With the resignation of BC Premier Gordon Campbell earlier this week, many British Columbians have been heard to say, “About time,” and “Good riddance.” But is it really?
Think about it. Think about the government which preceded the Liberals in BC. Think about what went on. Think about how unstable our province was, politically and economically. Think about how much we all wished we lived in Alberta instead.
Do we really want to return our beloved province to those days? I think not.
Carole James seems to be heralding Campbell’s resignation as a sign that the NDP will soon regain control of the province. Oh really? Only if the voters of BC conveniently manage to forget BingoGate . . . and what about the 6 NDP Premiers we had in 10 years?
Do we really want to return to that kind of political instability? Not to mention the embarrassment of fiascos like BingoGate. I certainly don’t.
When I first interviewed Gordon Campbell, way back when he was still fairly new to the provincial political scene, something he said then stuck in my mind. He based his economic policies on the things his mother taught him. And the most important thing she taught him (please forgive me, if I can’t remember the exact quote, it’s been awhile), was that you can’t spend money you don’t have. Under the NDP, there was a lot of unwise spending going on – the ferries come to mind.
You know what? That’s exactly what Gordon Campbell and the Liberals did. They tried not to spend money they didn’t have. They pulled our provincial economy out of the toilet.
Yes, they made some bad decisions. Like the whole thing with closing the care homes, so that our elderly don’t have enough places to go, to receive proper care. That’s up there on my list of Gordo’s big mistakes.
The HST is another bad decision. When an overwhelming number of voters in the province sign petitions against something, it’s a clear sign that we don’t want it. We live in a democracy. In a democracy, the people are supposed to have a say. Looks like Gordo has finally realized that . . . too bad he didn’t clue in when Blair Lekstrom resigned his cabinet post and handed back his Liberal Party membership. It might have saved him a lot of grief.
I really hope the BC Liberals manage to elect someone good, to replace Campbell as leader. Someone with good economic sense, someone with tough moral fibre, someone who’s not going to lead BC down paths we really don’t want, or need to travel again.
Good-bye Gordon . . . it’s been real.
1 comment:
I've heard a lot of this retrospective look at Campbell lately, and have this to add. I voted for him all three times (to be honest and fair) once because we had to get the previous crooks out FAST, once because they did a fairly good job first term and deserved it, and once because there was no other reasonable choice (I should note this as a vote of confidence, because if I truly believe there is no candidate, I will not exercise my right to vote)
All this being said, the first term could have been won by the Sea Monkey party if they tried, there really was nowhere to go but up, so as long as a party played their cards right, and pointed a lot of fingers at the previous party, they were in the clear.
Second Term; Clear choice, Liberals did well, province was coming around, a few "eyebrow/things that make you go HMMM" moments (Hawaii), but hey, they are politicians, not humans!
Then, Sir Machiavelli Campbell decides that he's the "KINGOFTHEWORLD!!!!" and rules with an iron fist, and a criminal mind. His serfs tell call revolt, he calls for arms. His minions hide behind him (save for one) until the waves are lapping over the rails, still scared to mutiny.
I am going to have a very hard time voting next election. Carol James-piss poor candidate for a defunct party. Green- sorry, no experience in politics plus a one issue agenda will never get my vote, so all that is left is a bunch of Liberal MLA's that have proven they will not do anything for their constituents, and continue to toe the party line. Dad always said there weren't enough assasinations in Canada!!
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