This government has found new, and improved ways, to take more from us

Quote from Christy Clark (main page of the BC Liberal party website):

"Since I became your Premier on March 14, 2011, I have been focused on one thing: making life better for B.C. families."

ALSO ... from the BC Liberal Party website comes this statement under the things they believe:

"Government must put families first in all decision-making. This means: making life a little more affordable for everyday families ..."

Hmmmm ... I really have to question that Christy because ...

• The cost of premiums we pay for the Medical Services Plan ... UP
• Hydro rates ... UP
• ICBC rates ... UP
• BC Ferry rates ... UP and service is DOWN
• The Carbon Tax, which is applied to the cost of all fuel so heating, groceries, clothing, transportation costs are all ... UP
• Government budget deficits ... UP
• The Debt (to be paid by our children and grandchildren) -- UP and now approaching $66 BILLION

Is this Christy Clark, overwhelmed at the growing debt?

It unconscionable that this government has to pay borrowers roughly $7 million every day ... just for interest payments on that debt!

And here is something which was just pointed out on Tuesday (Jan 22 / 13) by the BC Taxpayers Federation; "The Property Transfer Tax, along with all of these other taxes, charges and fees that government has added to the cost of a home in British Columbia, is choking the average family."

Here is what Jordon Bateman, BC Taxpayers Federation Director said of the property Transfer Tax, "It’s shortsighted and ultimately damages the long term strength of the B.C. economy."

Over the past few days I have been asking where and what the BC Liberal Plan is --- and there it's been all along -- gouge every last nickel we can from the people of BC.

Don't leave it with us where we can decide where, and how, to spend the earnings from our labors; perhaps on a night out with our spouse, a new pair of skates for one of our children, a few fixer upper renovations to our home, or a simple drive in the country.

No ... instead this government has found new and improved ways to take more from us.

Again ... as BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins has said, "Government needs to spend smarter -- NOT more!"

This BC Liberal government of Christy Clark can crow all they like (in taxpayer funded partisan ads) that they have spending under control, and that they will have a balanced budget this Spring.

I ask ... HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Their record over the past several years shows otherwise -- they couldn't even get this years budget deficit right, having to revise and increase the total deficit 3 times!

If people are indeed looking for government accountability -- and a government committed to connecting with the people of BC through common sense policies -- the choice is clear.  On Tuesday May 14th, 2013, British Columbians need to elect, and send to the legislature in Victoria, BC Conservative Party MLA's.

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

This government continues to stagger to the finish line of this electoral term --- and only a miracle will see them win re-election for another term

On February 26th, 2011, Christy Clark was elected leader of the BC Liberal Party, making her Premier of the province ... she was then sworn in as British Columbia's 35th Premier on March 14th, 2011 ...

On May 12th, 2011 she was elected MLA for Vancouver-Point Grey MLA in a by-election ... and on May 30th, 2011 Christy Clark then took her legislative seat as MLA ...

SO ... how many days has the government she leads conducted the people business in the legislature since then?

Dome of the BC Legislature in Victoria

Between April 27th, 2011 and June 2nd, 2011 Christy Clark had the government in session for 20 days ... between October 4th, 2011 and November 24th, 2011 the legislature was in session for 23 days ... and ... between February 14th, 2012 and May 31st, 2012 the government was in session for another 48 days.

Since Christy Clark was elected as the leader of the BC Liberal Party -- and therefore the Premier of the province of British Columbia -- the legislature has been in session a total of 91 days. 

That's just three months.

Christy Clark has been premier for 21 and a half months; government has been in the legislature, doing the peoples business, for just 3 of them.

Given events of the past few weeks with controversy over whether Auditor General John Doyle would be given a second term ... the erratic spending of 10's of thousand of dollars on a constituency office by BC Liberal MLA Eric Foster in Vernon - Monashee ... and the complete mishandling, by the Liberals, of whether BC Liberal MLA John Slater was to have the opportunity to run again for the party ... I'm not surprised its only been 90 days.

This government continues to stagger to the finish line of this electoral term --- and only a miracle will see them win re-election for another term.

A decade of government under the NDP saw reckless spending and numerous scandals. And a decade of government under the BC Liberals has really seen much the same.

Now the question is; will the people of BC turn to, and consider, the option of electing a BC Conservative government led by John Cummins?

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... with the thoughts, and questions, of one conservative. 

