Will Manitoba Support Youth Post-2011 Election? (AKA NDP Dedicates Campaign to Jack)

Ah, youth.

What to say about youth that hasn't already been said a thousand times, in a thousand ways, to win public support for new bureaucracies and businesses that funnel public funds to friends of... ummm...

(...ok, we are starting off a little cynical today. Just heard NDP is dedicating the election to Jack Layton (thanks for the head's up, Blue Rod). Not families. Not youth. Not nothin' but Jack. NDP dedicates campaign to Jack. See: double-entendre. Grrr....)

Katimavik is one example of a program that works. Works for youth, who work for us. Everyone wins, and historically the program has been well enough run to avoid negative press like... oh, I dunno, the Manitoba Public School system gets?

The Manitoba public education system is an example of a program that doesn't work. Ask Tom Brodbeck, or read his columns (boy, Tom tickles my fiscal responsibility side big time...):

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/columnists/tom_brodbeck/2011/01/27/17064416.html

Dr. Gerrard announced last night a new Katimavik-like program specifically for Manitoba youth. Give to youth, they give back to us. Don't even have to write the business plan, its ready made.

So how much are we investing directly in youth under Dr. Gerrard's idea? Is it on par with the $32.9 million spent on administration in public schools (_just_ administration. Like it is so bloody hard to run a school system for a population of less that 1 million persons that you need hundreds and hundreds of 'administrators' to do it? Seriously???)

Nope, its not on par.

Hey, maybe at least 10%?

Nope, not even that.

Ummm... 1%?

Less than that, actually.

I hear around $300,000.00.

Less than a million. Less than 1/2 a million. Almost not even worth pushing the paper, as my banker used to say.

Now ok, the thin edge of the wedge and all, right? I mean, if Project Manitoba Katimavik budgets were on par with the mega-bureaucracy inside the K-12 Manitoba School system (oh, and I'll get to you later, post-secondary, don't you worry) then the PC's might cry "hey, quit spending all our money!!!" So let's start off slow. Prove to our Blue friends that yes, this is a good investment. OK, I get it, I get it.

So, let's start with the equivalent of 2 FT positions inside of one School Division Bureaucracy.

Fine.

But this better be the thin edge of a bloody big wedge.

Looking for more funding later? Take it from the Administration budget. Don't ask them, or bargain with them, just take it and put it where it belongs. If they hassle you, call Tom Brodbeck to the meeting. You see his profile picture in the Sun? Who is going to mess with the sternest-looking-son-of-a-gun in the Province? No-one, that's who.

Just take it, and invest it directly in our youth. Who then return the investment, in spades, both right away and over time.

Hey, Orange Rod (btw, why no love? Write me some time, 'k?) Where have you guys been on this one?

Do the NDP even understand the direct connection between youth crime and lack of opportunity? Obesity and lack of physical activity? Do you understand the quiet desperation that youth slip into when you put them on poster's to get more money for your buddies?

My Grandmother would call this a sin, what you are doing. A sin made worse by the fact that you know it, and have turned it into something far greater than a cottage industry. I'd say shame, but I have a strong feeling there is already shame aplenty at your houses.

Jack Layton indeed. Dig his grave extra-wide, as he will spin, and spin, and spin.

Now, like the Blue Rod, I ain't on the party payroll (and I certainly don't have his influence). Sheesh, I doubt most people in the party even like me (although that might be my own issues talkin'.)

So I get to say, out loud, how disappointed I am that Manitoba Katimavik will cost less than the coffee and tea budget for the School Division office staff (a lot less. You know how many 'breakfast' and lunch' meetings these folks have? Come on, we _all do_.)

I am really, really disappointed.

I'm looking for a big bloody wedge, Dr. Gerrard.

Folks, forget the Federal Liberals. Forget the 'Other Justin'. Think local for a moment.

Take a good, hard look at the Liberals in Manitoba under Dr. Gerrard. Ask yourself, would Dr. Gerrard increase funding for this youth program?

Then vote for him. See if you were right.

Come on, think about it. Who's 'buddies' are the Liberals in Manitoba? Why would power-hungry baddies congregate around a party that 'has no hope' of getting into power. Why wouldn't the Lib's actually push the funds to youth?

Why indeed.

Their low poll numbers might be the Liberals greatest strength. They are clean of the 'baddies' that used to hang around the Federal party (back when they just couldn't lose...). You can bet your backside that anyone on the Liberal ticket actually cares about Manitoba, and really wants to do something good. You can believe they are willing to fight against all odds, and be brave for us all.

Like Dr. Gerrard.

Think it over.