Would you like to put that number into perspective?

Most rank and file Liberals in BC are probably wishing they didn’t have to watch, or read, news on BC politics.  It's not good; although looking at the smile pasted on Premier Christy Clark's face one would be hard pressed to see she's aware of problems in liberal-land.

CTV News at 6 ran one story after the other last night, which would lead people to wonder how much longer they can continue without running to the medicine cupboard for Extra-Extra-Strength Tylenol.

Let's see ... what kicked things off?   

Well a provincial court judge hammered the Liberal government after having to kick charges against a person who had tried to lure a young teen, for sex, through use of his computer.  This case has been in the system, since his arrest, which was two and a half years ago!

At the moment there are approximately twenty five hundred (2,500) cases in a similar position, of being thrown out for delays that have hit the 18 month mark.  

Would you like to put that number into perspective?  Plus or minus a hundred people or so, it would be the entire population of say a community the size of  Chetwynd ... or Chase ... Elkford ... Lillooet ... Logan Lake ... Pemberton ... Princeton ... Sicamous ... or Tumbler Ridge.

And what did the judge, who had to throw the case out, call the system? 

Abysmal!

Pedophiles --- drug pushers --- people accused of violent assaults.  People charged with these crimes are about to go free because the criminal system in BC is broken, and all the BC Liberal government can do is .......... study it some more.

It's time for the Attorney General and the government to put the resources into the system that are needed.  But much more than just money is required.

Daily court sessions need to start earlier in the day … say 8am.  They need to have a normal lunch break … one hour.  And they need to go for longer in the day … would 5 o’clock be too much to ask? Why not even hold court at night until we can clear up the backlog.

Lawyers for the defense, and the crown, also need to be told, “No more delays -- prepare your case because it's going to trial.”

Now I'm not saying we go back to the days where a man would steal a horse in the morning ... and be convicted as a horse thief by noon, and be hung in the early afternoon. That said, give me a break --- it does NOT take 18 months to prepare for trial.

Next up on the news last night?? Seniors care; or better put, the lack of it! 

A story talked about the lack of standards in care homes and facilities ... how often seniors received a bath ... what help and assistance they had in getting to, and using, the bathroom ... assistance with eating their meals ... even the quality of food that is served. 

There are little or no standards.  Good grief, they are even allowed to ship 'prepared meals' in from as far away as Toronto Ontario. 

We are all well aware that food is nutritionally at its best when it is prepared from the freshest ingredients – and from close to home.  Most people I'm sure are aware of the 100 mile diet – it seems the health ministry isn't – at least when it comes to seniors.

Problems in senior care have been in the news for two decades now; and still it will take more time to get common sense policies to be implemented.  Even more time to get 'standards' in place, which will provide what I would call simple basic care for any human.  Basic care that, even now, seems a long ways off.

And ... last up on our triple header of “Bad News” news tonight --- more on the HST, and issues it is causing the housing and construction industry in BC.  I still cannot fathom how a tax they were able to rush in place in a matter of months, will still be in place 12 months from now.

Many people are continuing to put off buying a new home because … the HST will add thousands of dollars to the final cost.  Many British Columbia are putting off renovations because ... the HST will add hundreds, for some thousands, to the cost of their project.  Others are going underground and paying cash to escape paying any tax at all.

That is still only one segment of society however that has been hit, and continues to be hit by the HST. 

What about all those families that Christy Clark claims to be so in support of??

Those families are paying extra tax for their children's haircuts ... they are paying extra tax on bicycles that are for fun, recreation, and exercise ... they are paying extra to be in sporting activities ... they are paying extra for safety helmets and other safety gear … and they are paying extra on much much more.  Some families, that I personally know, are also paying the extra tax on clothing, outerwear, and footwear for their preteen children.

How can Christy Clark have the gall to say she cares for BC families!!

It should come as no surprise to Christy Clark that 70% of BC voters would not cast a vote for the Liberal Party if an election were called today.

The last Social Credit government ever elected was humiliated at the polls ... the last NDP majority government was left with just two seats after being trounced by the Liberals ... and ... this Liberal government will be lucky to end up with even 2 seats come the next election.

One Liberal MLA, Kevin Krueger, last week was quoted saying he is proud of what the government, he is part of, has done and accomplished.  The stories I saw in the news last night weren’t part of a record anyone should be proud of.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... with the thoughts of one conservative.