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Originally Posted by Ashartus
Now that their platform has been established I have to say I'm not too keen on some aspects of it; particularly more private delivery of health care and more funding for private schools ( http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Wi...461/story.html). Private delivery of health care is not more cost effective than properly run public delivery; our problem is that the public system is not being run well. Funding private schooling is more of a social conservative position in my opinion, not a fiscal conservative position.
While Smith may not be a social conservative, a lot of party members are. I'm not really thrilled with any of the choices for the next provincial election right now - Wildrose are a bit too far right for me, the Conservatives have been a disaster (and no party should ever be in power that long), and the Liberals have been pretty ineffective lately. |
I'm keeping a keen eye on the Alberta Party, which is undergoing grassroots consultation with residents called the "Big Listen" as it organizes. What Alberta needs most is a party not rooted in ideology, but one that is decidedly a centrist/pragmatic political entity that is guided by the principle of seeking the best solution to the issue or problem based on best practice and a culture of innovative governance.
The statement on the front page of their website captures this sentiment well:
http://www.albertaparty.ca/
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“An end to labels and politics as usual in Alberta” – Brian Thiessen
June 21st, 2010
I have spent a lot of my time in the last months explaining to friends, family and just about everyone who will listen, as to why I chose to join the Alberta Party. There is the obvious infectious enthusiasm of party spokesperson, and old friend, Chima Nkemdirim. But the real attraction of the Alberta Party is the true commitment to doing things better. A departure from the cynicism and divisiveness of partisan politics that turns Albertans off from voting. Leaving more than 60% of Albertans feeling disenfranchised and disinclined to vote in past provincial elections.
The Alberta Party starts from the premise that being centrist and progressive is the place of common ground. That working with those previously labelled as right, left, green or otherwise will allow us to find that which is common amongst Albertans. The center of the political spectrum captures most of the beliefs upon which the majority of Albertans can agree. For example, we have already discovered that we can all agree on the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability, democratic reform, better education, better health care with shorter waiting times in emergency rooms, as well as a myriad of other issues.
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