Dear Editor:
After 12 years in power, the Liberal party had become arrogant and detached from ordinary people. Give credit to Christy Clarke for putting a fresh face on an old sow. She was aided by the departure of so many cabinet ministers responsible for the harmonized sales tax, B.C. rail, stadium roof and other betrayals of the public trust.
However, most of the blame must fall on Adrian Dix and the NDP.
Dix never showed how effective restraints protecting the environment could co-exist with a resource-based economy that creates jobs for British Columbians.
The party didn't tell us how it would counter the climate of secrecy, corporate cronyism and entitlement that had engulfed the Liberal government in recent years.
Dix's weak response to concerns about his backdating mini-scandal made it seem like he was part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
The NDP mistakenly believed that feel-good slogans and generalities would inspire confidence in B.C. voters.
Finally, it didn't forcefully advocate for electoral reform, although, unlike the Liberals, it at least supported a ban on corporate and union contributions. So now the money-power of the big corporations and media will continue to dominate campaigns - as amply demonstrated by the TV ads of the past few months.
Once again, a winner-take-all governing party has all the power with 44 per cent of the vote. Once again over-paid legislators from both parties will mouth empty rhetoric in the legislature instead of constructively debating and crafting laws that meet the needs of the people. The money-power of corporate insiders will continue to speak loudest in the backrooms of the premier's office while the backbenchers are whipped into shape.
Meanwhile, a regressive tax and user-pay agenda benefiting big corporations and the wealthy will continue to worsen poverty and economic inequality. It's business as usual in B.C. The corporate bottom line is the only value that matters.
Mike Divine, New Westminster
