A sad tale of gas prices and taxes

Yesterday I had to head to Children's Hospital, down at the coast, to take my grand-daughter for an appointment.

The price of gas in the Valleyveiw area of Kamloops was $1.09 so of course I filled up. As I passed by Merritt I did not notice the price however in the Fraser Valley I noted the price was rising – and from the freeway off ramp, headed towards Oak Street, the prices ranged from $1.30 to $1.34.

To tell you the truth I really didn’t think much of it other than to say I felt sorry for people at the coast who in addition to the horrendous price we pay for fuel, also have an additional transit tax as well. I said to myself, I should have enough to get back to Kamloops, but if it looks a little tight I can always fill up in Merritt.

So ... what was the price in Merritt?? Well believe it or not it was $1.34 and so you bet all I pumped in was $5.00 to get me the rest of the way to Kamloops. And the price in Kamloops ... still just $1.09.

So ... now the barn door gets closed ???

Remember the story last week or so about BC Ferries boss David Hahn -- and his "KING" sized pension plan.  Seems Premier Clark has now decided perhaps those kind of pay-outs to management of government enterprises aren't really a good idea. 

Premier Christy Clark slammed B.C. Ferries CEO David Hahn for his lucrative pension package Monday, saying she has trouble understanding why he’s paid so much.  Clark took direct aim at Hahn’s pension, which works out to a total of $315,000 a year upon retirement. “My position on David Hahn’s pension — it’s way way too big,” said Clark.

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/Premier+Clark+says+more+Hahn+sized+pensions/5084307/story.html#ixzz1RpUaOSMC

PART TWO: Liberal party is a mish- mash of those on the political left … and those on the right

Part one of this story was written back on May 4th, and in it I indicated that I felt that there really was nothing that could be called Liberal about the Liberal party.  In that blog editorial I posed the following question:

 “Again I have to ask the question then … why do we need a Liberal party at all --- and what is it they stand for that people on the center right can’t find a comfortable home with the Conservatives … and those on the center left with the NDP (or a new hybrid called Liberal Democrats)?”

 I have not changed my opinion, and I still feel that believe that many who find themselves on the center right of the political spectrum are supporting the BC Liberals because a few years ago they felt they no longer had a home.  I believe the still don't -- at least not in the Liberal party.

 Again as I say, this story was written some weeks ago, however yesterday (Sunday July 10th) I had the following comment posted to my Conservative Thoughts blog:

 “As a BC Liberal I feel Clark needs to put her stamp on government before rushing off to call an election this fall. A victory in the HST referendum could very well achieve that. I still don't like the prospect of a split vote on the right and, as someone who feels more comfortable in the center, I won't be voting for a BC. Conservative Party anytime soon. “

 I of course did take time this morning to post a response, and this is what I had to say: