November 3, 2010 – As a British Columbian that has advised leaders in
developing democracies on public policy development, I find myself
increasingly frustrated over the BC government’s decision to not
consult the people on a major policy initiative concerning our taxes.

This demonstrates the tell tale signs of a government that has become
arrogant with power, lost touch with the “heartlands ”, and does
not currently have, nor can they expect, the confidence of the
citizens of British Columbia. Since the fall of the Soviet Union,
western democracies have been assisting transition governments with
the concept of open public policy strategies and development. That has
been the focus of my profession after 7 years in the House of Commons.

In 2004, I was hired by a USAID funded legislative development program
in the Republic of Georgia. This former soviet state had just elected
a new government after years of abuse under Eduard Shevardnadze. The
leaders of the peaceful Rose Revolution promised policy reform in
every major policy area; tax, education, health, pensions, and public
safety and promised to put the Georgian economy on track to make the
lives of average citizens better. The overall message was democratic
reforms that would bring the people of Georgia into the policy making
process, openness, transparency and responsiveness were themes that
had never been discussed in public under Shevardnadze. In fact, people
that espoused these concepts were likely to be persecuted or even held
without charges in political prisons. Fear was the political reality
and the politics of fear was played out every day in the former soviet
state.

My job was to work in the parliament and help to improve the policy
making process. My program was called PORT which stands for
Parliamentary Oversight, Responsiveness and Transparency. We were not
focused on the technical details of policy but were concerned with the
process in which policy was adopted by the government. This assistance
was requested by the new President of Georgia, the Prime Minister, and
the Speaker of the parliament.

One of the first policy initiatives was reforming the tax system that
suffered with over 21 taxes, plus an income tax. The system was
corrupt and red tape dominated the old tax system leaving the public
wondering if any tax dollars were going to public services. It also
left the public suspicious about how this new government would handle
this thorny issue. I was consulted by the Speaker Nino Burjanadze and
the Chairman of the Finance Committee. My suggestion was that the
parliament should conduct a series of town hall meetings and
roundtables ensuring that all segments of society were consulted. From
the average citizen, business people, farmers, industry, academia, and
government officials be brought together in order to discuss the
issues and answer questions about government taxation proposals. There
was some reluctance at first, but the plan moved forward and open
public consultations on tax policy was introduced. This was a huge
success and people were engaged in the process. At the end of the day
over 20 taxes were eliminated and a new tax system was adopted. All
done through the public consultation process. Even opposition parties
that had no standing in the parliament were invited to submit
suggestions and ideas.

The government then embarked on Education reform and again my program
organized parliamentary public consultations throughout Georgia to
hear the voices of parents, educators and all concerned individuals
about the education system in Georgia. The Minister of Education did
not attend the first meeting but he read about it in the newspapers.
TV and radio had also covered this new process of public policy
consultation; The Minister never missed another meeting and happily
attended and took questions from the public. He became an avid
supporter of open public meetings and forums on public policy reform.

The BC public should not have to explain to a government in a modern
parliamentary democracy about openness and transparency. But we have
been left with that job as the employers of the government. The
government now knows that rushing the process brings public disdain on
the institution of government, and the BC Legislature. This cannot be
regained by bribing the people with their own money through tax relief
that we were told was impossible during the election. The Premier
still feels that he can explain away his government’s shortcomings.
Similar to the effects of being caught driving drunk down a highway
with no regard for the law – developing public policy without
consultation ends up in disaster. It kicks sand in the face of
democracy and brings disrespect for our system of governance.
The Liberals should be held in contempt of parliament for their
disregard of long standing traditions and parliamentary procedures.
Unfortunately, not one Cabinet Minister in the government stood on the
side of the people. The fate of backbenchers was decided, if they
raised a concern, dissent would be met with expulsion from caucus and
loss of government parliamentary privileges. It may look a little
different, but just like Shevardnadze the politics of fear was being
played out here in our system with members of the governing party.
Although I use the acronym is PORT it is not to be confused with the
naval term meaning left which has gotten us into this mess. We the
people of BC are asking that the next government take PORT seriously
and we mean, Parliamentary Oversight, Responsiveness and Transparency.

The big government Liberals has added $7 billion to the NDP government
debt in just 6 years. Provincial Debt now $34 Billion. This big
government now has 20 departments, 17 crown corporations and, 11
agencies. The payment on the interest on debt is the government’s
fourth largest expenditure at $2.2 Billion. And to top it off and add
insult to injury the government does not listen to the people of BC on
major policy issues such as taxation, education, health care and the
economy.

