There is, as I see it, only two directions we can go in this situation of ethics, accountability, and integrity.

Call me Don Quixote if you like, (others have),
but I am going to continue in my belief that
there is indeed positive change about to begin

I find it interesting to see the following from Nik Nanos (Few see positives in currentpolitical climate), after my comment, posted to Facebook yesterday, on the federal Conservative party:

There's a bit of a pox on all your houses, so to speak, from all the parties.  Canadians are seeing dysfunction in Parliament and in government from all parties when it comes to politicians focusing on positive solutions to problems affecting Canadians.

But these numbers are particularly troubling for the Conservatives. If you're the sitting government, you're looking at numbers like this and Canadians are saying, 'you know what — you're not doing much for me right now in terms with helping me in my day-to-day life'.  

 

 

So what did I post yesterday?  Well it was one short simple comment, which I was delighted to see engaged a few people in conversation, which I now share with you:

My growing disappointment in the federal conservative party is continuing ... and I know I am not alone in this. 

 

"Merv":  Yes, but what's the alternative?  

 

Me: I think that an alternative / shakeup will be inevitable, IF the federal party does not find its roots once again. 

 

"Sandy":

My Conservative/conservator roots go a long way back. I even ran as a Conservative candidate in the 1993 Kim Campbell election debacle and was steamrollered by the Reform candidate in this riding. 

 

I only mention this so that you can understand my own disappointment in the performance of Duffy and Wallin but I am still a firm supporter and believer in Stephen Harper's leadership. 

 

Before anyone runs screaming into the darkness, think of the alternative - Canada under the domination of eastern Liberals led by a Trudeau. In British Columbia and Alberta we should always remember what Trudeau Liberalism can do to our economy. 

 

Duffy and Wallin should be thrown out of the senate, along with anyone else found in conflict with ethical standards. That would include the Liberal senator also facing an inquiry into his expense claims.  

 

Me:

Thanks for your comments Sandy --- I posed this today to see what thoughts and ideas would come from others. As I say, I am sure I am not the only one with growing concerns.

 

The federal Conservative Party must, in my opinion, begin to look at why it's own supporters are beginning to question if it is losing its way, and how that should be addressed. If not, then it's future may be in jeopardy. 

 

"Damir":

Sure, I'll dog pile here. As a former PC/C voter who is quite concerned with the current situation in Ottawa, my 2015 vote is now completely up for grabs. What was done with the parliamentary budget office is, IMO, no better than the shameful way Victoria dealt with the auditor general. And what the heck ever happened to Senate reform?

 

Since the merger, the leadership is increasingly not walking the talk. Time for a change, either internally or externally.

 

No free pass just because the ghost of Trudeau is back in charge of the Liberals.

Neither has experience, achievement, knowledge, or prominence in the field of the environment, ecology, or engineering

CTV political commentator Craig Oliver

On Friday January 6^th Craig Oliver posted his thoughts on the proposed northern oil  pipeline in an opinion piece entitled “Craig's Take: The politics of pipelines”.

In reading this piece, I think one would be hard pressed not to note he appears to be opposed to the pipeline, especially given the choice and selection of some of the descriptive words he used.  He also had this insightful comment:

“Even such luminaries as American actors Robert Redford and Kevin Bacon are joining in the opposition to the all-Canadian pipeline, which Prime Minister Stephen Harper says raises some serious questions about foreign political interference.”

Merriam-Webster defines luminary as:

… a person of prominence or brilliant achievement

Support the party you believe in; but do it because you believe it’s the best choice -- NOT because it's the lesser of two (3) evils!

Today, the Toronto Star, featured an editorial opinion by Chantal Hebert* entitled, “For Harper, Liberal Clark might be preferable to NDP alternative”.  It starts off by saying,

In a strictly black-and-white world, Prime Minister Stephen Harper might not be predisposed to give B.C. Premier Christy Clark, who was on a goodwill mission to Parliament Hill last week, much of a leg up in her upcoming bid for a fourth Liberal mandate in British Columbia.

In federal Conservative circles, Clark’s past ties to the clan of former Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin remain a source of widespread suspicion. Also, it is no secret that she is no friend of her former boss and predecessor, Gordon Campbell.

Until he resigned last year, Campbell was probably the premier closest to Harper. He has since landed a plum diplomatic posting in London, courtesy of the prime minister.

And then British Columbia is in the federal finance department’s bad books these days for repealing its recently introduced harmonized sales tax.  The two governments are currently negotiating the repayment to the federal treasury of a $1.6 billion HST-related transition package.

Those talks were at the centre of Clark’s trek to Parliament Hill this week. The premier is lobbying to have her province keep a portion of the cash and be granted considerable time to repay the remainder.

Clark will face her first election test as premier within the next 18 months.  Polls suggest she needs all the help she can get from a friendly federal government if she is not to lose power to the NDP….

The story then goes on to explain the difficulties Stephen Harper might have if the NDP were to have a stronger handle on politics across Canada with a win in BC … that it would give a boost to the federal New Democrats … that other election provincial elections could hand further problems to Harper … etc etc.

Stephen Harper, and many of the federal Conservatives rode into town (Ottawa), on a promise of reform of the political system … that things needed to change … and that political parties and MP's needed to be accountable and responsible to voters.

The very things which are polar opposite to the thoughts of Chantal Hebert.

The new Federal Budget --- comments from Ken, Jack and Michael

The new federal budget has been announced, and thankfully there are no new taxes … and an assortment of small goodies.  According to the CBC and CTV the government plans to get rid of the current deficit by 2015 / 2016.  I think most Canadian could look at this as an acceptable budget, and NOT one that should be voted own.

Interestingly, Ken Georgetti (Canadian Labour Congress) was on the news saying that while it could have included more, this was a budget that Jack Layton and the NDP should support.

Small “c” conservatives have cause for concern

Well we all know the news of what happened on Saturday on the 3^rd round vote, but don't expect that a Liberal government led by Christy Clark will be any different than the government we’ve already had under Gordon Campbell!

While promising to fundamentally change the governmental culture in Victoria, Clark (who served as a loyal MLA to former Premier Gordon Campbell), has been full of praise for her former mentor -- time and time again.  That said, Clark now has the job of putting together a cabinet from the very people she ran against, and that already sit in the BC Legislature. 

I expect we are going to see a lot of fireworks, and she is going to have an uphill battle to bring together a team from Liberal heavyweights who were not at all flattering in their comments of her during the leadership race, including Kevin Falcon who she lost to in the 3^rd round vote.    

George Abbott himself said that he was attacking Christy Clark’s policies because she was providing him with, ‘so much good material to exploit’.   “Ms. Clark has given me such a plethora of issues to work with. Whatever Christy says is fair game for debate, and that’s what I intend to do.”