Can't Please Everyone

Rick Nelson had it right in his 'Garden Party'. You can't please everyone.

Take the 2010 Olympics. Some Canadian politicians were griping because the opening ceremonies didn't have enough French yet people here in Vancouver were ready to switch off the broadcast due to the amount of French being spoken.

A politician makes a decision about almost anything and there are going to be happy and unhappy constituents. It just happens that way. Does that mean that the politician is incompetent? No, especially if you ask those he or she pleased.

In addition to that silly little piece of news there are those who were so against the money spent on getting the Olympics together. Never mind that the construction projects helped people get employment in these difficult times so they are paying taxes and not living off the government. Forget that a highway that has taken lives over the years was finally upgraded. And don't worry about the fact that our taxes went to help support young people who sacrifice so much so that they can have a chance to become the best and compete against the world. And they did a mighty fine job of it if I say so myself.

So many people say that the money should have gone to the poor and addicted. We already shell a lot of money out for welfare. There is the needle exchange program, the safe injection site, programs to help those with drug problems conquer their addiction and so much else. I don't have a problem with trying to help those down on their luck but sooner or later we have to realize that throwing money at these problems isn't working.

By bringing the 2010 Olympic Games to Vancouver we have an opportunity to show off our city and province and to entice people to visit. And others to stay and bring more monies into the province. Monies that can then be used to help those who need it as well as improve matters here. But if Vancouver bursts with new business, people and money that will cause different problems and there will be complaints.

So there is no way to make everyone happy. No way that one idea is going to please the masses. Fortunately the politicians cannot heed the next line in the song and please themselves. That is a blog for another day.

TAGS:Vancouver, Karen Magill,Olympics,politician,Safe Injection Site,needle exchange,drug addicts,Ricky+Nelson,Garden Party