Jim,

We have had the same problem in Alberta--and I think y'all have too in BC. We have had shit for government for decades. Ask around and NO one admits to voting for the assholes, so I wonder how they got in. Ralph Klein was credited with solving our provincial deficit. Hell, he predicated the resolution of the debt on oil that was selling at about $17.50 a barrel. A few years later it was selling at over $40 a barrel. Yeah, Ralph. A grade 5 student could have solved the debt problem. Now, with oil over $60 a barrel, Alberta has a surplus of about $8,000,000,000. Yeah. However, the big three are still getting hit: Education, Health and Social Services. In as much as this seems to be a democracy of sorts, I can only assume that government is doing what the voters want it to do. I don't intend to get into it with our friends to the south (and northwest). They got what they voted for and now they can't do a damned thing about it. We are in the same boat to a lesser degree. The fact I didn't vote for Ralph--or indeed any damned conservative in the friggin' history of my voting life--doesn't mean I don't share the blame. It is democracy in action. At least I don't get thorwn in jail for expressing my views. That may change in the US, and with only his ears stopping Harper from being up to his shoulders in Bush's ass, it may change in Canada, too. BUT, tell you this: the fuckers better send more than a few guys to take me away to whatever will be the Canuck Gitmo, because one or two ain't gonna be enough.

Keep well. In the words of Will, "All politics is apple sauce."