We are counting down to the #1 post -- today we look back at #5 down to #2

Today I'm continuing to take a look at the Top 10 commentaries which were most read here on the Conservative Thoughts blog.  We are counting down to the #1 post -- today we look back at #5 down to #2

The 5th most read blog post comes from October 11th, and it was entitled "Someone is pulling the strings from behind –and whoever they are – they are cowards for not showing their faces"

From July 4th comes the 4th most read post; "TwiddleDee, and Twiddle Dumb. That’s what we have with the BC Liberal Party, and the BC New Democrats"

The third most read story, "What they believe, and stand for, are the things that will guide them in government",  comes from April 26th

Some in the media and public believe that the BC Conservative Party has viewpoints that would be opposed by the majority of British Columbians, and has no clearly defined plans and ideas.  Given that, I thought that I would do a side by side comparison

.
And our last look back today will be the 2nd most read commentary from 2012.  It comes from January 16th, and was entitled, "Hiring Ken Boessenkool is for the partisan purpose of making the BC Liberal government look good" 

Is the Premiers Office a non-partisan part of the government of BC --- or is it an extension of the BC Liberal Party?  I ask this question because it is becoming increasing unclear what it’s exact 'political' purpose is.

That's all for today ... tomorrow we'll find out what the most read commentary was from 2012, on the Conservative Thought blog.

I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops ... with a look back at the thoughts of one conservative.

The Liberal Party have everything to fear by our growth (much as Social Credit did when the Liberal Party came back from the wilderness)

Today I am going to share with you, part of a letter, which was received by one of our Kamloops Constituency Association board members.  I think in reading it, you will find it echoes the response of some people you yourself may have spoken, or been in touch with: 

I am very conservative fiscally and probably small ‘c’ conservative socially, a strong believer in free enterprise but with a social conscience.

I was initially intrigued by the BC conservative movement, I was interested in its direction.  Had some high hopes that it could find a place in BC politics.

I must say I am presently disillusioned by many of the actions ... 

Sound familiar --- are you becoming disillusioned your self when you hear those words, or others similar.  

Well "Buck Up, because here is a response that MUST be delivered to those who believe in what we are trying to do, but are been swayed by outside influences.  And ... every word of what follows IS true!

Dear John Doe ...

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, and let me say right off the bat that I appreciate your candor in the remarks you made.  If  I were to say, I was not discouraged, by the events that took place this past Summer, I would not be speaking the truth. 

That said, I attended the party AGM held in Langley, and what I saw and felt, was the heart and soul of the membership striving and working towards achieving approval of new policy that would be part of our platform next May.

I also saw our rank and file members listening intently to the words of those who were seeking the lead the party on the Executive and Board of Directors.  Given the overwhelming mandate those elected received, it is obvious that we have majority support for our party leader John Cummins.

Let me also say that he, like anyone one else, has his flaws, however our party is NOT the John Cummins Party.  It is the BC Conservative Party, and we the members (the grassroots) are the people that drive it ... unlike the Adrian Dix led NDP ... and Christy Clark led BC Liberals.

We have lost some of our members through-out the internal problems we had -- those however were NOT the people that stood behind the majority of our membership who are firmly behind a bottom up approach, rather than one led from the top down. 

Those individuals, who are now gone, were more concerned with having their own way, in creating their own little empires, rather than supporting the aspirations of our members. 

We have come out the other side --- we are stronger for the trials we went through -- and our members KNOW the party does, and will, stand behind the will and direction of its members.

Seems to be a lot of back room (non democratic) activity, in that party!

There was interesting news out of Abbotsford yesterday, as noted in Abbotsford Today:

"... it is with a deep sense of regret that I have accepted the resignation of My Board of Directors for the BC Liberals – Abbotsford South Riding. With this letter, I also am resigning as President of the Abbotsford South Riding Association ..."

And why did this happen? Well it appears that the top down brass of Christy Clark's BC Liberal Party decided to force a candidate on the constituency association -- something the Board of Directors for the Abbotsford-South Constituency Association decided they would have nothing to do with.

Darryl Plecas -- 'appointed' as BC Liberal
candidate in the Abbotsford- South riding

In a letter issued by Stephen Evans, Past-President of the Abbotsford South – BC Liberal Riding Association, he stated:

"The appointment of Darryl Plecas was both unfair and not democratic. The Riding Association was not consulted on this appointment.

If the Riding was consulted, the Riding Association would have stated that the memberships and Riding Association Funds were not generated by Darryl Plecas nor his campaign team. The only reason for Darryl Plecas’ appointment was that he could not defend a challenge from Moe Gill if there was a fair nomination process.

This leads to the question that if Darryl can’t beat Moe Gill in a fair nomination process, how can he win against John van Dongen in an election?

For his part, my nephew (Steve Forseth) has decided this heavy-handed decision, by the BC Liberal Party, was the right one to make, saying:   
"the interpretation of the candidate selection process of the BC Liberal Party by the Abbotsford-South Riding Association is the incorrect one...."

