[mobglob-discuss] Tieleman ghost writes for Gordon Campbell May 16-23 (fwd)

Fri May 17 17:47:48 PDT 2002

There are some amusing musings here from Bill Tieleman.    -Tom
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From: "Bill Tieleman" <weststar at telus.net>
Subject: Tieleman ghost writes for Gordon Campbell May 16-23
Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 13:21:47 -0700

Greetings everyone and best wishes for a great long weekend!

Here's a bit of a change-up pitch -- me ghost-writing for Gordon
Campbell in his major decisions over the first year in office.

Take a read and see if I should offer my services to take over as
Liberal Premier!!

NOTE:  I am attempting to keep all my email correspondence to my
business email: weststar at telus.net the email you are receiving this 
message from.

Previously this column was sent from my home email but for future
emails, this is the best address to reach me at.

Thanks.

Bill Tieleman
West Star Communications
Tel 604-844-7827
NEW ADDRESS effective February 1, 2002
Suite 207 - 1600 West 6th Avenue
Vancouver, BC  V6J 1R3
NEW Fax 604-844-7828

Email:  weststar at telus.net
Website: www.weststarcommunications.com

Read the Georgia Straight & watch CBC TV
Canada Now Thursdays for political commentary
by Bill Tieleman

Bill Tieleman's Political Connections column in the Georgia Straight
for May 16-23, 2002

How the Liberals Could Have Said, Done Better

    You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I
    coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face
    it.

        - Terry Malloy in On The Waterfront

One year and what already seems an eternity ago, Gordon Campbell led the
B.C. Liberals to a stunning victory.  But despite their winning 58
percent of the vote and 77 of 79 seats, the ensuing 12 months have seen
radical changes to British Columbia's public policies and dramatic
confrontation.

The growing divide between rural and urban areas, rich and poor, labour
and management, aboriginal and non-aboriginal citizens and
environmentalists and business, among others, is a harbinger of more
conflict ahead.

Did it have to be this way?  Could Campbell have brought people together
rather than bitterly split them apart? Here are some things Gordon
Campbell could have said and done differently for the better.

Cabinet swearing in, June 5, 2001: "The Liberal Party has won an
overwhelming majority in the Legislature but the province will never be
well-served by a government that is not balanced by a strong opposition.
I am therefore recommending that the New Democratic Party be recognized 
as the official opposition, with all the funding and resources needed to
carry out this critical function in a democracy."

Tax cut announcement June 6, 2001: "I promised that taxes would be cut
to the lowest level in Canada for those in the bottom two income
brackets, earning $60,000 or less.  Today we meet that commitment.

"We believe in tax cuts for wealthier British Columbians and for
businesses but with the impending softwood-lumber decision and a
downturn in the U.S. economy, it would not be prudent to make massive 
tax cuts.  Instead, I am introducing a 10-year plan for measured tax
cuts: no cut will exceed 10 percent a year, and will only be made if the 
province can afford it while maintaining health, education and social
spending priorities. "

Health-care labour dispute, August 2001:  "Nurses and health science
professionals are vital to our health-care system.  They have the
democratic right to take limited strike action but I am asking them 
today to join with my government, patients, doctors and communities in a
one-year effort to find cooperative ways to reform health care.  If they
agree, an arbitrator picked by mutual agreement will determine a fair
wage increase. Existing contract provisions will be followed while this
consultation takes place and doctors will be offered the same terms.

"There will be no hospital, care home or bed closures in the meantime.
There is no place for fear in health care reform."

Aboriginal Referendum, April 2002:  "I promised a referendum on 
aboriginal land claims.  But First Nations' concerns that this will be 
divisive have convinced me to take an unusual step: I have asked a group
of prominent aboriginal leaders to draw up the questions rather than
government.  In this way, I hope we can finally resolve these historic 
injustices."

Environmental issues:  "Fish farming is controversial.  The economic 
benefits are obvious but so are the environmental problems.  Today I am
appointing a panel to conduct a full review.  Representatives include
broadcaster Rafe Mair and environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki, as well as
fish farm owners, commercial fishermen and First Nations
representatives.  No expansion of fish farming will take place until I
am satisfied that this industry will not harm our environment and wild 
salmon.

"In the same spirit, I am also appointing a representative panel to
review the Forests Practices Code and the state of forestry in B.C. 
Their deliberations will guide my government's decisions."

Economic issues:  "The terrible events of September 11 have hurt British 
Columbia's already ailing economy.  We need to find ways to restore
confidence in tourism, a key industry, and to improve other sectors."

"To reach a consensus, I have asked a group of prominent British
Columbians to advise my government how we can make economic progress 
while protecting the services people depend on.  Businessman Jimmy 
Pattison and Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C. Federation of Labour, 
have agreed to co-chair this panel, which will consult with British 
Columbians across the province."

The B.C. Liberals created the current mood of confrontation and 
hostility by the way they have dealt with these and other issues.  There 
was a better way.

* * * *

West Star Communications' President Bill Tieleman has clients in labour,
business and non-profits. He is a political commentator on CBC TV's
Canada Now and CBC Radio's Early Edition.  Email at weststar at telus.net