BCTF bullies, backed by NDP
“Late last night, British Columbians learned of a BC Teachers Federation secret plan to hold a strike vote days after the provincial election. [...]
“I think the revelation explains why the BCTF is spending $5 million to elect the NDP and put their former president in the cabinet room. Let’s just put that $5 million in context. That’s 25% more money – just from that one union – than any party is allowed to spend on its entire election campaign activities during the writ period.”
— Gordon Campbell, Leader of the BC Liberal Party
While I was attending high-school the government was dominated by the NDP. I can’t forget the years — every one of them — where schools complained about funding shortages, the NDP propped up small schools with low demand to avoid appearing “evil” while wasting our money, schools couldn’t get money for necessary repairs (I recall earthquake upgrades were a particular concern), and parents were continually held hostage by the BCTF. Waste! Waste! Waste! Waste! Who benefited from taxpayer money flowing into the pockets of labour, and putting that “we love everybody” spin that warms your heart enough to not notice the honest truth? I remember how the strikes kept students from their education, and made life difficult (to say the very least) for any parent with a job; I can only imagine how single parents felt.
I received a brochure in the mail from the BCTF telling me how much they care about the children. Don’t you care about the children? Yes I do. That’s why I will not support the NDP Union Party that claims that “Everyone Matters”. Why not re-write that tagline to read: “everyone matters even if we don’t mind using you as pawns for our benefit — and maybe yours too.”
May 16th, 2005 at 4:39 pm
Hi Justin - what are your predictions for the outcome of the BC election?
May 17th, 2005 at 1:38 am
At the onset of the race, a prediction would really be fun, but at this point even the NDP have conceded they will likely form an opposition. I am hoping for a BC Liberal majority, as widely predicted, but I think the opposition will be great for keeping the government on their toes. The NDP may have their feel-good policies, but often the arguments show them to be demagogues, IMHO. Many British Columbian’s don’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling from Cambell’s government, but I’m not trying to elect a coach. I’ve heard Carole James described as a motherly looking figure, but I’m not concerned with her personal image, but with the party politics.
My prediction is for 4 years of mud slinging — hardly an earthshattering prediction.
I’m totally tied up about the STV issue. I don’t feel as confident as I’d like to, but I think modifying the process of democracy is something that should be carefully considered. My gut feeling is that if it is accepted, it might not be accepted by a huge margin. Why do I think that? I dunno, but it’s just my hunch.
I’m curious what the final numbers will be. I’m also curious about how many people will vote in the general election (will the STV question translate into increased turnout?) and how many people will vote, but skip voting on STV? If a lot of voters choose not to weigh in on STV, it will give critics an argument about its legitimacy should it be adopted. I don’t expect that either, but I wouldn’t put it past anyone. Democracy is serious business, and so it should be.
May 18th, 2005 at 7:29 pm
Hey,
So 46 to 33, not bad, but why the 36? Are people blind to the fact that the NDP drove this province into a political and economic mud hole? I do agree with Cambell and MS. James’ comments that with 57.37 vote for the new voting system, we need to review and look at a change, even if elections BC says that they needed 60%.
Crazy election, but neat ot hear that Cambell is the only Premier to be re-elected since 1983!
see ya