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Post by WettCoast on May 15, 2013 20:44:51 GMT -8
I am sure that I read/heard somewhere (perhaps earlier in this thread) that Christie Clark promised, if re-elected, to relieve BCFS of $1 billlion of their debt. But she also promised not to 'grow' the provincial debt. I don't think she will be able to keep both promises...
Something has to change at BC Ferries, and soon. Doing nothing is not an option.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on May 15, 2013 20:47:31 GMT -8
On Nick's point, I believe the turnout figure is around 52%, a smidgen higher than last time. I vacillate between thinking that somehow something has to be done to motivate more people to vote, and saying to hell with them. I have no respect for someone who can't move their rump out to a polling place to vote every year or so, so perhaps things should just be left to those of us who do care. I don't know.
Paul, I think you've actually been following politics since before '82- as I have- and I agree; I've never seen an NDP campaign like this one. Adrian Dix was probably looking at the success of the Jack Layton campaign. Unfortunately, Adrian isn't Jack. He's a policy wonk, and although he may be a very decent fellow, he does not have Jack Layton's ability to connect with people, or appear genuine.
My feelings about Dix have changed a number of times. I was appalled when the party picked him as leader over Mike Farnworth and John Horgan, since he seemed so doctrinaire. But then he reached out to Carole James, brought her back into the inner circle, and seemed to heal the divisions within the party, and also confounded everyone who accused him of being too radical. The NDP moved steadily ahead in the, ahem, polls. Then I started hearing Dix on the radio- at times having to turn the sound up because he was speaking so quietly- and I began thinking that this guy was too laid back to motivate anyone. Then the election came, and I respected the positive tone that he seemed committed to, as compared to the shrill, alarmist, negative tone of the Clark Liberals.
And then last night, and another rethink. Now I'm wondering if he can grow as leader, as Jane Sterk did from her almost embarrassing first run in '09. Again, I don't know.
Lots of navel gazing ahead for the NDP... again. It's what they do best, and thanks to unending electoral defeats, what they always have lots of time for.
I've never voted for anyone else. Talk about an appetite for punishment.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on May 15, 2013 20:52:23 GMT -8
Christy Clark has lost her seat in government to the NDP; so, she might not be Premier of BC anymore because of this.
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Post by WettCoast on May 15, 2013 21:09:50 GMT -8
Now I'm wondering if he can grow as leader ... I am convinced, reluctantly, that dirty negative campaigning with sleazy personal attack ads works and is unfortunately the best strategy. It has worked well for Harper and it worked very well for the Clark Liberals. Dix's failure to fight fire with fire cost the NDP this election. Dix is a failure and has to go, IMHO.
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mrdot
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Mr. DOT
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Post by mrdot on May 15, 2013 21:27:53 GMT -8
:)I don't know if this is 'happy face' or just put on a happy face, but there is no doubt that slezzy hate adds do work in the yankee style political arena and in this game, nice guys finish last, and good looks goes along way in this 'shallow arena sport' a 'pea brain' can even net you top billing a the 'tea party' eg., Sarah Pallan! I couldn't fine the NRA gunsight target, before prayer! mrdot.
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Post by dofd on May 15, 2013 22:41:36 GMT -8
:)I don't know if this is 'happy face' or just put on a happy face, but there is no doubt that slezzy hate adds do work in the yankee style political arena and in this game, nice guys finish last, and good looks goes along way in this 'shallow arena sport' a 'pea brain' can even net you top billing a the 'tea party' eg., Sarah Pallan! I couldn't fine the NRA gunsight target, before prayer! mrdot. Charlton Heston for the NRA. He did not have to be pretty. As for the election, proof is in the data. 100 percent of BC cares, just not enough to make a trip to vote. Now, my question is that with a low voting turn out, people must be happy? I think most people vote when they feel trapped. Next election I am running on the platform: free everything.
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Post by Mike C on May 16, 2013 14:44:37 GMT -8
The ridiculously low voter turnout for this election has made compulsory voting somewhat of a topic of conversation here. I spent some time this morning looking at how other countries execute this strategy, specifically Australia, as that is the political system we have the most in common with. Australia has compulsory voting, with a $20 fine attached if you don't: www.aec.gov.au/faqs/voting_australia.htmI'm interested to hear people's thoughts on this?
