Thursday, October 30, 2008

Thank You Friends and Neighbours

These past days since the Federal Election have given me time to reflect on the amazing job you did to help bring us so close to a successful campaign. We achieved so much in a time when we had the lowest voter turnout in our history!

Marjorie and I are very proud of the effort you put in as a volunteer and supporter and we thank you so very much.

There is a famous saying which I have used on my website and in talking to voters. It’s by Margaret Mead, Anthropologist, and it refers to the kind of dedication and care you gave to our campaign. She said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

Our work is not done if we care about ethics in politics. You represent the elite troops, the vanguard in our crusade to recapture our riding in the name of honesty and truth.

When the time comes, I hope you will be our ‘minutemen’ chosen for your enthusiasm, strength and commitment and that you ladies and gentlemen, will gather your family and friends together to help us right a terrible wrong.

I ask that if you haven’t already, to please provide us with your email address or that of a friend so we can keep in constant touch. .

Kindest regards,
James

Saturday, October 4, 2008

I Am A Conservative With A Conscience

My campaign team has heard a lot of commentary during this campaign about whether or not we are really conservatives. After all; don’t you have to be a card carrying party member to be a conservative? Don’t you have to support all party decisions and actions? I don’t think so!

I have been a conservative for over 35 years. I have worked every campaign on behalf of the conservative candidate, both federal and provincial. I have served on constituency boards, attended conventions and all the other things a good active party member does. Many of my supporters have done the same. Indeed some were members of the Edmonton Sherwood Park board until right after the last nomination race. Following the race we all found ourselves asking the same question; when the party is acting in an unconscionable manner, should we still follow the party line? Once you allow yourself to ask this question it leads to other questions. Questions like: when did MP’s become the party’s voice rather than the voters voice. If our MP’s are forced to follow the “party line” then who is representing us? That’s about when my conscience kicked in. That’s when I decided to stand up for what I believe to be right.

I am still a conservative. In my heart I will always be a conservative. But that can never mean that I am blind or foolish.

I am a conservative but I am a conservative with a conscience.

Jim