BC NDP

[Stoker]

BC NDP

What is their platform? How are they going to make things better? What are they going to make better? Will my taxes go up?

I've went through their website, and all that I could find was negative comments against the current Campbell government and "how great the NDP was during the 90s".

No substance, and to be honest, it reminds me of the Kerry Campagin........just a bunch of loud nose.

[Stoker]

To be fair, the BC Liberal site isn't much better, but once the campaging starts, British Columbians, I'm sure, will be reminded of the following:

Who's the lesser of two evils?

I remember the follwing under the NDP also:

$463 million wasted on “fast” ferries

$1 billion in business subsidies

$310 million for the NDP’s “fixed wage” policy

$1.2 billion in Forrest Renewal B.C. spending, without a business plan

$73 million for a Convention Centre study, again, without a business plan

$125 million in foregone federal revenue from the Nanoose Bay lease fiasco

$65 million on a photo radar program that failed miserably

$11.4 million for Hydrogate losses

$25 million loan for a private company that planned to turn Burns Bog into a theme park

Not to mention the “fudge-it” budgets and the eight consecutive deficits.

So again, what is the NDP's "plan"? I hope they have some substance, since they can't run on their record....

[Big Blue Machine]

But every gov't "wastes" money somehow.

[caesar]

Who is the lesser of two evils; The ND

Campbell's record is disgusting:

Fair pharmacare; Seniors lost their cheap medications

Health care; higher premiums, longer waits, hospitals closed, health services delisted: eye exams, chiropractors, physiotherapy.

plus causing unhappiness in workplace at hospitals by breaking nurses contracts and lowering their raises; privatizing most hospital (But doctors got huge raises that increased health care spending)

Selling off control of our assets; BC Hydro billings; BC Ferries. BC Rail. etc

Attempts to sell off Coquihalla highway; backed off

Raids on the legislature; several ministerial aides charged with drug selling or possession of ; more to come with hints of drug dealing, money laundering and ????

Campbells drunk driving charge in Hawaii; Then we suddenly have to pay for round the clock police "protection" to drive him around

Cuts to children ministries

Large increases for tuition

Increased gas taxes; Kelowna bridge to be built right away hmmm still waiting despite the threat of forest fires where this present bridge could have been a death trap if people had to flee.

Spending taxpayers money buying ferries from foreign countries rather than giving BC ship builders a chance to bid.

Selling off our fast ferries at a big loss (just to try to make the NDP look bad)

Increasing the wealth of the rich and hurting everyone else; more homeless.

His "working forests" gone poof

Lowering working age for children to 14; lower minimum wage for new workers

I could go on and on and on

[Stoker]

So what's the NDP's platform? Whats their plan?

What are they going to do different? And how? Are we going to have our taxes raised? More deficit budgets?

[caesar]

Better to raise taxes ( on the rich) they were the only ones to experience any savings under Campbell. At least we can trust the NDP to look after childrens ministries.

Spend our money on programs for the people not just the Olympics. Te Olympics are not going to help those in the interior; yet they must pay for the enhanced (expnsive) highway to a ski hill. The ultra expensive RAV line to the airport. (there were much cheaper and effective alternatives that wouldn't leave the taxpay on the hook)

We can trust the NDP to keep ICBC entact; it provides us with reasonable insurance rates plus thanks to (mind blank) the CEO they fired; makes income for the government. Stop privatizing successful government owned companies; selling off the control to foreign companies and encourage the use of local labour to fill government contracts. (generates more revenue for the government and avoids paying out EI or welfare through job creation)

campbell, also, closed down many courts; we already had a too long waiting time to have our cases heard. Now the wait is longer and many must travel much farther>

I would vote for a party that was more to the center but we have no viable middle ground party. Both the right wing "Liberals" and the left wing NDP are planning on moving more to the center. I trust the NDP most; at least they have a heart; plus perhaps it is time we had an elected FEMALE premier.

[maplesyrup]

An excellent ICBC president was Nick Geer but Campbell got rid of him when he tried to block the government's attempt to privatize ICBC.

