Maybe those who no longer vote in civic, provincial or federal elections are right.
Ask them why, and most will tell you our politicians are liars and crooks, more interested in catering to big business or big unions, lining their own pockets and rewarding their friends.
Now I still think we should vote: we owe it to those who gave their lives in war so we can do so; and we must keep hoping that one day … maybe not in our lifetime … but one day we will elect people who will tell us the truth; keep their promises; and operate honest, open governments.
But at some point right now, we have to grudgingly admit those who don’t vote have a point: we are duped, lied to, deceived, forbidden information we should be entitled to without having to go to a Freedom of Information commissioner or even to court to get it.
And promises made are not worth the paper on which their press releases are printed.
This is not a new phenomenon in Canada. Remember Trudeau PROMISING he would not introduce wage and price controls? And then, shortly after being re-elected, he did.
If anyone researched the issue (I’m retired, right?) I’d bet they could easily come up with dozens of examples in Canada since Trudeau’s Big Lie of similar acts of pre-election deception, followed by post-election reversal … sometimes within days!!
And the BC Liberals have in recent years made a true art of it!
There was the promise to respect signed legal wage agreements … that were then torn up ILLEGALLY after the election, eventually costing the taxpayers $85 million in settlements .. millions more in legal costs; there was an assurance they would NOT sell BC Rail, but in effect they all but did that; there were the fantasy estimates of rosy finances…supposedly drawn up by highly professional officials … both federal and provincial … before recent elections, that fell completely apart within DAYS of the ballots being counted (do they really expect us to believe everything changed that fast?); and now, there is the “Horrifying” Sales Tax” … which the BC Liberals stated REPEATEDLY before the May election wasn’t even being contemplated … but now, within weeks is already fully considered, negotiated and agreed to with Ottawa, the $1.6 Billion bribe to do so fully calculated and probably already allocated somewhere in their future budget plans.
And in that move that will disrespect the taxpayers even more, that “Horrifying Sales Tax” will add a whopping SEVEN PER CENT MORE IN TAXES TO GOODS AND SERVICES ALREADY TAXED FIVE PER CENT.
And adding insult to injury, it was all announced on the same day the Braidwood inquiry blockbuster report on tasers was released … filling most newscasts and front pages.
One respected analyst has estimated the new tax will hit the average BC family for another $500/year. No wonder they tried to slip it through the way they did.
So why do they disrespect and deceive us so much? Because they know they can get away with it … over and over.
There is a formula for winning elections in BC and Canada: kick the voters around, lie to them, deceive them, overtax them, cut back services … almost ANY kind of abuse is acceptable in the FIRST THIRD of the political term in office. (This is all mitigated somewhat under minority governments, but generally still works much the same).
Then, as the governing party enters the SECOND THIRD of the mandate, the formula calls for the “kinder” side to emerge … more consultations, gentler policies, even expressions and actions of real care and concern for residents and voters.
And of course, then, in the FINAL THIRD of the term of office: start spending, announce tax breaks, new programs, new funds for all kinds of programs and services, grant copious interviews, and make all kinds of promises (no holds barred) … because the voters have relatively short memories and are easily mesmerized with assurances that “the tough times, when we had to make difficult, hurtful decisions, are over” … and, of course, the good times are just around the corner …. after the next election.
And this is where the mainsteam media join in … first by decrying the government for “mistakes” made early in their mandate (they never call it deliberate lies or abuse of the voters); then by suggesting the government, however, ”has turned things around”; and finally … and most importantly … expressing “great concerns” that THIS is NOT the time to change course or “go back” to where we were decades ago.
In other words, the media encourage us to vote for proven LIARS and DECEIVERS … hard to imagine, but that’s exactly what has happened provincially and federally time and time again in recent years.
It’s trite, it’s dishonest, it’s cliche … but history has repeatedly shown it works more often than it fails.
And then, after the government is re-elected, the cycle repeats.
So no wonder half of our voters can’t even be bothered to show up. And really, who can blame them?
But just imagine what could happen if they did show up!
Harv Oberfeld
21 responses so far ↓
1 BC Mary // Jul 25, 2009 at 6:46 am
Bravo, Harvey!
