Pick a number, any number

Finding that the public perception of the April 1st welfare recipient cut off day was taking on Armageddon proportions, the BC Liberal government finally came up with some numbers today. Human Resources minister Stan Hagen, dispatched to do damage control over the plan, announced that fewer than 400 people stand to lose their welfare benefits in the current year. Hagen stated that only 72 able bodied welfare recipients will lose their benefits on April Fools Day, with a total of 339 removed by years end.

The Liberals had until now, been unable to counter the widespread speculation that thousands of welfare recipients would suddenly be sent out onto the mean streets of Vancouver, Victoria and other urban jungles. Community activists had been painting a picture of a heartless government arbitrarily tossing anyone it deemed lazy, shiftless and employable off the public rolls, whether there were jobs available or not. With no rebuttal from the government side, the general public was left with the impression of depression era drifters traveling from town to town, in search of a job and some shelter.

The newspaper columnists, letter to the editor writers, call in show hosts and listeners have all been quite active. Warning of increased crime, homelessness and general anarchy as the April 1 deadline approaches. In the province's "heartland" continuing poor economic prospects are forcing residents out of their hometowns, only to land in the overburdened larger markets, causing much stress to the system.

Until today, not one Cabinet minister had bothered to reply to the general unease of the population.
Giving the impression of a government with a case of serious message drift. They seem to be creating policy on the fly, with no rhyme, nor reason to their actions. I mean come on, who drafts a major social policy change to take effect on April Fools Day, is that just not asking for trouble. At every turn they seem to stumble along from one policy announcement to another, then going back and changing their minds in mid stream.

They seem to have lost the ability to gauge public opinion on the issues of the day and to act accordingly.
This welfare issue is yet another fumble by the government, pretty well everyone agrees that the system needs to be reformed, but in a humane and conscientious manner. The image of slashing benefits, whether they were going to be as draconian as predicted or not, is one of a government targeting the weakest members of society. The various exemptions to the welfare cuts show that the government has been feeling the heat of the backlash to their plans, and tried to quell the uproar. Instead, all they've managed to do is look bad, something they're getting very good at.

It should be interesting to see that actual final number on April 1st. While the reports of tens of thousands of people sent to fend for themselves seemed a tad hysterical, a low ball number of 339 seems rather optimistic as well. Even today the announcement went up against news that the unemployment rate in BC is inching upwards, not the best graphic to show that all is under control.