SEAN UPSHAW; "Let me remind everyone that the word 'serve' is in Conservative"

Who is Westside-Kelowna BC Conservative candidate Sean Upshaw?  Well I asked Sean that very question, and here is what he had to say: 

Westside-Kelowna BC Conservative
candidate Sean Upshaw

Every story has a beginning.  Mine is similar to some, and greatly dissimilar to others.  I begin with this simply to let you know my early roots.  My parents divorced when I was 3. and I ended up in foster homes and between parents. Due to illness my Mom was on Disability Assistance; my father was an alcoholic. It was a challenging time for me as a child, and into my late teens. 

At age 18 I nearly died when I was stung by dozens of wasps, and I went into anaphylactic shock. I survived, and shortly after, I made a decision to make some major changes in my life.  Since then I have never looked back, and set myself on a path to be the best person I can. 

I have been married to my lovely wife, Heather, for almost 30 years. We moved here to Kelowna 11 years ago from Abbotsford, with our 3 children, Andrew, Sarah and Dave.  

Since then, Andrew has gotten married, to Ashley, and they have 2 children, Noah and Ezra. Sarah has been working with me for about 7 years. She did receive her real estate license, but is now working as my unlicensed assistant. Dave was working in real estate with us as well, but has recently moved to Vancouver with his fiancé, Jen. 

Heather and I have a dog named Sami. Some of my hobbies are spending time with my family, watching Canucks hockey and Golf, being out on the lake in the summertime, and vintage cars. I really enjoy studying the stars, the universe and physics. 

I am also a political junkie.  My political interest began when at the age of 10 in Camrose Alberta.  There I had the opportunity to meet, and shake the hand of, Premier Peter Lougheed. From that moment on, I grew to learn that that one individual can make a difference in this world. 

In the 2011 Federal Election I ran as an Independent Conservative Candidate in the Okanagan Coquihalla riding, and of course in the recent BC Provincial General Election, I ran as a candidate for the BC Conservatives. 

My record is that of a person who is well educated, a real

achiever who is not afraid to be innovative and take risks. 

I am loyal and committed to what is right, and to serving people whenever and wherever I am able. Even though I could have been held back by a challenging start to life, I have not let that hold me back from being the best person I can be. 

The reason I have chosen to run, in the Westside Kelowna by-election, is because our Province truly needs a Conservative government if we are to ever get out of the financial mess that the BC Liberals have put us in. 

It is not an easy task taking on a Premier, especially one who is as arrogant and cunning as the one we have now. 

Our province has been robbed from, lied too, and corrupted by this present Liberal government, but hopefully with new eyes on the situation, and the ability to speak first hand to it, they can finally be held to account. 

The BC Liberals have done a masterful job, of covering up their past, with a campaign that was paid for by the very taxpayers that are being deceived. I guess you could say we have sown the wind, and reaped to the whirlwind. Soon the chickens will come home to roost. 

Unfortunately it seems the media, in large part, are a big part of the problem. They have long passed the point of journalism and have been sold out to commercialism. The unbiased days of truth and fairness have been replaced with favoritism and greed, and the need to be populist instead realists. 

Am I being too honest?  

So I have chosen to run because I, like many BC Conservatives, am not under the “spell” of this agenda. 

I see my role in Victoria as one of fighting for truth in the midst of what Christy Clark herself has called a “sick” culture -- one I hope that a growing number of British Columbians will come to acknowledge as a role much in need of being filled. It certainly is not one that the NDP will take on, after all, they are as much a part of it, as the BC Liberals.

It’s sick. It’s a sick culture ... it’s really unhealthy. I was talking about the legislature

This is one of those blog posts where I will let the words of others do the talking ... including Christy Clark.  She, and others, have already said it so well. 

 

 

CBC (June 5th / 2013):
"We say names like WAC Bennett and Bill Bennett and we think of leadership — two great leaders who shaped our province," said Clark. 

 

National Post (Apr 13 / 2013):
It’s no secret that Christy Clark’s government has a credibility problem ... Ms. Clark continues to misinform, mislead and just make up stuff. 

 

Doug Morrison of Garibaldi Highlands (Vancouver Sun June 11 / 2013):
Today’s government policies on private power are in the process of bankrupting W.A.C. Bennett’s greatest contribution to the growth of the B.C. economy, BC Hydro, the “powerhouse of British Columbia.”.  Christy Clark has no right at all to be channeling the spirit of the great W.A.C. Bennett. 

 

 

Chilliwack Progress (Apr 22 / 13):
Clark said on Thursday that Strahl is an example of a retired federal politician who is "very actively helping us on this campaign and I'm really proud of the contribution (he's) making." 

