The 3 "R's" ... Rights, Responsibilities, Regulation

Today I thought I would do something a little different, and that is to take a look at just one point from the Philosophy of the BC Conservative Party.

“We value the rights and the responsibilities of the individual and the family above those of governments at all levels. This includes freedom from unnecessary laws and regulations.”

Let’s take a look for a minute, at some of the key words in this one important statement being made by the BC Conservative Party.

·         Value … the worth, importance, or usefulness of something to somebody

·         Rights … consistent with the facts or general belief

·         Responsibilities … being accountable to somebody or for something

·         Individual … a specific person, distinct from others in a group

·         Family … a group of people living together and functioning as a single household, usually consisting of parents and their children

·         Freedom … the state of being unaffected by, or not subject to, something unpleasant or unwanted

·         Unnecessary … not essential, needed, or required

·         Regulations … the adjusting, organizing, or controlling of something, or the state of being adjusted, organized, or controlled

In Kamloops in recent weeks there has been discussion of a group of people who refer to themselves as “freemen”.  If I understand it correctly, their beliefs would fit in with what I referenced over the weekend, which is … “a man who is not a slave or serf”. 

There is another meaning though, which I believe more closely fits with those who have decided to be part of society and community.  That definition is … “a man who has been formally given citizenship of a place, together with various special privileges, as an honor”.

To be part of society means we have citizenship, but that does not come without having a point to begin from.  Citizenship is a state of having “the duties and responsibilities that come with being a member of a community”

Being a part of the community is an honor and a privilege – but -- it comes with responsibilities and duties.  I think that is something nearly all would agree with because anything less would leave us living in state of anarchy.

Given all of the above then, why did I start with a statement taken from the Philosophy of the BC Conservative Party?  

It was because I believe that from that one statement flows a commitment that a BC Conservative government would not go about the over-regulation of the province, knowing that we understand we have duties and responsibilities as citizens in society. 

This however would be opposite to the thinking of our current Liberal government; which does not believe, or trust in, the common sense if it’s citizens.

I’m Alan Forseth … and these are the thoughts of one conservative.