HST Town Hall Is A Sham

 My phone rang last night. It hardly ever rings at night.

  The government  wanted me to participate in the biggest spin on the HST to date. According to them the audience was massive. Over 26,000 people online in the Interior (I still choose to use Interior over Campbells' rebranding us the hinterlands.)

  I sat through their automated instructions and then it started to get real phony. They asked an automated question about how I would like to redistribute the hords of money they were getting from us. Should they use it for things like Health, Education, Blah blah blah? The whole question misses the point. They assume by asking it that (a) we actually want to be ripped off or; (b) they are not going to get rid of it. Or (c) both of the above They did not give us an answer of "none of the above". And the framing of the question and answers tells me only one thing. They can take this back to the public saying that we want the HST and we want the money to go to specific social programs.

  As I type this I am sitting here wondering how god damn stupid do they think we are? They must be looking at some odds and are thinking they may have enough people out there to believe this crap. 

  So I listened through four people who had questions to ask. It struck me that these were not spontaneous but possibly prepared questions. The reason I say this is because I had a million questions to ask and couldn't narrow it down to one only.

  At any rate the answers were bogus. The are obviously framed as an election answer and scare tactics.

  The liberal government keeps referring to a question of how we are going to pay back the 1.6 billion bribe they got from Harper.

  First of all it's not our bloody problem. It's theirs. My answer is to set a special tax on big business who are benefiting from this and pay it back.

  Secondly $235 Million was seed money. A gift. Or as I call it, a bribe from the Federal Government to accept this deal. A deal by the way which was only accepted after the Liberal government mismanaged our economy. And don't give me any of this bullshit about how they were surprised about a recession. They saw it coming just as the rest of the world did. But they needed to get elected at all costs and I allege they did it with a lie.

  I finally hung up, yelling some of my choicest words into the phone, when it was mentioned very vaguely that the Federal Government would set the tax rates. 

  And that to me is the biggest problem other than it's a tax shift from the rich to the poor. If Harper wants more money then he will raise the HST rate. Don't think for one minute that when he says he will raise the GST that is true. As it stands we in BC do not have GST or PST. It's HST period. And the Liberals, nor any future government, having given away our right within the province to set our own provincial taxes can't even protest.

Then thre is this from the CBC

 

 

HST costing B.C. families $350 a year

By CBC News

CBC News

An independent government report on the HST has concluded the majority of British Columbians are paying more at the cash register since the introduction of the HST, but low income families are actually paying less. But the report says that while many British Columbians are paying more tax now, rolling...

Click here to view this content.

Following is an added comment by a friend who sent me the CBC report:

 The independent report was developed by the Liberal government appointed committee. The report acknowledges that the HST is a taxation shift from business to the consumer that is not revenue neutral as claimed and will only increase in the taxes collected from the consumer as time passes.

And then my comment:

The report also uses unproven statements and gives us words such as "likely" to possibly scare us into thinking that we have a problem in cancelling this money grab. As I said at the beginning it is not our problem, it's the problem for the liberal party of BC. 

UPDATE: for a good review on the Dinning Report with a link see our friend Gran G at  The Straight Goods

Olympic Green Buses Turning Dirty? Oil Spill In The Peace Country?

In talking with an acquaintance recently they informed me that those Olympic Green Buses used during the the Olympics, the ones that burn Hydrogen Gas, have ALL been sent to the US for a refit.

A refit that will convert them from Clean Hydrogen Gas to Dirty Diesel Fuel.

I am still trying to get more info on this possible travesty. I can find no public information on this situation, and if I do I will report it here.
Also this just in.....An anonymous user reported at The Straight Goods that CBC was reporting on an OIL SPILL in the Peace Country. I am watching the news right now and can not find anything on this.
MORE TO FOLLOW

Followup:

