We live in a democracy; that’s how it works Kevin

Yesterday’s Conservative Thoughts post was entitled, "Taxes and more taxes … fees and more fees. Someone’s not telling the truth!"

Kamloops South Thompson BC Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger

It didn’t sit well with Kamloops South Thompson Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger who shot back by saying:
Um... your leader John Cummins has publicly admitted he votes NDP. And in his interview with Global's Jas Johal, made it perfectly clear he is fine with causing them to be elected in 2013, if he can.

Their leader and House leader were both NDP Chiefs of Staff in the 1990's, now they want to be government again. They are the same guys, with the same competencies, that put BC last in Canada, economically.

Now they want to shatter the coalition that has restored BC to prosperity, with John Cummins' help - and he is willing.

To which I responded:

Kevin ... your comments above re: John Cummins are out of context -- and also NOT accurate. Misleading the voters / public should be the last thing you would want to do.

That of course resulted in another response from Kevin, who said:

They are certainly accurate. MLA's in the governing coalition are accustomed to being strictly held to account, by the media and the public. You need to pay attention to what John Cummins has said, and is saying.

He has very clearly indicated that his goal is to destroy the non-NDP coalition. That would certainly mean electing an NDP government, if he succeeded. He has also flat-out stated that he voted NDP in the last election. He said he would not accept an MLA crossing the floor to the B.C. Conservatives, if not elected under that banner. He had been asked about Vicki Huntington, an Independent. Then, he embraced John van Dongen, crossing the floor, after betraying two different leaders of the coalition - apparently sacrificing that principle as a convenience, hoping he would be able to win the Chilliwack by-election, where he came in a miserable third. He was not distinguished for being able to work with a team federally, and now apparently assumes he could lead one provincially.

His approaches and his goals would lead to destruction of British Columbians' interests.

I thought to myself … now this is getting interesting.  It seems that my BC Liberal MLA is a bit touchy about things … and in my opinion, he is still off the mark on how a democracy works.  I responded by saying:

First, you used the plural 'votes' rather than vote. Yes, in one provincial election he did indeed vote NDP. This is nothing he has hidden, and often will publicly state it. His reason? As he has stated, the person he voted for was one he personally knew, he respected them, and he respected the work they did on behalf of constituents -- AND there was no way was he felt able to vote for the Liberal candidate.

As to destroying the BC Liberal Party --- there is nothing John Cummins can do with regards to any joining of the BC Conservatives with the BC Liberals. The membership will have nothing to do with it. What you, and many other BC Liberals fail to understand, is that we left and could no longer support the Liberals --- because of their failure to have any meaningful dialogue and input from the voters. As a party, the Liberals have moved closer and closer to what many would consider NDP ideas and governance.

It is the membership of the party --- not the board / executive -- that will not support any kind of merger coalition.

The parties recent, "Johnny come lately" shift towards seeking the input of people is now too little, too late.

As I have stated before ... the people of BC should and must have choices and options to reflect what best mirrors their beliefs. For the BC Liberals to insist, and in some cases near demand that we support them, is crass and unbelievable.

Whether you want to hear this or not -- the BC Liberals will not win the next election -- regardless of whether there are BC Conservatives on the ballot or not. That said, we will continue to prepare to present a small 'c' conservative option to the voters ... and do everything we can to ensure that we are in the legislature following the next general election.

That is how democracy works.

And that is indeed how a democracy works.  Candidates and party’s put themselves forward to the voters, and then the VOTERS, in each riding, decide who will best represent them.

The comments of Kevin Krueger, and others in the BC Liberal Party, continue to show their disregard to the people. 

Who are they to say, that we should not have choice?

Who are they to say, they should be the only option? 

Who are they to say that the beliefs that I, and many others hold, are not worthy of having a home, and being an option I should be able to vote for?

Two years ago I decided that I could no longer support, and vote for, the BC Liberal Party … and I am not alone in that decision.

We live in a democracy; that’s how it works Kevin.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.  The floors yours now ... what do you think?