It seems obvious that a government initially elected on the promise of fiscal restraint and accountability would continue that tradition when returned to power for a second term. However, all too often government vision and fortitude fades with each additional day in office.

The 2001 New Era Liberals are much different from the government of today in British Columbia. Perhaps after four-and-a-half years in government, the Liberals have fallen into that old adage, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil."

Once upon a time the Liberals recognized the need for broad based tax relief to give all taxpayers a break. In their first mandate they brought in a number of measures: tax rates came down dramatically, spending was reigned in, regulation was streamlined, government financial reporting was improved and corporate welfare scrapped. It certainly created a more fertile ground for economic growth, prosperity, job creation and investment. But leading up to their first test as a government-last year's election-a rash of spending announcements were made: preferential treatment for particular industries, handouts for certain groups, seniors, students, aboriginals, urban, rural, north, south-a policy of particulars.

To some extent, it is expected that an incumbent government will try to win the voices of the loudest groups during elections. But real leadership demands that a government speak to all its citizens and ensure that one policy that benefits one group doesn't necessarily alienate another. But that is precisely what happens when the tax system is used to curry favour with one political constituency over all others.

It's time for the governing party to do a bit of introspection and remember that they were given a second mandate based on their performance in their first term. And while they undergo such reflection, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) offers its 2006 provincial budget recommendations to give them pause and food for thought.

Amongst the chief recommendations is for BC to follow the success of Alberta's legislated debt elimination plan. The CTF recommends a net debt reduction equivalent to 2.5 per cent own source revenue annually. The government needs to stop talking about "managing the debt" and start taking action to retire it.

The CTF is also recommending another round of sweeping changes to personal income taxes. First, eliminate the top two marginal rates. Second increase the basic personal exemption to $15,000 and finally scrap the myriad of deductions, credits and refunds for both personal and corporate taxes. Simpler, lower and flatter should be the guiding principles of the next set of tax reforms.

The CTF also recommends a slow down in spending. Capital spending, ministerial spending and overall increases in consolidated revenue spending have stretched the sustainability of the government's financial plan. Furthermore, the government has had a hard time staying its own fiscal course. The CTF recommends spending only increase to the rate of BC's consumer price index, if at all!

There are a whole host of discretionary funding programs that the government must more closely monitor and demonstrate value for tax dollars. An accountability report should be conducted on the $100 million First Nations Relationship Fund, an "Olympic Transparency Plan" should be adopted to track all taxpayer related expenses, and the legislature should be receiving regular financial reports from VANOC-the Olympic organizing committee.

One other key recommendation-often committed to while this government was in opposition: a legislated a ban on all non-essential government advertising. Thanks, but we know the Olympics are coming in 2010 and don't need you using our tax dollars to remind us.

Certainly, BC has come a long way over the past few years, but the road traveled was built on fiscal responsibility, forward thinking and tough decisions. It's time this government return to its initial founding principles and move BC forward with a clear vision and plan.