Looking back at the year – Conservative Thoughts from 2011

I began this blog in late November of 2010 – so Conservative Thoughts has been online line for nearly 14^th months.  In that time I have written and posted just under three hundred and fifty (347) stories and opinion pieces.  My hope is during that time there have been many, or even just a few, that have made you stop and think about where our political process has been … where it is now … and where it can and should be in the future.

I consider myself to be a small ‘c’ conservative, and as I have always be clear about, I am a member of the BC Conservative Party.  What I write and think comes from that background, but the thoughts, ideas, and questions I post are my own.

So, back to those 347 opinion pieces I have written and posted … I wondered which ones struck the biggest note with those who read them. 

Today I will post the most read ones from 11 to 20 … and then tomorrow will be the ones counting down from ten to #1.  Following each of the headings, which have links to the full story, I will include a brief paragraph or two on what the story was about.

Let’s begin …

#20 “WE ARE THE 98 PERCENT” … this was written on October 19^th.
I am working today so that I have the necessities of life --- and a little extra so that our family can enjoy a bit of leisure and relaxation.   I know I am definitely not one of EITHER of the 1% … so I guess I am part of the 98 percent.  These protesters DO NOT represent me, or I believe the vast majority of Canadians; they in fact are as I have said … their own 1%.  They are the 1% and we should be protesting them, except we are busy working and raising families, or keeping busy and or enjoying other things.

#19 Government has a SPENDING PROBLEM ... not a revenue problem! … written May 28th

"Government has a spending problem, not a revenue problem!" ... so said Maureen Bader (former director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation) to a large group of BC Conservative Party members in Surrey this morning.  Ms. Bader indicated that while some people believe that government is the answer to all problems, a large portion of the population is fed up, and will elect a political party running on a platform of small government.  What is needed however; is to have a clear platform that will allow voters to give a mandate for change.

#18 “How will BC Conservatives govern?” ... that's a good question  … written on March 21st

So ... when the next general election rolls around in May 2013, and we end up with a BC Conservative government, what is going to happen.  Well just the other day someone did ask me, what is the first thing that a BC Conservative government will do when they take power?  Those are both good questions (first thing they'll do / how govern), and I wish that I had the answers to them. Before they can be answered, there are a couple of very important things that will have to happen first, within the next couple of months.

#17 “Dear Christy ... the legislation is NOT open to adjustment ... or interpretation” … this one comes from March 24^th
Let me refresh you on what you said during the leadership race for the BC Liberal Party --- “The set election date is not God’s word laid down to Moses. It’s an election date to give us predictability so we know when an election is going to be called in the normal course of things.”

It’s a little more than that Christy – it was done so that people like you could not call an election whenever you felt it in your best interest.  You were there when the Bill was presented in the legislature … you were there when it was voted on … and you voted in favour of having fixed election dates.  You might not think it is “some sacred text” … and that it is “open to adjustment for the extraordinary circumstances of a new premier seeking a mandate from the voters.”  I do hope however that you will reconsider those thoughts.

#16 He was afraid of “splitting the vote” ... last night he signed a membership in the BC Conservative Party … this is actually one of my favorites, and it comes from a couple weeks ago, December 6th

With that, I will wrap up today by letting you know that for the past year I have been talking to a good friend who is small “c’ conservative --- a man who was firmly in the Liberal camp.  In our discussions during the year he said he had to stay with the Liberals because he was afraid of “splitting the vote” ... well last night he signed a membership in the BC Conservative Party.  If you too are a small “c” conservative, I hope you will consider looking at John Cummins and the BC Conservative Party as well.

#15 John Cummins to lead the BC Conservatives -- deals a blow to Christy Clark's Liberals … March 29th

These are also the kind of people the party will need to guide the crop of 85 candidates the party plans to run in the next general election – some of whom may even be considering running as candidates in that election – time will tell.  John Cummins, at the media conference this morning at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver, said that he wants to lead a party that offers a choice and alternative to the old line Liberal and NDP parties, and top-down directive to MLAs. The news has also been delivered to Premier Christy Clark, who will now need to begin worrying about the threat that he, and the BC Conservative Party are about to deliver to the BC Liberals.  The next stage in a movement to deliver real choice -- and true accountability to the voters of BC -- has just begun.

#14 “82 year old Betty Krawczyk is a repeat offender -- Jack Froese and Randall Hopley went free” … written on November 27^th, it shows why so many want to see changes to the legal system

We do in fact need a better legal system.  One that recognizes the rights of the victims … that recognizes then rights of Canadians to be protected … and that recognizes that some criminals don’t care and will continue to offend every time they are released. The tough on crime legislation before Canadian MP's is long overdue … and there will be millions of Canadians who will thank MP's once it is indeed passed … hopefully before the Christmas break.

#13 The “Myth” of saving BC’s environment with a carbon tax  … this comes from late Spring, June 14th

Did you know that owing a forest can make you big money with BC’s carbon tax policies??  It’s true --- it’s one of the ways that business – and even government itself – can make it look as if they are doing more for the environment than they actually are.  Those who read my blog will know that I detest the Carbon Tax as a pretend policy of environmental protection.   Rather than taking money to create efficiencies with energy usage, the government instead takes the resources of the Carbon Tax and transfers them to the Pacific Carbon Trust.  And who benefits from the largesse of the Trust --- well businesses like Encana … and now in a Globe and Mail story from Wednesday June 8th comes this story …

#12 Former Liberal leadership candidate Ed Mayne is right, “We don't have a carbon tax we have a consumption tax” … a story that was written on November 22^nd

Story after story --- year after year --- we've had editorials, studies, papers, and a multitude of opinions showing the carbon tax initiative, first imposed on us by then Liberal Finance Minister Carole Taylor in the Gordon Campbell government (imposed under the guise of reducing the carbon footprint of British Columbians), is nothing more than a sham ... and in reality it is a consumption tax!

And finally for today … here is story #11 of what people took the most time to read and consider during this past year.  It’s called Just a FEW of the ones that deserve special thanks for the work they do … posted on November 18^th

Sixty none police officers from across the province received recognition last night at BC’s 31st annual Police Honours Night. Of those officers, 22 received awards for valorous service (exemplary service in the face of extreme hazard and personal risk) ... 43 for meritorious service (involves actions above the call of duty that enhance the image of policing in BC) ... as well as outstanding service recognition for a retired RCMP deputy commissioner and three retired chief constables.

That’s all for today … tomorrow I will conclude with the top 10 stories from the Conservative Thoughts blog this year.

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