Shifting Right

Rafe Mair: "Who is further right wing, Gordon Campbell or Attila the Hun?"

Gary Collins: "I don't think Attila is running is he?"

Source: CKNW's Rafe Mair show, Friday, Jan. 11, 9:26 AM

Isn't it interesting that the Minister of Finance didn't try to deny that the Premier is right wing? That's not the moderate competent government that BC was promised.

On the eve of the near dismemberment of much of BC's public sector, it was probably unfair to Attila for Rafe to ask for this comparison. "One of the most feared and notorious barbarians of all time," Attila is alleged to have eaten two of his own sons but never his own dominion.

When Ford lays off tens of thousands of workers around the world, 12,000 in Canada, it is hard on those families and fewer trucks get built. When the government of British Columbia lays off one third of the public sector workforce, it is hard on those families and all BC families lose necessary services. Criminals may go free for lack of prosecutors or court time. Jails may close for lack of guards. Children may be at risk for lack of apprehension or alternative family support. Landslides may occur because forestry staff are unable to enforce standards on eroding roads. The people who are laid off are not faceless paper pushing bureaucrats.

People may have decided to buy fewer Ford trucks but they didn't decide that they wanted less justice, policing, security, environmental protection, health or education. It may be fair to compare the impact on the immediate families of Ford workers and public sector workers, but there is no comparison on the further consequences of those layoffs.