'Big Oil' can't threat - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Clever_Iggy · 10-24-2007, 07:51 PM

Stelmach is a moron... he's qualified to be an Agriculture Minister Assistant... maybe.

Good lord. How much longer until he's done. I think his approval rating is <45% and <30% in Calgary. Brutal.

Slava · 10-24-2007, 08:00 PM

^ Apparently he might call an election though. Hopefully enough people are willing to vote against the cons an end the charade.

Clever_Iggy · 10-24-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

^ Apparently he might call an election though. Hopefully enough people are willing to vote against the cons an end the charade.

The Liberals are worse. Stelmach getting the leadership was a very dark day for Alberta.

Thunderball · 10-24-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

^ Apparently he might call an election though. Hopefully enough people are willing to vote against the cons an end the charade.

Problem is, who do you vote for?

-The PCs seemed to dominated by the rural populists now...

-Liberals could be if they tossed their leader and converted their party to the centrist and economically right of centre urban voter... but I don't see that happening.

-NDPs are completely out of touch

-The Alliance (no offense to Ms. Greydanus) needs to weed out the religious right from their mix before they're a credible party. They do have the best economic policies but, I tried holding my nose on that and supporting Morton in the PC race because many of his ideas were superior, but hearing some of his ridiculous fundamentalist social policy makes me regret that support. A mistake I won't make twice.

First Lady · 10-24-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

^ Apparently he might call an election though. Hopefully enough people are willing to vote against the cons an end the charade.

... but, but,... he said:

Quote:

“There’ll be no provincial election this year, says Premier Ed Stelmach, who insisted his mandate from last year’s leadership race is good enough for now.” (The Calgary Sun Friday February 23, 2007. Bill Kaufmann.)

First Lady · 10-24-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

-The Alliance (no offense to Ms. Greydanus) needs to weed out the religious right from their mix before they're a credible party. They do have the best economic policies but, I tried holding my nose on that and supporting Morton in the PC race because many of his ideas were superior, but hearing some of his ridiculous fundamentalist social policy makes me regret that support. A mistake I won't make twice.

No offense taken... though I am a Mrs. now

I have not been with the Alliance from the beginning. But I certainly do not see an overly amount of "religious right" that you are referring to.

They have welcomed me and others with open arms. Never has the topic of religion come up. In order to grow as a Party we need to be open to everyone and their ideas; it does not make sense to "weed out" specific individuals. We strive to represent all Albertans.

Now, having said that; there is a rumour our VP of Policy is a devout Pastafarian.

You are correct though there may be some social policies that need to be brought up todate. Our fall conference on Nov 2 & 3 is specifically to reveiw constitution and policy.

Thunderball · 10-24-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Lady

No offense taken... though I am a Mrs. now

I have not been with the Alliance from the beginning. But I certainly do not see an overly amount of "religious right" that you are referring to.

They have welcomed me and others with open arms. Never has the topic of religion come up. In order to grow as a Party we need to be open to everyone and their ideas; it does not make sense to "weed out" specific individuals. We strive to represent all Albertans.

Now, having said that; there is a rumour our VP of Policy is a devout Pastafarian.

You are correct though there may be some social policies that need to be brought up todate. Our fall conference on Nov 2 & 3 is specifically to reveiw constitution and policy.

Just thought I'd be politically correct.

I think the stigma comes from the history of Party Founder and President, Randy Thorsteinson, and his Affiliation with the Church of Latter Day Saints, and the problems that caused in the Alberta First Party. It doesn't help that current leader Paul Hinman is also mormon, was a regional director of that party and moved on to the Alliance with Mr. Thorsteinson.

The whole situation makes one wonder where social policy in that party will be coming from. Its a tough situation, seeing as I am a libertarian conservative and would probably match up best with the Alliance. I'm socially centrist and while I am Christian by affiliation, as a Poli Sci Bachelor, I recognize the importance of keeping religion far away from political policy.

Slava · 10-24-2007, 08:42 PM

I will be voting Liberal, without question. Sure I understand that every party has their faults, but I can't bring myself to give the PC's another shot. The Alliance has nothing new to offer...we've seen this before and its not appealing to a young urban voter. There is a reason that they won a seat in Cardston-Taber-Warner...that riding is prime bible-belt territory, even for Alberta!

Basically I will be happy to vote Liberal because they have enough experience to do the right thing, and have some excellent candidates. I have no idea who will run in my riding or anything like that, but they will get my vote barring them being a pedophile or other horrific criminal...in that case I might spoil the ballot!

Thunderball · 10-24-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

I will be voting Liberal, without question. Sure I understand that every party has their faults, but I can't bring myself to give the PC's another shot. The Alliance has nothing new to offer...we've seen this before and its not appealing to a young urban voter. There is a reason that they won a seat in Cardston-Taber-Warner...that riding is prime bible-belt territory, even for Alberta!

Basically I will be happy to vote Liberal because they have enough experience to do the right thing, and have some excellent candidates. I have no idea who will run in my riding or anything like that, but they will get my vote barring them being a pedophile or other horrific criminal...in that case I might spoil the ballot!

Change the leader and I might join you. Right now Taft and Stelmach seem like they were separated at birth, the Dithers brothers. The PCs have done so much wrong its not even funny. He should have been capitalizing on all of it. Rather, he looked clueless or sounded just as threatening/irrelevant.

First Lady · 10-24-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

The whole situation makes one wonder where social policy in that party will be coming from.

