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They gambled and we all lost

Re: Minister’s intervention ‘inappropriate,’ Jan. 24; Casino hearing ‘not a legal process,’ Jan. 29.

Re: Minister’s intervention ‘inappropriate,’ Jan. 24; Casino hearing ‘not a legal process,’ Jan. 29.

Thank you for your thorough examination of Minister Rich Coleman’s attempt to hijack the democratic process in Surrey with respect to the proposed casino.

Let’s consider what might be the reason why Coleman should bother to go way off-side so close to an important provincial election, one that he and his colleagues feel rather uncomfortable about.

Let me suggest this government is in deep financial trouble. Radical cuts to government income through income and corporate tax cuts over the past 10 years have produced a structural budget deficit that is choking this government’s ability to provide necessary services.

Schools for our growing school district have not been built or even planned. Hospital emergency services are stressed. Lower Mainland transit is log-jammed and municipal governments are desperate in their inability to deal with the problems. The courts are jammed and criminals are allowed to walk free because of the delays.

Why? Because 10 years of BC Liberal tax cuts were based on foolishly optimistic projections.

Four years ago, this government brought in an election budget with a big deficit, which promptly turned out to be much worse after the ballots were counted. Since then, we have had one deficit budget after the other. Now these paragons of financial management are going to present us with something they will call a balanced budget and call a vote before we find out the real situation.

But Coleman’s desperate attempt to squeeze some gambling dollars out of a big casino are the result of irresponsible tax cuts that we could not afford except in times of extreme booms. Those booms don’t last. The result – a series of big deficits and chaotic government.

Bill Piket, White Rock