The Bottom Line On Spirited Energy
Whether or not some Manitobans like the spirited energy campaign the bottom line in this discussion is that the government should not be in business to “create” feelings about our province. This concept has failed in many other jurisdictions so why did the NDP think it would work here?
Let’s take a closer look at spirited energy and dissect it meaning. I am using direct quotes from the “spirited energy” web site because I was forced to pay for them.
According to the New York based firm who prepared it, the: "Spirited Energy" statement reflects the truth about our province, and the way we want everyday Manitobans, business people, and visitors to think of Manitoba.
The truth according to who? A New York ad firm? Why is the government spending money trying to tell me how I should think about our province? My family have been proud Manitobans for over a century.
The program is directed towards three groups. First, the brainwash begins with us.
Residents
• Youth (18 - 25 year-olds) - Inspiring and captivating, Manitoba is a vibrant place where you can shape your destiny and create your own definition of success.
• General public - Manitoba's spirited energy is felt - and shared - by all of us, making it a special and unique place we're proud to call home.
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Does this make young people want to stay in Manitoba? Gee, I have changed my mind about moving to Calgary because I saw an ad in a movie theatre about how great it is to be in Manitoba. If the NDP had vision they would have worked on creating policies that lead to job growth opportunities. Dave Chomiak’s idea of job growth is sending our kids to build Hydro dams. Keep reaching for that rainbow Dave.
The next target is the largest failure in our province the past six years.
Business
Propelled by our unique, enterprising spirit, Manitoba businesses are primed for success, now and in the future.
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What the heck does that mean? We have talent in the province and many businesses have given it the college try, but in light of our high corporate tax rates and pro-union environment, our province is not primed for success. Statistics Canada has pretty much indicated that Manitoba is on the decline.
When the only two construction cranes in town are building a giant monument to government waste while dozens of downtown office buildings and factories are empty, you know something is wrong. What’s wrong with the NDP’s treatment of business? The policies and ideas of Eugene Kostrya. You know, the union guy with a hate on for business. The one responsible for Manitoba having the highest taxes in the West. Part of an overall group of people known as the NDP who do not work in the interests of business or non-unionized workers (which comes out to about 80% of Manitobans).
Tourism
Manitoba's diversity in people, culture, arts, nature and physical beauty is a unique source of energy that stimulates your senses, draws you in, and inspires you to return again and again.
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This is the only section of the program that makes sense. However, we have a department that is supposed to do that already. I have no problem with using government dollars to attract new tourists as it makes economic sense. Why couldn’t “spirited energy” have been used for this plank only?
The reasons are obvious. We have a government on the verge of calling an election and they are trying to buy it using our money. They took the easy way out. Rather than working hard to make Manitoba a better province financially, they have created a smoke and mirrors campaign to convince Manitobans they have done this. The bad news is the money has been spent. The good news is Manitobans will be able to go to the polls and tell Doer and company what they think about “spirited energy”.
----------------
After all the ranting, the next set of columns will talk about how we can improve Manitoba. Again, I welcome people from all points of view to share ideas.
Let’s take a closer look at spirited energy and dissect it meaning. I am using direct quotes from the “spirited energy” web site because I was forced to pay for them.
According to the New York based firm who prepared it, the: "Spirited Energy" statement reflects the truth about our province, and the way we want everyday Manitobans, business people, and visitors to think of Manitoba.
The truth according to who? A New York ad firm? Why is the government spending money trying to tell me how I should think about our province? My family have been proud Manitobans for over a century.
The program is directed towards three groups. First, the brainwash begins with us.
Residents
• Youth (18 - 25 year-olds) - Inspiring and captivating, Manitoba is a vibrant place where you can shape your destiny and create your own definition of success.
• General public - Manitoba's spirited energy is felt - and shared - by all of us, making it a special and unique place we're proud to call home.
----
Does this make young people want to stay in Manitoba? Gee, I have changed my mind about moving to Calgary because I saw an ad in a movie theatre about how great it is to be in Manitoba. If the NDP had vision they would have worked on creating policies that lead to job growth opportunities. Dave Chomiak’s idea of job growth is sending our kids to build Hydro dams. Keep reaching for that rainbow Dave.
The next target is the largest failure in our province the past six years.
Business
Propelled by our unique, enterprising spirit, Manitoba businesses are primed for success, now and in the future.
----
What the heck does that mean? We have talent in the province and many businesses have given it the college try, but in light of our high corporate tax rates and pro-union environment, our province is not primed for success. Statistics Canada has pretty much indicated that Manitoba is on the decline.
When the only two construction cranes in town are building a giant monument to government waste while dozens of downtown office buildings and factories are empty, you know something is wrong. What’s wrong with the NDP’s treatment of business? The policies and ideas of Eugene Kostrya. You know, the union guy with a hate on for business. The one responsible for Manitoba having the highest taxes in the West. Part of an overall group of people known as the NDP who do not work in the interests of business or non-unionized workers (which comes out to about 80% of Manitobans).
Tourism
Manitoba's diversity in people, culture, arts, nature and physical beauty is a unique source of energy that stimulates your senses, draws you in, and inspires you to return again and again.
----
This is the only section of the program that makes sense. However, we have a department that is supposed to do that already. I have no problem with using government dollars to attract new tourists as it makes economic sense. Why couldn’t “spirited energy” have been used for this plank only?
The reasons are obvious. We have a government on the verge of calling an election and they are trying to buy it using our money. They took the easy way out. Rather than working hard to make Manitoba a better province financially, they have created a smoke and mirrors campaign to convince Manitobans they have done this. The bad news is the money has been spent. The good news is Manitobans will be able to go to the polls and tell Doer and company what they think about “spirited energy”.
----------------
After all the ranting, the next set of columns will talk about how we can improve Manitoba. Again, I welcome people from all points of view to share ideas.
posted by Andy Fletcher | 8:08 PM
4 Comments:
Well written. What strikes me most about the whole exercise is that there is nothing tangible or measurable about any of their assertions. For example, the whole notion of business being primed for success. How? Are the failure rates for Manitoba businesses lower than other provinces? Do we have more entrepreneurs per capita?
The same goes for the youth - you can also shape your destiny in Toronto, Halifax, Montreal or Vancouver. Do we have a broader base of educational opportunities for young people? Are there higher per-capita entry-level positions in the 'Peg, Brandon and Portage?
How branding experts can get paid ANY sum of money for such mindless babble astounds me. Does the NDP hold the general public in such intellectual contempt that we are spoonfed platitudes without any semblance of quantifiable support for same?
Great Post Andy. Look forward to see your ideas on improving the province. It would not be hard to turn it around, but it would take some leadership. Private health care, cut red tape for business, cut taxes, pay for education from general revenues instead of from property taxes , deal with addictions which are ruining peoples lives and get rid of rent control.
Thanks. I also put the challenge out to other bloggers to talk about what they would do to improve Manitoba. Something the Blackberry Addicts never do.
I'm game - I'll try to put something up on my blog in the upcoming days...
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