Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Go Back   Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community > Main Forums > The Off Topic Forum
Register Forum Rules FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 01-24-2011, 12:58 PM   #1
Resolute 14
In the Sin Bin
 
Resolute 14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Exp:
Default Dave Taylor joins Alberta Party

http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/alber...072/story.html

So, a few years from now the PCs and Libs are but a memory, while the WRA and the Albertas fight it out for control of the government?

This was amusing...

Quote:
Taylor had previously condemned the Wildrose Alliance for accepting defectors from the Tories without having them run in a byelection. He also vowed he would run in a byelection if he joined another party before the next provincial election, expected in March 2012.


But, he said today he would not cross the floor to an existing party in the legislature and that a byelection is a waste of taxpayer dollars with an election expected in the next year or so.
Resolute 14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2011, 01:02 PM   #2
chemgear
Franchise Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Exp:
Default

"Nobody has the right to be hypocritical . . . except me."

chemgear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2011, 01:37 PM   #3
FlamesAddiction
Franchise Player
 
FlamesAddiction's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver
Exp:
Default

He is right, it is a waste of money. Politicians should sit and represent the party that the people voted for.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
FlamesAddiction is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to FlamesAddiction For This Useful Post:
Old 01-24-2011, 01:52 PM   #4
Resolute 14
In the Sin Bin
 
Resolute 14's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Exp:
Default

I have no problem with crossing the floor in general... it's been a part of Canadian politics from day one. But man, for him to be so adamantly against it to try and score political points in the summer, only to turn around and do the same in winter...

Funny thing is, the Alberta Party was trying to sell itself on being different. (heh). This is great news for them - they went from being fringe nobodies to being a fringe party bordering on legitimacy - but they have also revealed they are just more of the same. People don't change politics. Politics changes people.
Resolute 14 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2011, 02:01 PM   #5
mykalberta
Franchise Player
 
mykalberta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

In theory the Alberta party is what is needed to unseat the conservatives. It will take the NDP and Libs support for the party to fully materialize into what it needs to be.
__________________
MYK - Supports Arizona to democtratically pass laws for the state of Arizona
Rudy was the only hope in 08
2011 Election: Cons 40% - Nanos 38% Ekos 34%
mykalberta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2011, 02:14 PM   #6
Slava
Franchise Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Exp:
Default

I can totally see why Taylor did this, but I am still against it in principle.

Having an election is never a waste of taxpayer dollars. Are they expensive? Sure. That cost though is a relative cost; it's only the basis of our entire society so why be cheap about it?
Slava is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2011, 02:57 PM   #7
Nage Waza
Offered up a bag of cans for a custom user title
 
Nage Waza's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Westside
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction View Post
He is right, it is a waste of money. Politicians should sit and represent the party that the people voted for.
Or should they sit and represent the individual that the people voted for?

Isn't what you suggest the larger problem?

In your opinion, why do we even have a candidate and note just vote for the party?

I honestly don't know the answer, I was just curious based on your post.
Nage Waza is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2011, 03:36 PM   #8
mykalberta
Franchise Player
 
mykalberta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

I should add, if it comes to Federal Politics I am 100% against crossing the floor. With Provincial politics I dont mind it as much. For me it has to do with in Federal Elections its much more big picture, I dont really care who the person is who is running, just the party. For Provincial I am much more likely have a higher % of person vs party vote.
__________________
MYK - Supports Arizona to democtratically pass laws for the state of Arizona
Rudy was the only hope in 08
2011 Election: Cons 40% - Nanos 38% Ekos 34%
mykalberta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2011, 09:55 AM   #9
troutman
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
 
troutman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Crowsnest Pass
Exp:
Default

Slava gets published:

The Alberta Party is a long way from emulating its patron saint Naheed Nenshi
http://www.allpolitics.ca/index.php?...olumn&refno=23
troutman is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to troutman For This Useful Post:
Old 06-22-2011, 10:12 AM   #10
Bobblehead
Franchise Player
 
Bobblehead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: in your blind spot.
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman View Post
Slava gets published:

The Alberta Party is a long way from emulating its patron saint Naheed Nenshi
http://www.allpolitics.ca/index.php?...olumn&refno=23
That reads like an autopsy or eulogy.

"Alas, poor Alberta Party! I knew him, Slava"
__________________
"The problem with any ideology is that it gives the answer before you look at the evidence."
—Bill Clinton
"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance--it is the illusion of knowledge."
—Daniel J. Boorstin, historian, former Librarian of Congress
"But the Senator, while insisting he was not intoxicated, could not explain his nudity"
—WKRP in Cincinatti
Bobblehead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2011, 10:25 AM   #11
Slava
Franchise Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Exp:
Default

It kind of is....realistically I can't see how they win a single seat in the next election.

It's not that I disagree with them (and frankly I might even vote for them when the time comes!), but that is probably. 7-10 year process to actually convert the "Big Listen" into a meaningful number of seats.
Slava is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2011, 10:53 AM   #12
Bigtime
Franchise Player
 
Bigtime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman View Post
Slava gets published:

The Alberta Party is a long way from emulating its patron saint Naheed Nenshi
http://www.allpolitics.ca/index.php?...olumn&refno=23
Am I the only one bothered by the outdated Calgary skyline picture used on that website?