Studies show private auto insurance leads to higher rates

These are the kind of brain-dead ideas we have been getting from the BC Campbell Liberals.

[caesar]

thanks maple; that's the name I was looking for but having a senior moment and too lazy to check it out.

These are the kind of brain-dead ideas we have been getting from the BC Campbell Liberals.

Not really brain dead ideas; very calculated to reward his rich friends and make us pay through the nose.

[caesar]

What are they going to do different? And how? Are we going to have our taxes raised? More deficit budgets?

How would that be "different" than Campbell's government. Despite the sell offs; our deficit has grown; we have been chastised at least twice by the UN re women's rights and children's rights. We have had medicare premiums raised, the pst was raised, driver's licenses, gas taxes. Only the wealthy have anything from the minute tax lowering.

The next government is legally supposed to balance the budget; since Campbell has already pre spent most of our money; there will not be a lot that they can accomplish but I am sure they will try their best.

Let's not throw women and children's issues in the garbage for the next 10 years while we pay for the questionable Olympics.

[Big Blue Machine]

The Olymipics will help BC's economy alot.

[caesar]

The Olymipics will help BC's economy alot.

That is FAR from being a sure thing. Meanwhile do we let desperate children suffer. Let our health care suffer???

Sell off our assets for some pie in the sky Olympics. Many Olympics are losers. Local people will not be able to afford to ski in Whistler again.

[Big Blue Machine]

Always look on the bright side of life.

[caesar]

Kids come first; gambling on the Olympics creating revenue 5 to 10 years from now will see a lot of kids suffering. Since we are now committed find a way to finance it with a "coalition of the willing" perhaps a lottery and by those who will profit; tourism industries, etc.

We have a large number of families needing to go to food banks now for food. Is that what we want. Do we want to see MORE kids living on the streets.

[Stoker]

Better to raise taxes ( on the rich) they were the only ones to experience any savings under Campbell. At least we can trust the NDP to look after childrens ministries.

Spend our money on programs for the people not just the Olympics. Te Olympics are not going to help those in the interior; yet they must pay for the enhanced (expnsive) highway to a ski hill. The ultra expensive RAV line to the airport. (there were much cheaper and effective alternatives that wouldn't leave the taxpay on the hook)

We can trust the NDP to keep ICBC entact; it provides us with reasonable insurance rates plus thanks to (mind blank) the CEO they fired; makes income for the government. Stop privatizing successful government owned companies; selling off the control to foreign companies and encourage the use of local labour to fill government contracts. (generates more revenue for the government and avoids paying out EI or welfare through job creation)

campbell, also, closed down many courts; we already had a too long waiting time to have our cases heard. Now the wait is longer and many must travel much farther>

I would vote for a party that was more to the center but we have no viable middle ground party. Both the right wing "Liberals" and the left wing NDP are planning on moving more to the center. I trust the NDP most; at least they have a heart; plus perhaps it is time we had an elected FEMALE premier.

All of thats your opinion on what the NDP should do, but I want to know what the NDP plans on doing and how they will do it........I've yet to see either.

The next government is legally supposed to balance the budget; since Campbell has already pre spent most of our money; there will not be a lot that they can accomplish but I am sure they will try their best.

Let's not throw women and children's issues in the garbage for the next 10 years while we pay for the questionable Olympics.

You raise an intresting point caesar, in that the government now has to have a balance budget. Perhaps this is why we have not heard anything form the NDP in the way of a plan/platform.........They can't promise the moon, since they can't go into the red and I doubt they will campaign on raising taxes......

[caesar]

All of thats your opinion on what the NDP should do, but I want to know what the NDP plans on doing and how they will do it........I've yet to see either.

The election is many months away. We do not electioneer for a year like the USA. They have made general indications of where they will go. How can they get out too much word. They are not even the official opposition. They will return too power because Campbell swung the pendulum way too far in the other direction. He has hurt a lot of people; especially women and children. His government has been just as full of scandals as all the previous governments. In BC; we don't really vote for any party; we just jetisan the ones in power who do not do as the majority wishes.

