One of the groups I work with has been documenting actions that are taking place in Canada on the election campaign - namely undemocratic actions. Candidates from the so-called 'fringe' parties are being denied equal access in the media and at candidate forums.
I too have been party to the media cold shoulder - I expected it when I put on the CAP cap. Thats the system we live in - media dominated by the few for the few. But I digress...
Today I won one round. The local Chamber of Commerce is holding a candidates meeting in which they originally refused to invite myself, the communist and the Christian Heritage candidates.
To make a long story short after hearing all their bullshit lines about why - I had some thirty people call them on my behalf and demand that they include me. That included small business owners who are members of said Chamber.
In the end they relented and I won! I was now 'allowed' to take part in the meeting. I was in a bad foul mood over this, so I pitied the Conservative, Liberal and Cadman for I was going to chew them up... Trade is my domain and that of CAP.
I had prepared leaflets to hand out tonight should they have not relented. That was to go with the tape over the mouths of my supporters to symbolize the lack of democracy taking place in Canada right now.
Well.... who is in for a story?
In fact I thought I had won, but after getting an 'invite', I was told I was 'invited down so we could tell you no in person'!
How about that! I informed them that they picked a fight with the wrong guy and that I would be back in five minutes. (probably thought I was going to get a gun...)
I did go home to get those leaflets - I left them at home thinking I would not need them. Thankfully I live real close to the meeting venue.
I came back to find the communist candidate interjecting a motion from the floor to be heard. They tried to talk over her, but she got her message out. I started to hand out the "undemocratic actions of the Surrey Chamber of Commerce" leaflets and the crowd started to come alive. You could feel the anger, the support and contempt from those that wanted me to just go away.
I WAS NOT going to just go away - this is my country, my riding and I have as much right to be heard as the next person. That also extends to the people who showed up - they deserve to hear from everyone regardless of where they stand - its up to them to decide who to follow or support - not the SCC.
I too interjected a motion from the floor - but the chair tried to talk over me - too bad I have a strong voice - they stopped just short of calling in security - in fact he did call but none came forward! I worked for the same security agency at one time so I knew some of them. Networking....
At the end of the meeting, each candidate is given an opportunity to sum up and tell their positions again. It was at that point that the second to last of eight candidates - the Liberal Dan Sheel - said that he wanted to give up his time so that Joyce and myself could be heard. Dan is a real man and I made sure to shake his hand in front of everyone and thank him on not only my behalf but all those that value democracy.
I gave the most impressive speech of my life and brought the house down. The thunderous applause warmed my heart and made me proud to have taken the stand that I did. I was swarmed by everyone - including the media - even other party supporters wearing buttons, and all said they were proud to see what I did.
Obviously the SCC will never support me because of what happened but I don't care - who needs people who act like the very communists they tried to shut out?
I will probably get more votes tonight for being denied than being accepted outright. Thats karma folks...
Sorry for any spelling mistakes or grammar - I am just a tad pumped at the moment.
Roy
I too have been party to the media cold shoulder - I expected it when I put on the CAP cap. Thats the system we live in - media dominated by the few for the few. But I digress...
Today I won one round. The local Chamber of Commerce is holding a candidates meeting in which they originally refused to invite myself, the communist and the Christian Heritage candidates.
To make a long story short after hearing all their bullshit lines about why - I had some thirty people call them on my behalf and demand that they include me. That included small business owners who are members of said Chamber.
In the end they relented and I won! I was now 'allowed' to take part in the meeting. I was in a bad foul mood over this, so I pitied the Conservative, Liberal and Cadman for I was going to chew them up... Trade is my domain and that of CAP.
I had prepared leaflets to hand out tonight should they have not relented. That was to go with the tape over the mouths of my supporters to symbolize the lack of democracy taking place in Canada right now.
Well.... who is in for a story?
In fact I thought I had won, but after getting an 'invite', I was told I was 'invited down so we could tell you no in person'!
How about that! I informed them that they picked a fight with the wrong guy and that I would be back in five minutes. (probably thought I was going to get a gun...)
I did go home to get those leaflets - I left them at home thinking I would not need them. Thankfully I live real close to the meeting venue.
I came back to find the communist candidate interjecting a motion from the floor to be heard. They tried to talk over her, but she got her message out. I started to hand out the "undemocratic actions of the Surrey Chamber of Commerce" leaflets and the crowd started to come alive. You could feel the anger, the support and contempt from those that wanted me to just go away.
I WAS NOT going to just go away - this is my country, my riding and I have as much right to be heard as the next person. That also extends to the people who showed up - they deserve to hear from everyone regardless of where they stand - its up to them to decide who to follow or support - not the SCC.
I too interjected a motion from the floor - but the chair tried to talk over me - too bad I have a strong voice - they stopped just short of calling in security - in fact he did call but none came forward! I worked for the same security agency at one time so I knew some of them. Networking....
At the end of the meeting, each candidate is given an opportunity to sum up and tell their positions again. It was at that point that the second to last of eight candidates - the Liberal Dan Sheel - said that he wanted to give up his time so that Joyce and myself could be heard. Dan is a real man and I made sure to shake his hand in front of everyone and thank him on not only my behalf but all those that value democracy.
I gave the most impressive speech of my life and brought the house down. The thunderous applause warmed my heart and made me proud to have taken the stand that I did. I was swarmed by everyone - including the media - even other party supporters wearing buttons, and all said they were proud to see what I did.
Obviously the SCC will never support me because of what happened but I don't care - who needs people who act like the very communists they tried to shut out?
I will probably get more votes tonight for being denied than being accepted outright. Thats karma folks...
Sorry for any spelling mistakes or grammar - I am just a tad pumped at the moment.
Roy