Alberta Election Thread - Election Day April 16 2019

[_Q_]

It's a "thing" because it's idiotic.

It's getting pretty clear that most of the candidates running in this election are our crazy relatives that post stupid crap on Facebook all day long.

[Yamer]

Anecdote on the Mark Smith situation:

My cousin lives in Drayton Valley, is a business owner, and is very involved in the community. He explained that despite what Smith said, he is very popular and respected in the area. The UCP is a lock in that riding, and the people have no problem voting for a guy that echoes their constant economic struggle, even if he's a bigot.

I get it, but I don't at the same time. His beliefs on conversion therapy alone would drive me away.

Also, he never really apologized. He said "I regret how my commentary was framed at the time." That's akin to 'I'm sorry you feel that way', and he still very much believes all of what he said.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by _Q_

It's a "thing" because it's idiotic.

It's getting pretty clear that most of the candidates running in this election are our crazy relatives that post stupid crap on Facebook all day long.

But do you really believe it means ANYTHING in reality? Stupid stuff posted is...stupid stuff posted. Not a true reflection of anything really.

Yes the Mark Smith guy...clear as day he is a colossal moron. But this other stuff we are seeing? All it does is distract from what needs to be focused on.

I dunno...maybe stupid stuff is more important to most than not and Im misreading the whole thing.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by transplant99

But do you really believe it means ANYTHING in reality? Stupid stuff posted is...stupid stuff posted. Not a true reflection of anything really.

Yes the Mark Smith guy...clear as day he is a colossal moron. But this other stuff we are seeing? All it does is distract from what needs to be focused on.

I dunno...maybe stupid stuff is more important to most than not and Im misreading the whole thing.

Stupid people post stupid stuff and make no mistake, they believe it too. That's why they're stupid. And that's why they post it. You get enough stupid people in the same room and you get stupid changes to intelligent laws and stupid new laws. So it's probably important to not elect stupid people.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by transplant99

But this other stuff we are seeing? All it does is distract from what needs to be focused on.

So... why share it?

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by transplant99

But do you really believe it means ANYTHING in reality? Stupid stuff posted is...stupid stuff posted. Not a true reflection of anything really.

Yes the Mark Smith guy...clear as day he is a colossal moron. But this other stuff we are seeing? All it does is distract from what needs to be focused on.

I dunno...maybe stupid stuff is more important to most than not and Im misreading the whole thing.

I mean the issues they're campaigning on are obviously more important. However, this is like a job interview. You could be the most qualified person for the job, but if during the interview, you say things like "I hope you don't have any homos working in our department, cuz if there's one thing I hate more than Muslims, it's gays. Yo check out this meme I just posted... Funny isn't it? What's this woman doing out of the kitchen?".... You know damn well you won't get the job.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

My neighbourhood is full of yards where people have signs for two (or more!) different parties. Do the members of the household all disagree? Do they think every time someone offers a sign they need to accept? I think it's weird how many places have this.

One house has both a giant UCP sign and a giant NDP sign on its front lawn. Weird....

I'd happily allow multiple candidates to put signs on my lawn. I don't consider signs an endorsement, and I'm still undecided on how I'll vote.

Originally Posted by Amethyst

I can understand that happening occasionally. I just seems strange to me that there would be so many families who feel strongly enough about a party to put up a sign, yet disagree about who to vote for.

It seems odd to me that we'd assume people who are married necessarily have the same views on the delivery of public services, labour markets, taxation, and the priority of social issues in public policy. Or have the same intuitions about the credibility of a given candidate. I doubt my parents ever voted the same way in a provincial or federal election.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

So... why share it?

Ummm...you mean why did global make it a story on their website?

Or do you mean, why post something here that is a story on globals website?

Should I clear things with you moving forward?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I mean the issues they're campaigning on are obviously more important. However, this is like a job interview. You could be the most qualified person for the job, but if during the interview, you say things like "I hope you don't have any homos working in our department, cuz if there's one thing I hate more than Muslims, it's gays. Yo check out this meme I just posted... Funny isn't it? What's this woman doing out of the kitchen?".... You know damn well you won't get the job.

Judging from the number of misogynists, racists and just generally incompetent people I've had the mispleasure of working with, saying such things in an interview don't matter.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I'd happily allow multiple candidates to put signs on my lawn. I don't consider signs an endorsement, and I'm still undecided on how I'll vote.



It seems odd to me that we'd assume people who are married necessarily have the same views on the delivery of public services, labour markets, taxation, and the priority of social issues in public policy. Or have the same intuitions about the credibility of a given candidate. I doubt my parents ever voted the same way in a provincial or federal election.

