Strange topic.
From my point of view the pro-separation argument sounds a lot like a spoiled kid who wants his agenda to trump the poorer kids. A very selfish point of view if you ask me. Funny how we try to teach our kids to get along and share but as adults we end up looking after our own self interest ahead of everything else. I must lament this degredation of our values.
"3: What do you feel the strongest allegience to? Your country? Your region? Your province? Your city? Your self? How big a role does the allegiance play in your desires for separation?"
Definitely Canada for me. More and more so these days as it becomes clear to me that the majority of Albertans do not share the same values as I do.
"1: Do you believe that the problem with Alberta's role in Canada is linked to any particular party (the liberals), or to the nature of the country? The liberals are often blamed for alienating the west with NEP and such, but in 1980, Clark's minority government came up with a budget that would have been equally devestating to Alberta, had it been put in place--of course, Clark got the non-confidence heave-ho. Given that, do you trust the current conservative party to fairly represent the west?"
I blame it in part on the current political process. The first past the post system ends up reinforcing the regionalism problem with respect to parties. I think proportional representation would help break down this regionalism by allowing the minorities in regions to have a voice.
I trust the Conservatives to look after their powerbase. However I disagree with that notion and their platform and idelogies do not align with my own and therefore they don't represent me.
"4: What do you believe it will take, realistically, for Western Canadians or Albertans to embrace separation? How can Western Canadians become united behind the idea of separation when their first priority is supporting the Conservatives to battle the liberals?"
I don't think there's enough support to even get off the ground in Western Canada. As has been mentioned by others, I don't see any other province in Western Canada wanting to separate besides Alberta and I don't think it would be supported by the majority of Albertans.
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