Whew ... that stirred up a bit of noise!!

Okay --- I admit I started yesterdays blog in a way that may have surprised a few people, but it was a conscious decision to do it that way -- I wanted people to react -- and I wanted to see what they would react to.

Firstly I should say that on the blog story itself, Enough is enough ... I'm not going to take this anymore, five people checked that they agreed with what had been written, and there were no comments to the negative.

I did however get a couple of emails ...one of which simply said ... "Here here".

The other however, from someone whom I respect, said "Gordon Campbell has done more for this Province than you will ever do, and furthermore, your language is disgusting."

Enough is enough … I'm not going to take this anymore!

I really don't give a rat’s ass if Gordon Campbell gets the Order of BC or not.  Why??  Because whether he is given this award of not, I know that ‘at this moment’ he does not deserve it!

Province newspaper columnist Michael Smyth stated what many of us think, and believe, when he said:
“ Campbell's appointment to the Order of B.C. was rushed with unseemly haste. While the written eligibility rules are fuzzy, the unwritten traditions around these type of recognitions stipulate a waiting period. That's why it took former premier Bill Bennett 21 years to receive his Order of B.C., while other ex-premiers are still waiting … Campbell's appointment was rammed through faster than the HST. The fact that Campbell's ex-deputy, Ken Dobell, who pleaded guilty to illegal lobbying just three years ago, was appointed to the order along with his old boss only makes the timing look worse.”

I do not wish to join the other loud chorus that says. 'he does not deserve it, period'.  That's because I will readily admit that while I TRY to do my best, I often fail miserably … but then I get up and try again to accomplish the things I am trying to do.  I want to think that of others as well … including the man many are at the moment demonizing – Gordon Campbell.

There should be “ready access” to high level medical services throughout BC

On CTV News from Vancouver on Monday night, they had a story about the ER in Princeton being closed for the day.  So where was the nearest hospital?? … one hour away in Penticton.

My thoughts were, and still are, that this is completely wrong --- the Interior Health Authority hanging a sign that says "Sorry Were Closed" is a totally unacceptable contingency plan.   In my opinion, the government’s grand scheme to centralize hospital administration, often time’s hours from a community, has proven to be a disastrous plan.

Oh sure it’s worked well for the larger centres where more and more of the medical care is ending up.  What about smaller rural communities however; many of which are where logging, mining, construction and other more dangerous type jobs are done.  For them prompt medical attention, in the case of an accident, may be critical.

Taking a look at the costs, size, and scope of government in BC

The Labour Day weekend is over, and Fall has now UN-officially begun as the kids head back for another year of school (as long as we do not have a strike in the near future). 

I have also now begun week number two in the return of my Conservative Thoughts blog, and today I am going to take a brief look at the costs, size, and scope of government --- and some things that perhaps we can consider in making government more streamlined and effective.

From the BC Conservative Party Draft Policy document:

The budget of the Province has risen from approximately $29 Billion in 2001 to approximately $42 Billion in 2011-2012 … and the current budget is divided approximately 40% for core Government Ministries and 60% for broader public services.

The number of Government Ministries, Crown Corporations, Boards, Tribunals, Commissions, Councils and other entities in British Columbia now functioning is approximately 320 in number. This estimate does not include the approximately 175 local governments and regional districts the Province provides funding to, nor does it include the breakdown for Regional Health Centers, Community Hospitals and special treatment centers, etc.

Princeton ER --- Sorry We're Closed"

Tonight on BC's CTV News they had a story that the Emergency Room in Princeton was closed.  Nearest hospital?? … one hour away in Princeton --- this is unacceptable.

Having the Interior Health Authority (IHA) hang a "Sorry Were Closed" sign on the Princeton ER is a totally unacceptable contingency plan. 

In MY opinion, the BC governments grand scheme to centralize hospital administration, often times hours from a community, has proven to been a disastrous plan.

Online effort unleashed to rescind Gordon Campbell’s Order of B.C.

Former premier ineligible, says critic
By Cassidy Olivier, The Province  (September 5, 2011)

Hundreds of B.C. residents are joining an online protest over the government’s decision to award ex-premier Gordon Campbell with the Order of British Columbia.

Click HERE for the full story

There has basically been NO CHANGE in unemployment from one year ago

This past week Christy Clark announced there would be no early provincial election, and that it will be held as set up in May 2013.  She is however firing up the troops and giving them a reminder of the party’s commitment to free enterprise, jobs, and lower taxes.  Here’s part of what she had to say:

“Our focus must be on one thing more than any other: jobs for BC families. We will be presenting a plan that strengthens free enterprise, expands markets for BC products and sticks with our commitments to low taxes and a fiscally responsible approach.” – Christy Clark, in the BC Liberal Party’s most recent fundraising letter.

I hope that is indeed her plan because there has basically been NO CHANGE in unemployment from one year ago.  BC Stats (July 2011) shows unemployment at 7.3% while a year ago (July 2010) it was 7.5%.  There has also been no change in full time employment vs. those at part-time ... full time workers still account for 77.2% of those employed