WAP Leadership race down to two...

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Shazam

You may be too young to remember Smith's columns.

Try going to the library and looking some up. You can use your muscles to lift those heavy books.

I remember her columns quite well. I read them on a weekly basis in high school.

Whats your point?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Azure

Are you being obtuse on purpose? Or are you just into full out whining mode like David Swann because you can't stand that the WRA has in 1 year provided the alternative to the Tories that the Liberals in 20 years weren't able to do?

Being libertarian doesn't mean I'm against ALL government involvement in the economy or the workplace. Nor does it mean that in Canada, I would be against government funded health care. It just means that I want the government to stay out of my personal life. You know, so they don't decide who I can marry, or what choices I make with my kids, or the choices a woman makes with her body, etc, etc.

I love how you ALWAYS wedge health care into. every. post. about. your. stance.

Far as I'm concerned, you're just whining. Let me guess, Liberal supporter?

Are you kidding me? I'm MORE right wing that you are! Christ, I sometimes score fascist on those useless internet political tests.

Quite hilarious. Especially considering the sheer stupidity of suggesting that ANYONE would believe that discrimination in the workplace is a good thing.

Yes, of course it isn't. But if you truly believe in smaller government, do you expect the government to enforce workplace equality? If not, who?

[Azure]

Here is one column she wrote.

In each role, I've given serious thought to the role government plays in our lives. Fiscal conservatives like me tend to believe the role of government should be confined to those tasks it can do well. It should aim toward high performance in the delivery of social programs, so taxpayers get maximum value for tax dollars. It should be as administratively lean as possible, so it does not poach workers from the private sector. It should create smart regulation, so business owners have a level playing field and know the rules, without having to sift through a morass of red tape and paperwork.

Those of us who want a centre-right government are left with no choice but to create our own alternative. Every single party that has ever governed this province has swept away the stale party and the stale ideas that preceded it. As a leadership candidate for the Wildrose Alliance, with your support, we can make that happen once again.

Yeah, quite the headshaker right there.

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald...bcc6c5c942&p=2

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Azure

I remember her columns quite well. I read them on a weekly basis in high school.

Whats your point?

Should I be impressed with her winning?

Do you honestly think the WAP is going to make significant inroads with her?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Azure

Here is one column she wrote.




Yeah, quite the headshaker right there.

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald...bcc6c5c942&p=2

Aim for something earlier. Oh, like late 90s, early 00s.

Am I supposed to be impressed with the useless rhetoric in that article?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Yes, of course it isn't. But if you truly believe in smaller government, do you expect the government to enforce workplace equality? If not, who?

Believing in smaller government doesn't mean that I think the government should have absolutely NOTHING to do with the economy, with HEALTH CARE, with making sure people are treated equally, etc, etc.

In fact, one of the things the government can do well is make sure that discrimination at the workplace doesn't happen simply because they can regulate specific standards that all employees and workplaces have to follow.

And yes, health care, being probably the most important issue Albertans face right now is a big deal, which is why I focus on it. And its also why it'll be an important part of the next election campaign.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Azure

Whats wrong with a woman leader?

Surely you're not a sexist bigot.

Just practical. Some woman some day will be the first woman premier in Alberta, but it seems like a lot to ask from the leader of an upstart party. Who knows - god knows I've been wrong before.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Should I be impressed with her winning?

Do you honestly think the WAP is going to make significant inroads with her?

Actually, yes I do.

More significant inroads than the Liberals ever made.

I don't know about forming a government by 2012, but I certainly think they can be the official opposition after the next election.

Its actually quite fascinating how certain members on CP even seem to support them. Members that I never dreamed would go for a party like that.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Aim for something earlier. Oh, like late 90s, early 00s.

Am I supposed to be impressed with the useless rhetoric in that article?

I only remember her articles from 2003 onwards, IIRC.

Can't find the archives though.

It would be interesting to read them again.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Just practical. Some woman some day will be the first woman premier in Alberta, but it seems like a lot to ask from the leader of an upstart party. Who knows - god knows I've been wrong before.

Why is it a lot to ask? Women are just as capable as men in MANY things, including running a political party.

We don't live in the 15th century anymore.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Tell that to rural Alberta. Like I said, I could be wrong. I'll be surprised if it happens with her in charge. Time will tell.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Azure

Believing in smaller government doesn't mean that I think the government should have absolutely NOTHING to do with the economy, with HEALTH CARE, with making sure people are treated equally, etc, etc.