And that Public Affairs Bureau must be the best-ever instrument for making it possible to lie, cheat, betray, bamboozle, and whitewash, and then get re-elected.
Unfortunately, the P.A.B. doesn’t work for any group which isn’t already in government with its hands on the levers.
2 B McLean // Jul 25, 2009 at 8:07 am
Harvey,
Yes I do agree voters have a short memory most of the time.
However the Campbell government has forgotten the saying “those that do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it”
Think back to 1991 Brain Mulroney introduced the GST to replace the MST.
In 1988 the Conservative government won 169 seats.
During his second term he introduced the 7% GST and raised taxes to deal with the recession of the early 1990′s. Polls of the day indicated 80% of Canadians opposed the new GST, however the Conservatives failed to listen to voters and in the next election were all but wiped off the political map, the party never recovered.
Almost two decades have past since and Canadians still have this unpopular tax burned into their memory.
Perhaps the Campbell Liberals should review Canadian history, as history may be about to repeat itself.
3 genuine // Jul 25, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Harvey,you magnificent bastard!that’s exactly the way it is,sound’s a lot like collusion to me between,the media and govt,aided and abetted ,by the court’s and police,perjury ,by the highest level’s of our govt. Welcome to our new democracy in Bizarro world!
4 genuine // Jul 25, 2009 at 2:54 pm
3000 kilometer’s of track 1000,000,000,bc rail,18 kilometer’s of track,canada line 1.8 billion?
5 SharingIsGood // Jul 25, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Since the next election is so far away, voting out this government seems too remote. What if voters decided to vote with their pocketbooks and their feet? Suppose voters stopped buying anything except that which is essential. Suppose they quit going to restaurants, quit their newspaper, cable and satellite TV subscriptions. Suppose they quit buying anything but that which is essential. No cars, boats, building supplies, lawnmowers; no new clothes, make-up, dishes, computers, books etc. – nothing! Then suppose voters took some of their new savings to finance a trip to front lawn of the legislature on Labour Day week-end.
Harvey, If the above happened, how long do you suppose the Gordon Campbell government would last?
(Response: The government would hang on, hoping it will all “pass” after Labour Day… because they really believe, and history HAS shown, most of the public’s memory is very short. But you can try. h.o.)
6 SharingIsGood // Jul 25, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I forgot to say above, Harvey, I really appreciate your blogs – especially this one. This blog cuts to the heart of what has been happening, not just in BC, but in the rest of Canada and much of Europe, as well.
That said, I believe the Campbell government to be the most extreme example of a government that is not accountable to its citizens and the planet this side of North Korea. After considering all of the provincial assets, environmental safegards and services to sick, old and impoverished BC citizens that have been sold and/or dismantled in the last eight (with extremely high world demand for BC resources), I don’t want to imagine how much the next few years will cost us.
(Response: I am really enjoying the freedom to speak out and tell it like it is. And gives me a chance, even though “retired” to still give back a bit on behalf of all those viewers/readers/fellow workers who never sold out their principles and were so important to me during my working years. h.o.)
7 claudia // Jul 25, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Harvey maybe we need to be reminded of how much better it was in the 90′s. We actually got services for the tax money we paid. Under Campbell we pay more and more and more and get less and less and less.
8 RS // Jul 25, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Harvey,
Retired ‘n’ looking for a meaningful way to spend your time, other than your blog and enjoying life?:-) How about spearheading a tax revolt and/or setting in motion the process to recall Campbell?
A tax revolt of sorts seems to be on the move in California:
http://www.taxrevolt2009.com/2009/03/09/tax-revolt-gains-strength/
Just a thought.
(Response: Sorry, I’m a reporter .. just trying to tell it like it is. Not an activist … and frankly, I don’t have the answers to so many of the crucial big questions .. and honest enough to say so. Probably too honest therefore to run for office. LOL! h.o.)
9 genuine // Jul 25, 2009 at 4:34 pm
J Mcombs (CKNW) non event yesterday,seems to me was just a load of crap,it was on to probably quell all the emails and calls to appease regular listeners queries as to whats really happening,and, non reporting of the facts,I was truly disappointed, no caller’s to ask question’s and they really piled on the ads,it’s the same old ,same old all foreplay and when it get’s down to doing the nasty,we are cut off!Talk about giving us blue balls!I don’t think I’ll listen to that crap anymore it’s to frustrating! I’m just going to stick to these blog’s at least it’s a release of a sort?
