NDP hitting all the right notes

Dear editor: There are some people that will never be happy to see an NDP government in power, but the B.C. NDP-Green coalition has proven that they can not only work together, they can also accomplish more for the people in one year that the Clark Liberals did in 10.

Some of the things that have taken place in BC under the NDP-Green coalition:

New money for child care, housing and education.

Eliminating Medical Service Plan premiums.

Introducing taxes on expensive real estate and vacant homes.

Eliminating tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges. Freezing and reducing ferry fares. Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Continue to build the Site C dam – something corporations can relate to.

Implement discounted rates for low income BC Hydro ratepayers.

Reintroduced the Commission. Banned corporate and union donations. Capped contributions from individuals. Human Rights 15 years that my taxes have been paying lawyers to prosecute this man, and probably paying for his defence lawyers, too.

Last week, after very lengthy legal proceedings, the judge sentenced him to six months house arrest on the polygamy charge of having 24 wives in his community of Bountiful, BC. Things have certainly been bountiful for Mr. Blackmore, who has fathered 149 children with all those spouses.

Now his house arrest means that he’s going to spend more hard time doing exactly what he’s been doing. Chances are that when he arrived home from the courtroom, he was be greeted with 24 cherry pies, one baked by each wife.

I can remember many voices raised in opposition to the attorney general for bringing those charges about 15 years ago. Many legal minds far smarter than his suggested it was a waste of time, and certainly of taxpayers’ money. Of course, being a politician, he wouldn’t listen, and now he can go and bake his own cherry pie! Bernie Smith Parksville Email: letters@pentictonherald.ca Mail: 101-186 Nanaimo Ave. W., Penticton, B.C., V2A-1N4.