It comes from it's members. Thus the importance of a diverse group of people. Paul and Randy are only 2 members. We have members from every walk of life. Including myself and my husband, who sit on the Provincial council. He is agnostic and very much a libertarian and myself; I do not discuss my religion. I will confirm though, I am not Mormon.

Quote:

Its a tough situation, seeing as I am a libertarian conservative and would probably match up best with the Alliance.

That is likely the best description for myself as well. I have gotten into some heated discussions with other conservatives; particularily when it comes to gay and lesbian issues.

Quote:

I'm socially centrist and while I am Christian by affiliation, as a Poli Sci Bachelor, I recognize the importance of keeping religion far away from political policy.

Absolutely, I completely agree.

FlamesAddiction · 10-24-2007, 08:47 PM

Does anyone other than the Conservatives stand a chance? When was the last time a party other than a conservative party won an election in Alberta?

Can anyone truthfully see them losing the election, Stelmach or no Stelmach?

First Lady · 10-24-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Does anyone other than the Conservatives stand a chance? When was the last time a party other than a conservative party won an election in Alberta?

Can anyone truthfully see them losing the election, Stelmach or no Stelmach?

I dream it all the time.....

Alberta has a history of changing it's government quickly; roughly every three premiers and every 30 years..... Stelmach is the 4th PC premier and it is well over 30 years......

It will happen.

Azure · 10-24-2007, 08:51 PM

Hopefully the conservatives lose another 15 seats.

Maybe that will open up their eyes a bit more.

Thunderball · 10-24-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by First Lady

It comes from it's members. Thus the importance of a diverse group of people. Paul and Randy are only 2 members. We have members from every walk of life. Including myself and my husband, who sit on the Provincial council. He is agnostic and very much a libertarian and myself; I do not discuss my religion. I will confirm though, I am not Mormon.

That is likely the best description for myself as well. I have gotten into some heated discussions with other conservatives; particularily when it comes to gay and lesbian issues.

Absolutely, I completely agree.

Perhaps I'm a little jaded cause I was a true believer in Ted Morton being precisely what we are, true blue conservatives who are socially neutral... I assumed he was pandering to the christian right to win votes, much as many republicans do in the primaries to garner support. (Maybe the lukewarm support he got from the Department of Political Science should have given me a clue)...The old "you don't actually agree with their platform, but you're the only choice anywhere near them so they may as well support you" tactic, better known as drawing in the margins.

I've been in some heated discussions about gay rights as well... from both sides of the fence, since I simply believed that if it was going to cause problems, it was time for the government to only grant civil unions to everyone, and return the term "marriage" to churches. Essentially, take the government out of the social argument.

I do wish you and your party the best of luck in rising above the "christian right" stigma and taking a position as a conservative alternative to a PC party that has lost its way and bear more resemblance to the Chretien/Martin Liberals than Lougheed's PC governments.

First Lady · 10-24-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Perhaps I'm a little jaded cause I was a true believer in Ted Morton being precisely what we are, true blue conservatives who are socially neutral... I assumed he was pandering to the christian right to win votes, much as many republicans do in the primaries to garner support. (Maybe the lukewarm support he got from the Department of Political Science should have given me a clue)...The old "you don't actually agree with their platform, but you're the only choice anywhere near them so they may as well support you" tactic, better known as drawing in the margins.

I've been in some heated discussions about gay rights as well... from both sides of the fence, since I simply believed that if it was going to cause problems, it was time for the government to only grant civil unions to everyone, and return the term "marriage" to churches. Essentially, take the government out of the social argument.

I do wish you and your party the best of luck in rising above the "christian right" stigma and taking a position as a conservative alternative to a PC party that has lost its way and bear more resemblance to the Chretien/Martin Liberals than Lougheed's PC governments.

Well, it is true, you (or me or anyone for that matter) will never find a party that matches everything you believe in.

Best you can do is find one that is close on most things or at least on your priority issues. Then get involved and create change from within.

ddj · 10-25-2007, 07:21 PM

Talk about a slap in the face. Does he honestly believe that a 19.6% increase instead of the 20 proposed is going to keep the investment here?? Yes it is better than the 26% the report called 20, but get real, these oil companies can do math. To top it all of leaving the technical report out leaving the uncertainty here is not very attractive either. I am completely embarrased with him, but who the hell else do you vote in.

Rathji · 10-25-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Hopefully the conservatives lose another 15 seats.

Maybe that will open up their eyes a bit more.

Yes, it certainly would.

Azure · 10-25-2007, 07:45 PM

Should have voted for Morton.

vodafone_b · 10-25-2007, 07:49 PM

this is so embarrassing.. how he ever become the premier is beyond my mind..
Does he understands how the industry works?.. ralph may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but.. ralph looks like einstein when compare to this guy...

something is best to leave it as it is.. if you haven't have a clue on what you are doing.. thats something ed should keep in mind.. sadly nobody told him that and the only reason he did this was for political reason, and as every politician's goal, to get re-elected the next term and neglect the wellbeing of the public..

ddj · 10-25-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vodafone_b

this is so embarrassing.. how he ever become the premier is beyond my mind..
Does he understands how the industry works?.. ralph may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but.. ralph looks like einstein when compare to this guy...

something is best to leave it as it is.. if you haven't have a clue on what you are doing.. thats something ed should keep in mind.. sadly nobody told him that and the only reason he did this was for political reason, and as every politician's goal, to get re-elected the next term and neglect the wellbeing of the public..

I have a hard time believing he is going to be a candidate in the next election. I would say no political part would commit this kind of suicide. I would think they are using him as a scapegoat on this issue and will call an election, replacing him. If things go good use the party as the genius, when things go bad, which they will, blame ED