CHRISTMAS 1972 was the New Jerusalem of the New Democratic Party in British Colambia. After so many years of frustra- tion and disappointment, many in the party had come to the conclu- sion that they would never get to form a government. When W.A.C, Bennett was toppled earlier that December, some of the most surprised people were those who became members of Dave Barrett’s cabinet. It instantly became the wealthiest socialist government in democratic history. It had been the curse of the left _ wing elsewhere in the world to win power only in the wake of social, if not militant revolution, the choice of desperate, impoverished people. The new governments, with their grand egalitarian dreams, were forced to finance them out of bankrupt treasuries, motivated by a fairy tale notion that the corporate sector and the weaithy held a treasure chest to be tapped. When they tried to do so, a tidal wave of money rolled out of their political arenas; factories closed; and the most enterpzcising and talented citizens stopped pro- ducing. Premier Dave Barrett inherited arich treasury: the soundest fi- nancial picture in Canada. Nothing was beyond his reach. W.A.C. Bennett had developed the energy and transportation in- frastructure. Not only was the government debt free, there were vast reserves. The Crown corporation debt was a tiny percentage of their assets. The resource sector and its technical support industries were the envy of the world. British Columbia was a bat- tleship. But there was a gaping hole in the hull. In 1969, Premier Bennett an- ‘nounced that inflation would be the scourge of the 1970s. He sim- . ply.stopped spending inoney. Water leaked through the roof of the legislature building. No ships were built for the ferry fleet ” despite worrisome forecasts of future traffic. . Highways projects were wound gown, Civil service wages were frozen. Those who retired or quit were not replaced. Social services were pinched to a a point of paralysis. eee The NDP approached govern- ~ ment like children surrounding a ’ department store Santa. Not only did they try to enact every fan- tasy, they tried to do them all at the same time. The crippled civil service was like a spectator at a department _ Store trying to watch 100 tclevi- sion screens at the same time. It was pandemonium. A battalion of clowns scampering around in a three-ring circus couldn’t have matched the confusion. Many if not most of the NDP programs were good. But there’s no point in giving an army the best weapons if they get Iost on the way to battle; or if they start shooting at each other; or if someone forgets to bring the am- munition. The best symbolism of the era was the day that it became known that Human Resources Minister Norm Levy had misplaced $100 * million. It wasn’t the money that was the issue. It was simply that no A Place To Go When you're Pregnant And Need Support: i GIRTHRIGHT gral 987-7313 » Free Pregnancy Test « B in Vancouver Call & Gary OPEN LINES one ever figured out where it went. Like a department store teller who is $10 short in the cash drawer at the end of the day, Levy had this iittle inystery on his hands. If the chaos was insufficiently crippling, the performance of the labor movement was acid in the tubble bath. Labor viewed the election of the NDP as the key to the vault, In- stead of professionally and pa- tiently working with their friends in government, labor demanded instant and extravagant gratifica- tion. The government, feeling obligated to these union leaders, capitulated time after time. But there was no end to the greed. Each settlement fed to a new de- mand. In late 1975, his government in tatters, Barrett had the legislature order several striking unions back to work. The public cheered unan- imously. He should have called an election the same day, Instead, he waited two more months. By then, the public focused on three sloppy, incompe- tent years, and not the one brave, overdue gesture. eee The pressure on Mike Harcourt plays into his strength. The situa- tion cries out for patience, sophistication and cooperation. If a current crisis demanded tough, dynamic and creative action, the new premier’s challenge would be more difficult. He must now remember the ex- cesses of the Barrett government as he sets suil with his own. He also inherits the best treasury in . Canada. Harcourt does not face the eco- nomic calamity thai greeted Bob Rae in Ontario, and which soon will welcome Premier Roy Romanow in Saskatchewan. But he faces a new challenge. People believed in W.A.C. Bennett. They were prepared to invest the same kind of affection in Dave Barrett. He had to work hard to lose it. Bill Bennett earned his public loyalty and Bill Vander. Zalm roll- ed into office on a wave of euphoria. He, too, blew it. Harcourt takes power at a time when people everywhere are com- pletely disenamored with politics and politicians. .Disappointed too often, the public is searching fcr all forms of splinter groups and new outlets. The bumper crop of Liberals in B.C., none of whom has ever sat 7 AMBLESIDE TOYS 'N HOBBIES 1425 Marine Dr., West Van. 922-3512 in any legislature (perhaps some who have never even sat ina public gallery) testifies to public fickleness. Harcourt will have to prove himself over and over again. Ina sense, every political leader today is tike a husband caught once in the act of adultery, forc2d then to endure a lifetime of scrutiny. Aside from housekeeping, organizing his team, restructuring the public service and establishing operational procedures, the best thing he can do is nothing, at least for a little while. While the Liberal caucus is busy attending Parliamentary kindergarten, there is genuine urgency within Social Credit. Pundits are predicting the end. Word will soon emerge about the party finances. My guess is that the debt load will be astronomical. In this climate, who will donate to pay the bilis? What wouid they be investing in? How many nervous bankers are out there waiting for a phone call? How many advertising agencies and media outlets ure waiting to be paid? If there is any good news from the election defeat, it is that the loss was so substantial that there can be no tendency to behave like a government in exile. The NorthshorelKingsw Sunday, October 27, 1991 - North Shore News ~ 9 Socred foundation needs whole new building It was not just Bill Vander Zalm’s legacy that was defeated. Voters also sought vengeance against a party that spent five years obsessed with its internal purges, thrusting knives into the back of its leader and praying for political miracles. The whole party was defeated. It can no longer talk about renovations. This requires a com- pletely new building. They should try to do it without Pat Kinsella’s help. Try concrete instead of dynamite. DUNDARAVE.: Taespay Nignr ble UL Berks TEMES To You EVES. CN Te, LINTH OUR FABULOUS THEEE CONES E Dillee, FO FBe ONLY $20 Fee 7ERSOAS "The Quteby Oni fialy BOTS AIM bd THAT LL J Mane Von ONG" 7 YOU L9UGH TIL vou eV. / 2UaF F shoal DOr VE Auto Group's Giant SOclever Clearance of New inventory COMPARE Witt ACCORD, 626 OR CAMRY ... YOU'LL GET MORE FROM US) $15,4 499° MODEL. CODE Tat ron. AEOO eu} Trunk Rack Sunzoof Molding Pkg. Custom Stipe Carpet Mats indiite Protector TOTAL VALUE: S417 -QUB-“SIX PACK” SPECIAL DOWN P: A AS MONTH TERM T.Pel. $15,946.56 Cali for Details: PLUS 3 ype 000 KILOMETER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. 6 ¥R.100,000 KM. MAJOR COMP. - 985-9311 Out of Town? Call Collect! i = 26 oS * Plus PDJ. and Freight. Prices shown are nef of all