I hope Christy Clark doesn't think the drop has anything to do with her!

In a story today (May 21st) in the Vancouver Sun, Vaughn Palmer wrote about the upcoming HST referendum.  In the story he mentioned that Ipsos-Reid had just completed a study where a little over one third (36%) of taxpayers plan to vote yes to retaining the tax … while just over half the people (52%) will be voting to return to the old GST / PST combination.  That vote will be taking place next month in a mail in referendum.

Now given how the hated tax was conceived in secrecy prior to being announced ... and that only a mere year and a half ago there was near unanimous disapproval of the tax (including thousands upon thousands of Liberal voters) ... the fact they have the disapproval rating down to just over 50% now is pretty remarkable.

I hope that Christy Clark doesn't think the drop has anything to do with her however! 

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs --- Federal government now raising concerns

Yesterdays National Post (May 19th) had a story regarding compact fluorescent lights.  It indicated that because of 'concern's regarding them, incandescent bulbs would be around for a little longer.  The full story can be found HERE: 

You may be interested in noting that the "concerns" are related to mercury poisoning!!! This is indeed a serious issue which was why an alarm was raised earlier this year by the BC Conservative Party.

BC Conservatives ask … “If a product is too dangerous to be allowed in landfills, why is it being forced into our homes?”

The above linked story was sent, by the BC Conservative Party, to the media in February.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to support political parties that they don’t support.”

YES ... we can support them as individuals if we wish -- political parties should not be funded by the taxpayers!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government will move quickly to cut the financial legs of its political opponents by moving to end the per-vote party subsidy in its June budget. “We want political parties to raise funds directly from their supporters and not the taxpayers. So as soon as we can get ...

Click HERE for the full story.

This Week in BC Politics …

There were a number of interesting stories on the political front this week in BC --- including 2 polls … one showing the BC Conservative Party at 10% popular support – and a second at 18%.  One of the big things driving that increase has been John Cummins who next week will be elected leader of the Party.

Speaking of next week, John Cummins will be in Kamloops May 26^th.  He will speak at a public meeting beginning at 7pm at the Hotel 540 (formerly Stockman’s / Executive Inn) downtown on Victoria and 6^th.

Now … here are some of the stories that made the news this week …

Cummins factor may decide when B.C. votes

… Cummins is not afraid to push the hot buttons, and he will get media attention when he does. 

WAY too much talk happens … not much gets done

In a posting on Facebook, Dale Bass (Kamloops This Week) made note of a blog she had seen from Ron Unrah.  The posting was entitled THE NEED FOR REFORM / 532 (Thursday, May 19, 2011) and can be found online at http://ronunruhgps.blogspot.com/2011/05/need-for-reform-532.html?spref=fb

In his blog post, Mr. Unrah stated that, “Child protection in the English speaking world has failed so frequently because it is fundamentally flawed at so many levels. It appears to have become a system preoccupied with forensics rather than determined and successful at helping families.”

BC CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP CONVENTION

Hey friends ... just a reminder of the upcoming BC Conservative Leadership Convention on Saturday, May 28^th in Surrey, BC.

At this event there is going to be an important discussion on the policies and vision for the party, but even more importantly, members will be electing John Cummins as the leader of the BC Conservative Party. If there is one political event you attend this year, this is it.

This leadership convention represents the culmination of years of hard work in growing a responsible, common sense conservative choice for all British Columbians. With John Cummins at the helm, never has there been a greater opportunity for conservatives to help shape the future of our province, and give voice to a real conservative option for BC in the next provincial election.
 

UBC report finds B.C. paying too much for generic prescription drugs

Victoria Times Colonist: May 18th

British Columbians could have saved more than $150 million last year on generic prescription drugs if the province had adopted the same pricing model as Ontario, say University of B.C. researchers in a new report ... added other fees to the cost of generic drugs under the Pharmacare plan, including a higher dispensing fee and an eight-per-cent mark-up on each drug to cover a pharmacy's cost of procuring and stocking the drug.

Click to read the full story: UBC report finds B.C. paying too much for generic prescription drugs

CBC needs to have thoughts like those Don Cherry brings forwards

Right on Don ... the CBC really needs to have some thoughts like those Don brings forwards.  They are certainly colorful --- and at times are going to offend some people -- but he certainly gets people talking and thinking!

The televised forum given to Don Cherry to explore hockey issues — and often topics outside Canada’s favourite game — may be working to shape a “tougher” Canadian identity, but perhaps at the cost of multiculturalism, a new study suggests. “His view of Canadian identity would appear to be a limited ...

 

Full Story:  Is Coach’s Corner altering national identity? | Posted Sports

Once "Political Correctness" began this is where it eventually had to end

It has finally happened --- the lunatics are running the insane asylum.   If you don't believe me, then a story from a few days back in the National Post is going to lead you to believe it:

MAY 10th: Animal ethicists are calling for a new vocabulary about animals, shunning such words as "pets," "wildlife" and "vermin" as derogatory and even suggesting "animal" is a "term of abuse."

Common language on fauna betrays an "anthropocentric bias" and impedes an understanding of our interaction with the non-human species sharing the planet, argue the editors of the first academic journal dedicated to animal ethics in their debut issue.

Click HERE for the full story

B.C. Liberal Party and NDP in dead heat, poll suggests

The Conservative number (now at 10%) represents a considerable jump for the party, which got just over two-per-cent support in the 2009 election. The party is expected to proclaim former MP John Cummins as its leader later this month.

Read the full story ... click HERE

Liberals outfitted with iPads, critics cry foul - News1130

Liberals outfitted with iPads, critics cry foul - News1130

Last night, I sent my own "Political Leaders Questionnaire"

A  lot has been made this past week about the personal beliefs of one of the provinces political leaders, which led me to wonder, "What do the rest of them think?"

Wondering that, I figured it must be fair game to ask them, so last night, I sent my own "Political Leaders Questionnaire" to Adrian Dix (BC NDP) ... Christy Clark (BC Liberal Party) ... Chris Delaney (BC First) ... and John Cummins (BC Conservative Party).

Bill Bennett ... the BC Liberal banner in many rural ridings is "like running a race with a bag of cement tied around your waist."

So ... BC Liberal MLA, and former Finance Minister Colin Hansen, says it’s time for his party to change its name. What did he have to say this past weekend in Penticton??

“In the minds of a lot of voters, I think there is a confusion between the federal Liberal Party and the BC Liberal Party, which have no connection at all. And yet, in the minds of a lot of voters, they believe there is a connection.”

According the Hansen, the BC Liberals have no connection to the federal Liberal Party, although as most of us are well aware of, BC Premier and Liberal party leader Christy Clark is very much a federal Liberal supporter.

John Cummins Responds to CFAX Interview

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2011
Vancouver, BC


My comments on CFAX radio this past Wednesday may have been misinterpreted and may have offended some. I apologize for that.

To clarify, my use of the word "choice" was unfortunate, because it confused the meaning of my statement, which was that I believe anyone can live their life in the way they want.

I don't know how sexual orientation develops. That discussion is best left to experts and researchers, not politicians. What really matters to me is how we treat diversity.

All British Columbians, regardless or race, religion, gender or sexual orientation should have the same equal opportunities and protections in our society. We all should be treated equally before the law, and no group in society warrants preferential treatment.

I believe that while moral issues are important to the private lives of many people in this province, there is no consensus in our party or among the public on these issues and we have no intention to change the status quo.

As leader of the BC Conservatives I will strive to ensure that BC is a great place to live, work and raise a family and that all it's people enjoy equal respect and treatment in all aspects of their lives.