Rising opposition to British Columbia's carbon tax reminds me of the story of the politician who, upon seeing an angry mob go by, turns to a friend and says, "Gee, I must find out where they are going so I can lead them there." We simply haven't seen this magnitude of opportunistic populist pandering on the part of various politicians, commentators and interest groups since the Meech Lake Accord. I half expect Preston Manning to leap out from behind a curtain and yell "boo."

As people fall over themselves to run to the head of this parade, all manner of absurdity has revealed itself - arguably, the most bizarre being the provincial New Democrat leader Carole James standing shoulder to shoulder with the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation to oppose a reduction in income taxes.

I beg your pardon.

That's right: a reduction in income taxes. A carbon tax is about tax policy, not environmental policy. It was 70 "economists" who recommended it before the last budget - not 70 "environmentalists." Environmentalists support it. But none has suggested that a carbon tax in and by itself constitutes an environmental policy. That's been a straw man argument constructed by its critics.

Equally irrelevant are claims the carbon tax will reduce gas consumption by increasing pumps price. In this particular case, the private markets - which have increased such prices by more than $0.30 a liter since winter - are already taking care of that. Instead, what is important is the fact shifting from an income tax to a consumption tax gives people more money to spend or save, creating investment capital.

And this particular consumption tax pays particular attention to less fortunate British Columbians - cutting their income taxes by two percent in 2008 and five percent in 2009. And those are the exact same people carbon tax opponents claim will be hurt most by this policy.

Please!

Even if lower income earners weren't going to get a break, the imposition of a modest $0.0241 per liter increase in pump prices during year one of the carbon tax couldn't financially break anyone as some hysterics have been claiming - irresponsibly scaring those already frightened by rising fuel prices.

But it's not my job to tell you that, it's the premier's: something he has failed to do for at least two reasons. First, he decided to spin this as environmental policy maybe to draw attention away from the fact that he has accomplished little on that file. And second, Gordon Campbell has never understood that his primary job is not to develop good policy but to sell it.

To do the latter you must demonstrate some empathy for the province's residents and a willingness to take a "political punch" when you think you're right. Premier Campbell has instead established a reputation for arrogance. And the fact he has remained hermetically sealed even during election campaigns has led many to believe his political jaw is made of glass.

He seems to believe when The Globe and Mail's editorial page, 70 economists and most of the experts are on your side, there's no need to explain a policy to the folks who elect you. History indicates otherwise and Premier Campbell would be wise to heed it.

Twenty-one years ago this past month, eleven first ministers were so impressed at having negotiated a constitutional package that most experts applauded that they forgot to sell it to Canadians. As a result, Meech Lake failed and constitutional change became the third rail of Canadian politics.

Later, much of the accord would be implemented in practice by the very people who benefited politically by opposing it (our current federal government). So, in the end, the accord didn't fail. Instead, it was those responsible for selling it that did.

While the misinformation and scare tactics of those opposing British Columbia's carbon tax may be shameful, the fact remains that there will be only one person accountable should this policy fail: Premier Campbell.

Being right isn't enough: much better governments than his have been defeated by oppositions that formed worse governments than Ms. James' would. Just think of Louis St. Laurent being replaced by John Diefenbaker or Allan Blakeney by Grant Devine. Those governments were not defeated because they made bad decisions; they were defeated because they made good ones arrogantly.

I'm not suggesting Premier Campbell could lose the next election. But if he lacks the political capital and skill to lower income taxes while taxing the one thing all sane people agree we need to use less of he should start getting worried - very worried.

Bob Russell, a businessman and former civil servant, was chief of staff for the provincial Liberals in Alberta from 1986 to 1989. In 2004, he ran for the federal Liberal nomination in Saanich-Gulf Islands.

Last week, former community services minister Ida Chong was promoted to become the Campbell administration's technology, trade and economic development minister. But her new responsibility for the government's Asia-Pacific Initiative is also newsworthy. The reason: the Liberals have been allocating significant resources toward that intiative since it was rolled out in April, 2007. For example, in October, the government announced its intention to solicit proposal to plan and design an Asia Pacific Business Centre. It has also retained or is retaining contractors to represent the province's trade and investment interests in India and Korea. And the government recently closed a competition to hire a new assistant deputy minister to lead economic development's Asia Pacific division.

