Mr Delaney Comes A'courtin'

and he wants your vote

By now you've heard of the new BC First Party. I don't know what to make of these guys. They seem to stand for everything, which usually winds up meaning they stand for nothing in particular.
I like the name. That won't surprise anyone. I like the first principle stated:

1. A BC first approach that will protect and promote the interests of British Columbia and its "citizens" (quotes mine) as the first priority.

If they mean BC's answer to the PQ, without all the socialists, great, I'm all for it.
Then they come with:

2. Limited constitutional government based on consent of the governed.
3. Government that is accountable to the people with workable Initiative, Recall and Referenda enshrined in a BC Constitution.
4. A free, open and competitive private sector as the primary engine of economic activity and growth.

Well, we were going just great until "primary engine" caught my eye. This would seem to indicate a 'mixed' economy approach, that old canerdian 'just a pinch of collectivism' thing. Mix a quart of ice cream and a pint of dog shit and the result will taste more like dog shit than ice cream. Then, blame the bad taste on the ice cream and add more dog shit ...
Same old same old.

5. A social conscience that protects the most vulnerable in society and provides care for those in need.

Oh good, they're 'compassionate'. I was frightened they might not be. /sarc

6. A universal health care system that is efficient, affordable and of the highest quality.

They can make that work at last. Uh huh.

7. A world class education system that is accessible, affordable and respects diversity.

See above. And you gotta love the 'diversity' bit. If by 'love' we mean 'feel faintly nauseated by.'

8. Fiscally responsible government that lives within its means.

No problem, aside from 5, 6, and 7 above making that impossible. Really. Sounds good. *snort*
Not a great first impression I'm afraid. We'll see. Heaven knows I'm desperate for an alternative.


http://www.bcfirst.ca/

For Gordie Campbell

Don't let the screen door hit ya in the ass, Gordie.

Idiots, Useful and Otherwise

" ... And now let's really hear it for those two giants of sanity - Mr John "Ozzie" "Frybrain" Osbourne and the Ayatollah's pal - Steven Cat Yusuf Georgiou Stevens Islam - who hasn't burned Salman Rushdie or stoned any women to death for adultery - yet - as far as I know - but hey - the day's not over - right, Yo? We'll see what we can do for ya! ..."