BC Throne Speech

[caesar]

What do other BC ers think of Campbells pre election "eat your veggies" throne speech. I agree with Carole James. They are going for slogans rather than presenting any insight into the impprtant issues facing this province.

[willy]

I understand where the Libs are going.

Caesar please share with us what Carole James and the NDPers are putting out as a plat form.

The Libs have slogans but at least they have an agenda they will put out for public scrutiny.

The Libs seem to be investing in health and education wouldn't you agree.

[caesar]

The Libs have slogans but at least they have an agenda they will put out for public scrutiny.

The Libs seem to be investing in health and education wouldn't you agree.

Since when??? Federal Liberals, maybe. What has Campbell done; he destroyed reasonable safe healthcare in this province.

Next September they will tie tuition increases to inflation; Now after they allowed massive increases.

Sorry not impressed with the record; neither are a lot of his tops ministers who have resigned one after another.

We haven't forgotten his

DUI charges in Hawaii nor the raid on the legislature and the as yet to be disclosed results other than the ministerial aids who were influence peddling and drug peddling.

No way would I vote in those Conservatives in Liberal clothing.

I understand where the Libs are going.

Me too, the unemployment line

[willy]

You don't have to repeat the junk. You have said it many times and repeating yourself does not make a stronger argument.

Context Ceasar.

Increased spending in both healthcare and education happened provincially. You are bent on vilifying the Libs so I need not point out what they have done. Wait I will anyway.

They restructured into health regions to eliminate much of the duplication of administration and created communities of practice. Communities of practice will increase the quality of care we receive. They increased funding and wages for physicians and nurses (retention of professionals in an international shortage is important). They also continue to look at new delivery methods because the demands on the system grow every year and our resources can not keep up.

Education. The enrollment in public schools continues to decrease and funding in real terms has increased. We have more resources being directed at the students.

Post secondary they opened up 5000 new spaces this year and transformed Okanogan College into a university. They have expanded the medical schools at UBC and UNBC. They have allowed universities to increase tuition to meet their needs for resources. The student’s benefit form the additional resources. The enrollment demand has continued to increase and our schools are full. The highest grade point average in the history of the province is required to enter university the upcoming year. In the light of this they plan to add 15 000 more spaces in the next 2 years.

Again what does the NDP stand for? How much will it cost and who will pay for it? You can slam the government all you want but that does not dismiss the fact they have no credible opposition.

Please tell me about this NDP party and why they are so great. Give me a reason to vote for them and not just against the governing party.

[caesar]

You don't have to repeat the junk. You have said it many times and repeating yourself does not make a stronger argument.

You, my dear are the one repeating "the junk"

Healthcare in this province has become very dangerous and people are waiting too long for treatment. How many women suffered from a flesh eating type disease after caesarean operations. The cheaper cleaning staffs brought in by the Campbell governments have not been up to standard. Some companies have not properly trained their bargain basement staff how to avoid picking up diseases themselves at these hospitals.

Why are all the senior cabinet ministers close to the dope dealing/ influence peddling scandal resigning?????

[willy]

Again, what is good about the NDP? Will you ever answer this question? No. You can't because they are bring back in the old hacks that blew it the first time. The new leader is even less capable than the one that got kicked out of office by a land slide.

They are not dope dealing. To have influence on attitudes one must appear at least a little credible so enough with the slander.

Now if the cleaning is not done you can fire the company responsible and demand better from a new contract.

What was the rate of infection every other year and has it increased? No

People are waiting to long and that is why they are reforming the system.

[caesar]

Again, what is good about the NDP? Will you ever answer this question? No. You can't because they are bring back in the old hacks that blew it the first time. The new leader is even less capable than the one that got kicked out of office by a land slide

Yes, Clark was actually very good. He was villified by a bunch of overblown bs orchestrated , no doubt, by Campbell who liked to suggest everyone resign when there was a possibility of scandal; yet, refuses to himself when caught re handed. Campbell promised that he and his party had no plans to sell BC Rail then went ahead and sold it; again, despite the news that ministerials aides for his government were giving out confidential information to one of the bidders. BC taxpayers are now losing out on lucrative contracts transporting the rebord coal industry.

Campbell's attacks on seniors will not bode well come election time. I could go on and on and on.

I have never claimed the NDP to be the perfect choice. I would prefer a more center party and will be looking closely at the new party running this election.

