Mary-Ann Graham - BC Conservatives

[Homeownertoo]

Good Morning

I believe in the sanctity of life. It is not my place to tell others how to deal with their individual situation. I would encourage persons to be fully aware of the ramifications of having an abortion. There is the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects to consider. There should be a neutral agency with programs for expectant mothers with unexpected pregnancies that goes through all the options unbiasedly. I have a 4 month old grandson that I cherish. I am very pleased that my unmarried daughter never considered an abortion. Abortion should not be used as a birth control method.

Never, did I say institution. I am looking towards group home ideas and facilities such as we have for seniors. They are not locked up or put in rubber rooms. I see a home-like environment where they have a bed, food and the necessities to have a quality of life that eludes them on the street. This would also allow them to pariciapate in society by getting jobs. Not all need medication. Let's help them reach their potential. We went from one extreme to another. Shutting down institutions to putting people onto the streets. Neither one sounds humane to me. I am only referring to those that do not have the ability to live by themselves and do not have the family support.

Concerning the adoption comment, you are right I do need to respond on behalf of myself when a comment is made that does not represent myself or the party. I will repeat that Peter's comment reflected his own experience with adoption. His comment was then misquoted in this forum to make it even worse. Peter showed his own humanity from a different perspective. Never did he mean to take babies away from mothers. Definitely not the case. There needs to be more resources provided to help those that need assistance for whatever reason to ensure that children do not live in poverty, escape the drug trap and move on to being successful contributors to society.

The BC Conservatives believe in the traditional definition of marriage - between a man and woman. Personally, I agree, however, it is not my place to judge another's preference. I treat all people with compassion.

I disagree with the Corren Agreement in principle, I don't think one group should have a special agreement with the government to dictate the curriculum of the education system. Should we have special agreements with every special interest group with issues? My concern is that the inference of this agreement could lead to it being infiltrated through K-12 where parents are not able to bow out such as they can for sex education. When I went to school, we had bible reading, the Lord's Prayer, Christmas Concerts, O Canada and God Save the Queen. We removed traditional activities from the school system that were apparently deemed offensive to some and now we add something that could be deemed offensive to others, to the curriculum. I am not totally against the issue being in the Social Justice course as this course is elective and talks of persection of any minority group being unacceptable. I really believe that the education system needs to get back to the ABCs and 123s. We are generating students who can not spell or add. There was no consultation with parents or teachers to before signing this agreement. People need to be included in major decisions such as this before agreements are reached.

The Health Care system needs to be revamped so that the emphasis is not on the hospitals but on ways to keep people out of the hospitals. We will invest on prevention, seniors facilities and home care, facilities for the mentally ill, total continuum of care for drug addisctions and appropriate community based resources.

I hope I haven't missed anything.

Mary-Ann

Great posting, Mary-Ann. Barring developments I don't anticipate, you and your party have got my vote. We may not be eye-to-eye on all issues, but you are closer than any other party -- by a large margin. I especially appreciate your assessment of the Corren Agreement and its implications for the K-12 curriculum. You have identified the issues correctly there. Overall, I see a good balance of compassion, conviction and intelligence. And for the benefit of other readers, no, we don't know each other personally and I have no connection with the Conservative party.

[Russell - Winfield]

I see the BC Conservative Child Poverty position, has raised its ugly head in the Media again, this time by the BC Liberals. Single Mothers should be concerned.

[Mr Danksworth]

The BC Conservatives believe in the traditional definition of marriage - between a man and woman. Personally, I agree, however, it is not my place to judge another's preference. I treat all people with compassion.

Here's some traditonal marriage for you....

Polygynous Marriage
Probably the most common form of marriage in the bible, it is where a man has more than one wife.

Levirate Marriage
When a woman was widowed without a son, it became the responsibility of the brother-in-law or a close male relative to take her in and impregnate her. If the resulting child was a son, he would be considered the heir of her late husband. See Ruth, and the story of Onan (Gen. 38:6-10).

A man, a woman and her property — a female slave
The famous “handmaiden” sketch, as preformed by Abraham (Gen. 16:1-6) and Jacob (Gen. 30:4-5).

A man, one or more wives, and some concubines
The definition of a concubine varies from culture to culture, but they tended to be live-in mistresses. Concubines were tied to their “husband,” but had a lower status than a wife. Their children were not usually heirs, so they were safe outlets for sex without risking the line of succession. To see how badly a concubine could be treated, see the famous story of the Levite and his concubine (Judges 19:1-30).

A male soldier and a female prisoner of war
Women could be taken as booty from a successful campaign and forced to become wives or concubines. Deuteronomy 21:11-14 describes the process.

