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.

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

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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.

That is who, and what, the party is ... and must remain

The MEMBERS of the BC Conservative Party had a great AGM, despite negative comments from pundits, the media, and some who were trying to undermine the party.

Friday night we heard great words from Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.  Among other things, he spoke on the necessity of government getting spending under control, and ending the opportunity for CEO's and upper management of Crown Corps and agencies to give themselves big wage increases and bonuses -- SO THAT more can go into front line services and paying down debt.

BC Conservative Party leader John Cummins, wife Sue,
family members, and former party President Reed Elley

BOTH of those ideas are embraced by BC Conservatives.

Saturday morning, through occasional strong, yet respectful debate on proposed amendments to new policy, we completed the work needed to take our platform of common sense ideas to the electorate next spring.

John Cummins was given a mandate to continue as leader -- and then gave a powerful speech -- that electrified the room with the heartfelt passion of the words he delivered.

And then in the afternoon, despite the loss of John van Dongen, the spirit of the membership remained high as we elected a new party executive and board.

New BC Conservative Party President Al Siebring

Elected as the President was long-time radio news broadcaster, and North Cowichan Councilor, Al Siebring.  Christine Clarke, who ran as a candidate for the BC Conservative Party in Port Moody - Coquitlam earlier this year, was elected to the Vice Presidents position.  Lambert Leung will continue in his role as Treasurer, while Linda Bellamy becomes Secretary.

I met many great people on Friday, and Saturday, who have a sincere desire to bring about positive change.  They were members who came from all across our province ... along with many of the women and men who are seeking to become candidates for the BC Conservative party.

That is who, and what, the party is ... and must remain.

This party IS NOT any one person (president, leader, or an MLA) -- and the membership of the BC Conservative Party showed that once again this weekend.

This is a party that British Columbians can and will support in next May's general election.

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?

Let me be the first to say it … “May the best man, or woman, of what ever ethnic background, win.”

The race is well underway now in both the Liberal and NDP camps to elect a new leader … one who for the Liberals will automatically become Premier --- and for the NDP, one who will be leader of the opposition.

As you will recall the NDP recently were the butt of numerous jokes over their party policy which requires that at least one of the top 3 positions in the party must be held by a woman,  With the President and Treasurer both being men, that pretty much left the party leaders position open.

So the party of social justice and gender equality has how many women running?? Hmmmmm, let’s see there’s ……………… no one.  6 guys are running to be leader of the New Democrats --- although to give them credit one candidate, Fraser Nicola MLA Hari Lali was born in India.

So that leaves then the Liberal party as the party of social and gender equality – right?  Well they too have 6 people running – and although two are female – none appear to be from any kind of minority.

BUT, is that how any political party should be selecting and electing a leader?  What has happened to the principle that we should be electing the best person for the job?  Disagree if you want, but having quotas, or perceived ideas about the type of person that should be running flies in the face of democracy.