10 DMJ // Jul 25, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I think there is a growing disconnect between our political parties and the voters. The mainstream political ‘elites’ will not change, thus the disconnect continues to grow.
When, according to my history professor, about 35% or more of a population feels that a government or political system is illegitimate and only serves political ‘elites’ and their cronies, revolution will happen.
Now this doesn’t mean fighting in the streets, but it does mean drastic political change will have to happen (quiet revolution) or there will be fighting in the streets.
The real question is: what political party is willing to take on the challenge to change our rather corrupt political system before some ‘messiah’ creates chaos.
“Those who do not read history are doomed to repeat it.”
11 Patrick Bell (Not the MLA) // Jul 25, 2009 at 4:40 pm
The voters had a chance to whack these guys a couple months ago, but unfortunately chose to give them another mandate. I was adamantly opposed to voting these guys back in, but got stuck with them anyways…argg.
The problem with many voters is that they attach themselves to one party and vote repeatedly for that party no matter what shady things seem to go on. They refuse to alter their party allegiance ..
God help us…the NDP probably would have hit us with some sort of tax to compensate for the huge budgetary short fall as well…but they probably wouldn’t have gutted an already taxed health care and education system either….
The Private sector just can’t stand the thought of tax dollars going into paying for public programs…just don’t have a heart attack!
Looks like the private sector just got booted in the head by their own mother…should have paid attention to what happened to all those private businesses on the Cambie Corridor and you would have figured out that these guys could care less about small business…
Lets see…what would I prefer my taxes to go to? Health care and education or subsidies for private projects run by a select few…..
(Response: Frankly I’m sure the NDP, if elected, would have followed the “Three-Thirds” formula as well ..hitting us with policies and taxes they somehow failed to mention during the campaign and then lightening up as the next election approached. And remember, as soon as the votes were counted, they took the wage increase they had earlier refused “on principle”. Guess those principles disappeared when they lost. h.o.)
12 Ed S // Jul 25, 2009 at 7:05 pm
We’ve really done this ouselves by re-electing governments so often. A government (left or right) stays in power for decades until it totally loses touch and makes enough people angry. The default for the present electorate is to re-elect.
If we want this to change then we need to change the default. The electorate needs to take the attitude that any government, left right or center, will be kicked out of office unless it gives us a good reason to keep it in office.
Suppose that the electorate in B.C. had changed the government in each of the last five elections. Would we have been governed any worse? Probably not. But just perhaps the politicians of all stripes, realizing they were going to be defeated unless they do a bang up job, and listen to the electorate.
They need to be reminded, constantly, that they are there to serve us. Unless and until we learn to remind them of this at every election, they will not learn.
“Kick the bums out” should be the default option in any election at any level.
13 Dan // Jul 25, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Hi Harvey,
Love your blog. As I’ve said earlier it’s on my must check list every day.
I’m in my late 60′s, self employed and have always had a strong right leaning, until the last election. For the first time in my life I voted NDP in my riding and they won.
Wish you a long and happy life, and please keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Dan
(Response: Thanks Dan. Really appreciate the support I get from readers. Makes it easier to put up with the shunning I’ve had from some on the other side. But proud to say, that’s more a problem of their declining standards, not mine
h.o.)
14 Powell river persuader // Jul 25, 2009 at 7:53 pm
You are correct Harv, but,you have made many errors in your sumation,first error,the media,the Canwaste machine,isn`t a news media,their a propoganda agent for goverments wielding power……
Secondly,this is a huge tax hit when people`s real wages have fallen,this recession/depression is unlike any other since 1929……We here in Canada have yet to feel it,BC in paticular,this recession is just getting started and people are going to remember that tax,it will be on everything,then the carbon tax,plus Translink is going a dipping into people`s pockets plus municipal taxes are up accross the board and at the same time industry in BC are revolting,revolting to the point of not paying their taxes(talk to port alberni/campbell river/powell river/courteney)…….And couple that with massive wage increases to top goverment paper shufflers and politicians and at the same time paramedics are told to FOCK OFF….The lowest minimum wage earners are told to FOCK OFF…..
