's candidate was hammered on Monday by the NDP's Finn Donnelly in the by-election riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam. A national election is coming soon, probably when the HST bill is introduced...perhaps in spring taking advantage of the euphoria of the Olympics.
Harper has 22 seats in BC and he will be hard-pressed not to lose a number of them over the HST. Ignatieff's Liberals are in the same boat as Harper considering their support for the HST.
Only the NDP and Green Party have come out opposing the HST cash grab dropped on an unsuspecting BC public. Harper needs the small business vote and he won't get it, just as he didn't get it in the by-election. Ignatieff won't get it either, unless he smartens up and figures out which side his bread is buttered on.
The NDP will likely take a whack of seats when the small business community decides to stay home on voting day. Or...the beneficiaries may be Green Party candidates, like Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader running in the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands.
The Green Party has taken a sensible position on the HST and there may be enough "green" voters combined with disenchanted small business people to elect the first Green Party candidate to Parliament.
Why not? It's not like Stephen Harper's govt has done BC voters any favours by doing the HST deal with Gordon Campbell behind closed doors. Despite their denials, Campbell and BC Finance Minister Hansen knew, Harper and federal Finance Minister Flaherty knew, and they kept quiet through the BC election.
Hell hath no fury like BC voters scorned.
TORIES THUMPED ON HST IN BY-ELECTION
Stephen Harper's Conservatives were thumped on the HST issue in the by-election riding of New Westminster-Coquitlam.
Campaigning on an anti-HST platform, the NDP's Fin Donnelly captured more than 50 per cent of the vote over Tory candidate Diana Dilworth. Donnelly said he spoke to thousands of voters since the summer and their biggest concern is the HST.
It's a signal British Columbians don't believe Harper's line that the HST is soley the decision of the BC Liberal government.
There are indications Harper is avoiding introduction of the HST bill fearing it will become the focus of the election in both Ontario and British Columbia. This latest by-election result is more evidence for those concerns.
QUICKEST VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR PHYSICALLY FIT
The eyesight of Canadians may be failing, because what they are seeing isn't happening.
Dr. David Butler Jones, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada says, in a full colour Globe and Mail ad (at what cost?) that the H1N1 flu vaccination progam is the "largest and quickest mass immunization campaign in Canadian history."
The fact that you are seeing 4 - 5 hour line-ups created by a bottleneck delivery system is not happening. Do not be concerned that the vaccine is trickling in and that most vaccinations will be available after the flu's peak. This is the "quickest" immunization in history. An immunization using a small number of govt health clinics rather than the countless medical walk-in clinics across the country.
Never mind that this highly-controlled govt delivery system is ensuring NHL hockey teams and Olympic torch bearers are getting vaccinated well ahead of those most in need.
Perhaps Dr. Butler Jones meant to say it is the largest and quickest mass immunization campaign for the most physically fit in Canadian history.
Regardless, take the word of Canada's Chief Public Health Officer. Those bottlenecks and line-ups aren't happening. Better get your eyes checked.
GOVT SPENDING IRRESPONSIBLE, OUT OF CONTROL
Nov, 2009 - The bad news just keeps coming. A report released today says BC Ferries CEO David Hahn's $1 million annual salary is more than double his peers in the public sector. In addition, the ferry corporation's directors pay themselves retainers that are five times higher than comparable levels at Crown corporations.
Plus, a report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reveals BC municipalities' spending is out of control, increasing by 44%, while population and inflation grew by only 25%. One hundred and twenty nine out of 153 municipalities spent beyond their means.
Both reports are indicators that the BC government's policy of self-determination in the form of independent community charters for municipalities is an abject failure, resulting in uncontrollable costs to taxpayers.
The BC Ferries debacle highlights the gold-plated compensation offered employees of the provincial govt, including Crown corporations.
The BC govt's deficit this year is $2.8 billion, and the debt is $34 billion , $4 billion higher than under the NDP when they were booted from office in 2001 for fiscal incompetence. Despite a decade of a strong economy in North America, the Liberal govt did nothing to pay down the debt, and actually increased it.
