As my past correspondence has so often indicated, I do not agree with all decisions made by our elected officials, at all levels of government. I make up my own mind on issues and I try to be objective and fair.
This HST implementation was, and is, a very emotional issue. A recent contributor writes “I don’t care if the HST is good, bad or indifferent. I care that the Liberals said they would not do something and then right after the election did exactly what they said they would not do.” What party hasn’t done this? This is the point I have not missed. If we let emotions dominate this discussion, the matter will never be resolved properly.
I believe that the subject of the HST may have been bantered about by the Liberal Party prior to the election but was never considered a part of the election platform, nor was the public meant to be deceived. Do you realize what a conspiracy and code of silence would have had to happen to deceive the public prior to the election if the Liberals really intended to implement the HST? The complete Liberal caucus, all civil servants with direct ties to the government, families and confidantes of MLAs, etc. And not one leak — despite some disgruntled MLAs and party members. Surely one cannot believe this conspiracy/deception theory.
I believe Mr. Barisoff when he explains that after the last election, budget estimates were revised and a significant deficit was forecast. I have experienced those situations in business. Circumstances and priorities change. The government can’t wait until the next election to rectify this — they must act firmly and immediately to lessen the negative financial forecast. That is one of the reasons they were elected, and the HST was the best solution (there could have been a significant personal income tax hike instead).
On the related recall issue, I again urge that common sense prevail. Malfeasance in office or official misconduct is the commission of an unlawful act, done in an official capacity, which affects the performance of official duties. Malfeasance in office is often grounds for a “for cause” removal of an elected official by statute or recall election (citation needed). Surely a MLA who casts a vote in Parliament is not committing a crime, and I cannot fathom any cause for removal, no matter what segment of the population disagrees. As I stated previously, this is not fair — therefore it is not right. This is mean-spirited and Canadians are better than this.
Patrick MacDonald
Penticton
Bottle drive a success
The volunteers of the bottle drive held for Nick Golder would like to thank the Penticton Western News, 97.1 SunFM and CIGV radio stations for the advertising they did for us. We would also like to thank the people of Penticton for their donations made.
We were successful at raising $2,300 because of all of you. Nick is doing very well, up and walking on his own, with no aid of walkers or anything, even doing stairs.
Gloria Scott
Penticton