Quote:
Originally Posted by First Lady
I agree the leader is the face of the party and we will have a new one by October. I don't feel Paul or Iris have caused any huge damage to either party. I think he has done a great deal to get us to this point and did the right thing by stepping aside for someone else to take us to the next level.
|
I have to disagree on this. I think Paul did a tremendous amount of damage in that debate. As did Taft. People wanted an alternative to Stelmach desperately. Hinman had to be sure to say nothing that made people think he was a right wing nut. He didn't do that. First social issue that came up, and he shot himself in the foot. Result? 0 seats rather than upwards of 10. Taft did the same thing. It was imperative for him to look like anything but a spend happy socialist. He didn't do that either. First fiscal issue that came up, and he's competing with Mason on who can drain the coffers faster. Result? Going from 16 seats to 7 seats rather than upwards of 30.
Iris Evans did damage for sure, but until there's an alternative, there's no real way to attack her. One by one, Stelmach's MLAs are either being made to look like idiots by poor policy (Blackett, Liepert), or doing the job themselves with incompetent remarks (Evans, Elniski)
I agree that a new leader must take the party to the next level, there's nowhere to go but up, really.
Quote:
Originally Posted by First Lady
I agree Paul did not articulate our position well in that particular case. (and yes, we have discussed it) All in all though the feedback on the debate was very favorable.
|
The final feedback is the election. I'd say the feedback was very poor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by First Lady
They elected Broyce Jacobs; also a mormon. Other areas have elected Tony Abbott; a minister and one of the female Calgary MLA's (her name escapes me right now) is a Sunday School teacher. I don't see religious involvement as being a huge impediment to being electable.
|
They aren't the leaders. They are largely kept in line by party solidarity. If they were in charge, it would present an issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by First Lady
Actually they mesh very well. Libertarians (and our party) generally believe in freedom and protection of rights. The majority of the religious right just want to be left alone to have the freedom for themselves, their church and family to practice their religion.
Unfortunately it is a very small group who want to ram their beliefs down societys' collective throat.
I expand more on this here: http://janemorgan.blogspot.com/2009/...t-another.html |
I'd have to disagree. Libertarians believe in the freedom and protection of rights, progression of society and the free-flow of knowledge. The religious right tends to be socially conservative, repressive, intolerant, and traditional. How can these views actually mesh? Yes, some simply want to be left alone, but there's a fine line between freedom to practice their religion, and freedom from "secular nonsense." Take the recent PC so-con Bill 44. Libertarians would encourage all types of theories, facts and myths, because people are free to learn and arrive at their own conclusions. The religious right feels compelled to defend their "freedom" to teach their kids whatever they want, even if its hateful, regressive, or overwhelmingly inaccurate.
Its a very small and vocal group, and right now, they permeate the PCs and have the appearance of that with your party as well. Despite their economic ineptitude, it makes the Liberals look appealing by comparison.
Quote:
Originally Posted by First Lady
I would agree nearly all of it is in place, except the "no patience for the religious right". I really don't know what you mean by that.
If you mean the Bill Whatcotts of the world; I don't think I (personally) ever had any patience for them.... 
But I do support their right to spew the garbage they do. |
No patience for the religious right simply means no tolerance for regressive social policy, such as censoring education, temperance, aborton bans, stem cell bans, etc. (ironically, the PCs have already pushed two of those)