Blocked and Unfriended Abuses by Politicians

Have You Been “Blocked or “Unfriended ”

by a Canadian Politician?

If so – I want to hear about it.

I’ve been hearing from more and more people that a Canadian politician or candidate on municipal, provincial or  federal level, have “blocked” (twitter)  and “unfriended” (fb)  their constituents.

I think this is appalling. We pay their salaries. They are our employees. They have no right to refuse conversation and communciation with us.

So if you too have been a victim of this gross arrogance, I want to hear about it.

Please post comment (with or without personal information, as feels most comfortable to you). I won’t post your name without your express permission, but I want to investigate & compile list of which politicians have done this.

Thank you, 

Maggie

9/11 Elegy

SEPT 11 ELEGY

crystal blue sunny skies, and the birds fly

out of the blue,crashing pain

horror

inferno

devastation

mind reels ignites

hurtling fear

slicing gashing

ripping asunder

a wound unimaginable

“Oh my God Oh my God!”

and then

incomprehensible

fury repeats

an instant

becomes eternity replays endlessly

death

fiery,leaping,choking,burning

praying

crashing collapsing destruction

again and again

we agonize why

we  lament

we weep unconsolable

for whom do we cry?

for the souls embarking

into the crystal blue skies

floating free spirits aloft

invincible souls

dwelling eternal

needing no earthly towers 

Do they need our tears

or do they weep for us?

c. 2001 Maggie Murphy

Legacy of Jack Layton

Aug 28, 2011

My thoughts on the memoriam for Jack Layton

I wonder how many Canadians feel as I do?

Politics is not a game. Should not be a game.

Should not be: Spoils of war accrued to the winners

Should not be about :

• Who has the best spin doctors
• Who comes up with the best slogan
• Who lies the most effectively
• Who steals and gets away with it the best
• Who wields power for power and profit sake, rather than aims to accomplish something worthwhile, lasting and beneficial
• Who enters it to further their ego, their greed

Rather, in my opinion it should be about 

• Who enters politics for the good of the municipality, city, province or federal riding, for the sake of those citizens they promise to represent
• Who has a vision, a dream for the future

Please, Canadians, wake up.

I miss Jack Layton – for his sincerity

He gave me hope:

• That we could conduct the business of government, for the  purpose of benefitting Canada and the lives of Canadians
• That we could be be truly a civil society

I don’t know any other poltician who presently so embodies this. Mostly everywhere I turn, everywhere I look, I see only  greedy, lying, self serving egomaniacs, whose only interest is to serve their own interest or that of those they think will reward them. 

 

I think we are governed by

petty, self serving “power gone to my head” “what’s in it for me” “how will I keep my power and pad my pockets” politicians

And I think it’s our own fault.

I think we are a nation of cynics

We docilely accept decisions made by our governments, that do not represent our beliefs, our hopes, our vision. Why?

• Are we are too busy, too apathetic, too uninformed, too complacent?
• Are we too like those politicians we despise -  wrapped up in forwarding our own personal agendas?
• Or perhaps  with a natural human desire to feel connected somehow – do we unquestioningly pick a side, adopt an ideology, an “us or them” “right or wrong” “ left or right”, view that may or may not reflect our true feelings, but  that strokes our ego and bolsters our need to feel important and heard?
• Or do we just deride and mock politics? Do we say “oh, I’m not going to vote, what’s the use...they’re all as bad as each other.”
• Or “Well, I don’t really know enough about that issue, so I’ll let someone else decide”
• Or do assume that our one small voice can’t possibly make a difference?

Do we ever stop and wonder how we became Canada? Wonder who fought & died for the rights we so enjoy and so take for granted as to utterly ignore?

I have many more questions than answers. And I attribute that in no small part to Mr. Jack Layton. He gave me hope that “politics” could be about vision, and principles, and caring more for democracy and the greater good than about winning or power.

