OK, where do I sign up?

Well as you probably know, I have been busy enjoying family and friends, and taken a short break from the Conservative Thoughts blog which I started a couple of weeks ago.

Anyway, long story short, there were a zillion emails in my personal email inbox to review after not checking it for the past couple of days.  So what stood out for me amongst all of them??? – it was the following:

OK, where do I sign up?  I have had it with the liars and crooks who have betrayed the voters.  I don't know, if elected to govern, that the BC Conservative Party would honestly serve the people.  But, God forgive me for saying this: Surely they can't be any worse!

That said I am prepared to become a member.  I will also let my e-mail buddies in on this because many of them are looking for another political party to support, the Liberals and NDP'ers can go to hell, the sooner the better.

What do I think of this email?  We’ll first of all I am glad he contracted us and actually still wants to be a part of ANY political party.  Second it just goes to reinforce for me what the current state of politics in BC has come to – voters thinking, the alternative can't be any worse than what we've got.

BC Politics --- The Stories of 2010

Happy New Year ... I hope that you were able to enjoy a great Christmas with family and friends. As you read this, I am away for several days so that our family can visit and spend time with family.

I have a great deal of confidence for the conservative movement in British Columbia in 2011, and as 2010 ends, let's take a look back at some of the events that happened in the wacky world of BC politics:


Jan. 20: The BC government issues layoff notices to 233 provincial employees in the second round of cost-cutting measures since B.C.'s deficit soared in 2009.

Jan 21^st ... Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, which carry out directives issued by Health Minister Kevin Falcon, are cancelling 2,450 surgeries this February through March. The government has characterized the reduction in operating room procedures as an "Olympic slowdown". Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, which carry out directives issued by Health Minister Kevin Falcon, are cancelling 2,450 surgeries this February through March. The government has characterized the reduction in operating room procedures as an "Olympic slowdown".

February 1^st ...Today B.C. Liberal agriculture minister Steve Thompson suggested in a radio interview that the Buy B.C. program could be the key to helping struggling fruit growers in the Okanagan stay in business, yet despite the fact that the program costs little more than what the government is spending on Olympic tickets for B.C. Liberal friends and insiders, he would not commit to reinstating it.

March 2: The B.C. government tables a budget that forecasts a $1.7 billion deficit this fiscal year, and reveals a BC Hydro plan to increase rates by 15 per cent in the next two years. The budget maintains the government’s priority of protecting core services in health and education and commits every dollar raised through the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and four other revenue streams to be used for health services funding when the HST comes into effect July 1, 2010.”.  While health and education have received modest increases in funding, other provincial ministries are facing significant cuts: Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Forests and Range and the Healthy Living and Sport Ministries.

We need a strong alternative to provide voters with a clear and identifiable choice

Why is it in British Columbia that we seem to have a penchant for one or the other; the left or the right??  There is a definite solid base of supporters for the NDP --- and a solid block for what is now the BC Liberal Party, former represented by Social Credit.  In the middle stands a huge block of voters who swing from one side of the pendulum to the other saying, “lets throw these bums out”. 

It seems that a growing number of people are beginning to see that a strong alternative would go a long ways to providing voters with clear and identifiable choices – and would go a long ways I believe to seeing an end of the swinging pendulum.

I have said this before, but I believe it is still as true as ever … NO political party can embody everything an individual would want.  I do believe however that those of us wishing to see a clear alternative to the Liberals vs. NDP option we have had for the past decade … can identify with the beliefs and values of the BC Conservative Party.

What seems to be at the top of the list in importance to the BC Conservative Party includes, but is not limited to:

This Week in BC Politics (Dec 20 - 26th)

Here's a snapshot of stories from the past week ... just click the link in the story title

BC Conservative Party names board for Kamloops North Thompson -- Barriere Star Journal 

The BC Conservative Party named its Board of Directors for the Kamloops North Thompson Riding on Saturday, Dec. 11, during a meeting held at the McLure …

COLUMN: Don't sacrifice set election dates -- BCLocalNews

VICTORIA – Christy Clark could run in a by-election if she wins the BC Liberal leadership vote in February, but she is leaning towards an early general …

BC Liberal leadership rivals square off on tax cuts -- Globe and Mail

Kevin Falcon says Christy Clark, one of his rivals for the leadership of the BC Liberals, has fallen prey to NDP thinking on tax cuts…

'A propitious time' in BC politics, MLA says -- Cranbrook Daily Townsman

Right now, if there's an election, and there's a credible alternative to the NDP and the BC Liberals, I think we're going to end up with a brand new party ...

BC Rail probe is a bold move -- The Province

Although the BC Rail corruption saga was the most serious and disturbing political scandal of the decade -- with many unanswered questions about the biggest …

BC ombudsperson asked to investigate coroner's resignation -- Vancouver Sun

... but several allegations of direct political interference in the coroner's office have since been made in the media by former chief coroners and BC's ...

Basi memos show need for B.C. Rail inquiry -- North Shore News

British Columbians are owed a full, sworn exposé of the political shenanigans that led to the dealing away of a critical public asset -- BC Rail -- into the...

Economy at stake in BC recall campaign -- Journal of Commerce

The worst kept secret in British Columbia is that big labour and their political arm, the NDP, are involved. Leaked memos from NDP meetings …

De Jong camp hopes Christy and Kevin keep fighting -- The Province (blog)

... the legendary political operator from Alberta who steered Ralph Klein's career for many years, is in British Columbia working for Liberal leadership

Seasons greetings from BC Hydro -- Vancouver Sun (blog)

In short, by the time the holiday season is over, this thing is pretty much a done deal. And in the BC Liberal political lexicon, that's what they mean by ...

We'll be back soon ... Happy New Year and I hope you had a great Christmas