In fact, one of the things the government can do well is make sure that discrimination at the workplace doesn't happen simply because they can regulate specific standards that all employees and workplaces have to follow.

But they do that right now! So, is your assertion that the WAP can somehow do this for cheaper? How?

I've had more than my fair share of dealings with the city and provincial governments with proposals. There is some corruption at both levels (far higher at the city, actually). But it is not obvious. It is not a matter of efficiency. It is matter of circumventing rules. You really have no idea just how powerful the bureaucracy is at these places. But Danielle Smith is not a micromanager. And she will need to be if you are determined to see smaller government. But then she will have less time for the 'bigger' issues. Are you okay with that?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Azure

Actually, yes I do.

More significant inroads than the Liberals ever made.

I don't know about forming a government by 2012, but I certainly think they can be the official opposition after the next election.

Its actually quite fascinating how certain members on CP even seem to support them. Members that I never dreamed would go for a party like that.

What a group of CPers support is irrelevant. There's NDP supporters here. So what?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Shazam

But they do that right now! So, is your assertion that the WAP can somehow do this for cheaper? How?

I've had more than my fair share of dealings with the city and provincial governments with proposals. There is some corruption at both levels (far higher at the city, actually). But it is not obvious. It is not a matter of efficiency. It is matter of circumventing rules. You really have no idea just how powerful the bureaucracy is at these places. But Danielle Smith is not a micromanager. And she will need to be if you are determined to see smaller government. But then she will have less time for the 'bigger' issues. Are you okay with that?

Go back through the thread. I outlined some of the things Smith talked about that I think are good.

I don't pretend to know or even understand everything about how a government operates. There are things she has talked about doing that I think are good, and I'll give her party a chance.

What more do you want?

Or is it a better idea to just let things keep going like they are simply because it can't be fixed?

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Shazam

What a group of CPers support is irrelevant. There's NDP supporters here. So what?

Haven't they had been tarred and feathers already?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Shazam

What a group of CPers support is irrelevant. There's NDP supporters here. So what?

The point is that the party, at present, is attracting the interest and support of a number of people all over the political spectrum. CP is obviously not representative of the province as a whole, but it is noticeable that the WAP shows the potential of drawing support from many areas of society.

The fact that it is polling ahead of the Liberals would also indicate that the party is presently drawing support from many different groups. Time will tell if it is sustainable, but I honestly doubt bitter attacks by the Liberals and their supporters will impact much of anything.

[Nehkara]

I think it is fairly arrogant to be so condescending towards NDP supporters considering they represent ~15-20% of all voters.

I am an NDP supporter but I also know that I want change in Alberta. If Danielle Smith can avoid alienating me, she may well win my vote.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

I think it is fairly arrogant to be so condescending towards NDP supporters considering they represent ~15-20% of all voters.

I am an NDP supporter but I also know that I want change in Alberta. If Danielle Smith can avoid alienating me, she may well win my vote.

What I said I meant in jest. My apologizes if I offended.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

What I said I meant in jest. My apologizes if I offended.

Sorry, I wasn't offended and I didn't mean you specifically. I was describing the general attitude on CP towards the NDP and its supporters. I simply don't think a political party (or its supporters) with a following consisting of 1/5 of Canadian voters should be dismissed so readily.

Most of the people I know that support the NDP realize that, despite our hopes, they will likely not form the government in Alberta or Federally... at least in the short term... so it would be wise for other parties to try and win the votes of some of that 20% of the electorate that are "left wing nuts" as Ralph Klein liked to call us.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Azure

As for the money side of the equation, Jane Morgan could chime in, but I think raised quite a bit of money last go around. I assume that would increase with the increase in popularity.

During the 2008 General Election we raised over half million; we were about 60K short of what the PC's raised.

They spent 2.4 M more than they raised. We came out 50K ahead and debt free.
No other opposition party is debt free.

This year a lot of contributors have directed funds to the candidates and/or Paul Hinman's by-election. So they have been down a bit; all the same we do have a 6-figure balance in our bank account.

More will start to come in now that we have an AMAZING leader. (Finally I can say publicly, Danielle Smith was my choice!!)

Our online memberships and contributions have been humming since 4:30 yesterday.