I am very grateful.  Thank you Mr. Layton for loving Canada, for loving Canadians. You infused a most welcome breath of fresh air and optimism into my life.

Tweeting after Midnight (The morning after)

Last night, I met quite a number of Victoria tweeples who are actively engaged in social media. In fact I met so many that it’s taken me the best part of today to retrace our conversation.

Coincidentally, I had awoken yesterday morning, reflecting that in the last couple of months, I have followed, learned, and met some remarkable people on twitter. I’ve been having great conversations mostly about Canadian politics in my desire to learn & participate in democracy. My next thought was wondering why I haven’t connected much with anyone here in Victoria on this topic. So I made it my goal to do so. Wow, if only all my goals were so easily achieved!

 

Just a few hours later, what to my wondering eyes should appear on my twitter stream, than a post from Janice, a local gal, asking some other local people their opinions about my recent blog. That blog resulted from my having posed a suggestion to The Honorable Tony Clement CPC about maintaining a second twitter account to keep his official correspondence via this media apart from his personal chats.

 

It is a matter with which I’ve been grappling myself. My twitter account was initially set up for business reasons (selling fishing holidays). I became concerned as my #cdnpoli tweets started to far outnumber my #fishing tweets, that my customers would have a hard time finding and following the information pertinent to their interest. So I painstakingly figured out how to have two separate accounts – one professional and one for my own poli stuff.  I am just getting that second account up and running now.  (Take heart, dear customers; soon you’ll be able to get my fish reports easily) 

 

There are many more serious issues facing Canada and the world than a choice to have one, two, or more Twitter accounts.  I had not heard this topic debated and it hadn’t crossed my mind that it would be of any great interest to anyone. But I have come to the conclusion that for me it is a good idea. Likewise I think it would be appropriate for our elected public servants to have dedicated business accounts that speak about their job and to their constituents. 

 

So naturally when Janice began this conversation I was intrigued and curious to hear opinions from my fellow Victorians. Gladly I dove into the conversation, and I’m afraid I got in a little (a lot?) over my head.  Before long there were quite a few people chatting at a rapid pace.  Well, ‘rapid’ to me perhaps, more so than to them! I have no experience with group twitter conversations. I am more comfortable chatting one on one.  It may have behooved me to have practised this in the shallow end with people I already know! 

 

I quickly became overwhelmed at the pace of the conversation and with trying to reply to each person.  And I am afraid I behaved rather badly. I ought to have followed the wise advice of one tweeter to “read in context”. Sadly, I was unable to follow the context of so many people at once.  I took offense when none was meant. And I fear I gave offense, again unmeant and unwarranted. 

 

I awoke this morning thinking that an apology from me is definitely in order.

Which I now freely and sincerely offer to anyone I may have offended.  I am truly delighted to have met you all and to engage in this exchange of ideas.  I look forward to getting to know you better. I regret if I’ve made it more difficult to do so!

Hoping you’ll still “love me in the morning”,

Maggie

I welcome all opinions

Do CPC Values = Canadian Values?

Following is a recent Twitter conversation I had with 

"The Honourable Tony Clement, CPC, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario" 

I hope you'll take time to read and comment. I'm extremely curious as to your reaction. 

Context: of late, regarding Twitter:

• I've been grappling with how to not waste time of customers of the "professional" me; while at same time, expressing "personal" me.
• I discovered to my delight that it's quite possible (with some effort) to have multiple twitter accounts - so I am at work as we speak, re-organizing so my customers aren't subjected to my personal tweets unless they so chose.
• I follow many twitter ppl -including those who share my views, and those who differ. 

I initiated this conversation with Tony Clement, whom I follow (and with whom I differ politically). I admire that he replies personally & is witty & funny. I offered a suggestion to him, that he might want to get a second account - one for his official "CPC" stuff, and one for his personal "ain't I having fun" stuff. I did so in context of having spent endless days and hours in the last 3 months, having decided this was necessary for  & trying to figure out how to do this for, myself.

