Coalition for BC ..good idea bad idea? What do you think?

[Gerrie]

I'm not sure what I think about this. Saw it as a link from one of the recall sites.

http://www.coalitionforbc.ca/

[PHrank]

Hello sister,

You already know my opinion. Our system of democracy provides for a governing party and an opposition party.

Lacking a significant opposition, there are no checks and balances against run-away politicians.

Coalition Governmennts force oppositon. The members must always reach decisions by negotiation, compromise and consensus.

Another example of two or more like minded entities joined in the union of a common cause.

Damn pinko commies, anyways.

[Willcan]

Originally posted by Gerrie
I'm not sure what I think about this. Saw it as a link from one of the recall sites.

http://www.coalitionforbc.ca/

Sounds interesting. My only concern is that I feel rather nervous about organizations put together specifically to defeat one party or another. Which is the sense I get from this. At least that's my feeling now.

[FightforBC]

I think you cannot ask bcrecall to do more than just what it describes it is doing. Hence, you need a recognized "Entity" to be represented for the Province. IE: Whom would the Liberals address themselves to: bcrecall of delta, pointgrey.. etc...?? I think that THE IDEA IS the right one and that is all that matters for now. I agree with Phrank's theory, but.. practice must come into action and rapidly. We must always keep the first goal in mind and this CoalitionBC is precisely doing this.
PS: Besides, I am pretty sure that I have a lot of friends working on this, and I would feel like a damned fool to have proscratinated on this! Time will tell for the rest but Time is the ESSENCE here for quick and efficient action and I thank Gerrie for her rich input.
Gerrie to the podium please, you have earned the medal of:


Addendum: In the ""Bastille" days, they did not ponder as much as we do!!!!
PS: Yep, sure enough! I know two of these people; no jokers there and they really had my respect way back, I would say they were outstanding so I can only be positive about it at present.

[OPINIONATED]

Originally posted by Willcan
Sounds interesting. My only concern is that I feel rather nervous about organizations put together specifically to defeat one party or another. Which is the sense I get from this. At least that's my feeling now.

Don't know what I think of it at this point - but have to smile at your 'point' Willcan - I smile -

as, what do you think the Liberal Party is ? ?

It's ALL ABOUT A RIGHTWING Coalition - and it worked didn't it ?

[Willcan]

I quite agree. The BCLiberal party is a coalition of rightwingers used to get rid of the NDP. But the Liberals did have an alternative. Themselves. These people don't seem to be interetsted in forming a political party, and don't seem to be too interested in working with the existing parties. My first impression is that they are solely interested in getting rid of the Liberals.

What do they want to replace them with?

[Gerrie]

My idea is..we need to do something. Otherwise bear this type of ruling..reigning..for more years to come. I don't know alot about coalitions..but this is what I understand. We all have to work together..and quit the infighting that the Liberals have bred in us...through their propaganda machines.

Bottom line...we ALL have to work together for the changes that WE want to see happen in BC...for the good of the people..for the good of the province, for the future..for the children.

[OPINIONATED]

Originally posted by Willcan
I quite agree. The BCLiberal party is a coalition of rightwingers used to get rid of the NDP. But the Liberals did have an alternative. Themselves. These people don't seem to be interetsted in forming a political party, and don't seem to be too interested in working with the existing parties. My first impression is that they are solely interested in getting rid of the Liberals.

What do they want to replace them with?

=====
O.K. we agree the Liberals are a mish mash of Rightwingers, recycled Socreds, Tories, Reform etc.

You state the Liberals had an alternative - "themselves". My thought on that, is many original 'liberals' didn't even know what was happening to them or what they had become [as evidenced on old canada.com forums - with posters such as "Truelib" ] - meaning this is HOW they thought of themselves - compared to what they got with Campbell's Libs. These "True Libs" were outraged - with how Campbell turned out. There's a lot of people out there only JUST realizing they are not TRUE Lib any more.

Maybe this site and "these people' you speak of on this Coalition are interested in forming a Party, who knows ? - as I pointed out first post, I don't know what to think of them - yet, so I'm one who will see how it plays out - I try to understand, before I jump into anything.

[Gerrie]

I don't know the number of times I have seen posts on petitions and in letters to the editor...stating that THIS is not a true Liberal government. That the speaker was a Liberal supporter and would not be supporting this current version of Liberal in any next election..that they were disappointed and ashamed.

As for the coalition. Everyone has had this question: What do we put in place..if recall frees up a riding ..ousts a Liberal MLA? Obviously there has to be an option..or the Liberals just retake that seat ..right? Up to now, we really haven't seen any ideas.

I say if the Coalition is all that we have..then maybe we should support it...coalition in itself keeping everyone honest...right? We need some sanity happening here. The Lib government is a runaway horse...taking us with them...straight to the bottom. Something needs to be done..and soon.

"You state the Liberals had an alternative - "themselves". My thought on that, is many original 'liberals' didn't even know what was happening to them or what they had become [as evidenced on old canada.com forums - with posters such as "Truelib"


What do you guys think?

[Willcan]

"We are not calling for a new political party. We're not asking for the NDP or the Greens to step aside or park their own programs"

That looks to me like they have no interest in forming a new party, at least at this stage.

From their question and answer section:

"Are you proposing to form a new political party?

No. Our concern is that under our 'first past the post' electoral system, if the existing political parties – the NDP and the Greens – split the vote in the next election, even if a majority of British Columbians reject the Liberal agenda, they can still get back in. "

While I might fully agree with getting rid of the Liberals, I don't know if I can get behind and support a Coalition with the sole aim of getting rid of them.

"The concept is not a “NDP-Green Coalition”. It is an effort to forge a broader electoral strategy that engages everyone who is >serious about defeating the Liberals in 2005< – for example, the many BC Liberal Party supporters who are unhappy with the direction that Gordon Campbell has taken are a crucial component of this proposal. "

>< marks added by me.


They seem concerned by the left, NDP and Green supporters, splitting the votes and thus letting the Liberals back in. But they don't endorse one party or the other.

Before I could support them I'd need to know what alternative are they proposing. I'm not interested in playing a game of political king of the hill.

Still it is early in the game. We'll see how it pans out as the election grows closer.

[FightforBC]

Well I know the man from the BCTeacher's federation, he was the most straightforward person I have ever had a meeting with, the most helpful and goal oriented. He was just a rare "pearl", realistic and honest.
I know the person from Anti Poverty movement. She has been fighting for Anti Poverty for 20 or 30 years now. I don't think they aim at dis-uniting anyone, just the present ''''Regime"""
They are fighters for "what is right for the Province" They come from varied backgrounds but solid ones, if you want to take the time to compare to some constituents from previous caucus.ses!!!
I barely dare write names here!!!