The People won`t forget this one,oh,I forgot one,BC Hydro have been raised 40% in the last few years and they even threw on a punitive 2 tier rate which no house owner can avoid from paying the 2 tier rates,now your going to add another 7% on top……
Last couple of points Harvey,people have been borrowing on equity aided by low interest rates,that equity and investments have dwindled,this will be the end of the BC Liberals/the new internet media will take over,real news,real facts……….
Last point,bring on the underground economy,and what a boon to come to Alberta,just imagine what business and entrepeneurs near the Alberta border are scheming and that goes for the other border going south…….A sunday drive,a meal out,fill the gas tank and load up on groceries,kinda like heading south in ripped,torn,worn out clothes and return wearing spiffy duds,the incentive was there before,the incentive just increased by 7% plus……….
Cheers-Eyes Wide Open
15 Norman Farrell // Jul 25, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Mr. Genuine.
Don’t believe the $1 billion proceeds for the railway. BC guarantees over half that back as tax breaks. Guaranteed!
16 Norman Farrell // Jul 25, 2009 at 9:12 pm
New name for our leader: Premier Deceiver Campbell.
Is it still a play on words, if it’s true?
17 Henri P // Jul 25, 2009 at 10:28 pm
DMJ // Jul 25, 2009 at 4:39 pm said in part,Now this doesn’t mean fighting in the streets, but it does mean drastic political change will have to happen (quiet revolution) or there will be fighting in the streets.
————————————
A Quite Revolution only,No fighting in the streets, ,this attitude is exactly why we are being hand fed crap by our political leaders,they know were apathetic and spineless and will not raise a hand against them in order to correct the wrongs their casting at, and upon us, go ahead turn the other cheek , and get yourself prepared for another smack. A Quite Revolution, this
we have already had. That’s how we got Gordo and Co. additionally, that’s also how we got Carol James, another waste of skin.
18 DMJ // Jul 26, 2009 at 3:36 am
What I am truly scared to death of is a ‘messiah’ type leader (remember Trudeau?) who captures the publics imagination only this ‘messiah’ is more of a little ‘Hitler’ and perverts Canada into something we never even conceived of.
I would love to see some very strict rules and laws concerning political corruption and cronyism, but that means politicians giving up power and that is something they will not do willingly.
Maybe we need a 60′s style counter revolution to again make needed democratic changes?
Something must happen now, but I’m afraid Canadians, with those famous ‘rose coloured glasses, will just do nothing and let the chips fall where they may.
19 Crankypants // Jul 26, 2009 at 4:02 am
Colin Hansen was on CKNW this afternoon doing his best spin on our new and improved HST. His responses to callers were so unbelievably sad it almost made me want to hurl, but I held back in case it is now taxable. One caller asked about funerals now being taxed, and the best he could come up with is that if the funeral home bought new carpeting for their establishment, the HST they paid would be refundable to them and therefore reduce their costs, which should be passed on to the customer. I’m sure they must replace their carpets weekly. Another person who services electronic equipment must have been happy to learn that if he bought a new photocopier, he would get his HST back. However, he would now have to charge his clients they new HST instead of just GST as before. I’m sure that will make his clients extremely happy. The only thing he really didn’t address is the effect on the people’s pocketbooks. I’m sure that we will be treated to some dog-and-pony show in the near future extolling the benefits we all will reap while getting raped again, or is it still. Canwest in their predictable fashion endorsed this harmonization in their editorial in today’s Vancouver Sun.
I’m of the opinion that we get these treasures thrown at us by the way we elect our governments. It is not necessarily the people that get voted in, but the fact that they belong to political parties. As long as a party gets a majority, whether it be federal or provincial, they can do as they wish. If a party can CONvince enough people to vote for them by whatever lies and promises they can conjure up, they have free rein to do as they wish. The only real constraints are the MP’s/MLA’s that are in the winning party’s stable. Seeing as most of them are too busy sucking up to the party leader and the string pullers behind the scenes, we are doomed. The worst part of this scenario is that it matters not which party gets elected. They go from humble servants of the public to an arrogant lot drunk with power.