JOHN MARTIN: "a vote for the BC Conservatives is vote to send Christy Clark’s Liberal government a message that people are tired of failed Liberal policies"

Am I disappointed in the news of John Martin leaving for the BC Liberals – YES – and its not likely the BC Liberals are going to turn away anyone that wants to become a member

BUT … for the BC Liberals to welcome former BC Conservative candidate John Martin, to be their candidate (after what he had to say during last Mays by-election) only causes one to take a fresh look at everything he said was wrong about the Liberals --- and leader Christy Clark.

Here are just a few samples of the word he spoke then:

… a vote for the BC Conservatives is vote to send  Christy Clark’s Liberal government a message that people are tired of failed Liberal policies.

… the best way to hold Christy Clark and the BC Liberal government accountable is by voting for John Martin and the BC Conservatives. I look forward to your support

… it was an honour to be invited to testify before the Senate in support of crime legislation – legislation still bitterly opposed by the BC Liberals and the & NDP

… with this new law the federal government has demonstrated it is willing to do their part to protect law abiding citizens from violent and repeat offenders … sadly, British Columbia’s government appears to have little interest in doing likewise

… the Christy Clark Liberals are trying to use the education system for their own political gain, at expense of parents, teachers & students

… I can’t think of a more crass decision (by Christy Clark) in the name of electioneering in light of this upcoming by-election.

… accused criminals had drug charges dropped due to court delays – they were thrown out because of the BC Liberal governments negligence of the justice system

… I am the only candidate that took a solid stand against a BC Liberal garbage incinerator that will pollute our air

… carbon tax, garbage incinerator, Liberal ‘catch & release’ justice system, on these issues the BC Liberals and the NDP on same page

… under the BC Liberals the ALR has become a plaything for developers and well-connected special interests

The decision by John Martin to join the BC Liberals --- the decision by the BC Liberals to welcome him to be their candidate next May – only speaks to the crass political opportunism of both John Martin – and Christy Clark.

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

“Most of these statements, if not all, people once thought of as principles the BC Liberal Party supported”

For those who stop by on a regular basis to read my blog, you’ll have noted yesterday’s post, which was entitled “Under Premier Clark's leadership we've seen increased costs to businesses in BC, and to middle class families, who continue to fall farther and farther behind".

In part of the post I noted that:

 … many British Columbians, including business owners, are asking if this government truly represents free-enterprise, and the workers it employs?

I went on to say that:
If you ask people in the Kamloops area, to define this government's claim to representing so-called 'free enterprise', you’ll be met with varying responses. Whether business owners, or their employees trying to raise a family and keep a roof over their head, neither can see how this BC Liberal Government has helped them keep a few more dollars in their pockets.

BC businesses have faced not only the increase in corporate tax rates, but also user fees which penalize their business growth.

That led my nephew, a fellow blogger to respond by saying:
Earlier today - BC Conservative Kamloops Regional Director (and Kamloops blogger) Alan Forseth took the BC Liberals' to task over its' fiscal policies including a possible corporate tax hike schedule to take place in 2013.

For BC Conservatives' to continually 'squawk off' about BC Liberal fiscal policies is really getting old because if they truly want to become government in 2013 and want to rid this province of the fiscal deficit (caused by external forces), then they need to say how they'll make up ditching the carbon tax and which provincial services (healthcare, education, social services, transportation, etc) they'll dump in order to bring the provincial books to balance.  Sound bites won't do.  Actual list of services that BC Conservatives' will dump is now needed as the voters' of this province need to know how each political party will serve the best interests of this province from 2013-2018.

Well Steve ... as much as I appreciate your comments, you'll note that the basis for my blog post was ultimately the comments of the BC business community, which I happen to agree with.  Just to be clear, the comments I included, I believe, made a strong case for what I had to say:

… BC food producers have said the carbon tax hurts their bottom line

… the Business Council of BC has described the carbon tax as unfair because BC based businesses pay the tax, but their competitors from outside of the province do not.

…  Shachi Kurl, director of provincial affairs for BC and Yukon for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said … “The costs of doing business are starting to become unsustainable.”  Kurl added that rising hydro and other utility costs, as well as the carbon tax, are other increases businesses have faced in recent years.  “All of this is coming out of the same till.”

… the Cariboo Cattlemen’s Association says the carbon tax continues to put ranchers at a competitive disadvantage ... “we’re paying the tax and there’s no investment coming back... into the sector to reduce our carbon footprint ... either exempt us from the tax or get a program in place to provide some benefits back to us.”