Why would you put signs for candidates on your lawn, if you weren't trying to show that's who you support?

Most couples I know may differ on certain issues from time to time, but in general, I find they tend to have similar views.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Ummm...you mean why did global make it a story on their website?

Or do you mean, why post something here that is a story on globals website?

Should I clear things with you moving forward?

No, no need to get so defensive.

I’m asking: if it’s ridiculous that we’re talking about “these things” instead of real issues, why spread the ridiculous things around? I can only speak for myself, but I hadn’t seen the article until you posted it, so you effectively just encouraged more people to focus on it by sharing it around.

Just because Global posted something on their website doesn’t mean you have a duty to share it here, especially if you think it’s ridiculous to even talk about it. Seems counter-intuitive, no?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Why would you put signs for candidates on your lawn, if you weren't trying to show that's who you support?

Most couples I know may differ on certain issues from time to time, but in general, I find they tend to have similar views.

To give multiple candidates more visibility?

The more aware people are of their options, the better democracy works.

It’s not like Cliff himself is putting in the work to put up the signs. I’d happily let multiple candidates put a sign on my lawn, regardless of the party, as long as they seemed like fair options.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

No, no need to get so defensive.

I’m asking: if it’s ridiculous that we’re talking about “these things” instead of real issues, why spread the ridiculous things around? I can only speak for myself, but I hadn’t seen the article until you posted it, so you effectively just encouraged more people to focus on it by sharing it around.

Just because Global posted something on their website doesn’t mean you have a duty to share it here, especially if you think it’s ridiculous to even talk about it. Seems counter-intuitive, no?

Fair enough, but my point is why are these the things that become "news" stories. Is it because people actually believe this stuff is representative of the person its attributed too? A small snapshot in time with no context attached? That narrative has to change IMO and way deeper analysis applied.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

To give multiple candidates more visibility?

The more aware people are of their options, the better democracy works.

It’s not like Cliff himself is putting in the work to put up the signs. I’d happily let multiple candidates put a sign on my lawn, regardless of the party, as long as they seemed like fair options.

I think that's a reach. The candidates in my area have all put big signs up on all the public boulevards. I doubt some small signs on my lawn are going to increase their visibility any more.

[Shazam]

if you're on Facebook apparently you just get bombarded with political ads.

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

What are people seeing for signs- percentages for each party?

I think the Alberta Party might have the most up here in Calgary-Falconridge.

Nearly all UCP lawn signs near me, second place is Be a Snow Angel, third place is Timbit soccer signs.

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Nearly all UCP lawn signs near me, second place is Be a Snow Angel, third place is Timbit soccer signs.

Given our candidates, I might be convinced to vote that some Timbits run the show.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Why would you put signs for candidates on your lawn, if you weren't trying to show that's who you support?

It's to show I think they're a decent candidate and people should be aware they're running. I can feel that about multiple candidates.

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Most couples I know may differ on certain issues from time to time, but in general, I find they tend to have similar views.

Don't those views change over time? Many people, for instance, become more conservative as they get older. Some don't. And don't attitudes towards parties also change depending on candidates? Hundreds of thousands of Albertans who have never voted NDP before voted for them in the last election, presumably many of them former PC voters.

Most people do not have fixed political allegiances.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by Yamer

Anecdote on the Mark Smith situation:

My cousin lives in Drayton Valley, is a business owner, and is very involved in the community. He explained that despite what Smith said, he is very popular and respected in the area. The UCP is a lock in that riding, and the people have no problem voting for a guy that echoes their constant economic struggle, even if he's a bigot.

I get it, but I don't at the same time. His beliefs on conversion therapy alone would drive me away.

Also, he never really apologized. He said "I regret how my commentary was framed at the time." That's akin to 'I'm sorry you feel that way', and he still very much believes all of what he said.

Friend who grew up in the area has said the same thing. His exact comment was along the lines of "and that's why I had no longer live in Drayton Valley". Smith's Facebook page is full of residents calling him brave for standing up for his values.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

It's to show I think they're a decent candidate and people should be aware they're running. I can feel that about multiple candidates.



Don't those views change over time? Many people, for instance, become more conservative as they get older. Some don't. And don't attitudes towards parties also change depending on candidates? Hundreds of thousands of Albertans who have never voted NDP before voted for them in the last election, presumably many of them former PC voters.

Most people do not have fixed political allegiances.

I would suggest the majority put a sign on their yard as a visible endorsement of a candidate. As opposed to raising awareness.

Not that there’s a wrong way to look at it but aren’t there enough signs that you’re not really moving the needle on awareness?