Thoughts on BC Politics and More

We need a national inquiry into whether political parties in the execution of their affairs are in violation of Sections 119 to 121 of the Criminal Code of Canada.   Political parties, federal and provincial routinely tell elected members what party policies they shall promote and support ... they offer ministerial (and critic) positions on the basis that the appointed person shall support the party in all things ... and they require elected members to vote in accordance with party instructions. Those elected officials who are not compliant with party instructions can be demoted and/ or the party can expel elected members for a variety of reasons without giving the member a fair hearing before a neutral panel. Political parties also will not to allow elected members to speak freely on issues before parliament or ...

One of the most important aspects of being an elected official is to know what you are voting on.   However, there have been times, throughout my decade-long political career, when it was clear that one or more of my colleagues clearly did not do their homework. No doubt our work is complex. It requires an inquisitive mind and you have to be a quick learner. You must be able to gather volumes of information and commit it to memory. You have to be quick on your feet, so you can the parse information that is flying at you and speak to it coherently. And, you have to be quick witted to be able to understand how the information will affect the personalities at the table. All of this hopefully helps advance ideas, and convince your colleagues, in the process of shaping good public policy.   None of this is possible if you haven't done your homework. At the local council table an elected official can be carried by their colleagues for a little while. But ...

Another week has gone by, and a number of political stories have impacted all of us in ways we often times do not realize..  Here are just a few of the stories that have impacted us.  #10  ROTHENBERGER: Elected leaders sometimes they pass the test sometimes they fail. Sometimes, too, vision is as much about saying no to something as saying yes http://acuriouslookatpoliticsinbc.blogspot.com/2019/01/rothenberger-elected-leaders-sometimes.html                              #9  FELDSTED: We could easily calculate a flat tax rate, that would produce tax revenue equal to those currently produced http://acuriouslookatpoliticsinbc.blogspot.com/2019/02/feldsted-we-could-easily-calculate-flat.html            #8   FELDSTED: Tossing the core...

The basic premise of democracy is governance of the people, by the people for the people. It was conceived to avoid rule by armies, cabals, churches, gentry or kings. From October 22 to November 30, British Columbia residents will be asked to mail in a ballot in a Referendum on Proportional Representation. They will either vote to maintain the current First-Past-The-Post system or change to one of three proportional systems offered by the government. Unfortunately, the only proportional systems on the ballot are ‘Party Systems’ in which parties choose some of the MLAs. There are proportional systems in which voters choose all the MLAs. Unfortunately, none of these will be on the ballot. In 2004, the Citizen's Assembly, a randomly chosen group of voters, looked at all forms of proportional representation. They rejected the systems in which parties choose some of the MLAs and recommended a system called STV in which citizens vote for all their MLAs. The governme...

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is currently in the midst of budget consultations with British Columbians, where we are invited to share ideas, and priorities, for the upcoming provincial budget.  Bob D'Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge–Mission, is the Chair of the committee.  At the session in Campbell River September 20 th he stated to those gathered: “ We are a committee of the Legislative Assembly, and our membership includes MLAs from all three parties in the Legislature. Every fall, we visit communities from across the province to meet with British Columbians and hear about their priorities and ideas for the next provincial budget .” Those on the committee, representing all parties currently in the legislature, are: Dan Ashton, MLA representing the area of Penticton to Peachland Stephanie Cadieux. MLA for Surrey South Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops – North Thompson Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley Mitz...

The BC Liberal government's budget on Feb. 21 was widely seen as a cynical pre-election scheme to buy votes in the May 9 provincial election with a "blizzard" of good-news announcements and rewards/handouts to almost every voting group in sight in the province - except strangely Seniors, until earlier this week when they too got an announcement: a new $500-million three-year promise of improved care for the elderly. (It was widely welcomed because it was so long overdue.) B.C. Liberal Premier Christy Clark checks off all of her vote buying schemes,and plans, as she prepares for May 9th election But actually we now know the BC Liberals' 2017-18 budget was even more cynical and worse than mere vote-buying and involving an apparently deliberate strategy to help smokescreen an outbreak of potentially-explosive scan...

Dear BC Health Minister Terry Lake ... Why is it that Health Care workers, Doctors, Nurses and other professionals (including those 1000's in Health Authority management positions) can have actual meals (with foods that go together) in hospital cafeterias, while people who are sick get food served to them that in no way meets the Canada Health Guide nutrition standards? I guess the same should be asked … “Why prisoners in detention are fed better as well? Would it not be fair to have them all eat the same food as hospital patients have to endure?” Having the amount and type of food recommended, and following the tips included, in Canada's Food Guide will help:   Meet your needs for vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.   Reduce your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes * , heart disease, certain types of cancer and osteoporosis.   Contribute to your overall health and vitality. * Diabetes … heaven forbid if you get sick in a hospital, at ...