And the Fraser Institute stated that:

… competitive personal income tax rates enable the province to better retain and attract high-skilled professionals as well as promote entrepreneurship and innovation in BC.

Again, those comments make sense to me --- they are things I have been saying, and commenting on now, for a year and a half.

This government has a problem keeping taxes, fees, and utility rates under control … both for business, and BC’s middle-class.  I know it … the people of BC know it … and now even the business community is speaking out on it.

So Steve, what I fail to understand is why you would shoot the messenger?

Both of these things are happening with the Liberals, in the same way as they occurred under the NDP

Last night on Global TV news out of Vancouver, I heard Christy Clark talking about not wanting to go back to the horrible debt of the NDP -- and to the days when people were leaving the province for better jobs and lower taxes.

Is she serious?? Does she really have no idea what her BC Liberal Party's track record is??

She obviously is unaware, or pretends not to know, that the BC Liberals have doubled the provinces debt from $30 to $60 billion. She also seems to be unaware, or not to know, anything about last year’s Fraser Institute report that shows there are now MORE people leaving the province than are moving here.

Both of these things are happening with the Liberals, in the same way as they occurred under the NDP.

It is becoming more and more obvious neither of these choices are what BC needs.

Adrian Dix smiles a lot and doesn't say anything to ruffle feathers - but we are not hearing anything on how he will govern ... what his economic policies will be ... his taxation policies ... his plans to settle contracts with government unions ... etc.

There is only one real choice for smaller common sense government -- and that choice is the BC Conservatives!

I posted the above on my Facebook page last night, which elicited a response from soon to be retiring Kamloops South Thompson Liberal MLA Kevin Krueger who said:

CHOICE, OPTIONS, and CHANGE … vs ... SCAREMONGER, FEAR, and PEREMPTORY

Do any of the following words sound dangerous, scary, or unhealthy to you?

CHOICE … OPTIONS … CHANGE

In looking at the definitions ascribed to them by Merriam Webster, ‘CHOICE’, ‘OPTIONS’, and ‘CHANGE’ certainly don’t sound dangerous, scary, or unhealthy, as you will note by the following:

Definition of the word CHOICE

… the act of choosing … power of choosing

… a number and variety to choose among

… care in selecting

Definition of the word OPTIONS

… an act of choosing

… the right to choose (freedom of choice)

Definition of the word CHANGE

… to make different in some particular

… to give a different position, course, or direction

… to replace with another

… to make a shift from one to another

… to undergo a modification

To those who believe in a democratic society the words Choice, Options, or Change should never be considered to be scary … instead I think that most would consider them to be healthy.

Just taking a look back at the past 30 days

As the title says, I thought I would take a quick look back at stories that have generated the most number of page views.   

Several have a number of comments, and if you have an opinion one way or the other, it’s never too late to have a say and add your opinion.

In at number five:

What they believe, and stand for, are the things that will guide them in government

If you go to the BC Liberal Party you’ll find a section entitled “What We Believe” … the BC Conservative Party website also has a page that gives an overview on what the party stands for, it is entitled “What We Stand For”.

Some in the media and public believe that the BC Conservative Party has viewpoints that would be opposed by the majority of British Columbians, and has no clearly defined plans and ideas.  Given that, I thought that I would do a side by side comparison.

In at number four:

Oh, and by the way … I am still waiting for a reply from Kevin Krueger on this

Based in Victoria, Tom Fletcher is the legislative reporter, and columnist, for newspapers published across the province by Black Press. Yesterday (May 2, 2012) he wrote a story, “BC Liberals try election gag law again”, which I posted on my Facebook page.  The story, which follows, was posted by me without comment as information for others …

The third most read article was:

Not much has changed in 16 years

Last night I was going through a box of campaign material from the 1996 provincial election in BC.  For those not aware, I ran as a candidate for the BC Reform Party in the riding of Kamloops North Thompson.

While going through the box, I came upon opening remarks I made at an All-Candidates Forum that had been held in Barriere, a small rural community about half an hour north of Kamloops, in the North Thompson.   

In at number two was:

David Loukidelis described what he called “an unacceptable pattern of government-wide failure to respond to access requests in as timely a fashion as it should.”

The BC government today announced that Deputy Attorney General David Loukidelis will be leaving the government.  Loukidelis became the Deputy AG in January 2010 following a position as the Commissioner of the Freedom of Information Office.  A brief story in the Vancouver Sun this afternoon noted: The announcement was made in an internal note sent Friday by John Dyble, deputy minister to Premier Christy Clark.