In light of these reports, the reason becomes obvious - misguided policies and administrative mismanagement by BC's elected representatives.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FOR THE PEOPLE WORKING FOR YOU
Nov, 2009 - Apart from earning wages significantly exceeding the wages of average working stiffs in the private sector, you can look forward to the following benefits should you decide to join BC's privileged class in the govt - the people working for YOU!
The question is why would anyone retire? And if they did, how would they know?
Overview of Benefits for Regular Employees, Legislative Assembly of B.C.
• Vacation - regular employees receive 140 hours vacation to start. • Statutory holidays - gives you the equivalent of 11 days (77 hours) off each year to recognize special days. • Special leaves - allows you to take time away from work for urgent personal matters including bereavement leave, household emergency or care for a sick child. • Maternity, Parental and Pre-Adoption Leave - pays you an allowance when you are caring for your newborn or preparing for an adoption. • Sick Leave - covers your pay when you’re ill and unable to work. • Long Term Disability - pays a substantial portion of your salary when you’ve been ill or injured for an extended time. • Medical Services Plan – covers your family’s BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) costs. • Fitness Incentive – 75% reimbursement of fitness membership or classes fees, up to a maximum of $250 per annum per employee. • Extended Health – pays a significant portion of your family’s healthcare costs not covered by MSP such as prescriptions, eye care etc. • Dental – pays a significant portion of your family’s dental care. • Employee & Family Assistance – counseling services to help you and your family when the need arises. • Life Insurance – personal life insurance equal to three times your annual salary. • Spouse and Dependent Insurance – optional life coverage for your family members. • Workers’ Compensation – provides replacement income and covers health care costs when you’ve had an accident or injury at work. • Employment Insurance- provides replacement income for the birth or adoption of a child, or an illness or injury that doesn’t qualify for sick pay. • Public Service Pension – income for when you retire. • Canada Pension – income for when you retire or if you become disabled. • Employee Recognition – recognizes employee ideas and initiatives that improve operations or service. • Environment Committee – a staff committee meets regularly and actively assesses opportunities to improve practices and play an active role in the greening of our workplace and to practice stewardship both at home and work. • Safety Committee – a staff committee meets monthly to ensure that occupational and health initiatives and programs are effective in every worksite. • Training and development - our staff stays current with emerging practices, trends and technology by branch or corporate sponsored training across a wide range of topics.
LET THEM EAT TAMIFLU
In addition to spending a million dollars on Olympic games tickets for their friends and insiders, the BC govt is ponying up another half a million of taxpayers' money to entertain high rollers at the posh Terminal City Club in Vancouver. Apparently the bill could reach up to $650,000.
Let's put this in real world terms. There are many British Columbians hoping to rent out their homes during the Olympics. The Vancouver Sun reports a couple offering to rent their house for $3000 during the two weeks, and there are thousands of other homes available.
So the Terminal City Club deal is the equivalent of renting up to 200 homes during the Olympic Games with $50,000 left over for snacks.
Who engages in that kind of excess, especially while cutting back essential services like surgeries? Only completely disconnected, self-absorbed tin-pot dictators drinking their own bath water - Slobodan Milosevic, Kim Jong-il, Imelda Marcos.
The BC Liberals continue to exhibit zero leadership and horrendous judgment, especially during a time of economic hardship and a life-threatening flu pandemic. Sure, rent a facility and cater a few receptions to entertain international investors during the Olympics.
Just don't demand solid gold fixtures in the bathrooms while your subjects stand in line for essential services.
HURRY UP AND WAIT
Nov, 2009 - It's a typical government operation. British Columbians are waiting 4-5 hours in massive line-ups to receive a simple vaccination shot. By restricting vaccine delivery to special flu shot clinics, those with high risk are now at higher risk from the bottleneck created by the government.
"I can't believe that any MP on any side of this House could look at the line ups in his or her riding and be able to say that this response to the pandemic is being executed properly or blame some other jurisdiction," says federal Liberal health critic Carolyn Bennett.