However, while the NDP may be a little too much bleeding hearts in some areas; at least they do have their hearts in the right places and do not make the working man subsidize the rich. Campbell's tax cuts have done that.

The cuts have , also, negatively affected Children's and women's ministries. Lowering the working age to 14 is another disgrace and step towards making BC a third world disadvantaged worker haven. BC faced criticism from human right and the UN for its lowered womens and childrens rights.

[caesar]

Now the BC Liberals are trying to shut up the little opposition they have in the legislature. Disgusting.

VICTORIA - The Speaker of the B.C. legislature has taken steps to restrict the length of questions and answers in the assembly's question period which, at 15 minutes, is already the shortest in the Commonwealth.

[willy]

If I had to listen to Joy every day I would limit it as well.

[fellowtraveller]

For what it is worth, the perspective from the outside is that BC is finally removing its head from its anus and returning to some semblance of fiscal sanity and responsible governance. It is understandable that the Left hates the situation, but that's life in the big city. The flood of economic refugees to Alberta has slowed to a trickle.

[caesar]

Well we will be saying a happy good bye to that lying alcoholic come May 11th. You must be a right wing Albertan to believe that BCers want more of the same. Government undercover; promises broken; scandals of drunk driving arrests; illegal payoff of debts to the premiers wife's cousin. Drug dealing ministerial aides.

Sounds really great eh

[Sully]

Well we will be saying a happy good bye to that lying alcoholic come May 11th. You must be a right wing Albertan to believe that BCers want more of the same

You cannot be serious, sorry but methinks you are gonna have to endure four more years of a government with proper fiscal management skills. I am a BCer and very glad that Campbell will be back in office and look I am not even a right wing Albertan (although I am glad to be a right wing BCer) , so please Caesar, do not pretend to speak for all of us BCers, thank you very much.

You are right Caesar about the poor performance of this government in some areas, most notably their communication skills with the public. They have had their scandals, most governments do, Campbell had a DUI arrest, but came right in front of the cameras and answered questions along with an apology (smart thing to do). But if you are to focus on Liberals shortcomings and scandals please reveal your list of NDP follies, here are a few to start you off, fast ferries, bingogate, Glenny Clark and his personal dealings (anybody need a deck built?) etc . etc.

A poor performing Liberal govt is better than a good performing NDP govt anyday of the week. BTW can anybody and I mean anybody tell me anything that Carole James has done that is worth mention, what does she stand for and sorry to be picky but whats with her hairstyle, she looks like Davey Crockett's mother, hey if you are never gonna make it into power, you mine as well look good. Also with Glen Clark at least he gave us something to talk about.

[caesar]

Bingo gate was long ago. Glen Clarkes deck was overblown. I am not strong on the NDP anyhow but they sure are more hoenest and straightforward than these Campbell Liberals. Campbell should have resigned as he demanded of others for lesser offenses in the past. Dope dealers working as ministerial aids. Bc Rail was promised not to be sold; but was and at a loss as it is making great money now carting coal. Seniors have been hurt as have children at risk. Medical services are below any acceptable level despite the increase in premiums and increased costs to seniors for prescriptions. This government has been downgraded by the UN and human rights groups. The Liberals are the ones who gave away the ferries. That was a real dumb move and calculated to make the NDP look bad no matter what it cost the taxpayers. Then there was RAV; If at first you don't succeed; vote vote again. Now those businesses on Cambie find out that they will have tunneling done fron the street and destroy their business without compensation. Nice.

[Sully]

Bingo gate was long ago

So, it happened under the NDPs watch

Glen Clarkes deck was overblown

Ahh I guess its Ok for you to pardon one party's member when he mixes his personal dealings with his public position influence, but not the other, hmmmm there is a word for this right!!!

Campbell should have resigned as he demanded of others for lesser offenses in the past

Yes he could demand someone to resign, but did they always follow his advice, probably not and he just follows suit. But this seems to be just following the flow of modern day politics, say something silly (resign), look at someone the wrong way (resign) wah wah wah..........if everytime we had an official resigning everytime someone asked them to do so, we would have daily elections for almost every official.

Dope dealers working as ministerial aids.

If they somehow knew this was going on or benefitted from it they should be in trouble. If they did not know this was going on, then who cares and NO THEY SHOULD NOT KNOW EVERY SINGLE THING SOMEONE ELSE DOES IN THEIR OWN PRIVATE LIVES.