• Am I just too thin skinned? 
• Did I say anything to provoke this nastiness?
• Am I wrong to assume/assert that an elected official on my payroll, should keep his professional twitter account "professional"? 

Seriously want some feedback. (Worried I may be chanelling Cliff Clavin here... )

His account name is @TonyclementCPC

• based on that, I expect this to be an official CPC professional communication forum
• If I address him at this address, I expect him to reply in a professional capacity and manner, as an elected official ( ie: my employee....) 
  

 Here is the actual conversation

 Tues Aug 09,2011

TonyclementCPC: As an added bonus, @rushtheband 's Alex Lifeson is here rockin out to the @foofighters too! 7:29pm, Aug 09 from Twitterrific

HeartAGlow Aug 09, 8:31pm via Twitter for Android

.@TonyclementCPC. I appreciate yr jovial tweets at same time find them utterly offensive.RU aware of conditions most Cad's r in? #cdnpoli

TonyclementCPC 8:55pm (via DM to me)

Hey there. I'm not changing who I am just because ur offended. If u don't like my tweets, it's easy & painless to Unfollow. Thx

HeartAGlow Aug 09, 8:57pm via Twitter for Android

.@TonyclementCPC My gift2 you. "get a 2nd acct"Stop flauntin ur lake holidays/concerts/gadabout life on yr elected official acct. #cdnpoli

To: TonyclementCPC Aug 09, 9:13pm (via dm me to him)

I think u misunderstood:-) I was offering what I think mayb useful 2U.Not ask u2 change/just as easy4U 2 seperate personal twts frm official

TonyclementCPC 9:02pm (DM to me)

I think I will listen to my 18000 other Followers,but thx 4 the "advice". I have no idea what lake holidays ur referring to. I've had none

 

 HeartAGlow Aug 09, 10:03pm via HootSuite

.@TonyclementCPC sorry if mymemory fail in ref 2 lakeholidays.my advice was not in quotes/not sarcastic.sincere whensuggest you get2nd acct

TonyclementCPC 9:16pm (DM)

Thx again, but I cannot see how a person can be official one minute & personal the next, in different accounts. I'm serious AND whimsical...

HeartAGlow Aug 09, 10:11pm via HootSuite

.@TonyclementCPC It ain't that hard :)I LIKE 2 flwU 4 govt news.I dont care what u do away frm office anymore than u care what I do!#cdnpoli

Strong Stable Majority

STRONG STABLE MAJORITY

What does this slogan  mean?

PM Stephen Harper and the CPC have declared themselves as the “strong, stable, majority government”. In fact, this was a very successful slogan – repeated ad infinitum, it may very well have won him the election, much like a self fulfilling mantra or affirmation.

He didn’t mince words, or try in any way to hide his intention. In this instance (which may be the only one that I am aware of), he is utterly transparent and declarative.

What puzzles me is -  What is so appealing about this concept to Canadians who voted for and continue to support him? Think about what those words mean.

How is it possible that Canadians couldn’t (can’t) understand his meaning when he is so very clear?

Basically he incessantly asserts the horrid old playground taunt;

“I’m the king of the castle, and you’re the dirty rascal”, and far too many of us ‘rascals’ prostrate ourselves and play liege to the bully who struts upon the hill, hurling cauldrons of boiling oil upon us to ensure his stronghold.

For that indeed is the meaning of “strong stable majority”.

You don’t have to look it up – I’ve done so. Here follows the Encarta® World English Dictionary  definitions. (bolding is mine for emphasis)

strong;  adj

1.      having the physical strength needed to exert considerable force ie pulling or pushing something 

2.      using great physical force

10.    influential or authoritative by virtue of having or holding power

11.     having a powerful effect

21.     well defended and difficult to defeat

22.     having a particular number of members

24.     characterized by high or rising prices

syn:            physically powerful

sta·ble adj

1.      steady and not liable to change

4.      not subject to changes in chemical or physical properties

syn:   adj: long standing, established, firm, lasting, permanent, perpetual

         noun: group,gang,club

How can/why did any Canadian fall for this rhetoric?  My thoughts are that the words seem so invincible. Who can argue against, or not want strength & stability?