Earlier this month, former Vincor International Inc. president and chief executive officer Don Triggs was appointed a BC Hydro Corp. director. According to a biography provided by the government's board resourcing and development office, Mr. Triggs, a former Brock University trustee and Ivey Business School governor, has been "presented with a number of prestigious awards" including honourary doctorate degrees from Brock and Ryerson University. But what that biography doesn't mention is his relationship with former small business and revenue minister Rick Thorpe. So we will. In June 2001, The Vancouver Sun's Gillian Shaw reported Mr. Triggs was the senior partner in Mr. Thorpe's former winery. Commenting on that partnership, the legislator was quoted as saying Mr. Triggs "had a vision, he had leadership. He believed that if we decided where we wanted to go and worked as a team, why couldn't we do as well as the Americans, the Chileans, and the New Zealanders, and we did." In 2006, we reported on Mr. Thorpe long-standing association with Vincor.

Despite the premier's belief in the doctrine of subsidiarty, the Campbell administration hasn't always respected the autonomy of local governments in British Columbia. For example, in 2006, the administration mandated that all new municipal capital projects receiving provincial funding will have to be reviewed by Parnterships British Columbia if they cost more than $20 million. And, in 2003, passed a law giving the province the power to overrule local decisions that constrain the development of projects deemed to be provincially significant. So critics of that legislation will be delighted to know Blair Lekstrom, the new minister of community development, actually voted against the Significant Projects Streamlining Act.

At the time, the former Dawson Creek mayor told the legislature, "I know that I share many concerns with many of my constituents when I see the federal government stepping into jurisdictions that we feel are provincial. I recognize this bill in a similar light — that we're stepping into jurisdictions that I believe wholeheartedly should remain within the realm of local governments and those bodies to act upon."

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, British Columbia Association for Child Development and Intervention provincial advocate Bruce Sandy discusses the transfer of services for adults with developmental disabilities to the ministry of social development. Rick Peterson talks about running for the provincial Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Fairview. And Blair Lekstrom shares his thoughts on being the Campbell administration's new minister of community development. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:30 and 10:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, 24 hours columnist Bill Tieleman discusses his opposition to Premier Gordon Campbell's carbon tax. Vancouver city planning commissioner Michael Klassen talks about his support for that tax. And retiring Bulkley Valley-Stikine legislator Dennis Mackay shares his thoughts on eight years in provincial politics. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:30 and 10:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, Saanich Civil League chair Sher Morgan discusses her initiative to get more people involved in municipal government and elections. Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows legislator Michael Sather talks about his decision to leave provincial office to run locally. And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:30 and 10:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, New Democrat legislators Harry Bains and Leonard Krog discuss the results of our investigation into The Progressive Group. Washington Forest Law Centre managing attorney Peter Goldman talks about an alleged foresty industry slush fund south of the border. And our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Eleanor Gregory, Bob Russell, and Allan Warnke - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:30 and 10:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.

Speaking with The National's Peter Mansbridge on Monday, former federal New Democrat leader Alexa McDonough said the Tories and the Grits "don't take seriously that it matters whether women are elected or not. They love to trot out a particular high-profile woman from time to time. They don't have a problem saying women we're so important we're going to appoint them and absolutely crush the democracy - the democratic grassroots process in a riding. But they don't take it seriously in overall terms." Crushing democracy, eh? So would that include setting aside 40 percent of the New Democrat's non-incumbent ridings for women and other affirmative action candidates? Or how about using heavy-handed tactics to ensure that policy is put into place? Just askin'!

Today, in 24 hours, Public Eye published the results of an exclusive investigation into statements by The Progressive Group that the firm has helped win major government contracts and benefits on behalf of powerful foreign and business interests. Progressive's chairman is Patrick Kinsella, who headed the provincial Liberal's election campaigns in 2001 and 2005. And it's president is Mark Jiles, Premier Gordon Campbell's former constituency campaign manager. The investigation was the result of documents obtained via an access to information request with Washington State. The following are links to parts one, two, three, four, five and six of those documents.

This morning, on Public Eye Radio, provincial New Democrat House Leader Mike Farnworth discusses the spring legislative session. And journalist and activist Murray Dobbin shares his thoughts on corporate sponsorship at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. Also on the show: our rabble-rousing panel - Don Anderson, Bob Russell, Alex Tsakumis and Allan Warnke - debate the week that was in provincial and federal politics. You can listen to Public Eye Radio outside of Victoria by logging into CFAX 1070 between 8:30 and 10:00. If you have a question for one of our guests, you can email us or leave a comment below.