This way...
Ryan Ince

Re: Gordo's cold cuts, Editor's Voice, Jan. 14.

Lets start off by reminding everyone that B.C. is expected to have a deficit of $3.6 billion for the coming year. The forestry industry is suffering, tourism has fallen after September 11, and the high tech industry just hasn't been the same as it was when dotcoms were a legitimate investment.

In case it isn't blindingly obvious, the government is out of money. The B.C. Liberals inherited a province recoiling from the NDP and headed for unexpected economic downturns. The government was large, inefficient, and seemingly good only at making money disappear.

The most surprising part of the cut of a third of government jobs isn't the large number of jobs, it is that so many jobs were available to be cut. If the government can function more efficiently with much fewer positions and much less salary to pay, why did the positions exist in the first place?

This large number is distorted by the fact that many of the workers will be taking retirement, and many will simple transfer to private firms when services are contracted out.

Among the services being reduced, welfare was an obvious target. Most people seem to need to be reminded that welfare is intended as temporary income assistance while another position can be found. It is not meant to be "kept," as Pearson suggests. Recently outrage was expressed when letters were mailed to those welfare recipients deemed fit to work suggesting that they seek employment. As if the idea of one living off the government should not be able to do so indefinitely - scandalous!

I have a suggestion for those "disgusted" at the layoffs within government: for the price of the salary that the worker would normally receive, I'm sure the Liberals would be happy to retain one post that would have been cut. Your total is $30,000, will that be cash or cheque?

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