Do I have to be ‘cranky’ and ‘angry’ to support these principles and goals?

Okay I made a mistake … it wasn’t “cranky old men” that former Reform MP Chuck Strahl said the BC Conservative Party with filled with … here is what he actual said:

“ … adding that the BC Conservative Party is riddled with “cranky ... angry” people who have no credible policies to govern the province.”

This is me (Alan Forseth) -- does this look like the
face of anger and crankiness?

Now I ask, does this look like the face of someone cranky and angry?   Okay I admit I do have a bias – it’s me, and I  obviously do not agree with Chuck Strahl.

Still, for the life of me, I cannot understand why he, along with other Reformers like Preston Manning and Stockwell Day seem to have nothing but glowing comments to make about Christy Clark.

The BC Liberal government, led by Christy Clark, is in many ways everything the Western led reform movement was against – and why it actually came about.   

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane

In the late 1980s and 1990s, federal conservative politics became split by the creation of a new western-based protest party, the populist and social conservative Reform Party of Canada created by Preston Manning

Federal conservatives became split (sound familiar on the provincial level?).  And this was created by who? Preston Manning!  And yet he speaks out against BC Conservatives who are led by a former Reform MP; John Cummins.

Westerners reportedly felt betrayed by the federal Progressive Conservative Party

Well, much like the betrayal felt by westerners in the late 80’s and 90’s, British Columbians (many like me who formerly were BC liberal Party supporters) have become dismayed and are feeling betrayed by Liberals government actions. 

These actions have included the sale of BC Rail ... the secrecy of the sudden end to the Basi / Virk trial … the sudden implementation of the HST from out of nowhere … a Carbon tax that benefits so-called green companies like Encana with big cash payments, while at the same time forcing rural and northern British Columbians to pay an extra tax to heat their homes and get to work … the addition of added taxes and fees that are causing more people to be leaving, than are moving here.

We also have big fat bonuses paid to the upper management of BC Ferries while at the same time it was losing money and increasing fares … big fat bonuses paid to upper management of Community Living BC while at the same time some of the most neediest of BC’s citizens were being tossed out of care homes and being denied services.  And I have only scratched the surface.

The Reform Party of Canada was a populist conservative (largely socially conservative) party and one in which the need for democratic reforms was recognized.

Former Liberals supporters, and those disillusioned by the whole political process, have been attracted to the BC Conservative Party for its grassroots, populist, bottom up approach … much like the Reform movement, again of the late 80’s and early 90’s, which was led by --- Preston Manning. 

They have also been attracted by a resolve to see elected representatives who are responsive and accountable to the people who have elected them --- just like the Reform movement --- led by Preston Manning.

The Reform Party supported significant tax cuts for citizens and businesses and opposed the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The BC Conservative Party believes that income is received by the Government “in trust” for the citizens of the Province; and that it is governments responsibility to manage those funds in the most efficient and accountable manner possible.  That does NOT mean ever increasing fees, taxes, costs to be borne by the people of BC.  And as for the GST … I’ll mention 3 more letters … HST.

Does anyone then wonder, at my dismay and disbelief, at what appears to be a complete abandonment of reform ideas, principles, and polices by the likes of Preston Manning … and by another former Reformer Chuck Strahl, who now says people that are still committed to those principles and ideals are to be considered ‘cranky” and ‘angry’?

Well Mr. Manning, Mr. Strahl, and Mr. Day … the following are a few things that at one point in time you would have proudly defended.  They are also things which the BC Liberal Party appears unable to understand, believe in, or stand for:

… the Party must be totally accountable to its members, and when forming the government, to all the people of the Province. The Party also believes that all individuals and organizations, including public servants at all levels, must be held equally accountable for the management of monies and the delivery of services whether it be in education, health care, electrical power, or any other service provided by government.

… that Governments at all levels are responsible to serve and respect all individuals and their families, including freedom from unnecessary laws and regulations and excessive government.

… that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA's) are primarily responsible to represent the interests of their constituents.

… the need for an independent review to determine the compensation, pension, and severance packages of elected and appointed governmental officials, including officers and senior personnel of Crown Corporations and any other organizations owned, controlled or supported by the Government of British Columbia

… that government should be dedicated to ensuring expected standards are well defined, delivery performance is regularly monitored and tested, and those responsible for delivery are held accountable

… a rigorous system of law and order focusing on the rights of victims and the protection of the public.

These are thing which are supported by the members, board, executive, John Cummins, and leadership of the BC Conservative Party. 

Does that mean I have to be cranky and angry to support these principles and goals?  I sure hope not.

I also hope that in the very near future Chuck Strahl, and those who once believed in democratic reform and principles, will remember their roots.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.