In addition, it appears Canadians were misinformed about how much vaccine is actually available in a timely way. In August, the Canadian govt said it had ordered 50 million doses of the vaccine. Yet the vaccine is trickling in and the govt is extending vaccination timelines for the general public into the middle of December.
Clearly, neither the government, nor the public health system, is equipped to address a widespread medical issue in a timely and efficient manner.
This should come as no surprise. After 7 months, the BC government finally legislated an end to the strike by paramedics. They provide an essential public service, and the right to strike should not even be on the table. Yet the paramedics announced their strike in April, when the BC govt was fully aware of the swine flu pandemic. It took the govt 7 months to act.
We can only hope it doesn't take them 7 months to deliver the flu vaccine.
"QUICKER, FASTER, BETTER" HEALTH CARE FOR NON-BRITISH COLUMBIANS
Oct, 2009 - If you want "quicker, faster, better" health care in BC, try leaving the province and offer to pay extra, say...from Saskatchewan.
The BC government is cutting British Columbians' surgeries to accomodate Canadians from other provinces because there's more money in it. BC's Health Minister Kevin Falcon said his ministry is bringing in 400 patients because he is able to "charge a premium."
He claims the extra money will help British Columbians get access to medical care "quicker, faster and better." Of course, that might be more easily accomplished by not cancelling British Columbians' surgeries in the first place.
If the government can charge a "premium" for medical services, why can't the private sector?
The minister's thinking is a mirror image of BC's health care system - convoluted, screwed up, and unsustainable.
BADGES? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' BADGES!
Oct. 2009 -Socialists often complain about the money, power and influence of big business. However, in reality, the most powerful, influential organization with unlimited resources is government.
The BC government is a multi-billion dollar corporation that writes its own laws. It is an organization that can deceive its shareholders (HST), and produce deceptive financial statements (budget deficit) with impunity. It is a corporation that can undertake illegal acts and make them retroactively legal.
A recent example of the BC government's power is their decision to overide the B.C. Supreme Court decision forcing BC universities to return millions of dollars in unlawfully collected parking fees.
The BC government is using its authority and legislation to retroactively legalize parking fines, towing, storage fees charged by UBC that the Supreme Court says they had no right to collect.
But rather than have universities refund the unlawfully collected millions of dollars in revenue, BC Attorney-General Mike de Jong introduced Bill 13, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, which absolves the universities of acting illegally and retroactively legalizes their actions.
Now one might say it's only an issue of parking charges. But try using that argument when trying to explain an unpaid parking ticket.
There is a lesson here for us all. In the words by former NDP Minister Dave Zirnhelt, "Don't forget, the government can do anything."
NHL SHOULD FOLLOW NFL LEAD
Oct, 2009 - The NHL should take a page from the rulebook of the NFL and start better protecting some of their most vaulable player positions. The NFL realizes the value of quarterbacks in the game and they have invoked rules that significantly protect this valuable asset.
It's time the NHL recognized that assets like Roberto Luongo need to be protected from goons whose sole purpose is to hammer exceptional goalies, because they can't win any other way.
Opposing forwards are crashing the net and inhabiting the goalie's crease with impunity. One player actually skated behind Luongo in his crease while the player chased a puck in the opposite corner.
Ironically, a forward is careful not to touch a goalie if he comes out of his crease to play the puck, yet the same player will hammer the goalie while in his crease stopping the puck. What's wrong with this picture?
As a result of this topsy-turvy standard, net crashing has resulted in a hairline fracture to one of Luongo's ribs and he will miss at least the next two games.
There will be many more injuries to come unless the NHL starts clearing the goalie's crease of crashers and cracking down hard on the worst offenders.
While we are on the subject of the NHL and NFL, has the NHL noticed the visors/cages worn by NFL players? The visor offers maximum visibility and eye protection, while the cage protects the lower half of the face.
The prehistoric NHL culture refuses to adapt and protect the players, so it's up to the individual players to protect themselves. If they catch a stick or puck in the eye or mouth, they have only their own stupidity to blame. The protective equipment is available.
A SIMPLE PLAN
The Liberal government has the same problem the NDP government had a decade ago. There is no goodwill.