Bc Rail was promised not to be sold; but was and at a loss as it is making great money now carting coal.

Do not know enough of the true details of this case, but Liberals did blow this one on their PR skills, just be honest with the public. If BC rail was not a good investment then they should have explained the reasons for the sale.

Seniors have been hurt as have children at risk

Seniors how were they hurt? and how were the children put at risk?

Medical services are below any acceptable level despite the increase in premiums and increased costs to seniors for prescriptions.

Medical service levels deteriorating are nothing exclusive to this govt, look right across Canada, all the same. Increased premiums are needed, too many prescriptions written, too many doctors being visited, not everyone who has a sniffle or or a headache needs to visit the doctor.

This government has been downgraded by the UN and human rights groups.

Haha I gotta write this into my "Who really gives a crap book"

WHO CARES what the UN or most human rights groups say (funny how people are still moving here). The UN goes around condemning everything these days. I guess its too make themselves look like they are actually doing something.

The Liberals are the ones who gave away the ferries. That was a real dumb move and calculated to make the NDP look bad no matter what it cost the taxpayers.

I agree partially with this that there was the intention to make the NDP look bad and sell off the ferries for a silly amount, but remember those ferries were just as inefficient and useless as the NDP. Keeping the ferries would have cost us more money than their worth.

Then there was RAV; If at first you don't succeed; vote vote again.

Ya lets forget about mass transit, none of us who live in Vancouver seem to see any problems with traffic. With an ever increasing denisty of people in the area, leading to more cars on the already existing single lane highways, no I do not see a problem with 8 hour work days and 4 hour commutes!!!

[caesar]

You cannot be serious, sorry but methinks you are gonna have to endure four more years of a government with proper fiscal management skills. I am a BCer and very glad that Campbell will be back in office and look I am not even a right wing Albertan (although I am glad to be a right wing BCer) , so please Caesar, do not pretend to speak for all of us BCers, thank you very much.

Oh I speak for a big majority. Seniors, women and children. The only people happy are the rich business people who are now richer while the rest of us are hurting in the pocketbook and suffering from degraded health care. Proper fiscal management????

Fish farms are allowed to get out from under back payments and rents lowered (Campbell has shares in a fish farm) Despite selling off most of our BC assets; Campbell has driven up the deficit. This RAV line will probably make the fast ferries look like a great deal.

Do you think teachers, nurses, or anyone other than the overpaid doctors will be voting for Campbell. Now we have a bunch of BC doctors that sit back and write prescriptions for American patients they have never seen For this they get a small fine.

Then there is the safe streets act; Now our police will be hassling these people and issuing them fines that they will never pay. Much the same way they issue them fines for riding skytrain. Fines they just toss. Just a waste of time and our resources. Mental patients should be held in a structured compound not left to sleep on the streets.

Keeping them loose on the streets to be preyed on by their drug dealing ministerial aides???

[willy]

Campbell has driven up the deficit.

I am not going to bother refuting or unspinning this pile of stuff but let’s look at credibility.

Today the government tabled a budget that showed last years 2 billion surplus the most in our provinces history and the next years budget shows another 2 billion surplus.

[caesar]

Yes, Let's look at credibility. There is none here with Campbells budget. Where is our healthcare? Where is the help for kids at risk??? Instead of treating addictions; this government is handing out free illegal drugs. This is no better than their drug dealing ministerial aides.

[caesar]

Budget preview

February 15, 2005 - 8:44 am

By: Andrew Dawson

It's the budget the government hopes will have you voting Liberal on May 17th. When Finance Minister Colin Hansen delivers his first budget, it will be all about good news and how the province is about to enter a golden decade. It's a tried and true formula in politics. Make the cuts in the first couple of years and you'll be able to give back a little when it's time to go back to the polls. Political Science professor Norman Ruff at the University of Victoria says it doesn't always work. With a two billion dollar surplus there's lots of money for the government to spread around, including what will probably amount to a modest tax break. That's something the Liberals had in their first budget. A big chunk of the surplus will likely be used to pay off some of the provincial debt.

With all the cuts to services and health care; plus increased costs to seniors for pharmacare; higher premiums, taxes, gas taxes; etc. Plus all our assets sold; there should be a much higher surplus than that. That is not even equal to the extra transfer payments from the feds.