Somehow it seems to me, many people thought he was promising or assuring us of a strong stable Canada. I think most people took it to mean, that they as individuals would be anointed these powerful and reassuring qualities. The subliminal message seemed to be “If you don’t  vote for me, you will be weak and worried and uncertain” and the corollary “Vote for me and you’ll be strong and worry free”.

But  (please correct me if I’ve missed something) at no time that I’m aware of, did Harper ever assert that his goal was a strong stable Canada, or a strong stable citizen. Over and over again, his lullaby was “a strong stable (capital “C”) Conservative majority”! All he wanted, and clearly stated, and got, was his ‘king of the hill’ status. 

I for one, do not want a strong stable Conservative majority Government

whose aim is to protect and enhance it’s own power and pocketbook.

• I want a government who serves it’s citizens.
• I want a government who shows leadership and insight into the complexities of today’s world.
• I want a government that  doesn’t profess to have all the answers, and is reaching out to experts in every field to help us grapple with an ever changing world.
• I want a government that cares more about me, and my fellow citizens, than it does about it’s own image or chances for re-election.
• I want  not “strong” but “willing & able & humble”.
• I want not  “stable”, but “ engaged, flexible, intelligent”.
• I want not, a partisan majority, but compassionate leadership.

I want not a strong stable Conservative majority, but a strong and thinking citizenry who demand that our government serve us, rather than rule us.  

With glowing heart,

Maggie 
 

Vote Yes to Say No to BC HST

I am against the HST for many reasons.

Some people have replied to my tweets "Vote Yes to Say No to BC HST" by telling me I am not making sense, and haven't done my homework, but I have :) Initially, like so many BC'ians, I was outraged at the way it was foisted upon us as a fait accompli. And highly doubtful of the "oh no, it wasn't even on our radar pre-election" line from our then Premier. I suspected either: 

• he's telling the truth, in which case he is so poorly informed and ignorant, as to be utterly incompetent
• he is flat out lying-he obviously knew he intended to "declare" the HST, but didn't want to mention in during the election in case it became an issue and lost him some votes.

I gladly signed the successful petition which has led to this mail in vote. But a lot of time has passed, and as much as I was outraged at the way our Gov't lied to us, I was starting to think 

• well, what's done is done
• governments will always lie
• what difference does it make? One way or the other we'll always have to pay taxes
• it will such a hassle, and so expensive, to go back to PST/GST 

With those thoughts in my mind, I had pretty much decided to support the HST when the time came.

But then, the federal election was upon us, and I decided to get involved in trying to make a difference - to participate in as informed a way as possible. I joined twitter, I read, I studied, I spent all my free time watching CPAC and Supreme court and CBC.  - trying to learn for myself, not just from the odd news headline, what the issues really are, how our Canadian government works, who the candidates were and what I care about. I donated to the candidate of my choice in my riding.

And then something wonderful happened. I found out that being engaged and caring is not an onerous boring responsibility. It's *just as exciting* (dare I suggest) as Canucks in the Stanley Cup playoffs are. As much as I do love hockey, and the spirit and enthusiasm it inspires, I find myself wishing that those enthusiastic fans, would care even a 1/10th as much about democracy and freedom and the future of our country, as they do about professional millionaires playing a game. Man, what a difference that would make!

So, somewhat like a former smoker who has quit and preaches health for all by quitting,  I am a former apathetic who now cares. I want to convince everyone of the importance of being involved in politics. Politics is NOT politicians - it is every citizen. For democracy to work, each one of us has to care enough to learn what we can, to discuss, share, debate, and be involved.  


And that brings us back to the HST in BC. I decided to educate myself enough to form an opinion (to "pick a side") It's really rather amazingly simple to do so nowadays. Everything, every opinion, is on-line somewhere; and lots of people much more informed, much more experienced, much more committed than I, are willing to converse and explain both sides of the issue.


