Sadly, Another Candidate Has Been Denied Due Process, And The Right To Let Their Name Stand

Recently, I wrote a blog post regarding Justin Trudeau blocking people who held specific Christian beliefs from even having the chance to run to become candidates for the federal Liberal Party in the next general election.

 

I received a number of personal comments back, and most of them simply said it was his right to do so. One individual, who I greatly respect, said to me ... “The only people impinged by Trudeau's move are Liberal members and the Liberal Party is a PRIVATE organization well able to discriminate how and where it wishes ... Where will that end? Soon such policies backfire and those arguing for such draconian measures soon find themselves victims of similar moves.”  

Let me be clear, my point was that he was disallowing members of the Liberal Party from 'choosing' the person they felt best represented what they wished to see in a candidate. The fact he was 'well able to discriminate how and where he wishes', had nothing to do with it.

Well it seems that it is now the turn of the federal NDP, as a Facebook post from Paul Manly in the riding of Nainaimo – Ladysmith outlined. Here is just the first part of what he had to say:

Dear Friends and Supporters

I would like to thank you all for your support and encouragement for my bid for the nomination to be the NDP candidate for the new federal riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith. It is with regret that I write to tell you that the federal NDP has refused to allow me to stand as a candidate.

The local riding executive approved my candidacy for the nomination but the NDP National ...Director, Ann McGrath, has not approved me and the federal NDP executive will not let me stand as a candidate. 

 

I have done nothing illegal or immoral, nothing that I am embarrassed about or which breaks the NDP constitution. The reason my candidacy is being blocked is political ... 

 

Sadly, another candidate has been denied due process, and the right to let their name stand ... but more importantly, for constituents and NDP members, THEY have been denied the right to decide for themselves, who they wish to represent them.

 

As I mentioned, I have been critical of Baby Trudeau for this same injustice ... and will be equally critical of the Conservatives when and if the same happens.

 

Democracy is not, and should not be what the brass of a political party decide ... it should be the membership that has the opportunity to make these kinds of decisions.

 

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

“Is there really NO class size limits anymore?”

In an opinion piece, “A Letter To B.C. Parents, From A StrikingTeacher” posted to the Huffington Post on Sunday June 30^th, a teacher states:

"Dear parents, I believe that my employer shouldn't be able to load up my classroom without limits and expect that I'm going to provide a good service for your child. It's just not... humanly possible."

As I read that, I said to myself, “Is there really NO class size limits anymore?”

 

Now for those who aren't aware, I am in my late 50's, and so I remember classes when I went to school, when there were 30 to 32 students in a classroom ... and just one teacher, no assistants. Even with that many kids in the classroom, I honestly don't recall there being an issue with the teachers having the ability to spend time with us, nor for us to learn.

 

So back to the letter; would you agree it appears that the teacher is implying there are now no limit to class sizes?

 

Well nothing can be further from the truth as BC Teachers Federation President Jim Iker himself stated on January 27th of this year, in the Vancouver Sun ... and I quote;
" ... in 2002, kindergarten class sizes were capped at 20 students, while Grades 1 to 3 were capped at 22. Today, those limits are 22 and 24, so each primary class will have to go down by two students. In 2002, class sizes for Grades 4 to 12 were negotiated by each school district ... " 

 

As to the question of whether or not we need more teachers, well that same story in the Vancouver Sun went on to say:
"The total number of students in the province has also changed since 2002 ... this year, there are 558,985 students attending public schools in B.C. In 2002, there were 621,200 students." 

 

I guess my point in all of this is ... I wish the BCTF, and 'some' of its' members, would just stick to the facts, and not make them up as they go. 

 

Furthermore to that teacher, who ends her letter to BC parents with the following:

“Dear parents, this strike has put your family (and mine) through the wringer -- I get that -- but somehow you are still with us in support. I acknowledge your sacrifices and inconveniences... I honk for you!” 

I want you to know that 'Yes' this strike is putting parents of school age children through the wringer ... 'Yes' I appreciate the work you put in teaching our children ... but 'No', I don't support your demands ... and finally, don't bother with the symbolic honking of the horn to me; it's just going to make me more annoyed at this whole situation.

The sad fact is that this action by the BCTF will impact everyone involved ... teachers, administration, support staff, parents, and especially students ... and the younger they are, the more trauma they will suffer.

The longer this goes on, there will be more negativity felt towards teachers. In fact, I believe the actions of the BCTF will have long-term negative results which will last for many many years. 

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