Which BC leader would you hire to cut the lawn?

Today we have a guest comment / opinion piece from my friend, BC Conservative, and former MP Jim Hart.  An analogy, if you will, of lawn cutting, and BC Politics

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Looking at the recent political party polls in BC, one wonders exactly what it all means to the average family, guy or gal when it comes to real life in BC. So I decided I would analyze the recent polls by adding a task that most British Columbians will face in the coming weeks. As the groundhog has haphazardly told us that spring is just around the corner, I pose the question: Which BC political leader would be the best person to hire to cut your lawn? Here's what the polls suggest.

BC Green Party – Jane Sterk, is the most unlikely to accomplish the job as she would want to pass legislation to make Kentucky bluegrass or Canada Green an endangered plant life.

Instead of cutting the grass we would all be transplanting our lawns and relocating them to a government nature site or new provincial park, where grass would be protected and allowed to grow in an effective government-supervised fashion. Cutting and trimming devices would have to be registered in a government database to protect innocent plant life.

Change doesn’t happen in a vacuum -- it needs people to make it happen.

Often times I wonder what thoughts people have as they read the opinions I post -- which is why I have said, "I welcome your thoughts and opinions"

Occasionally I do get the odd comment, and they are appreciated ... whether you agree with me or not.  I appreciate them as I would like this to be a bit of a sounding board for me, and for you.  The other thing is, it gives me the opportunity to take a fresh look at what I think, and why.

Today, someone took a quick moment to drop me a line with regards to a post I had a couple of days ago ... that was; The argument of last resort … the one of desperation … “Don’t split the vote".

This person posted their comment anonymously, and so I have no idea who they are.  Regardless, in their comments, they made a very valid and important point ... we are not always going to agree 100% with the policies of any political party.  Here is what they had to say:

I'm a libertarian Conservative and am proud of my leader. Not religious at all. In fact, I initially only joined the party for a year in order to determine, whether or not, it was too far social right for me.

My interactions with and the statements from our party leaders led me to signed up for the full 5 year program and get directly involved with the New West CA.

I'm with Alan on this. i.e.  Do I agree with every direction he takes our party? Nope. (The only person I agree 100% with is my wife. Even when I don't, she reminds me I do.)

Before 18 months pass, 25% of Jack Layton's instant NDP MP's will have tired of what it takes, and walk away

The political pundits were hard at before the night was even over – and one thing is definitely certain – things will not be the same again. First a party dedicated to the removal of Quebec, from Canada, was decimated at the polls -- and Gilles Duceppe (leader of the Bloc Quebecois) lost in his own riding.

It is my sincere hope that they will not rise from the ashes of what remains.

But where did all those voter go?? Well for some strange reason, or perhaps not, they went to the New Democratic Party. Quebecers for some reason seem to favour heavy government intervention in many areas ... and an almost paranoid fear of anything federalist.   Even still, why the New Democrats?

Splitting the vote -- parties on one side of the spectrum will vie for votes based on the fact they have similar policies

I agree that the BC Conservative Party needs to do more to address the questions and points being raised in the following email which was forwarded to me. What did it say? Well in part it included the following, which I will make comment on in a few places along the way.

Why are you not addressing the media on issues at hand in the commentaries? Would it not be a sensible idea to relay to the people of British Columbia - in open dialogue - that the idea of (splitting the vote) does not equate to British Columbia politics and the stance of the individual party policies? For instance:

... the NDP Policies are left of centre ... I agree

... the Liberal Policies are left of centre ... I agree

... the Conservative Policies are centre / right / centre ... this is something I thought the other day and wondered if there was anyone like minded --- looks like two of us anyway

...    ... the Greens are left of centre ... not so sure I would totally agree

When splitting the vote, it is required that the Parties on one side of the spectrum will vie for votes based on the fact that they have similar policies. If there is only one Party on the Right of the spectrum there is no splitting of the vote on the Right Policies.