Ben , your argument seems based on the assumption that Gordon Campbell was a good and qualified person for the office of Premier. He proved early on that he was a dunk, and now we know that he is a mean drunk as well. He seems to have been able to single-handedly drive well qualified and well liked people from public service, including Christy Clark and Carole Taylor and now Bill Bennett.

The "qualities" that got Campbell into the Premiers chair, were his ability to lie unashamedly to the electorate time after time. The first election he rode in on a wave of redneck protest after he promised to hold a referendum on treaty rights. The second election was won in part on his promise not to sell of BC Rail. The last election he won through his lies about the HST. And lets not forget his latest lie about reducing income tax.

BC is now far deeper in debt than when the NDP left power despite the Liberals selling off assets like BC Rail and privatizing part of BC Hydro. A big part of our problems are due to the inability of people to distinguish bull**it artists and petty tyrants like Gordon Campbell from statesman like PE Trudeau, and JFK.

Ben, your comment that the kinds of actions we're seeing in BC politics from both main parties will deter good and qualified people from running is spot on. Good people are urged by friends and colleagues to run because they have track records of accomplishment and acting with integrity. But once they get into that party system, they are no longer allowed to have their own opinion, initiative, or hold anybody to account. And not to mention leaving themselves wide open for media and public to criticize, slam, and speculate about them without recourse.

Who in their right mind would want to do that? the system has to be changed. We should be voting for the best people for the jobs, and let them do the best they can without being handcuffed by a party or party leader.

With good people run out of politics by tyrants and bullies, who will be left to dig democracy's grave?

I would strongly dispute that what we need as Premier is a Trudeau or JFK, or anything resembling that kind of "statesman".

The latter, if he hadn't had the misfortune of getting his head blown off in Dallas, would almost certainly have been a one-term President.

He botched practically everything he attempted to do, causing numerous problems that resulted in needless human suffering both in the USA and abroad. Much of which is with us yet.

Yet his assasination elevated him to a status of near sainthood that he certainly didn't deserve, and would never have achieved if he'd lived. Even Ronald Reagan would've been near certain to have achieved the same exalted status had young Hinckley's aim been a bit better.

As it was, by the simple act of his getting shot, nearly croaking, and then recovering, Reagan's ability to get his proposals enacted was enormously enhanced. For better or worse.

Trudeau exhibited a certain "statesman" like appearance when he doffed the pseudo-hippy garb and flowing locks in favour of a more Prime-Ministerial haircut and suit and tie during his televised over-reaction to the FLQ. But that was about it. As for his use of the "F" word, well, President Nixon's profane description of him using the "A" word fit to a tee. But then maybe it takes one to know one.

Now as to our ability to attract "qualified people to office", I think this begs the question "qualified FOR WHAT?" There seems to be some kind of abstract idea that the "State" should, or could, be somehow separate from those who make it up. You, me, and everyone else.

That "we" have some obligation to serve "it". Kennedy openly expressed his belief in this idea in his, "Ask not what your country can do for you..." utterance. Picked up by a fawning, compliant media as the words of a great "statesman".

Well, consider this. Has the ever been any great "statesman", anywhere, who hasn't been a curse to mankind? If there has been, his name escapes me.

A "State" is an association of people joined to achieve their 'individual' needs and desires more readily through the utilisation of "the unearned increment of association". It is there TO SERVE THOSE ASSOCIATING, not to demand obedience from them in ITS service, as directed from "on high".

When we allow any "statesman" to turn that around, (as admittedly, we've occasionally HAD to do in the past, and most certainly will have to do again, so long as we fail to recognise and correct the underlying CAUSE which presently makes this so), we are completely denying that there is any advantage to "democracy". And opting for dictatorship.

One thing Gordon Campbell is NOT,is a Trudeau or a JFK!
Not even in the same league, and we don't have to have liked either one of them to spot the difference.
Campbell is what he is, and anyone with half a brain can tell the difference between a true statesman and a leader from a simple political opportunist!

Just came back from Vancouver. A night out with the Construction Industry paying their respects to Premier Campbell, naming him "Builder of the Decade". What a great night for a great man. A great British Columbian.
Hard to believe that a guy who brings BC back from "Have Not" status to the Province that leads in economic development is having to resign. We have had it too good in BC and many people don't appreciate that. Think about that!! What part of having the best economy in Canada doesn't make sense?
Hang in there Carol James, the Liberals need you!

"If Bennett disliked Campbell so much he should have resigned earlier."

Whatever happened to the notion that it is easier to effect change from within than from the outside?

Bennett is the best judge of what he ought to have done. Campbell is not caucus. Campbell is not the government.

At least that is the way I have thought. Now I am starting to wonder, not that it matters anymore.

Pierre Trudeau ran the Liberal party in Canada like a dictator. You rode on his wagon, on his instructions, plain and simple or else you weren’t a member of his party

It’s a long time ago but as I remember it the above statement is out of touch with the facts. Trudeau let his ministers run their ministies . He was much to busy with other affairs such as the constitution. If I recall correctly he had a lot to do with humen rights legislation like the charter of rights. It seems some of have very short memories.
Cheers

I think it is time for everyone to be who they are politically.

Socreds and reformers and conservative need to remove themselves from the BCLiberals and go back to their own home territory where each belongs. Next election may not give anyone a majority.

Form a coalition government, it might work much better for the good of the people. It will make the politicians think a bit more about what they are doing.

I just don't think a two party system works. Far too much infighting. We just have to look south of the border to see that going on there as well at the moment.

Seems rather strange that when a politician uses taxpayers money to promote the Olympics, build the Sea to Sky Highway, Spend money on ports, roads, bridges, infrastructure etc, we say they are great leaders.

Is there some special talent to pissing money away on needless projects.

People seem to forget that all these projects etc; were built with taxpayers money, and the Politicians, and Government workers, are employees of the taxpayers, and basically do what we pay them to do. Take away their salaries, and they would leave.

Its what goes on behind closed doors in Government that causes all the problems.

Campbell has always been a klutz. I didnt like him when he was Mayor of Vancouver, and I dont like him now. He is not much more than a wound up manniquin. Painted, dressed, and combed. I cannot imagine having to have a long conversation with this dude. I suspect it would be deadly boring. He never has and still does not seem to have any real emotion or feeling.

He always looks like a deer in the headlight.

A deer in a headlight....never heard that one before. Lol