Rainbow Incident Information Page On this page you will find a description of the Rainbow pipeline system, the incident that was confirmed on 4/29/11, media statements and remediation efforts.  Plains is under no obligation to keep this website updated; however, we will attempt to update this page as the situation merits. Description of Rainbow Pipeline SystemPlains Midstream Canada, ULC is the 100% owner and operator of the Rainbow system, which consists of a 480-mile, 20-inch to 24-inch mainline crude oil pipeline extending from the Norman Wells Pipeline located in Zama, Alberta to Edmonton, Alberta and 114 miles of gathering pipelines. The system has a throughput capacity of approximately 220,000 barrels per day and transported approximately 187,000 barrels per day during 2010. Description of the incident/initial responseAt approximately 7:30 a.m. (Mountain time) on April 29, 2011 we confirmed a release of crude oil along a remote section of the Rainbow pipeline, in the Evi area, located east of Peace River, AB.  We have initiated our emergency response procedures. Valves in the pipeline have been closed, isolating the damaged area of the pipeline. Southbound flows from Nipisi remain in service.  Environmental assessment staff, spill response specialists, and monitoring equipment are being mobilized. Our crews are working to contain the spill, minimize its impact, and begin clean-up efforts.  Plains has contacted appropriate regulatory agencies, as well as local municipal government officials. Updates (In reverse Chronological Order) 12:30 p.m. MST -- Thursday, May 5th We have recovered approximately 300 m3 (~1900 bbls) of the oil.  (approximately 7% of estimated spill volume).   Recovery efforts continue 24 hrs per day.  8:00 a.m. MST -- Thursday, May 5th Physical pipeline repairs have been completed.  We are awaiting regulatory approval to restart the line.  The oil has been contained and recovery efforts are ongoing.  1:00 a.m. MST -- Wednesday, May 4th The pipeline has been excavated and examined by the Alberta authorities.  Based on this inspection and the recently interpreted results of pipeline integrity tool runs, it appears this is a singular failure and not a systemic problem.  Plains is working to repair the line and bring it into service as quickly as possible.  11:30 p.m. MST -- Tuesday, May 3rd Plains Midstream Canada (PMC) is fully engaged in an aggressive response to a pipeline spill in northern Alberta on the company’s Rainbow Pipeline.  The oil is physically contained within a 0.8 kilometers (half a mile) by 50 meter (150 feet) area. Facts about the emergency response: Since day one, PMC has engaged in a 24-hour response effort.  PMC Sr. Management was involved from the onset and arrived on the scene within 12 hrs to lead the response effort. The spill site is located in a very remote and densely forested area, requiring a substantial construction effort in connection with oil recovery efforts. Two roads were built through the forest so workers and equipment could be transported to the north and south ends of the spill site. PMC secured 1400 wooden mats (“rig matting”) from across Alberta to build temporary wooden access roads over the soft muskeg conditions. Approximately 100 response personnel are currently on the scene and involved in recovery and remediation operations.  Specialty all-terrain heavy equipment were on site since day two, including 10 amphibious track-mounted vehicles for transporting workers and material.  Three transfer stations with tanks and trucking facilities have been constructed to facilitate the transfer of collected oil and servicing of vehicles. Electrical generators are on site and 25 lighting plants are being used so work can continue through the night. 46 pieces of heavy equipment have been brought to the site to support the cleanup. “We have a full complement of specialists at the scene,” stated Roy Lamoreaux, Director Investor Relations.  “We have secured all necessary people and equipment for our response and cleanup effort." “The oil is in place, and we expect to retrieve a substantial portion of this spill with our recovery equipment.  A remediation program will follow the cleanup, which will include removal and replacement of contaminated soil and replanting vegetation on the affected area,” said Lamoreaux.   PMC is working closely with a number of regulatory agencies including Alberta Environment and the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board “ERCB,” and providing reports to other government agencies involved in the spill.  1:30 p.m. MST -- Tuesday, May 3rd Recovery: - 3 skimmers are now deployed on site (up from 2); - Another 2 skimmers are on site and will be established to increase collection rate; - Oil collection and removal continues.   Repair: - 1st stopple fitting installed and plug set isolating the rupture from the north side further isolating the rupture from the north; - 2nd stopple fitting welded, plug to be set Tuesday further isolating the rupture from the south; - Replacement pipe has been hydrotested.    - 3rd party lab has been appointed and protocols established for analysis of failed pipe section (to be sent to lab post inspection by ERCB); - Target to have physical line repair completed by end of this week; - Actual restart timing contingent on regulatory approval. Other: - Investigation into cause continues. 5:40 a.m. MST – Monday, May 2nd  -- Oil recovery operation continued through the night.  -- Product collected on site and shipments to Nipisi commenced at 2:50 a.m. (ahead of the 4:00 a.m. target). 9:30 p.m. MST – Sunday, May 1st  --Approximately 100 response personnel on site. -- Road access with rig matting is complete at South entrance to spill site. (The spill site is located in a wet/muddy and wooded environment, which has required substantial     work to provide vehicle access.  Work required to provide access includes: clearing trees and building a road of timber “rig matting” so rubber-tired vehicles can travel on the      newly matted roads); -- Oil skimmers have been established and oil collection has commenced; -- Plains Midstream Canada's Nipisi terminal (south of affected area) configured to accept delivery of skim oil; -- Continuing to place matting to establish road access to the repair site and north end of the spill; 4:20 p.m. MST -- Saturday, April 30th    -- Remediation efforts are ongoing and active 24 hrs per day.  The following resources have been deployed to assist in the remediation efforts: - 63 response personnel are now on site, another 41 are enroute or on standby nearby; - 46 pieces of equipment are on site including: vehicles, generator sets, office trailers, spill response trailers, medial aid equipment, etc.; 10:50 a.m. MST -- Saturday, April 30th -- Approximately 50% of the daily volumes handled by Rainbow (movements from Nipisi south to Edmonton) are unaffected.

Harper Trying To Manupilate BC and the HST Referendum

 The following was e-mailed to me and it deserves looking into.