People are very gullible here; that's how Campbell got elected. I am proud to say I did not vote for him,

[Stoker]

The election is many months away. We do not electioneer for a year like the USA.

True.

They have made general indications of where they will go.

Where is that?

How can they get out too much word. They are not even the official opposition.

So they wish to become the government of BC, by asking for the people of British Columbian's vote, but they don't require to put for a plan/platform.........

Whats the difference between that or them just coming out and saying that Campbell is bad, we are good, look at us in the 90s, but forget the bad stuff, so put your "X" next to the NDP?

They will return too power because Campbell swung the pendulum way too far in the other direction. He has hurt a lot of people; especially women and children.

I'd be intrested to see some poll numbers.......do you know if there are any out? Remember though, the pendulum swings both ways.........would you have put money on Bush winning 6-7 months ago? Be honest.

His government has been just as full of scandals as all the previous governments.

Like what? Drunk driving and a few aides selling drugs? In both cases, where they not punished or in the process of being punished? Have any of these wrongs hurt the pocket books of British Columbians, like how the NDP did?

In BC; we don't really vote for any party; we just jetisan the ones in power who do not do as the majority wishes.

Again, what makes you think the majority's wishes will be filled by the NDP, and what makes you think that the majority will vote for the NDP?

People are very gullible here; that's how Campbell got elected. I am proud to say I did not vote for him,

How did Clark get elected? Did you vote for him?

[caesar]

How did Clark get elected? Did you vote for him?

I don't remember but I had no problems with him. The charges against him were judged to be unwise but not illegal. He is a good guy and is now making Jimmy Pattison even richer.

The NDP have stated that they would put a freeze on tuition. At least that is /Carole James idea. Until the election is called and the candidates picked; there will be no clear program other than we know their values will include taking better care of children in crisis.

We do know what Campbell has done; anyone with half a brain will ignore the bones he is tossing out right now. If he is re=elected we will just get more of the same higher costs for less services. Neglecting the needs of children in crisis; bringing us down to the third world level by employing children 14 years old with no protection. We do have a large population from third world countries that are living on very scarce mean and could send their children to work where it may not be safe; schooling will be neglected; to produce uneducated minimum wage workers in the future.

Don't be so impatient; they need to know the TRUE state of our economy before they make too many promises.

[Stoker]

Thought I'd add this also:

BC Green Party platform

Socreds

BC Unity Party..........I'm kinda looking at

As I mentioned above, In this election I'm going to look at the Unity Party, that in unless my riding is close between NDP and the Liberals, in which case I'll vote Liberal.

I do find the Unity Parties platform intresting, a few points that I find intresting:

Create a 'Partners in Productivity' plan that will involve the expansion of hydro electric power in BC, open up the mining industry with particular emphasis on precious metals like copper, silver, and gold, and rejuvenate the forest industry by restoring appurtenancy and moving to a market-based system that is open to small, medium and large operators.

Build co-generation power plants that recover scrap wood products, chips and beetle-infested wood

Explore, develop and produce the gas and oil on the Northwest Coast and across the province. Build the necessary rigs, dams, pipelines, bridges, roads, plants and infrastructure to carry out the plan.

Constitutionalize Balanced Budgets to prevent massive deficits and high taxes, and require citizen approval via referendum to run a deficit or raise taxes.

Provide incentives to the Mining Industry to create tens of thousands of new jobs.

Stimulate new apprenticeship programs to create more skilled trades.

The decision to privatize or nationalize major public assets must be approved by the people of BC by way of referendum.

Begin an incremental tax reduction program, moving to a single rate of tax on incomes within five years, as in Alberta. Increase the Basic Personal Exemption from $8,300 to $16,500 (equivalent to full time minimum wage) to create greater equity in the tax system, while providing incentives for people to work.

Exempt construction materials made in BC from provincial sales tax.