 

Strahl confirmed that he has "no involvement" in Clark's or anyone else's campaign 

 

Vancouver Sun (June 11th)

...  Christy Clark’s BC Liberal government has significantly increased the maximum salaries it can pay to its top political staff ... boosts the maximum salary that can be handed to Clark’s Chief of Staff ... can now also make up to $230,000, representing a boost of almost 60 per cent from the position’s previous cap of $144,000. 

 

CKNW 980 on the Bill Good Show with Mike Smyth June 12th):
Finance Minister Mike de Jong is defending surprise Liberal pay increases for political staff, even as his government preaches austerity.  

 

CBC News (June 7th / 2013):
Delta South Independent MLA Vicki Huntington says she is dismayed over the $25 monthly fee charged for wheelchairs or wheelchair cushions. 

Did the BC Liberals win a majority government because they had Christy Clark as their leader? We'll find out soon enough, once the by-election is actually called.

Yes a 'Win For The Ages' for the BC Liberal
Party -- but was it a win for her leadership?

Does Christy Clark deserve a free-pass, in Westside-Kelowna, to get in to the legislature?

I certainly don't think so ... and regardless, two teams are in place who will indeed challenge her ability to be in the legislature as an elected Premier.  And, perhaps even one or two strong independent candidate will also step forward in the days ahead.  

Lots has been written in the news media over the past week and a half ... here is just a snapshot. 

MacLeans (June 5th)
Clark was defeated in her Vancouver-Point Grey riding, where she spent little time as she toured the province. The Liberals were widely expected to get badly pummelled in the vote and the party’s come-from-behind win to increase its number of seats in the legislature is largely attributed to Clark’s campaign skills. 

The Liberals said on election night she sacrificed her own riding to do it, making a byelection necessary. 

Vancouver Province (June 5th)
... said ... that she felt that Kelowna “is a natural political home for me and the values I believe in.”

“This is the cradle of free enterprise,” Clark said, noting that premiers WAC Bennett and his son Bill Bennett represented the people of Kelowna during their long reigns. “Among all the offers that I received from MLAs, this one felt the most natural.”  

BC NDP (June 5th)
We are looking forward to running a strong campaign with an Okanagan candidate against the Premier in Westside-Kelowna. 

The BC NDP will run a candidate with local roots who can offer the people of Kelowna and West Kelowna a strong, local voice in the legislature. 

The local constituency association will choose our candidate and we will be in a position to announce who that is in due course. 

The Armchair Mayor (June 6th)
I’m not one of those who gets all sentimental about Christy Clark “deserving” a seat in the B.C. Legislature ... 

Westside-Kelowna is a strange choice for Clark. She’s from the Coast, after all.

... according to Clark, though, Kelowna is her “natural political home.” Apparently, she’s had an epiphany after all these years. Clark, who lives in Vancouver-Fairview, lost in Vancouver-Point Grey. She is a Lower Mainlander through and through, but suddenly her political heart is in the Interior. 

... this being a democracy, the people should have a say, and she should have to earn her seat. 

I believe societies real test of supporting freedom of speech, is to ensure all have the opportunity to have their say, even those we agree with the least

Well many comments have come in regarding the blog post I did yesterday, regarding Saturday's column by Alex Tsakumis.  As I fully expected, they have come in by private message, or email, as most folks are nervous about him turning his guns on them.

Let me just point out that I very much support free speech, and the right of Alex to say whatever he wishes to.  He has every right to do so.

What I, and many others however, object to, is the way in which he does so.  Writing with an inflammatory style does nothing, in my opinion, to further the cause of dialogue in a meaningful way.

I might point out that the policies, beliefs, and principles, of the BC Conservative Party, very much support the right of free speech.  Our Guiding Principles clearly state:

1.1.7.

We believe in the principle of equality for all British Columbians, with special privileges for none.

This principle includes the protection of private propertyy, the freedom of the individual, and freedom of speech, worship and lawful assembly.

I as an individual, and as a member of the BC Conservative Party, am dedicated to upholding the concept of this fundamental freedom.

I may not agree with what some people have to say, and that has been the case on many an occasion.  However ... I believe societies real test of supporting freedom of speech, is to ensure all have the opportunity to have their say, even those we agree with the least.

Dialogue leads to understanding .. and that I fully support.

 

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

Why Alex, even you yourself, with your juvenile twist of my name to ‘foreskin’, show your junior high mentality

Blogger & political commentator
Alex Tsakumis strikes a pose of ?

