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Wildrose defectors betray democracy

As a very young (15) person, I and my maternal grandfather Joe Beaudry would discuss politics in a cordially way; he being liberal and I being conservative in our viewpoints.

As a very young (15) person, I and my maternal grandfather Joe Beaudry would discuss politics in a cordially way; he being liberal and I being conservative in our viewpoints.

Granddad would put forward a question to me that he already knew the answer to and then would hide behind hands and his ever-smoking pipe to await my answer. In all these questions, never was the question of mass betrayal by a political party of the electorate voiced during our discussion.

It was during these discussions that my responsibility to vote my party was forged. He was just a Canadian and proud to be, but he impressed me with the thought that I could influence the direction of the country by my vote.

No wonder he hid behind his hands at times. He knew my vote counted for nothing! I believe he never thought of a party crossing the floor, en masse, as a political betrayal of the voters. So the party I voted for in the last provincial election is eviscerated by the sword of our leader, not during an election but through a process that joined two parties of alikeness together; one supposedly working within the system of justice and the other hiding betrayal of the democratic system we are supposed to be living under.

So, if there was a question that needs answers; if these new Conservative members find more illegal or undemocratic items in their new relationships, where will their integrity lead them? Probably to silence!

Of course, he is long dead these many years, my Grandfather — but I still revere him for what he tried to show me in his citizen of the land within his ability to advise.

Leo Belanger

Ponoka