The media and the public are finding fault with everything the Liberals do because they have squandered all of their goodwill on deceit about the HST and the deficit. That is an issue of credibility, not policy. It can't be overcome by handing out grants or waving the flag at the Olympics.
Where are the forestry, mining, and other business reps that stood with Campbell two months ago to support the HST? They are laying low because they would rather not associate their companies with a party and government so despised by the public. It's bad for business.
In business, goodwill represents a real dollar value. It is your reputation and the value customers place on your brand. The BC Liberal brand is close to worthless right now. It's like a company that produced a seriously defective product and now everyone wants a refund and to be rid of it.
The test of the Liberal brand will come a little under four years from now during the next election. However, the Liberals don't have that much time. If the public mood doesn't change significantly within about two years, the Liberals, like the NDP, will take a serious beating at election time.
The NDP thought they could change public opinion by replacing Glen Clark and balancing the budget, but it didn't work. They were wiped out with the exception of two seats.
At the very least, all of the Liberals previously elected in close ridings will be thumped. Premier Gordon Campbell will not run again. He's not stupid. He is done and he knows it.
Who will replace him? How about this scenario...
Former Finance Minister Carole Taylor left political life prior to the last election, and Gordon Campbell's government was re-elected.
Campbell announces the HST, deficit, cuts, etc AND enjoys the world stage during the Olympic Winter Games. He hangs on a little longer to finish any additional nasty govt cuts, etc. He announces his resignation and there is a leadership convention starring....Carole Taylor - reinvigorated and ready for a challenge.
Carole can't be blamed for any of that nasty HST, deficit business and she is ready to right the good ship BC. Campbell is just a bad memory.
A simple plan.
Campbell may not be stupid...but is he that clever?
NEW POLICY DEVELOPMENT FOR OLYMPICS
The BC government has purchased 3000 tickets for the Olympic Winter Games plus rented several suites at GM Place at a cost to taxpayers of at least $1 million. Those taxpayers include parents of autistic kids denied treatment, seniors with cancelled surgeries, and charitable service providers.
When asked who would be attending, Mary McNeil, minister of state for the olympics said "we are still developing our policy."
So who buys a million bucks worth of tickets on a hunch? Scalpers? Perhaps the government planned to scalp those tickets to help make up for the $2.8 billion deficit. ; )
But more likely the planned recipients were Liberal cabinet ministers, MLAs and friends and insiders.
That was then and this is now. Since being busted, the minister is "developing" a new policy on attendees. We have a recommendation.
How about families, seniors, patients and charities?
DOGWOOD ALLIANCE ANYONE?
Albertans are mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore.
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, like BC's Premier Gordon Campbell, is not very popular among voters. This holds true among Stelmach's conservatives in Alberta and Campbell's Liberals in BC.
So many conservative Albertans are looking to a new party called the Wildrose Alliance. They just elected Calgarian Danielle Smith as their new leader.
"My No. 1 job is to turn Alberta into a real democracy again," says Smith. Albertans are buying in. Two recent opinion polls place the Wildrose Alliance second to the Conservatives in most parts of the province - ahead of both the LIberals and the NDP. Since June, the Wildrose Alliance membership has increased to 11,670 from about 1,800.
In BC, there is also some talk about an alternative party.
Former federal Conservative MP Randy White announced he is joining BC's Conservative Party. White wrote, "For years in this province Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals said 'if you don’t vote for us you will get the NDP' and perhaps they were right. The situation today is that the BC Liberals are as bad as the BC NDP and neither are acceptable to British Columbia any longer."
In other words, he wants to turn BC into a real democracy again - where the government actually asks the public what they think about introducing the HST.
The challenge for BC's conservatives is their right-wing social agenda that may be out of step with an evolving and free society.
On that score, Smith seems to prefer more inclusiveness.
"Are we going to be a protest party, the NDP of the right?" asks Smith. "Or are we going to create a big-tent, mainstream right-of-centre, grassroots conservative party that is capable of catching one of those historic waves and sweeping us into government in 2012?"
Smith says she doesn't want the party divided by "little things."
Anyone for a Dogwood Alliance Party?
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