We cannot turn back to the days of the NDP who will take us further
down the road of big tax and spend policies. It is time for British
Columbians to look seriously at the BC Conservative Party.

    Small, Accessible & Transparent Government
    A Competitive Free Enterprise System
    Responsible Tax Reform
    Protection of Private Property Rights
    Patient-Centered Health Care
    Student-Focused Education
    Resource Management: Balancing Environmental and Economic Issues
    Law and Order: Focus on Victims

British Columbians demand to be part of the policy debate regarding
our children’s future. Just like the citizens in the former Soviet
Union now enjoy. Is that too much to ask for?

Jim Hart is a two-term former Member of Parliament. He is a democracy
and governance specialist and has worked in international development
since 2004 with parliaments in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq and has been
an election observer in Ukraine, Georgia and has just returned from
Afghanistan on assignment as a Long Term Observer with Democracy
International. Mr. Hart is a member of the Technical Advisory Group of
the BC Conservative Party and lives in Enderby BC.

For information:

Jim Hart
jhartconsultant@gmail.com

*The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely the views of Jim Hart.

It’s been well over a year that I’ve sat, complacent ‘tis true, watching the drivel that your ace marketing department spews over the airwaves.  Image after image of chiselled, betowelled Adonis-like men flash before the viewer, none of whom (if your ad men are to be believed) have the wit to scrape a blade along their granite jaws.  Tell me, how is it that the ancient and venerable Gillette Shaving Company has survived well over a century when it believes that it’s clientele has no idea how to shave?  I can hear the dicks on your Board now, “But why Gabe?  Why aren’t they buying our product?”

First off, douches,  if your marketers had done a lick of research they would have discovered that the new millenium has seen the advent of the indie beard.  A whole, confused generation of “musicians”, “actors”, stand-up “comedians” and other societal parasites has embraced the gimme, gimme, gimme attitude of the eighties and a slightly less slovenly, fresher smelling grunge-look from the early nineties.  Think of a happier, better dressed Kurt Cobain wearing shoes incapable of being used for work of any kind, hair product and an iPhone (before Courtney shot him).  This is a generation who wish to project the “Hey world, I’ve been up all night in my basement recording studio and who has time to shave anyway because I’m texting my girlfriend about my bus ride to the coffee shop” image.  My advice to you–leave them for dead, Gillette.

Secondly, and more to the point, is that I as well as many millions of my brethren know how to shave and do indeed need more razor blades.  It’s just that it still hurts to walk, as our stitches are still healing from the last time we nicked down to the pharmacy and were bent over the counter buying your product.  This was after I had been to the bank to remortage the house so that I was sure I could afford them.  My therapist has warned me against doing this too many times in a calendar year.  I would rather scrape that last nicked, jagged razor down my cheek, feeling every single follicle ripped screaming from my delicate features and be able to feed and clothe my children, and those of my therapist,  than shell out for more of your overpackaged, “hypoallergenic” beauty knives.  None of you geniuses figured this part out?

So, I suggest back to the drawing board for you, Gillette, and no coming back with “Ooo, we’ve added another blade for a smoother shave” (patent pending) or “we’ve coated the blades with diamond dust and male phermones for a closer shave and guaranteed ladies” (patent pending).  And for the love of God, gather up all the numb-nutted jerkholes in your TV commercials and learn them to shave like any red-blooded male in North America.  May I suggest packing them off to boot camp?  No one can teach a man to shave better than a Drill Sergeant pointing a Browning at his temple while screaming obscenities in his ear, believe you me.  So fare thee warned, I will not be in line for the next six-bladed ultra-smooth razor that you jackasses put on the market.  “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” as me mammy used to say.  You think I’m an idiot?  I’ll wait for the seven blades thanks.

My name is Gabe and I got a bone to pick.

*Opinions in this letter are solely the views of Gabe Penske.

So listen up, jerkholes.  L2P–Learn to park and we’ll get along just fine.  Well, probably not.  My name is Gabe and I gotta bone to pick.

(BC Interior News does not condone nor promote the opinions expressed in this article and/or the flambloyant misuse of the phrase “jerkholes” succinctly addressed by “Bone to Pick” columnist Gabe Penske.)