The British are Coming, The British are Coming!

And the Australians, and the Americans, and the Koreans and the world! In about a week Vancouver welcomes the best athletes the world has to offer and their suppporters. It is a highly exciting time, a time to show off everything we have to offer. The commercials that are being shown bring tears to my eyes. I am so proud to be here and that we are hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. Let's party.

Unfortunately there is a lot of negativity that I sometimes fear will cast a shadow over what should be a joyous time. Some of the First Nations people feel that the money should have spent on their problems; those on welfare feel that their payments should be increased; watchdog organizations pounce on any activity saying it is because the government wants to clean the streets of the poor so Vancouver looks better.

A good example is when Vancouver had a cold snap and extra shelters were opened. The police were not allowed to force people into the shelters yet when a homeless person burned to death because she had started a fire to keep warm, we were all supposed to moan and cry out because the government didn't do what it was supposed to. Reality check. Shelters were opened but if any official tried to force someone with perhaps mental problems to take advantage of it, the watchdog groups cried foul. Said it was being done because of the Olympics. To be honest? I would rather have the police I pay taxes for out solving and preventing crimes anyway instead of pampering people who won't do what is best for them.

How much money have taxpayers paid for things like the needle exchange program? Or the safe site injection? Or drug rehabilitation? Or on other programs to help those less fortunate? How much do we spend on clean up because many of those homeless leave their garbage all over the place - including used needles that can infect a child if they unwittingly pick it up. We can't always be giving to those who won't help themselves. There comes a time when the government has to spend money on promoting the province, beautifying the city and giving something back to the people are paying for all the programs and help people get.

I lived in Calgary during the 1988 Winter Olympics. We had no snow - a situation that looks like it may occur here - but we put on a party like non other. It was a great Olympics and the city boomed after. The Olympics can do so much for us so put aside your misgivings and give it your all. Be proud of this awesome city, province and country.

TAGS:Vancouver, Karen Magill,Olympics,First Nations,welfare