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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

But back to Alberta, and the vote to merge the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties


Wildrose Leader Brian Jean and Progressive Conservative leader
  Jason Kenney May 18th announcing tentative deal to unite parties

Next door in Alberta over the weekend, members of the Progressive Conservative Party -- and the Wildrose Party -- both agreed to a merger.

And how was that hailed by the mainstream media, including CTV?  Their focus was on the paltry number (5%) of Progressive Conservatives who were 'lamenting the death of Alberta's historic PC party'.

The former President of the party, Katherine O'Neill  spoke of a lot of grieving going on ... and that a lot of people were heartbroken.  It should however be noted that O'Neill left the party, after Jason Kenney's victory as party leader.  From what I have read, I take that to mean that she was far more progressive (left-leaning?) than she was conservative. 

And therein, lies the rub, as it were, with attaching the word progressive, to the word conservative.  Personally I find it more of a correct descriptive to call the majority of today's conservatives to instead be ... 'conservative with a social conscience'

What does that mean?  Well most would agree that Conservatism would relate to:
... disposed to preserve existing conditions ... cautiously moderate ... traditional in style or manner

And "Social Conscience", according to the dictionary.com means:
... an attitude of sensitivity toward and sense of responsibility regarding injustice and problems in society

Now before I go any further, let me state that MY description of being Conservative WITH a Social Conscience has been lambasted by others who would call themselves simply conservative.  They would disagree with me stating that I can be a conservative with a social conscience, as much as I do in attaching Progressive to the world Conservative.

As I am the one writing this piece however, I have the prerogative to say they are wrong.  That said, they are certainly welcome to disagree with me though.

But back to Alberta, and the vote to merge the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose parties.  To those opposed I say:

Good grief; get over it!  I for one look forward to hearing the good news of the NDP being kicked out of government in Alberta!  


And for CTV News, ... why all the focus on a few whiners, who by the sound of it should be NDP or Liberal supporters anyway.  As the vote showed, they accounted for a paltry 5% of those voting.  NINETY FIVE PERCENT SAID YES to merging the two parties!

All I can say is I wish that we in BC had a viable Conservative party which could give GreeNDP government the heave ho, and unseat the BC Liberals as the choice / option, only be default, for conservative minded voters

Ryan Warawa at the 2016 federal Conservative convention
(with MP Mark Warawa and his mother Diane)
The BC Conservative Party will be holding their Annual General Meeting, this year, in Langley on Saturday September 30th.  You can find out more, if you are interested, by going to their EVENTS page

Party Vice-President Ryan Warawa (son of Langley - Aldergrove Conservative MP Mark Warawa) is encouraging people to ... Help shape the future of British Columbia!

He further mentioned that members and guests will have a chance to, "Join us for a review of 2016-2017, have your say on proposed constitutional and by-law changes, listen to guest speakers, and elect your new Board of Directors."

Call me a fool -- call me crazy -- however I still have hopes they can get their sh-t together to become a viable option next election, and perhaps become the governing party in the election cycle that would follow.

In Kamloops, I'm Alan Forseth.  The floors your now, let's hear from you.
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Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 24, 2017 at 1:16 PM

    When preston Manning went Green I was quite surprised as I was a Reform member because of his philosifies, and ideas. Liberals spend our money we don't have to readily. Our grandchildren will have trouble paying it back. Trudeau lied about how much he wanted to borrow in his run for office. It's not a pretty mess.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJuly 24, 2017 at 1:45 PM

    Unfortunately, Alan, it is delusional Pollyannas only who see the BC Conservatives as a viable option. Cold hard facts tell the true story. No support from federal or other provincial conservatives. No funding base - particularly from business and corporate interests. Incredibly inept leadership. No 'vision' for BC. Do yourself (and everyone else) a favour and go back and consider the platform the BCCP put forward just two short months ago. It was an absolute disgrace to intelligent, committed conservatives everywhere. A total embarrassment. Why don't you move on - like thousands of former members to create a new, credible and viable contender going forward. Quit flogging a dead horse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan ForsethJuly 24, 2017 at 6:31 PM

      Yes, it was delusional to run a campaign with only 10 candidates, with most recruited just prior to start of election campaign ... to not have a war chest to fund candidates and promote the party ... and to not have a platform ready that could fully engage British Columbians.

      That said ... I AM a conservative, and I desire a conservative party in BC which I can vote for.

      That party may for now still not be ready for those who wish it to become viable, but regardless of your comments, and others at the moment who are like minded, I am STILL going to have the desire for the faintly glimmering candle called the BC Conservative Party, to grow into a bright burning flame calling all home.

      Those MUST include those who have been made unwelcome in the party, who have had memberships rejected, and who had the experience needed to build the party. They will be an absolute necessity, to join the ranks of the thousands of others (experienced and not) who will pour into the party --- IF they can see it as an REAL option.

      Delete

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