What type of ‘democratic socialist party’ is the BC NDP? We’re not hearing the answer to that question from leader Adrian Dix. Should we wonder why?

News stories a week ago, including this excerpt from Global News BC (British Columbians think BC NDP best able to manage economy) said that:

… for the first time, British Columbians think BC NDP leader Adrian Dix is the best person to handle the provincial economy.

The Angus Reid poll, released today, shows that the public also thinks that Dix is the best person to handle health care, education and crime issues.

Dix says the BC Liberals have a very poor record on economic growth. He says the government has failed to address a large skill shortage in the economy …

Other than hard core NDP members and supporters, do those considering voting NDP in the next general election have any idea what they stand for?

Here is the preamble to the Constitution of the BC NDP Party:

The New Democratic Party believes that social, economic and political progress in Canada can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles to government and the administration of public affairs.

The principles of democratic socialism can be defined briefly as follows:

-          the production and distribution of goods and services shall be directed to meeting the social and individual needs of people and not for profit

-          the modification and control of the operations of monopolistic productive and distributive organizations through economic and social planning, towards these ends

-          and where necessary, the extension of the principle of social ownership.

The New Democratic Party holds firm to the belief that the dignity, freedom and equality of the individual is a basic right that must be maintained and extended.

The New Democratic Party is proud to be associated with the democratic socialist parties of the world and to share in the struggle for peace, international co-operation and the abolition of poverty.

Furthermore, Section 16.01 (page 15) states that:
Each member of the Party, including candidates for, and holders of, public office has covenanted that; “I accept and will abide by the Constitution, principles and policies of the New Democratic Party.”  Breach of this covenant is a violation of the Constitution.

So if I read this correctly, the NDP believes that economic progress can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles … that they believe in the modification and control of business … and that it is acceptable for them to take over private business (ie: social ownership).

So what exactly does it mean to be a Democratic Socialist Party?  Wikipedia has a definition that should be of concern.  They say:

I ask you; by comparison, what do the BC Liberals and the BC NDP stand for?

I like Facebook, although I will admit I spend far too much time there.  I like it because it gives me the opportunity to share and exchange all kinds of ideas with people from all across the political spectrum ... and you should see my Friends list :D

Why am I starting the blog comment, this way, you ask?  

Well last night a friend posted a comment saying, “Thanks for the call BC Liberals but no you won’t be getting a donation from me. Those days are over.”

At which point I promptly said, “… should have asked them to sign up with BC Conservatives. I suspect the call results aren't going that well and maybe they'd want to check us out :D”

Then someone else made a comment that I found interesting … especially as I have been involved in the party and following its growth now for a little over a year.  This person said, “Can't say I've heard piles from either party lately that makes me want to donate to either one, actually.”

That tells me there is still a big job ahead … and that there are still many people are out there waiting to find out what the BC Conservatives stand for, and why they should support them ... whether as a member ... with financial support ... in spreading the word ... being an active member working to build membership ... a director on a constituency association ... or perhaps even consider seeking a nomination to run for the party.

I wrote this person back … and here is what I had to say:

Will she or won't she ...

As Keith Baldrey has pointed out, the window for Christy Clark to call an election is shrinking if she plans to call one for this Fall.

She has the fate of the HST vs. the PST / GST, which has been delayed now, as voters will getting a few extra weeks to get ballots in.

That plus she has to be concerned with where John Cummins will be taking the BC Conservative Party -- as they put the finishing touches to a new policy platform -- in readiness for a possible Fall election.

Neither the NDP or the BC Liberal Party is gaining ground on the other ... meantime the BC Conservatives have been continuing to make ground with voters in the province.

Will we have an election this Fall??? ... right now I think it's a 50 / 50 shot.

Read Keith Baldrey's full story -- click HERE

Odds and Ends

Just a couple of things of note from the past week.

One story you may have missed was that fat juicy pay raise some at Powerex have received.  Never heard of Powerex??  Well it's the power export arm of BC Hydro.  Seems that several of the top management people there are in line for pay raises of hundreds of thousands of dollars!

In story in the Vancouver Sun it said that Thomas Bechard will now be making $432,950 a year (a 65% increase since 2008-09) ... Mark Holman's pay has jumped by 70% and he will now be earning $678,898 ... while get this, Robert Campbell will be going from an annual salary of $196 thousand, to nearly $630 thousand ... an increase of 320%.

Results of the Carbon Tax??? Well to date NO response has been received

As you will note below, on June 13th I requested information regarding BC's Carbon Tax to ...

Terry Lake (MLA); Bob Simpson (MLA); Kevin Kruger (MLA); Adrian Dix NDP Leader; and Bill Bennett (MLA).  Not receiving a response, I resent the email on June 22nd.

Basically I was simply questioning, and asking, what the actual results have been from BC enacting this tax.  To date NO response has been received from anyone that I contacted regarding this.

Dear Sirs ...

The following email was sent approximately a week and a half ago, however I have not yet had a response. 

Here is more proof, of what many have been saying

In today's Vancouver Sun (June 10th), you will find the following story ... "BC Liberal, NDP leadership races saw same people sign up for both parties" 

While the the NDP claim that Christy Clark is more to the right than Attila the Hun, and the BC Liberals claims that Adrian Dix is about as far left as a person can go ... here is more proof of what many have been saying.

There is not a whole lot of difference between the NDP and the BC Liberals.

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).

BC Politics This Week

Extra, Extra … read all about it.  This is the week that was in BC Political news … well some of the stories anyway.  Have a great weekend and I’ll be back again on Monday …

B.C. Premier Clark narrowly avoids political disaster with by-election win
Ms. Clark said earlier this week that a win would be a win, dismissing Mr. Eby’s suggestion she would have to match Gordon Campbell’s results for a true victory.

How quickly Christy Clark has forgotten her radio host roots

Not that long ago, Christy Clark the radio host would have had a field day with Christy Clark the politician.

Cummins thinks B.C. Conservatives can win

There's a big whack of votes out there that are going to come to the BC Conservatives, said Cummins. We have a good chance of forming government after the next election.