Yesterday (June 8th) blogger and political commentator Alex Tsakumis wrote a piece entitled ‘EXCLUSIVE’ BREAKING NEWS: BC Conservative Leader Set to Resign Immediately! 

It was typical of his style of writing in that it took the scorched earth approach in lambasting people / individuals.  This time, it was John Cummins once again in his sites.

I was notified off his piece by an acquaintance, and after viewing what he had written, and some of the comments from his readers, I decided that perhaps I would, after all, post a comment.

I knew in advance it would cause Alex to begin frothing at the mouth, and it indeed did not take long.

If you go to the actual blog piece you will notice many of my responses were not allowed to see the light of day by him.  Despite the fact that they were posted long before some of the others, they still remain, Your comment is awaiting moderation

The following have NOT been edited or changed in any way by me. I ask you, does any level headed political commentator write and say the things he does?

 
1.       Alan Forseth says:
             June 8, 2013 at 10:40 PM

I am sad and disappointed — but not surprised — to see you write what many have come to expect from you, Alex .  

After skewering John Cummins, with your usual negative ground scorching rhetoric, you then went on to say, ” I wish John Cummins and his family well. He’s served the public as best he could and for that he is to be commended and afforded the honour and respect that goes with it.” 

All I can say to you sir is … what a pompous and arrogant ass! 

I remain as always –a PROUD BC Conservative! 

Over to you now Alex; go ahead and lambast me with more poison. It’s what everyone expects off you

Reply

           AGT says:

June 9, 2013 at 9:15 AM

Inability to read–CHECK!

Impossible to comprehend even rudimentary political concepts–CHECK!

Delusions of adequacy–CHECK!

Lost in own rhetorical codswollop–CHECK!

Dead at intersection of church and state–CHECK!

PROMINENT, AGGRESSIVE CANCER CELL IN GASPING, DYING ORGANIZATION–CHECK!!!

Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome one of the chief reasons for BC Conservative failure(s).

Zealotry should be a crime.

Alan Forseth says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
June 9, 2013 at 11:15 AM

Well … you were totally and completely not up to your usual efforts Alex. Well gosh durn gee whiz (is this the talk you expect from what you proclaim to be Neanderthal conservatives? You are a pitiful creature sir, and anything but the adoring admiration of you band of your blind adherents will do.

You can think anything you wish of John Cummins — and our members — myself included. BUT to them follow-up with a meaningless asinine congratulatory close is complete and utter arrogance.

Your self-stroking checklist of so called faults has NOTHING to do with what you wrote in your so-called Exclusive Breaking News story — nor does it have anything to do with my comments.

It is little more than part of your on-going campaign of caustic comments, with no real understanding of our goals — which have nothing to do with our so-called social / religious miss-deeds — and DOES have everything to do with a straight forward message of fiscal conservatisms, job creation, provided needed services, and strengthening health and education.

Carry on oh great one — and a sure your adorning fans will cheer you on as you continue your campaign of hate speech

Reply

o      George says:

June 9, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Oh Alan, for those of us watching you on social media this comment will come back to bite you LOL…

God squad Conservatives are the reason we have Christy, and Alan was a big part of that with his friends… I saved the screenshots..

As for what people expect from Alex, we expect him to hold zealots like you to account, exactly what he is doing.

Who are you to come here and condescend to Alex, and by extension, us his readers. It seems your party needs YOUR attention redeeming itself, especially after screwing us over, by dividing votes with your WEAK leader.. pay attention to your own weaknesses as God would tell you.

Alan those of us that pay attention are laughing right now because your *cough* loyalty has been pretty thin on social media.. hypocrisy knows no boundaries as you’ve so clearly demonstrated here today…

After reading something you said and did a few weeks ago I’ve been waiting for this moment…

It’s pretty clear you and the Conservatives fear Alex Tsakumis and his ability to get the brown envelopes….

Alan to be very clear it was partly because of you and the folks you communicate with on social media that prevented me from voting “Free enterprise.”

I hate being told by holier than tho types that their own s**t doesn’t stink.. .. rolling my eyes at the hypocrisy …

Reply

 Alan Forseth says:

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

June 9, 2013 at 11:59 AM

Ah …a loyal defender of the hate drivel that Alex writes –it took longer than I thought t would

Call me whatever you like — makes no never minds to me; however I will not tolerate patent lies and miss-representations

I for one will NOT be stuck in the rut of self-serving righteous adherents to anything.

I have deliberately cast a wide net for people with many thoughts and ideas that do not necessarily agree with mine. It challenges me and others to look closely at my beliefs, and to make changes when and where it is needed.

Exploring new and different ideas has always been key to growing and learning — something I’m pretty sure most would agree with