Ralston's Financial Plan: 1 - Answer emails from Nigeria; 2 - Give them money; 3 - Profit!

With British Columbia doing so well under the BC Liberal Government as can be seen with 100% of the public service contracts signed before the deadline (including one with the BCTF); our thriving economy and with the unemployment rate at a 31 year low (4.6%) it's hard to believe that financially, things could be better. But according to newly crowned NDP Finance Opposition Critic Bruce "The Evil Laugher" Ralston, he can make it better.

How you may ask? Our sources tell us he is using his overseas contacts to infuse over $100 million US into the coffers in Victoria. Which overseas contacts? Specifically, Nigeria.

"Yes indeed Brucey is on the ball with this one," Ralston spokesperson Mo T. Burn declared. "I have seen his plan and it is great! Simple and great...thus making it simply great!"

It seems that Ralston has received dozens of emails, commonly known as the "Nigerian Letter Scam", and believes this is the road to making those millions.

"Scam, what scam?", the Burnster asked excitedly. "Since Ralston was the former Chair and Board of Director with Vancity Credit Union he knows what he is doing. In fact, his being the BC NDP President during the 1990's means he is more than qualified to identify a scam, and this my friend, ain't no scam."

Ummm...interesting and somewhat impressive pedigree...and Ralston's background is kinda neat-o too...until you look a wee, bit closer.

"No...no need to look closer," Burn exclaimed. "Just know that his plan is great!"

Any-who, looking a wee bit closer, - it is hard to ignore that during Ralston's tenure with Vancity he voted in favour of spending $1 million of members' money without going to the members on the eve of the 2001 provincial election; allowed the BCGEU to unionize seven VanCity branches and the Citizens Bank; and gave $80,000 to the Centre for Policy Alternative.

"Well come on," an exasperated Burn spat. "What's wrong with any of that? Ralston doled out the $1 million just before the election, sucked up to his BCGEU friends, gave the cash to the NDP backed Centre for Policy Alternative because he had to. You also left out that he gave over NDP membership lists to the Credit Union to use for, well, whatever they wanted. You missed that one reporter bird."

Yes, Burn is right. Ralston did all that because...

"He was the BC NDP President at the time and during those good ol' days of the 1990's. Booya!", Burn cried.

It's true. But strange that Ralston's website does not list his Dipper Presidency in his bio. Something to hide? Either way, as Finance Critic, it does not make sense for Ralston to solicit funds via emails.

"It makes complete sense!", Burny countered. "Look, when my man Bruce donated funds to the BC Liberal Party while running as an NDP MLA - he was hedging his bet...very smart! Brucey also does not tolerate crap...he does not tolerate non NDP mental health advocates speaking at his events. Just read this copy I have here:

Perhaps the highlight of the night, in terms of the media, would be the drama that unfolded at the mike. Ralston had told the audience that the next in line to ask a question could not, because he was not an NDP member. The man, one Roderick Lewis, a mental health advocate, was asked to leave the mike but adamantly refused. At which point a loud and disruptive discussion erupted between Lewis and Ralston, by then all the four major TV outlets had their cameras descending on Lewis, and Ralston to avoid criticism, allowed Lewis to speak his mind. While Lewis was going on and on about his mental illness binge, NDP rank and file were berating and using expletives to try and drown out Lewis. It was a moment of high drama indeed, as I noticed the police at the doors to the auditorium.

Take THAT non Dipper man! And finally, when it was time for the B-Man to become MLA, he handpicked his friend Jeff Fox, the BCGEU Director of Organizing and Field Services to take over as President of the BC NDP so you know that Brucey knows how to take care of his union friends. In short, BR is a leader!"

Ok...but that still does not take away from the fact that the Nigerian letter scam is just that...a SCAM and does not show Mr. Ralston has any clue of what is involved with being financially responsible for the Province.

"No way! This is NOT a scam! As I said before, as the past President of the BC NDP during the 1990's, with everything he saw going on, Bruce would certainly know a scam!"

You would think so...thankfully, most BCers do.