/skyscraper geek
Bigtime is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Bigtime For This Useful Post:
Old 06-22-2011, 10:55 AM   #13
You Need a Thneed
Voted for Kodos
 
You Need a Thneed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigtime View Post
Am I the only one bothered by the outdated Calgary skyline picture used on that website?

/skyscraper geek
Only one banker's hall? For shame, pic is upwards of 15 years old.
You Need a Thneed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2011, 10:58 AM   #14
ben voyonsdonc
Franchise Player
 
ben voyonsdonc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Calgary, AB
Exp:
Default

The Alberta Party seems to be a bit of an empty shell. It doesn't really have any sort of ideological anchor...and many AP supporters would say that was a good thing. Unfortunately, a party can't just hide behind the "I'll do whatever you tell me to do"...especially when they intend on governing. Tough decisions need to be made in government and often those tough decisions aren't going to be popular.

People, of course, want politicians to listen to them but a party also needs to offer a clear vision and definite priorities.

Nenshi actually ran a campaign that was truly a marvel when it came to amount of detail provided. The AP seems to forget this. Yes, Nenshi used social media but it was his ideas that were exciting and he used the social media to get out the ideas. The AP definitely uses social media but, without a message, media truly has no purpose.

BTW, Slava, your article almost perfectly encapsulated what I think about the party.
ben voyonsdonc is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ben voyonsdonc For This Useful Post:
Old 06-22-2011, 11:00 AM   #15
Slava
Franchise Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigtime View Post
Am I the only one bothered by the outdated Calgary skyline picture used on that website?

/skyscraper geek
It's not my site and I have nothing to do with it (save for this article), but knowing the guy who put together it's likely an oversight. I will let him know and hopefully it can be swapped out!
Slava is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2011, 11:28 AM   #16
bizaro86
Franchise Player
 
bizaro86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Exp:
Default

Great article Slava!

It encapsulates exactly why Nenshi gained traction and the Alberta Party hasn't. I'm usually a conservative voter, and voted/campaigned informally for Nenshi. Not because I thought he was the best conservative, but because I thought he had the best ideas. A key factor in that was that I was able to find out what his ideas actually were!

The biggest impediment to the Alberta Party isn't that people don't want change. The rise of the AP and the Wild Rose show that people do. The biggest impediment is that you have to show people that your ideas/governance would be better than the incumbants and the current alternatives.

If you stand by the side of the road with a big banner that just says "CHANGE" don't be surprised if people throw nickles out the car window...
bizaro86 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to bizaro86 For This Useful Post:
Old 06-22-2011, 11:43 AM   #17
transplant99
Fearmongerer
 
transplant99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
Exp:
Default

Great read Slava, and well written. Kudos.

As for Taylor...ugh. Just more of the same from the same who want more.
transplant99 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to transplant99 For This Useful Post:
Old 06-22-2011, 03:47 PM   #18
Reggie Dunlop
All I can get
 
Reggie Dunlop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Exp:
Default

Well, to be fair, Naheed Nenshi didn't exactly descend from the mountaintop with stone tablets under each arm. The guy observed and wrote on civic issues for many years previous before issuing a mayoral platform.

It's perfectly reasonable for a party one year into its present incarnation to still be formulating policy as it gains more members.

The Alberta Party has over 200 members currently drafting and refining policy. Health and Municipalities policies have come out, Education is next, with more being rolled out over the summer.
Reggie Dunlop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2011, 03:52 PM   #19
bizaro86
Franchise Player
 
bizaro86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop View Post
Well, to be fair, Naheed Nenshi didn't exactly descend from the mountaintop with stone tablets under each arm. The guy observed and wrote on civic issues for many years previous before issuing a mayoral platform.

It's perfectly reasonable for a party one year into its present incarnation to still be formulating policy as it gains more members.

The Alberta Party has over 200 members currently drafting and refining policy. Health and Municipalities policies have come out, Education is next, with more being rolled out over the summer.
Sure. But to get mainstream attention/support, you have to have an actual platform. Right now it basically seems to be based on trust that the people involved are likeminded, which really only works if you know them/their ideas quite well.

They have some time before the next election, but having a platform to talk about would certainly be a positive step.
bizaro86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-22-2011, 04:03 PM   #20
Reggie Dunlop
All I can get
 
Reggie Dunlop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bizaro86 View Post
Sure. But to get mainstream attention/support, you have to have an actual platform. Right now it basically seems to be based on trust that the people involved are likeminded, which really only works if you know them/their ideas quite well.

They have some time before the next election, but having a platform to talk about would certainly be a positive step.
They're working on their platform. The policy proposals then go to party members for ratification. Just like any other party.
Reggie Dunlop is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:00 PM.

Calgary Flames
2024-25




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright Calgarypuck 2021 | See Our Privacy Policy