Monday, September 26, 2011

If British Columbian's want an optimistic future, hire the only true free enterprise party

Today in the National Post the “Full Comment” editorial from Kelly McParland was headlined … “Ontario election ignores the gathering storm

Given I have some concerns about BC’s economic future I have to admit I was intrigued, and so decided to read on.  What I found were similarities to BC that have me both concerned and relieved; but first here is just a bit from that story.

The promises, the predictions, the pledges, the vows by the Tories to clean up the mess the Liberals have wrought, the assurances by the Liberals that they can abandon their spending addiction and run the province with a new, low-cost, tight-fisted approach (even while they suddenly discover half a billion dollars to pay for university subsidies) — don’t bet on any of it.

It’s not that the party leaders have been fibbing any more than usual. But the election thus far has operated like tourists on a beach, standing around watching a massive wave head towards them. Rather than race for higher ground, they’re ignoring the approaching peril and pretending the afternoon cocktail hour will proceed as scheduled.

Do any of the three have any sort of plan? Have they even given a passing thought as to how they’d keep the provinces fragile economy from cracking down the middle? There’s no indication they have. And that should have people worried.

Change the names of the political parties … the names of the leader … and the election date … and this Ontario election story could be here in BC.  That’s because it seems that both the Liberals and NDP seem to be unaware we must get our house in order.


Many of us have concerns which are well founded.  We have ever increasing debt that within a couple of years is expected to hit $60 billion dollars … a carbon tax that takes scarce health and education dollars from the system and gives them to companies, corporations, and eco-organizations with questionable programs showing a reduced carbon foot print … increasing debt of a once proud and strong BC Hydro … massive salaries and pensions for the heads of crown corporation … reduced supports for people with physical and mental health problems … and on and on the list goes.

The NDP and Liberals in BC have yet to fully face facts … we need a full and complete “bottom up” look at how and what government provides.  BC Conservatives on the other hand have taken the initial steps to do that, through a document of policy that members of the party have worked on during the past 12 month.

The policy document was approved over the past weekend in Nanaimo at the parties’ AGM … which also saw a new Executive and board elected to be headed up by former Reform / Conservative MP Reed Elley.

An election is two years away … and it is plenty of time to continue building the party ... and adding to the quality of people, from all walks and backgrounds of life, who already have indicated they plan to seek nominations in their ridings, including a number of experienced people from the ranks of municipal, provincial, and federal government.

As BC Conservative Party Leader John Cummins said … the policy cupboard is bare, and this is a tired BC Liberal government. The BC Liberals have gotten a 'free pass' and their record has been embarrassing.  John Cummins is right … BC Conservatives are right … we need a NEW BC with stable leadership, and an economic platform to bring BC back to a place of strong economic health; and strong well thought out and effective health, education, and social programs.

BC Conservative have two years to continue building on a platform that shows British Columbians they have a sound common sense plan for the province … and 85 strong candidates with a mandate to be accountable and responsive to the people that they hope will elect them to the BC legislature.

Like John Cummins, I too want a stable British Columbia that looks forward to the future. He is right -- if British Columbian's want an optimistic future, then we need to hire the only true free enterprise party.  In 2013 that will be the BC Conservatives.

I’m Alan Forseth, back in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.

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