Along with 82% of British Columbians, I am proudly opposed to the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax in our province. In pursuit of this, I participated in the BC NDP's campaign calling on BC Liberal caucus members to "stand up for your constituents." Originally, this was only intended to be sent to seven MLAs by the party. They were considered vulnerable to succumbing to public pressure about coming out against the HST. As we all know, they didn't state their opposition to this regressive tax, it was here that I stepped it up a notch.
Considering that the Executive Council at the time of the discussions between the federal and provincial government were the true sculptors of this tax, I sent messages to all members of the Cabinet of British Columbia along with the seven vulnerable members. I did this everyday for a little over a week. I got some people supporting me including disgruntled voters of Ida Chong and Don McRae. Eventually, Carole James began to follow me, along with the appropriately named "Recall in the Fall". Then though, the hate mail arrived. Some individuals told me I was starting a "spam campaign" and that they "got the point".
I found it humorous in the manner in which they told me it was a spam campaign. I was fully aware that what I was doing was borderline harassment, and was in every respect a spam campaign. I was glad that they understood my intentions, but they had missed the entire point of this initiative. I was not trying to get the attention of ex-Liberals searching for a right-wing alternative, I was attempting to get the attention of the Liberals MLAs that crafted Bill 9 and supported it. Still, I would like to know which is worse: an anti-HST supporter harassing Liberal MLAs every day, or paying 7% more on many goods and services after Canada Day?
At the end of it all, I was flagged for spam, and am now suspended from entering the site. Despite this, I am pleased with the results I received. I set out to let the BC Liberals know my opposition to how the HST was introduction, and what is means for every British Columbian, and I achieved that. Granted, I would have liked to have seen some governing party MLAs drop like eagles from the caucus, but "Recall in the Fall" has plans concerning those members who choose not to go the way of Mr. Lekstrom.
Overall, I know I angered some British Columbians in my small, personal quest to pressure the centrist turned conservative party that rules our province to change their mind on the issue of this new tax, and for that I am sorry. But there is a bigger picture to all of this. Speaking out against anything really in the world, leaves you open for criticism and that can be scary. What you must remember though is that if you don't say it, who will? Part of a democracy means accepting others thoughts and beliefs, you may not agree with what others are saying, but in the beauty of freedom of speech, they must tolerate your beliefs, just as you must tolerate theirs.
Ladies and gentlemen, I encourage you all to let you voice be heard on any issue. Let others know how you feel, for you are not alone. If you are opposed to an action proposed by your government, let your family, friends, and neighbours know. Who knows, you might even convince others to join your cause. Let others know if you support a government action regardless of whether or not a majority of your colleagues are opposed to it. Let them know what allows it to be acceptable to you, that they are refusing to see, or are viewing in a different way. Allowing your opinions be known is truly good for the soul, and in essence could help change the world. There is one other thing I can assure you: if you make your personal beliefs be known, you will in the words of Katy Perry in her latest single California Gurls, "be glad you did."
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