What is government?

What is government? 

That is a good question, and in light of rising discontent with our current provincial government in British Columbia, I found it interesting that some one sent the following to me the other day. They are the quotes of some very wise people, some from long in the past, and some from our own time.

All have spoken truth as to what government should be, but often times is not.

Government can be dictatorial – even in a democracy ... but above all else government, one that is based on democratic principles, should be accountable to the people who elect it.

Given the decline in support for Christy Clark, and the BC Liberal government she heads, I'll leave it to you to decide how many of the following are fitting for the government we currently have.

I have added one quote to those I received, and it is one I begin with it. 

It is a quote from (W.A.C.) William Andrew Cecil Bennett.  Bennett was the premier of our great province from 1952 to 1972, and a man who many people either loved and admired – or passionately hated. He was usually referred to as W.A.C. Bennett, others called him "Wacky" Bennett.

While this first quote is in reference to Canada ... I believe it is just as fitting a thought for our own province.

We are a young country; we must build on the solid rock of sound economic policies and balanced budgets. But, we must be prepared, as a nation, to step from the solid rock onto new ground. The path of ease, the path of tradition alone, is not the path of a greater Canada ~~ W.A.C. Bennett

Why is there is no refinery being built directly at the source?

On Monday I wrote about the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline, and the review process which is now finally underway.  My opinion piece began by saying;

"The Northern Gateway oil pipeline, proposed to run from the oil sands of Alberta, to Kitimat in British Columbia, has many opponents – and champions. 

On one hand, we have thousands of jobs on the line, and millions in much needed tax revenues are in limbo, waiting approval.  On the other, are the environmental concerns that are also very much on the minds of Western Canadians. 

Some though, from outside of Canada, are trying to disrupt and stall the review of this project for their own self-interests, and personal glorification in the media..."

It didn’t take long for a comment to come in on it.  One person asked:

Here’s a stupid question, but why don’t the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Canada each throw in $500B to take a 50% interest in a refinery at Bruderheim.  That way, we could ship middle and light distillates to both the USA and Asia via rail, forgoing the need (and opposition) for a pipeline altogether? 

If you are looking for a bit of serious Summer reading, here are a few books some may wish to consider

Beginning this Conservative Thoughts blog, and continuing to write it, has been an interesting, and at times frustrating, endeavor since I began late last year.

Those who know me would tend to say I go into new ventures with a full head of steam.  On this project I did ... and I have.

Since then it has on occasion been a challenge finding the time to write --- but rarely has it ever been a challenge to find things to write about.

Along the way some of you have also taken the time to write and encourage me … to have a comment pro or con … or to offer a fresh point of view.  Thank you to all who have done that as it has been appreciated.

Today one of these folks, a medical doctor I have had an ongoing email dialogue with over the past several months, gets to have the floor.  Wally is a strong believer in the democratic process – and obviously a strong reader on concepts and ideas around democracy and its application.

Jack ... what exactly does it means to have an "appreciation of some of their (Quebec's) key issues".

I just don't get it --- what's with Jack?

Jack Layton has been leader of the federal New Democrats (NDP)since 2003. He says that he is “delivering the kind of change that can make life better” for me and my family, and that his leadership is all about teamwork.

Now Jack Layton says he is, “ready to take the next step”, and that he is “applying for a new job: Prime Minister of Canada.”

Give me a break – is this alleged break-through really anything new? According to the Vancouver Province (April 26^th) they think so, bleating out that, “no one predicted the unprecedented national surge in popularity of Jack Layton and the NDP.