Much has been written over the last few days on Christy Clark’s classification of this year’s election as the “most important in modern history.”
Well, given winner has control of the province over the next four-years, it would seem every election is the most important, until the next one, and then the next, and the next.
It’s the consequences of change that voters are often embattled with. Do we trust the BC Liberals and everything they have to offer? How will a new NDP government change the current provincial landscape?
Stark opposites
It’s humorous to listen to politicians characterize an election, embellishing importance at every step of the way in an attempt to drive voters to the polls, and to care.
Clark says her Liberal party is the stark opposite of Adrian Dix and the NDP. The latter intends to stay the course (platform of Harper 2011), hike corporate taxes and taxes on the wealthy, while maintaining the Liberal deficit ($800 million).
The Liberals intend to balance the budget by 2015, in large part due to hopeful LNG profits, and continue to progress with its BC Jobs Plan. Though, Clark’s deficit runs counter to the current election platform put before the citizens of British Columbia.
Politically speaking, are the Liberals and NDP truly stark contrasts to one another? Not really. But they are naturally characterized as such because of the province’s strong two-party system (Poli Sci 101).
While John Cummins (BC Conservatives) and Jane Sterk (BC Green Party) will try to wrestle a few seats away from the two giants on May 14, the truth is the political landscape reduces the election to an us-versus-them mentality.
Clark’s assertion is correct, but not for the reason she wishes to imply.
So what are voters here left with? An important election, surely, but stark contrasts in governance? What party touts:
A sustainable, diversified economy that creates new opportunities good jobs, and a strong middle-class is the foundation of the BC -?- platform.
Good governance comes down to logic. Or at least it ought to. If it is considered in this sense then there are only so many directions a government can go it seems.
As a twenty-something voter, don’t shout distinction when it’s merely different handlers.
Surrey BC'er 