Mason Hammers It
Below are four paragraphs taken from Gary Mason's column on BC politics published in yesterday's Globe & Mail. I can only add please read the entire piece. Esepcially the part about Patrick Kinsella's business partner being granted a gaming license. It is simply one of the best things written recently about the tenuous state of what passes for democracy in this logging camp.
The very sight of simple-minded geeks happily spending their Saturday afternoons nailing up Gordon Campbell signs on their auto-sprinklered lawns makes me sick. What's worse is that the fools smile at us as we pass. Soon we turn to each other and say, "Those sticks will be good for peas or green beans in a few weeks."
Friends of government, friends of the Premier, people who have played pivotal behind-the-scenes roles with the governing Liberal party can do all manner of lobbyist-like work and not have to tell a soul.
Beyond that, Mr. Kinsella has done consulting work for a dizzying number of private companies, work which has put him in touch with government officials. Yet he has never registered with the provincial registrar of lobbyists because, he says, his work doesn't meet the legal definition of lobbying. Yet, he appears to be doing exactly the same type of work that most registered lobbyists are doing.
When the provincial registrar of lobbyists attempted to investigate Mr. Kinsella's activities, the Liberal insider refused to co-operate. And that was the end of that.
The Liberals have been promising over the last few years to toughen up the province's lobbyist laws but nothing has happened. It would appear they're in no hurry to upset friends making millions in the lobbying business.
3 comments:
Gordo has made fools of all of us. From the Wall affair where he lied about his relationship to the Basi Basi Virk affair to the BC Rail "sale" and Kinsella the taxpayers of this province are having public assets transferred, sold, and granted to the new Carpetbaggers. If this poor excuse for a Liberal party is reelected hang on to your wallet or move across to Rockies to a more truly friendly taxpaying government because here it will be pay, pay, pay until your bank account is empty and the province is in the hands of the modern robber barons.
In my case, you're preaching to the choir, but please keep preaching and hopefully those who are on the fence will be convinced to vote against the Liberals. I'm looking to Mel Lehan.
Cheers,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xjPODksI08
Mo.
David,
This election really is a question of ethical values. Do voters want a government that operates on the "Let the buyer beware" approach of doing business, or the principle of "Informed consent"?
It's hard to fathom how Campbell can brag about being a good friend of business after the screwing over the business folks on Cambie got. It seems all this government has to do to avoid responsibility for failures is to set up "arm's length" organizations to do their high risk/expensive projects (Translink, Private-Public projects, etc.). No wonder a person with integrity like Carole Taylor bailed out.
DC
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