Comments on: What the Kids Don’t Know

By: Jack Greenwell

Jack Greenwell — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:54:40 +0000

Thanks for the great article, Rob.
The lack of political response from the masses is linked to the fact that the BC Liberal government is not responding to collective actions until they are sure the vast majority is absolutely not siding with the government. The BC Liberals are trying to ignore the response that they get from their unpopular legislations and decisions. A government which is unresponsive is heading towards becoming one which is not responsible, that is, it is becoming a dictatorship. It is clear that the government has a philosophical agenda that permits profit to be made from education, medicine and other governmental jurisdictions. Education is a huge market just waiting to be exploited and the Liberals are facilitating this profit making.
Keep up the good work, Rob.

By: Rob Wipond

Rob Wipond — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:04:57 +0000

Thanks, Herman, Casey and Dale for your thoughts.

I confess, as you each seem to be describing in different ways, this is the feeling that I too simply see deepening and strengthening in myself this decade with regard to the BC government. One stands in astonishment at how vicious the attacks the Liberal cabinet performs are (and how about this latest round in the budget?), and one cannot but know with certainty the intents are deliberate and carefully politically directed. And yet in some ways one is also overwhelmed by the lack of an intense, persistent collective response… We realize how dependent we are on our mainstream media to ‘pick up the mantle’ and lead such public responses. And when the mainstream media don’t lead it, where do we turn to organize and generate fast, broad collective response?

By: Dale Perkins

Dale Perkins — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:33:13 +0000

My congratulations to Rob Wipond for his article. More visibility and analysis of this kind are very much needed now, and his thorough research and lucid explanations are what all of us can work with and use as we protect public education over the next year and more.

The obvious conclusion is that the ideologically blinded BC Liberals are hell-bent on decimating the public education system using whatever means at their disposal. The one presently in hand is cutting, with a thousand lacerations, programs and educational resources that were the hard-fought achievements of 100s of concerned parents, teachers and public officials. And they do it was the unmitigated gall of righteous indignation and spurious example, dealt out by their high-priced spin doctors beholden to the Premier’s Office. It’s all so obvious and appalling that one wonders how Campbell & Co have the temerity to present themselves as responsible elected officials. In that they have a majority government with only 25% of the eligible electoral support, and they surreptitiously get rid of binding legislation preventing them from operating with a deficit budget while demanding that local jurisdictions not run deficits or they will be fired and replaced with political appointees is simply beyond the pall. Recall is too mild and meek a political response from the electorate, but it may be the only thing we’ve got till 2013, with a government led by the longest-serving premier with a criminal record at its helm.

This looks as though it will be a long nightmare.

Dale Perkins,

By: Casey Clements

Casey Clements — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:58:54 +0000

I strongly agree. Action is required now, by many. There is truth that our government’s culture, in perhaps all ministries and levels, threatens job security at any sign of dissent. That won’t change overnight. So it must be faced, bravely and openly. Stakeholders, those who care, those not employed by the government and not in fear of your jobs… encourage those that are. Find out what’s needed and talk about what you, what WE, NOT THEY, can do about it. Every little bit counts. And no one’s going to do it for you.

By: Herman Surkis

Herman Surkis — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:39:14 +0000

“Not surprisingly, there’s growing evidence this reluctance of the majority to step away from managerial compliance towards more strident activism is leaving public education open to erosion and, ultimately, privatization.”

There is the answer to what is happening and the intent. Same tactics in forestry, health etc. Destroy and cripple so that the only remaining option is to privatize. Or simply destroy so that people no longer care if it is privatized, as is happening with tourism and parks.

The public keeps asking that the Liberals get their priorities straight. They have. People keep asking if the Liberals have a clue as to what they are doing? They know full well what they are doing.

I ask, when is the public going to open its eyes and see what is in front of them? You get the government you deserve. And you get the results you deserve. And you get the society you work for.

When the darkness is complete, it is very hard to light your path.