As I reflect back on the last few elections, I have noticed that the advertising is all about the party and its leader. The candidates that have been running in my riding may as well be the unknown comic, as they are just a name attached to a party, not an individual with any thoughts of their own. They all just spout the party line. I attended an all-candidates meeting for the first time this last provincial election and was never more disappointed in my life. The candidates attached to parties gave very little insight into their views, just those of their party, and the independent candidate who although more forthcoming with some of his ideas was fighting a battle he could not possibly win. I was looking for someone to vote for that may actually at least pretend to represent those that may vote for them, but came to realize that was just a pipedream. I did vote for the independent in the end as I saw him as the least of the evils before me. Alas, he finished last, but at least I have the satisfaction of not having hitched my pony to any of the parties’ wagon.
My idea will never come about in my lifetime, but I believe we will never see good and fair governance until the political party becomes extinct. Only then will the candidates have to earn the votes they get, not just ride the coattails of the party they are runnung for. This would eliminate the influence that business and the unions have on who gets elected, which can only be a good thing. No matter how much the elected parties deny that they are not swayed by who donates to their cause, we know it ain’t so. These financial backers expect and get preference should their particular party win. The voter, you and I, get placed at the back of the bus only to be consulted when the next election comes around. This is just totally unacceptable. I’m sure most people would say this would not work, but what we have now is sure not serving John Q. Public. Who knows, this could even bring the voters back to the ballot box.
20 Powell river persuader // Jul 26, 2009 at 7:29 am
@Crankypants
That was my phone call to Colin Hansen……..
Not only that he wouldn`t answer my question on funerals,until the 3rd caller asked Hansen to to answer the first callers question on funeral homes,I also asked Colin Hansen ………..
” You keep quoting Ontario about that new tax,well the Ontatio goverment is rebating families up 1000.00$$ to help offset the new taxes,when are we BCers going to get our rebate,when can my family expect our cheque”
To which Colin Hansen responded……
“If a builder buys a 2 X 4 he pays PST,with this new tax he will get a credit”
HELLO-HELLO- Answer my question Colin Hansen………
He then moved onto the next caller,he didn`t answer my question on funerals and he acted as if he never heard my question on the Ontario rebate.
Yes,it was a disgusting performance from Hansen……
The fact that he ignored the rebate question,he actually answered it……..
We BCers will get no rebate to help offset the tax,Ontario citizens will get a grand,BCers will get nothing…………
This is the new reality in BC,Campbell has sold so much,gave away so much and signed so many P3 and energy agreements that BC will really mean…..
BRING CASH………….
I urge citizens to march in the streets,refuse to pay any taxes,if we all refuse to pay what can they do?
Gordon Campbell is a (edited) and proven lawbreaker.
And for all you idiots who voted for Campbell,you deserve what you get,unfortunately we smart voters who voted for the lesser of the 2 evils (NDP) we will have to suffer…….
21 Dan // Jul 27, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I wonder if we did not have such bias main stream media in BC in favour of ‘Dear Leader’ Gordo and had real journalist like until the 90′s would they of discovered this lie? would they of reported other things like huge cost over runs to convention centre? Crappy German Ferries? etc like they did with NDP?
This HST would of sunk Gordo during the campaign, but would the bias main stream media of reported it during the election campaign? That Baldry on for Global last Friday was spinning so much you would think this HST was a good thing.
The Libs will win again in 4 years because people will forget this. Remember last year all the screeching and whining about the carbon tax? It did not seem to hurt Gordo.
2013 Libs will have a new leader, the NDP won’t. Plus BC has always been a right wing province, just like Alberta anyway. (even before WAC Bennett), The only 3 times the NDP ever won is when the right is split into two parties. Plus the Bias media does not help. Until the right is split into two parties the NDP will never win again in BC.
Yes this post may be doom and gloom but look since the lib/con coalitions in the 40′s then WAC for many many years. Except for the 3 NDP wins due to vote splitting the rest of the last 70 years has been right wing governments. I do not see that changing. BC is a conservative province provincially and even federally contrary to the popular myth out there that tries to make out were all a bunch of left wing hippies….the elections over the last 70 years prove otherwise..
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