 

The hated HST put Stephen Harper in hot water today, and his attempts to distance himself from the tax are only making things worse, says New Democrat MP Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster).

Harper told reporters this morning “I want to be clear, I don't want to get involved in this issue.”

At the same time he admitted that BC would be required to repay the $1.6 billion HST transfer payment if British Columbians reject the tax in June’s referendum.

“Mr. Harper says he doesn’t want to get involved, yet he’s holding a $1.6 billion dollar hammer over the heads of British Columbians,” said Julian. “His attempts to distance himself from the HST are falling flat, and that’s why he’s going to lose seats to the NDP in BC.”

Julian noted that the HST came about after Harper approached Gordon Campbell in the first place.

“Mr. Harper worked with Gordon Campbell to impose the HST on BC, he sweetened the deal with a $1.6 billion transfer payment, he rammed the tax through Parliament – and every single one of his BC MPs went along with it,” said Julian.

“Now Mr. Harper is struggling to pretend he had nothing to do with it, but it’s not working. The Conservatives are tripping all over themselves on this issue,” said Julian.

Julian also noted that federal Liberal MPs from BC are also in hot water because they voted for the HST.

“That’s why Mr. Harper acknowledged today that the race in BC is between Conservatives and New Democrats,” said Julian. “British Columbians feel betrayed by both the Conservatives and the Liberals.”

Earlier in the campaign, Jack Layton committed to British Columbians he would not force BC to repay the $1.6 billion back if the tax is rejected in June’s referendum.

 

So, the way I see it.

First Harper lied to the people when he said he wouldn't get involved then immediately threatened us by saying we'd have to give back the money (1.6 Billion). That statement alone tells me that he is going to rob us of $235 Million. Why? Because that was the amount o the gift/bribe/seed money that he GAVE the province for taking the deal.

 

Next Iggy has told us that he may raise the GST. That tax is part of the HST in BC. So up goes a tax that we cannot already afford. By the way we have no recourse in BC with the HST if any Federal Government wants to raise our taxes. Gordon Campbell (the best person to anage our money) sealed that fate by forcing this tax on us.

Finally, Jack Layton will not penalize us for reversing this money grab.

I know who I'm voting for. Do you?

 

It's Time For A Fresh Party To Govern The Country

     It's no secret that I have voted NDP in the past . Both Federally and Provincially.

     For reasons I won't go into here I will not be voting for the Provincial NDP nor the Liberals but will either vote BC First or a Independent Candidate if there will be one running for the position of MLA.

     But for the upcoming Federal election I will be voting for the Federal NDP candidate Michael Crawford  in my riding.of Kamloops -Thompson -Cariboo I will also be actively campaigning against our present MP Cathy McLeod  for the sole reason that she openly supports HST in BC.

There is no doubt that the HST is hurting seniors and low income families. There is also no doubt that it is helping big business.

Remember when this ta was being forced on us and Campbell and Hansen were telling us how it will allow business to lower prices. We knew that was a bald faced lie then. and we have the proof now. I'd like anyone out there to prove to e that prices have lowered. So people will say "well liquor was lowered". Bullshit. And it's on record that the Liberals, when they saw that was going to happen, raised the price accordingly.

As far as other prices going down, business is now saying "well we haven't had a raise in quite a while, so we'll use this as a raise." What a pathetic god damn excuse. The HST is nothing but a ripoff of our meager wages and another way to give out corporate welfare.
As for Voting NDP Federally. Their time has come. For more than 100 years, big business money has run this country. They would have you believe that the NDP would ruin the country. What proof do they have?
None. Absolutely squat. It's a scare tactic that is backed by the big business media in this country. There is no evidence of the NDP ruining the country because they have never been elected as the Governing Party

If you disagree with me let me know. Give me some evidence. Otherwise, just gou out and vote anyone but the Bloc, Liberals, or conservatives.

Canada.com won't use the word crap.

 My response to an article in the province about the conservative spin on a "coalition" that defeated them was met by what I think is ridiculous editing by the editors

What's all this (my original post said "crap") BS about a coalition? Had this criminal government been defeated by a predetermined agreement about the budget then Maybe there would be a coalition But they were defeated  on a non confidence motion because they were in contempt of parliament. They had contempt for the voters they are supposed to represent and were defeated by the Her Majesties Loyal Opposition.
And I might add here that the NDP are the only party that hasn't had the chance to screw up. All those that keep spouting about doom and gloom if the NDP are elected had better come up with irrefutable proof that they will screw
Crap could mean a few things like stuff laying around or shit. But BS only means one thing. Bullshit.
Go figure

Patience

     We are going through a bit of a crisis in the house of "E". I realize it has been a  month since my last post, and will attempt to post more regularly but or now I ask for your patience.
Once the problems have been worked through we will be back in force. In the meantime I will post a ew that are sitting in the que once in a while.

Thanks folks
Gary