A male rapist and his victim
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 describes how an unmarried woman who had been raped must marry her attacker.

A male and female slave
A female slave could be married to a male slave without consent, presumably to produce more slaves.

and of course …

Monogamous, heterosexual marriage
What you might think of as the standard form of marriage, provided you think of arranged marriages as the standard. Also remember that inter-faith or cross-ethnic marriage were forbidden for large chunks of biblical history.

Bring back traditional marriage!

[Glacier]

I have been ignoring these candidate threads for the past 2 weeks because the odd time I clicked on one, some troll had posted some long winded response that I couldn't read because of the all the symbols.

Can we not debate these things on the appropriate threads? There are only about 5 gay rights/traditional marriage/etc. currently active in which to debate the above post.

[usquebaugh]

The troll has struck again.

Only if one prefers not to notice the truth in those descriptions of biblical marriages....

[usquebaugh]

I have been ignoring these candidate threads for the past 2 weeks because the odd time I clicked on one, some troll had posted some long winded response that I couldn't read because of the all the symbols.

Can we not debate these things on the appropriate threads? There are only about 5 gay rights/traditional marriage/etc. currently active in which to debate the above post.

Unfortunately, this issue pertains to this particular candidate's platform, insofar as her beliefs on the subject may or may not determine who votes for her (or others in her party!). These are perfectly valid topics in this thread. Just ask the Kelowna Right to Life, which hosted a "Values Forum" on Saturday, April 25-- a forum that Ms. Graham attended.

[Glacier]

Is polygamy endorsed by the God of the bible? If so, where? Perhaps my memory fades me, but I read the Bible once, and I do not recall reading of any such endorsement.

[Lady tehMa]

I have been ignoring these candidate threads for the past 2 weeks because the odd time I clicked on one, some troll had posted some long winded response that I couldn't read because of the all the symbols.

Can we not debate these things on the appropriate threads? There are only about 5 gay rights/traditional marriage/etc. currently active in which to debate the above post.

Unfortunately, this issue pertains to this particular candidate's platform, insofar as her beliefs on the subject may or may not determine who votes for her (or others in her party!). These are perfectly valid topics in this thread. Just ask the Kelowna Right to Life, which hosted a "Values Forum" on Saturday, April 25-- a forum that Ms. Graham attended.

It is definitely in her favour that she is attending these forums. How many other candidates attended, anyone know? I like it when candidates make themselves accessible.

[Jo]

Please do not turn this thread into a religious debate.

[Mr Danksworth]

It is definitely in her favour that she is attending these forums. How many other candidates attended, anyone know? I like it when candidates make themselves accessible.

Why should all candidates go to a christian special interest meeting? To exploit the right wing voters in town?

[Mr Danksworth]

Please do not turn this thread into a religious debate.

Not trying to, just making a point.

[Lady tehMa]

It is definitely in her favour that she is attending these forums. How many other candidates attended, anyone know? I like it when candidates make themselves accessible.

Why should all candidates go to a christian special interest meeting? To exploit the right wing voters in town?

O_o

I figured that candidates would be interested in reaching all voters, regardless of who is holding the meeting. Gee soulra, chip on the shoulder or what?

[90Son]

Debating hasn't seem to be going to well for you this campaign has it Ms. Graham? Tonight in Lake Country you seemed wish-washy, and rather soft in your approach, I hate to say. But I will be fair and ask you the same question I've asked the other Major(ish (in your case)) party candidates:

As a first time, 18 year old voter, why should I vote for you and the BC Conservatives? What will you and your party do to ensure and improve the quality of Post secondary, for that matter all education?

[Mary-Ann]

Sorry for the long delay with my answer. BC Conservatives believe that education is an important requirement for the future health of the BC economy as well as for individuals themselves. We will encourage staudents to achieve a post secondary education. We would propose to support initiatives to enhance our institutions and remove some of the burden of tuition fees. Our plan is to provide for up to 50% support for province wide average tuition fees for qualified secondary education. The expectation is that students have achieved minimum standards. Students would be expected to maintain the minimum standards and then work in the province one year for every year they received assistance. The plan would be for up to 4 years of schooling.

A reminder that today is the last day for advance polls. The locations in Kelowna-Lake Country are Rutland United Church, St David's Presbyterian Church and Winfield Memorial Hall. Times are 8:00am to 8:00pm.

Mary-Ann

[fluffy]

Our plan is to provide for up to 50% support for province wide average tuition fees for qualified secondary education. The expectation is that students have achieved minimum standards. Students would be expected to maintain the minimum standards and then work in the province one year for every year they received assistance. The plan would be for up to 4 years of schooling.