And here is the story that has generated the most page views during the past month:

If you decide to read on, make sure you have some Tylenol, and an antacid, handy

The other day I was talking with a media friend, and had mentioned I was thinking of taking a look at how BC's debt has climbed over the years.  Well I did indeed do that, and now I am sorry I did.

I appreciate those of you who take the time to read these thoughts – no matter what your political beliefs or background.  In fact, “Thank You” for doing so!

Tomorrows post … “Can the word ‘Progressive’ be used in context with being a conservative?” … has been written; I hope you’ll drop by and have a look once it goes online in the morning.

Take care my friends!

I told you to deal with the problem … not to make it worse

Margaret Thatcher - British Prime Minister
from 1979 to 1990 -- "The Iron Lady"

Let me start off today with a quote from former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher:

“If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.”

These are words, which when we read them all these years later, still ring true! 

Now compare the above to the words of Christy Clark following her win as the new leader of the BC Liberal Party just over a year ago:

"I want you to be my partners in change in Victoria. I want you to be my partners in bringing open government. You can count on me to listen, you can count on me to engage, and you can count on me to make sure government really does include you. I have specific ideas on how to do these things but I also need to hear from you.”

How many would agree that this change has indeed taken place in British Columbia since she became Premier of the province?

I know there are many people, well not as many as a year ago, who think that Christy Clark is one of the best leaders the so-called free enterprise coalition has ever seen. 

I do not share that opinion.

One who does however, for reasons many cannot fathom, is Preston Manning … the leader of Canada’s Reform movement, which went through a variety of transformations to finally become today's Conservative Party.

Recently, he went so far as to call Christy Clark Canada’s “Iron Snowbird”.  In a news story from earlier this spring (B.C. Premier Christy Clark lauded as 'iron snowbird') he had this rationale behind the name:

What they believe, and stand for, are the things that will guide them in government

If you go to the BC Liberal Party you’ll find a section entitled “What We Believe” … the BC Conservative Party website also has a page that gives an overview on what the party stands for, it is entitled “What We Stand For”.

Some in the media and public believe that the BC Conservative Party has viewpoints that would be opposed by the majority of British Columbians, and has no clearly defined plans and ideas.  Given that, I thought that I would do a side by side comparison.

This was an interesting exercise to do, given talk that the BC Liberal Party is willing to take a look at a name change.  That possible name change however would still be over a party that has the same guiding principles and beliefs.

Granted these are not the ‘policies’ of the party; however what they believe and stand for, are the things that will guide them in government.

BC Conservatives:

A belief in the rights and responsibilities of all British Columbians and 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

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

A belief that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) are primarily responsible to represent the interests of their Constituents

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

Protection of the rights and freedoms of individual British Columbians

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

A belief in smaller government resulting in more liberty and personal property rights, the encouragement of new enterprise and individual achievement striving towards excellence and prosperity

BC Liberals … not covered

BC Conservatives:

A belief in the principle of equality of opportunity for all British Columbians, with special privileges for none. This principle includes the protection of private property, the freedom of the individual, and freedom of speech, worship and lawful assembly

BC Liberals … not covered

Nothing else can, or will, save them before defeat in 2013 … even with a Leadership change

Steve Forseth, former BC Liberal
Policy Chair / Riding Secretary
for the Cariboo - Chilcotin

My nephew Steve, has been a blogger for several years now, and has been active in support of the BC Liberal Party – it makes for some interesting discussion on politics for sure. 

The other day I asked if he would be interested in providing a Guest Opinion for the Conservative Thoughts blog, which after consideration, he agreed to do.  Here then, is that guest editorial.

Over the last year or so, much has been made about the so-called vote split for the ‘Conservative’ voter in BC. 

In times past, most conservative voters (small-c, ‘Blue’ and ‘Red’ Tories) provincially have aligned themselves behind the ‘BC Liberal’ brand,  Recently however, small-c conservatives have become rapidly disillusioned with the Christy Clark BC Liberals’, and a fair number of them have decided to back the John Cummins BC Conservatives’. 

It should be noted that the split of small ‘c’ conservatives in Alberta has led to the formation of two conservative political parties in Alberta consisting of the Wildrose Party and the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta

Political history in BC during the 1952, 1972, 1991, and 1996 BC General Elections shows that a split on the centre-right in BC generally elects a NDP government

Much has been made recently of the two by-elections in Port Moody and Chilliwack, including what would have occurred if the centre-right vote had been behind one party. 

Let’s be clear – one conservative party in the Port Moody – Coquitlam by-election would have made no difference, given the strength of the NDP candidate, former Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini ... but it could have prevented the election of an NDP MLA in Chilliwack – Hope.

So what does the future of conservatives in BC hold?