Campbell's 10 Steps To Recovery

And there I go trapped in the kit kat again
Back through the system with the riff raff again
Fiends on the floor scratchin again
Paparazzi's with they cameras snappin them

I got 99 problems but ***** ain't one
--Jay Z

Dr. Campbell's recovery Syrum is in:

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell has unveiled a 10-point plan that aims to ease the impact of the global financial crisis on the province and is residents.

The measures were announced in a supper-time broadcast on Wednesday evening.

Under the plan, the B.C. government will:

1. Introduce unlimited deposit insurance for deposits to credit unions.

2. Create a new private sector pension opportunity for British Columbians who currently have no access to a pension plan.

3. Impose an accelerated, retroactive personal income tax cut.

4. Introduce a school property tax rebate for industry.

5. Accelerate tax relief for small business.

6. Double the commission paid to business for PST and HRT collection.

7. Accelerate public infrastructure construction.

8. Introduce a 33 per cent reduction in ferry fares for December and January.

9. Rein in avoidable government spending.

10. Recall the Legislature on November 20 as a number of the measures require legislative approval.

The deposit insurance was a huge issue. I currently have a deposit at a credit union right now and was seriously thinking of changing banks because I know, and I think the government knows that the BC housing market is going to take a serious dive. Why? We have some of the highest, most unaffordable housing in Canada, and much of it has been through VanCity, one of the largest credit unions on the Westcoast.

The Pension Plan - awesome. Why hasn't anyone thought of this before? A stroke of genius. Good so far.

Tax cuts, PST commission hikes - ace. Ok.

But reigning in government spending? During a downturn? Really.....

I'm all about balanced budgets, but this is the time to prime the pump. If there is ever a time to allow some fiscal slack, it's when the economy is tanking. I'm thinking there may be too much ideology in this approach. I could go on and on about government waste and overspending because I've been in government before, but to keep the liquidity and business confidence high, the government needs to take the initiative to keep the dollars flowing, and that means a focus on getting people into jobs, and less obsessing over our perfect credit rating. Saying that we'll keep the infrastructure stuff going for a bit won't cut it.

Also, I hope he's going to put money into education to make up for the rebate for industry. Riiiight?