Create a world class, publicly owned, private health clinic to provide surgeries for international clients as a means of keeping our best and brightest doctors in BC, and to generate new revenues for public health care in BC.

Provide forgivable post secondary education loans to all BC students who qualify and remain in BC to work and pay taxes for a minimum of 5 years after graduation.

Democratize the workplace by re-introducing the secret ballot.

Provide the means for workers to prohibit Labour Unions from using their members’ dues to promote political and social causes.

Establish a community-based BC Provincial Police Force, as in Quebec and Ontario.

Province to administrate immigration to BC, as is done in Quebec

Well thats more then a few I guess.......

[caesar]

I will check them out; some things I like others not too crazy about. We will see, do they have any plans on how to get out medical back up and running smoothly.

[cgarrett]

not having a published agenda is as much a plan as any in our world of political marketing.

if the ruling party keeps airing their dirty laundry then the opposing party can run on the 'time for a change' motto. of course, it was shy of happening in the u.s. but geez.. we're talking about a huge population of buffoons! british columbians are far more educated than white males in alabama!

the highest ranks of the campbell liberals should be in jail! there is no other way to perceive it except by idiots.

i would much rather have a bunch of left wing morons in control than extremely smart people... who are evil to the core.

the selling off of bc rail is all that is required to sell my case here. check out the facts on this matter. the premier GIVES AWAY a massive billion dollar asset to his parties largest sponsor. whats worse, he is looking for more big money everywhere he can with rewards of public assets!

if he didn't get jail time in hawaii then he should have it here.

and on top of that, i think everyone is pretty sick of having their locally elected representatives gagged! at least with the ndp one could contact them and they would respond and something might happen. with the campbell liberals its a one man show.

[maplesyrup]

Now the BC Liberals have lied to us again about the RAV line.

Their contractor is proposing to build it for over 100,000,00 dollars abouve budget.

The BC Liberals Fast RAV Line = BC NDP Fast Ferries

I agree, I don't like EVIL people in government, no matter what their particular political persuasion happens to be. /120

[Cartman]

There has been some valid discussion about the NDP not releasing its agenda and I have to admit that as a life long NDP supporter, this may be a well founded criticism given current changes in many political parties. A brief recap is in order.

Boring as they are, the NDP has remained relatively consistent in its political stance since conception. They are not like the BC Liberals who are actually right of the Progressive Conservatives and in no way similar to the federal Liberals of PET's Liberals who were left of the current federal Liberals who are right of the Alberta Liberals but similar to the current Ontario Liberals yet in no way like the Quebec Liberal leader who used to be a well known Conservative and ran for their leadership (the Progressive Conservatives, not the Conservatives). Or the current Conservatives who are right of the Progressive Conservatives but similar to the Alliance conservatives, yet again right of the original Progressives and the original Conservatives. Please keep in mind that they are also left of the Republicans (by "they" I mean the current Conservatives who are right of the Progressive Conservatives but similar to the Alliance conservatives, yet again right of the original Progressives and the originals Conservatives). Did anyone know that some former Progressive Conservatives did not join the current Conservatives? I wonder why? They are probably too conservative. (Oh no, I mean small "c" conservative unlike...ahhh f!ck...just forget it). :angry:

The NDP stands by a philosophy that actually means something over time.

[Cartman]

Stoker, I hope that the last message totally clears up any confusion you may have had 'cuz I know you are searching for a reason to vote for the NDP.

[maplesyrup]

Yea, big winners all right. What a croc! :angry:

RAV winner

November, 19 - 11:29 AM

SURREY(CKNW/AM980) --  SNC Lavalin/Serco has been selected to build the RAV line, linking Vancouver's downtown with Richmond and the Airport.

The RAVCO Board calls the SNC Lavalin proposal the lowest cost, best value proposal.

The bid is 210 million dollars above and beyond what the funding agencies and private sector are committing to the line.

That means the "scope" of the project may see changes, such as fewer stations along the line.

[Stoker]

So I take it, nobody knows what the BC NDP's platform is then.