I am no expert in taxation, no expert in politics of any sort; but I have done my homework. And it has led me to the passionate belief that we should "Vote YES to say NO to the HST" 


Have you decided yet? 


For a lot of good info (not paid for by gov't ) one good place to look is the website <www.fightHST.com> Look at the article "Top 18 myths about the HST" That's a good start to find many things to to consider.

But instead of just reading someone else's opinions, why not figure it out for yourself? Spend 10 minutes on the list below, and see how much HST is costing YOU! 


If you believe the HST will save you money, in the form of rebates or lowering rate from 12% to 10% (in 2 years by the way) I urge you to spend 10 minutes to calculate FOR YOURSELF, how much the HST is costing you. All the items in this list were non taxable under the PST/GST scenario; and you now pay 7% tax for each of them. It's really a shocker. The BC gov't promises to send you a HST rebate of $150 a few times/year; but when I did the math, (and I'm not a big spender) the HST is costing me approx $3000/year.

Good luck, puleeze post a comment - would LUV to hear your results from the quiz, and your ideas, comments, opinions both pro/con & questions in general about the HST. 

With glowing heart,

Maggie

The HST Hit List
Check off everything that affects you and write beside it your weekly / monthly / yearly cost for those items - then Multiply by 7% more to see your total HST tax hit!

 Restaurant meals
 Cable TV
 New Homes
 Non-prescription meds
 Telephone
 Internet
 Propane / Natural gas
 Hockey tickets
 Some groceries – Prepared foods
 Hair cuts
 Admission fees
 Membership fees
 Movies
 Theatre
 Bus fares
 Magazines/ newspapers
 Rents /Strata fees
 Taxi fares
 Airline tickets
 Golf fees
 Music lessons
 Skiing
 Spa services
 Massage therapy
 Resort packages
 Parking
 Coffee shops
 Fast food - Beverages
 Dry cleaning
 Car repair & maintenance
 Vitamins
 Dietary supplements
 School supplies
 Photography
 Home maintenance
 Health equipment
 Consulting services
 Storage lockers
 Moorage
 Campgrounds
 RV parks
 Animal feed
 Fishing charters
 Heating fuel
 Naturopathy
 Reflexology
 Veterinarian
 Physiotherapy
 Museums
 Home renovations
 Painting
 Real estate fees
 Bicycles
 Accounting
 Architects
 Legal fees
 Concert Tickets
 Funeral services
 Chinese medicine
 Marketing services
 Safety equipment
 Helmets
 Life jackets
 First aid kits
 Smoke detectors
 Fire extinguishers
 Energy equipment
 Insulation
 Solar power
 Attractions / Events
 
Courtesy of: angryformerbcliberals.ca
www.fightHST.com

List is Subject to change by the BC Liberal Party

Stephen Harper Quotes

Dear fellow Canadians

I don't know which dismays me more:
*40% non turnout of eligible voters
or
*Harper winning a "majority" with 60% of voters opposed?

Either way, as I slowly start to emerge from the immediate shock of May 03, I have decided that more education, more involvement, is crucial. It is inconceivable to me that anyone with even a smattering of understanding, could chose to "not vote", or to chose to vote Conservative. So with that in mind, I am resolved to learn more myself; and to urge more of my fellow Canadians to get informed and get involved. We must stop taking the gift of our democracy for granted.

I'll post some of my own thoughts, and, as I am just learning myself, will share ideas I'm learning from others. With the access to internet, facebook, twitter - there is so much info available. No excuse not to become informed.

So, to start, I wonder how many Canadians have read this article about Stephen Harper Quotes? How could any thinking person, reading this, decide to vote for him, or decide not to vote?

Please read, and please comment. I will look forward to engaging in conversation and debate with you all. That's the joy and wonder of a democracy.


Stephen Harper Quotes