[Mr.Coffee]

I was on the No side but my resolve was definitely weakening. I'd definitely reconsidered my position once or twice. I wonder if they'd:

a) started the information campaign earlier or;
b) included the arena everybody has debated for 2+ years and wants for the Flames (don't kid yourself, majority of Calgarians don't want the Flames to leave) or;
c) Had a clear, transparent information platform with easy to understand concepts, numbers and facts or;
d) Had funding models in place well in advance and that all levels of government supported or;
e) Could clearly communicate to voters precisely (or hell, even roughly) how their taxes would be impacted (if it really was $25 or if it really was $2000 or what the hell it actually was?????) or;
f) Clarity on how corruption would not be an issue or;
g) had a united City council

In fairness, I actually do not think 6 months or even 1 year was a lot of time to prepare this. Which is another reason I would be 100% supportive if they went right back to the well, the same team even to prepare for 2034 or 2038 and get their ducks in a row, government aligned and a really precise, accurate, informative campaign with robust clear data. It felt rushed, and that's probably because they were rushed. They didn't communicate at all very effectively how it would impact me and my family.

Furthermore, most Calgarians don't have time to sit down and research (or really want to anymore than passing interest to be honest) all the nuances and BS and sort through all the fake info out there or determine what data is value or not. This is why Calgarians needed accurate facts, verified by media and government alike, and no lipstick on the pig.

As for the Calgary becoming Detroit... yeah. Yeah right now it sure as #### looks like it will be. Which leads me to my main reason for voting no. Lack of proper focus in government;

The number ONE THROUGH TEN priority for the municipal, provincial and federal governments from a Calgarians viewpoint is to get oil and gas support, energy industry support, do everything ####ing possible to get and revive the energy industry in Canada. Support businesses and projects. Lower (or hell guarantee stablization) royalty structures. Speed up processes. Do your jobs and make it easier for companies to not die in Calgary instead of actively acting against it. Listen to your economic leaders and advisers. Your respected economic and financial and business communities, Chambers of Commerce's and hell the ordinary Calgarian. Listen to what people are telling you. That's what this vote was trying to message. It's not that we can't afford the Olympics, it's that we can't stand by and throw a party whilst you idiots continue to mismanage foreign investment. Businesses trying to grow, and turn a blind eye to rising unemployment, vacancies and troubling economic signs.

It's not a call to turn your back on the environment, or even on NIMBY's or special interest groups. It's a call to use your practical side. Use your head. We have lifelong politicians not listening enough, not understanding where people are at, or how their lives are being impacted today and into the future. People at the forefront of industry, watching billions of dollars of value turn to dust or leave the country for no real good reason. Governments turning a blind eye to the US sovereign attack on our finances by paying money to special interest groups and block our energy infrastructure projects for their own selfish gain.

Trudeau should be screaming from the rooftops, tweeting about it hourly. Notley should be showing how serious this is. Nenshi- while limited in ability- should also be constantly echoing these concerns. Spend the money to fly around the country where you are actually beloved and turn hearts and minds to what Canadian energy has done and will do for this country.

So, these are things the government should be passionate about. Not hosting the Olympics. Because by focusing on the economy to which they seemingly have just abandoned, they are impacting every one of us. Property values. Taxes rising to make up for commercial vacancies. Our standard of living, education and health care systems are at significant and material risk of deterioration. But yeah, let's campaign on the Olympics.

Focus is not in the right spot. That's what the No vote is all about in my eyes.

edit: to put a little more perspective here; according to a Financial Post article on November 11, the current differential picture is a pace of losing $100,000,000,000 per year. That's $100B. Global demand is still growing. Oil is Canada's number one export.

How many Olympics does that pay for? How much public benefit and economic stimulation? That pace in 1 year is enough to pay off 10 provincial and 3 territories debts.

That is a staggering number to sneer at, which Canada is currently doing. That is a staggering number to turn our backs on.