We now have a socialist government, or are they?
Formerly the NDP were called the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, but many considered the CCF party as a communist organization so therefore the name was changed. Now the NDP is the one considered a socialist party that has always supported the working class. This last election changed everything. The NDP did not gain a majority, so they asked the Green Party to join them so that they could govern with a minority government. This is perfectly legal and has happened many time before in B.C. politics, but in this case I am afraid of what might happen to our economy.
The Green Party is a environmental movement, a noble cause, but they have difficulty balancing the economy and their principles. Now they literally hold the power as they have a swing vote that can veto any bill put through the legislature that they think would endanger the environment, even if various agencies have decided that there would be no danger.
The NDP, the working man’s political party, has caved in to the minorities to gain votes at the expense of the labour unions and the working class. I have been for the unions my whole working life and at one time a NDP supporter, but never again, or at least not until this government is defeated.
We might have been against Christy Clark, but at least she kept the economy going. If this government starts shutting down the industries with their plans to block proposed pipelines, halting oil explorations and logging etc., we are in for a rough time. Thousand will become unemployed and our hard earned social safety nets such as healthcare and education will be decimated. The B.C. economy depends on the exploration, production and sales of our natural resources, and without we will see a major increase in personal taxes. This is a reality as the government has no money of its own, relying on licenses, business taxes, royalties, personal taxes and other forms of hidden taxes that keep the government, and what we consider our entitlements operational.
I plead with all citizens to voice your opinions in a loud and firm voice if this government tries to do anything to destroy what we have worked for so long. B.C. is a wonderful place to live in and we have to protect what we have and to ensure that we have a bright and prosperous future for us and our children.
Donald Thorsteinson
Penticton
