Job Creation -- Fiscal Responsibility -- and a Social Conscience. These are solutions that are neither right or left wing

One year ago, an editorial in the Victoria Times Colonist had the headline, “B.C. Liberals face new reality”.  The editorial stated that for the BC Liberals:

The challenge lies in shifting some longstanding mindsets. The Liberals must find ways to make a more activist program acceptable to their base.

It should not, in principle, be hard to support strengthening the social safety net. The case for investing in education and skill training is likewise easy to make. And who disagrees with the need for more affordable housing, or the urgency of combating homelessness and drug abuse?

The difficulty lies in reconciling these projects with a party philosophy grounded in personal responsibility and small government. No simple matter.

Darn right that's going to be a difficulty for them, and what was true then, remains true one year later.   

For the BC Liberals, it has always been difficult to understand what, and where, they stood … other than the fact the weren't the NDP.  Oh, and they were also (like the old Social Credit Party) the only way to keep the demon socialists out of power. 

They have tacked both left, and right, although mostly left.  And pinning them down on anything is pretty much near impossible.

Who CAN however, potentially fit in smoothly with what the writer is suggesting?  In my opinion, it could be those of an broad-sweeping conservative approach.  I have long stated my belief that the mindset of small "c" conservatives is that the resources of taxpayers MUST BE used wisely ... and that TRUE balanced budgets are essential to good government.

And why is that?  Because it then means they can then also be socially responsible!  IF the economy is running well across the board, and businesses are making good money, there should be no problem with well thought out, and planned, increases to the minimum wage for example.

Further, the safety net for those truly in need, should be a given for a society with a sense of what is right, and what is wrong.

To ensure the economy runs well -- and not just for the people of this (and the next) generation creating the new technologies, but also for those involved in the resource-based economy – who in their right mind would argue with investing in education throughout grade schools, high schools, universities, technology, and trade schools?

Job Creation -- Fiscal Responsibility -- and a Social Conscience.  These are solutions that are neither right or left wing.  Instead, they are simply common sense ... and that more than anything else is what BC needs!

For the BC Liberals, with their waffling both left and right, there will always be a difficulty understanding the simplicity of a straight forward idea.  Which is why they swing left, then right, and then left again, depending on which way the wind blows.

In Kamloops ... I'm Alan Forseth.  The floors over to you now to share your thoughts.