Keeping it Real…

BC’s Liberals are wearing the shame and rejection of BC voters over the HST … especially the timing and the way it was introduced.  And on Sept. 8th, the legislative committee will at last start dealing with the petition signed by more than 700,000 British Columbians calling for repeal of the hated tax.

I’m sure there are many, many more who also want the tax repealed or who did not like the way the government brought it in.  Even those who believe the tax shift resulting from the HST is good in the long run for BC’s economy probably disliked Premier Gordon Campbell and Finance Minister Colin Hansen’s handling of the issue.

So there are lots of calls for recall and send the &%#*’s packing.

But the real question surrounding the HST is whether a change of government …to ANY party… would really change anything.

As far as I can determine, the BC NDP has NEVER said it would get rid of the tax.  It has, in my view,  slid around the issue … supporting the petition, some members saying the tax should be repealed, others suggesting it be renegotiated .. but what we need is: a clearly stated party policy enunciated by leader Carol James on WHETHER the NDP would get rid of the tax; when; and what would replace it????

The BC Conservative Party can’t seem to make up its mind. Time for them to tell the voters where they stand.

And the Greens, from what I’ve read, FAVOR the HST … or at least some version of it.

The Liberals were definitely sleazy and deceitful the way they brought the tax in …. but they have at least been clear (after the votes were counted and they won another term in office): they believe the tax is the best way to go.

The public has a right to know CLEARLY where the Opposition parties stand.

Or are they too going to deceive the public with obfuscation and meaningless platitudes just to win public support … and then ignore the public’s wishes once they gain power?

I’m not sure our voters could stand another thumbing of the political noses at our democracy in this way.

Harv Oberfeld

To hold a referendum or not to hold a referendum: THAT is the question….

Whether it would be nobler to let the people vote …. or just get on  with it in the legislature?

I say Get On With It!!!

The referendum process is so flawed all it would do is allow another delay of up to a year, cost $30 million and it would NOT stop the HST.

It’s time for BC’s MLAs to stop hiding,  bring the matter before the legislature and let the voters see exactly where our elected representatives stand on not only the tax …but the huge outpouring of anger and anti-HST sentiment raging across the province.

Those who believe the tax is good for BC should be proud enough to say so in the legislature and publicly vote to support it.

The government might like the referendum option because its MLAs could hide for another year, hoping the public’s emotion s will die down; all the while knowing full well the chances of the vote meeting the requirements for it to pass are realistically impossible.

I realize those who hate the HST might like the idea of a province-wide vote.  They need to keep it real: to pass, the vote would require 50 per cent APPROVAL on not just those who cast ballots but in numbers huge enough to reflect 50 per cent of the registered voters in each riding. Virtually impossible.  

And even then, the referendum results would NOT be binding on the government!

The petition proved the public does have  the power to  pressure our MLAs …..but the fix is clearly in to make sure that, when it comes to holding referendum votes, the public has no real power between elections.

What has to change are the rules governing such referenda …but that’s another battle at another time.

In the meantime, the petition should  be brought before the legislature PRONTO; get the MLAs back to work; and let the people see and hear where they each stand.

Harv Oberfeld