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Post by Starsteward on May 17, 2013 21:06:04 GMT -8
The Election of 2013: 1. To the 52% of the electorate who cast a ballot for whomever: Thank-you for upholding the most fundamental cornerstone of a democracy: The hard-fought right to vote! Think of the millions of people around the world that just WISH they could do the same thing. 2. To the 48% of the electorate who thought they had a legitimate excuse for going to the voting place and at least being counted, no matter how or if they marked their ballot, you have no legitimate right to speak to any decision or action that the newly elected government may bring to bear upon the people of B.C. for the next 4 years! You have chosen NOT to participate in a democracy! 3. Kudos to the BC Liberals for zeroing in on the 'nerve centre' of all issues: Jobs: which equate to paychecks, which allows one to keep their shelter, food, and other necessities of life with some degree of confidence. At the end of the day, all other matters aside, what is more fundamental to ones basic survival? 4. Attack ads do work, and work very well especially when there is no push-back from those being attacked! It is all well and good to play 'nice'but unfortunately 'nice' does not equate to the creation and sustaining of a strong economy. 5. If ever the old adage of: 'Better the devil you know than the devil you don't', ever applied to this political exercise, we witnessed, in shock and disbelief that there are times when old adages should be believed. 6. Memo to the BC NDP: You picked the wrong jockey for the NDP horse, as, in my opinion did the Federal gang with the election of Thomas Mulchair as National leader. You had your chance(s), and you blew it! 7. I believe a healthy future for BC Ferries is in serious jeopardy!
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Post by dofd on May 17, 2013 23:10:31 GMT -8
"7. I believe a healthy future for BC Ferries is in serious jeopardy!"
I do not think it is going to be so major that it will be more unhealthy then it is. But,it is going to need some major revamping. But then again it comes down to tax dollars. Maybe the feds can cover more, they pay for most or all of the east coast.
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Post by DENelson83 on May 19, 2013 0:15:08 GMT -8
Well one thing's for sure, the farebox is absolutely the worst place for BC Ferries to look in for most of its revenue. This vicious circle of higher fares and declining ridership feeding each other needs to end. And if the government can't find a way to stop it, well that's their problem, not passengers'.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 7, 2013 20:06:48 GMT -8
....and the new Minister of Transportation is: Todd Stone (Transportation and Infrastructure, Deputy House Leader)
Who is he?
Perhaps he's a fan of the Adams Lake ferry or the McClure ferry?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2013 20:36:11 GMT -8
The ridiculously low voter turnout for this election has made compulsory voting somewhat of a topic of conversation here. I spent some time this morning looking at how other countries execute this strategy, specifically Australia, as that is the political system we have the most in common with. Australia has compulsory voting, with a $20 fine attached if you don't: www.aec.gov.au/faqs/voting_australia.htmI'm interested to hear people's thoughts on this? I just watched the news story regarding Clark appointing her new cabinet. At least she has a mandate to govern, but what's a mandate when the majority of the province didn't even vote? A 49% voter turnout is unheard of in my other province (Quebec); the election last September had an average voter turnout of 75%. I wouldn't be entirely opposed to a "fine" if one didn't vote. However, the logistics of enforcing this law would infringe on our civil liberties.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 7, 2013 20:58:32 GMT -8
....and the new Minister of Transportation is: Todd Stone (Transportation and Infrastructure, Deputy House Leader) Who is he? Perhaps he's a fan of the Adams Lake ferry or the McClure ferry? The pessimist in me says they will continue full speed ahead with Lower Mainland bridge replacements & with highway 4-laning in the Cariboo (where it isn't needed). Neglect of transportation issues for the Coast beyond Vancouver will continue. With BCF teetering on the brink of insolvency though, they will have to mandate further service cuts.
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Post by Mike C on Jun 7, 2013 21:30:28 GMT -8
....and the new Minister of Transportation is: Todd Stone (Transportation and Infrastructure, Deputy House Leader) Who is he? Perhaps he's a fan of the Adams Lake ferry or the McClure ferry? The pessimist in me says they will continue full speed ahead with Lower Mainland bridge replacements & with highway 4-laning in the Cariboo (where it isn't needed). Neglect of transportation issues for the Coast beyond Vancouver will continue. With BCF teetering on the brink of insolvency though, they will have to mandate further service cuts. One thing is for sure: with the Minister presiding for Kamloops and the interior, the inland ferry customers will continue to receive the preferential treatment when it comes to fares (i.e. 100% subsidized). Jim, with the 'same old herd' back in power, I think your predictions are fairly accurate, re. the lack of change in direction for this government's transportation priorities.
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Post by nelson6364 on Jun 10, 2013 11:05:47 GMT -8
Before everyone gets too excited about Vancouver residents getting special treatment remember that they are paying about $.10 per liter gas tax as well as paying transit (including bridges and highways)taxes on hydro bills, property taxes and parking. In addition they are paying the same provincial taxes as everyone else that funds BC Ferries, the inland ferries and the provincial highway system.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 17, 2015 15:06:01 GMT -8
As part of the BC Budget process, each Ministry releases its Service Plan document for the upcoming year. Here is this item for 2015/16 for the BC Ministry of Transportation: HEREIt's just a standard report, updated for new projects and new directions (oops, that's an old NDP gov't health-care buzzword) ----------- ps: I'm just borrowing this old thread, rather than starting a 1-off new item. As always, forum counsellors are standing-by for those who are distressed by thread ambiguities.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 3, 2018 18:56:28 GMT -8
Todd Stone is now officially out of the running for the BC Liberal Party leadership.
The computer already knows the winner on the ranked-ballot voting, but they are announcing each stage of the results separately, with party music in between.
Dianne Watts leads...
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