The ineptitude of this government hurts people -- real people!

Moderate scoliosis curve -- read on and
you'll understand why this photo is here.

Earlier today I posted the following on Facebook

GEORGE ABBOTT SAYS:

“We are truly disappointed by the union’s decision to hold a three-day strike beginning next week. A strike of this nature will significantly disrupt student learning and creates tremendous concern for parents and families."

ME ... as you may have noticed George, I am a little more than just disappointed in both the BCTF and the government -- you're both acting like spoiled brats!

Given that you do seem to understand there will indeed be a significant disruption to learning, may I suggest that members of the legislative assembly get their collective butts into the legislature over the weekend, and pass Bill 22!

It didn’t take long for a response to be posted by my MLA, Kevin Krueger who said:

I am presently in the Legislature, working away. There are times to do night sittings and weekends; we do not think this is one of them. We're looking for lasting, long-term solutions, and an outcome respectful of all. Did you watch the debate yesterday? Obviously not - there was nobody there "acting like spoiled brats," as you put it. If you want to be a serious candidate, do some serious thinking and research, and refrain from childish admonitions about people's "collective butts," as above. Good grief.

That required a response … and included something I have been sitting on for a few days now because I was extremely angry.  What I have been sitting on and not made mention of prior to today, is exactly why I am not only tired with the petty politics we have been seeing by the NDP and the Liberals, and with government waste ... I am actually very ANGRY!

Just give us a simple answer, to those two simple questions

If the government operates it, does that not then speak to the need for the service to be designated as essential to the well-being of British Columbians? 

The health of British Columbians is essential to the well-being of all

The maintenance of roads in BC is essential to our safety as we travel

The availability of policing services is essential for our protection and safety

BCTF President - Susan Lambert

IS THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN ANY LESS IMPORTANT?

I refuse to pick a side in the current education disaster now before us ... that's because I believe both sides have been dismal failures.

Education Minister George Abbott

NEITHER SIDE has truly had the best interests of OUR children as their MAIN focus.

The government is looking to gain political points to try and undermine the NDP ... while meantime the BC Teachers Federation still has a demand, for an increase to wages, they know full well will not be met --- EVER!

RCMP and city police have been warning the public, for thier own safety, to 'STAY AWAY" from know and dangerous criminals

I found the following story (details of which I became aware of yesterday), to be of note, which is why I am passing it along.  The writer of the story is Kim Bolan from the Vancouver Sun.

Jaspal Singh Atwal, convicted
of attempted murder in 1986

Convicted gunman attended B.C. budget speech --Complaint filed after invitation-only event

A formal complaint was made to the speaker of the B.C. legislature last week after a would-be assassin received an invitation to attend the budget speech, The Vancouver Sun has learned.

Jaspal Singh Atwal, who was convicted of attempted murder for shooting a visiting Punjabi cabinet minister in 1986, attended the invite-only event in the B.C. legislature Feb. 21.

He sat in the public gallery, while the legislature was locked down and only invited guests, MLAs and accredited media were allowed inside.

Shane Mills, Premier Christy Clark's director of communications, said Monday that Atwal only made his way onto the guest list when another person invited by the premier's office asked for an extra ticket to attend.

"His name was on a list. It was put on the list at the request of an invited guest," Mills said. "If we had known his background, he would not have been invited."

TIMES COLONIST: MLA nearly ejected over heckling

Kamloops South Thompson Liberal
MLA Kevin Krueger

My MLA for Kamloops South Thompson riding, Kevin Krueger, is well known for his outbursts in the BC Legislative Assembly. 

Last, week, as outlined in the following story from the Victoria Times Colonist, he continued that tradition.  The story described him, politely, as being 'boisterous' ... 'interjecting' ... 'heckling' ... and 'rude'.

NDP MLA also said that Krueger's comments were, "... loud, vindictive, boorish and irrelevant to the budget debate."

Here is the story in full:

THE HECKLER - The boisterous member for Kamloops-South Thompson, Kevin Krueger, was almost booted from the chamber this past week for not being able to keep his mouth shut.

Krueger, whose booming voice is often heard interjecting into other MLA speeches, cut into independent Vicki Huntington's response to the budget Thursday.

"Do you represent anything?" he shouted.

"I represent the people, Member," she replied.

Huntington had to sit down twice to wait for silence, but Krueger kept on going.

This is Christy Clark's way of, “... tackling complex issues using a common sense approach?"

Premier Christy Clark

At the end of last week, Premier Christy Clark, posted a “First Year Progress Report” on the BC Government Caucus website.  Here is the text of that message:

Dear Fellow British Columbian's,

One year ago this Sunday, I had the honour of being selected your Premier after a close and exciting campaign for the BC Liberal Party leadership.

I re-entered politics for one reason: to make life better for B.C. families. I am happy to report that, through changes large and small, we are making steady and substantial progress towards this goal.

We are doing this with a renewed BC Liberal team and in partnership with British Columbian's. We are tackling complex issues and fixing them by using a common sense approach, rather than throwing your money at them and hoping for the best.

I said I would listen and open up government. This is exactly what we are doing. We are pulling the province together and making sure people have a chance to connect and contribute like never before.

I believe in B.C., and I know that if we stick together, we will win together.

Christy Clark

This is an interesting bit of writing for a number of reasons.   

First, “Yes” Christy Clark was selected to lead the BC Liberal Party – but she has yet to be tested by the electorate in a provincial election, where WE will get to select the party we wish to have govern us.

Second, while I will not dispute that she re-entered politics to make life, as she said, 'better for BC families', how many would be ready to acknowledge she has done so?  Yes maybe in 'small' ways she has made change, which has benefited families --- but how many would say she has done so in large measure?