Personal magic and magnetic charm … or practical substance. Which choice do you want to have in 2013?

The Victoria Times Colonist has a great opinion / editorial this morning entitled, “Rebuilding trust in politicians” … and with an election in BC just a year and a half away, the comments made are very timely. 

Timely in that our political parties in BC, prior to the next general election, have a chance - and the opportunity - to show us our shaken trust can indeed be restored. 

And why do we need this to happen?  A CBC news story from May 13^th, 2009 gives us the reason right off the bat with this opening paragraph:

Voter turnout in B.C.'s provincial election hit a record low on Tuesday, with , a full eight percentage points less than the 58 per cent that voted in 2005.

That story also went on to say two things that interested me – well actually one annoyed the heck out of me … the other actually came as no surprise:

UBC political science professor Fred Cutler said there were other factors at play, including the two main party leaders' lack of charisma and a lack of clear divisions in their platforms.

Here’s what scares me about that statement … Merriam Webster defines Charisma as follows:
1: a personal magic of leadership arousing special popular loyalty or enthusiasm for a public figure (as a political leader)

2: a special magnetic charm or appeal

Personal magic??  Magnetic Charm?? 

I’ll trade those any day for leadership of substance, openness, and a willingness to listen.

And as for a, “lack of clear division in their platforms” – there certainly is truth to that.  This I know because I have been in countless discussions where someone, more closely aligned with the NDP, will say the Liberals are a right-wing fundamentalist party … while another person, who is a small “c” conservative, will say the BC Liberals are little more than NDP “Lite”.  It appears, to those on the outside at least, that the BC Liberals Party really has NOTHING that defines them clearly to the electorate.

In fact, while the leadership and caucus of the BC Liberal Party talk openly in public, and in media releases, that they are a government of low taxes, the one of jobs creation, the one that supports families, and the one that created an environment to welcome people from other parts of the country ... the exact opposite is true.

All of this brings me a round again to that story in the Times Colonist – the one about rebuilding trust. Personally, I think it is too late for Christy Clark and the BC Liberals.  Can John Cummins and the BC Conservative Party be more than a default choice?  I believe they can be.

The people of BC are looking for a party that speaks more than just words (policies and principles) that will sound good … the people of BC want actions that go along with them.  I don’t believe it was the plan of the Times Colonist to give the BC Conservatives a blueprint to win the next election --- but here it is --- in their words:

First, tell the truth. Don't say that you might do something when you have no intention of doing it; don't deny plans to do something when you know - or should know - that plans are being drafted.

The second point: Tell the full story. The notion that all taxes are bad - and there are plenty of politicians ready to claim that - is simply ludicrous.

Third, politicians need to find ways to connect with the voters again. That means talking to them - even ones who might disagree with you, or might not hold any sort of power - and honestly trying to understand their concerns and motivations.

And here is one more thing, for today, that seems fitting to go along with those three things; they are called The Four Agreements, and they were written by a man named Don Miguel Ruiz

1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions: Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best: Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Personal magic and magnetic charm … or practical substance; which will you want to choose from in 2013?

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