Two Tory MLAs crossing to Wildrose Alliance

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Slava

That only applies when its Belinda Stronach moving to the hated Liberals to help keep a government in power that people in Alberta didn't want. Otherwise provincially this will be seen as "smart" or "clever" or "moving along with public sentiment" or other such nonsense.

Glad you feel able to speak for all Conservatives....oh wait, no you don't.

I hated it when Stronach crossed, and I hate this as well. I think it is a slap to the face of every member of your riding who voted for you and I wish it was not part of the Westminster system...but it is.

What I think should happen is these two should resign their seats and run in a by-election under their new banner against all the other party candidates. It's the only real FAIR way to do things and certainly the most democratic.

[FlamesAddiction]

On one hand, it appears lazy when politicians do this. Rather than being proactive about fixing problems in their party, they choose to jump ship. On the other hand, I don't like party politics when they force people to fit in to a template. I suppose the best thing would be to sit as an independant until the next election, but Canadian politics make it hard to survive as an independant.

Also, don't kid yourselves. As sure as the sky is blue, I am sure each of these politicians were offered incentives for switching...

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Also, don't kid yourselves. As sure as the sky is blue, I am sure each of these politicians were offered incentives for switching...

Undoubtedly. That said, it is still a very risky move for anyone who crosses, because until the WRA shows well in a general election, they will remain a protest party. Forsyth and Anderson are very much risking having the wind blow back the other way.

[bcb]

WRA is the ADQ of Alberta. Flash in the pan.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Glad you feel able to speak for all Conservatives....oh wait, no you don't.

I hated it when Stronach crossed, and I hate this as well. I think it is a slap to the face of every member of your riding who voted for you and I wish it was not part of the Westminster system...but it is.

What I think should happen is these two should resign their seats and run in a by-election under their new banner against all the other party candidates. It's the only real FAIR way to do things and certainly the most democratic.

I realise that I don't speak for all conservatives, but lets not forget how she was characterized by many for her actions. Are these two going to be given the same rough ride or are they hailed as early adopters or trail-blazers of the coming wave? Pretty clear to me that they are getting way easier than if they were crossing to join David Swann.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by troutman

People have the power!

No silly we don't.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by bcb

WRA is the ADQ of Alberta. Flash in the pan.

While that may well be true, there were undoubtedly people who felt the same about the UFA, SoCreds and Tories when they first started their upswing.

The 2012 election will be very, very interesting though. The long term future of both right wing parties will likely be sorted out then.

[Resolute 14]

Smith, Forsyth and Anderson are on the Rutherford show right now, for anyone who wants to listen in on QR77.

[KTrain]

Here are Rob Anderson's reasons for switching:

http://67.205.105.189/RobAnderson/in...d=65&Itemid=53

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Here are Rob Anderson's reasons for switching:

http://67.205.105.189/RobAnderson/in...d=65&Itemid=53

Wow. That's rather candid.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Here are Rob Anderson's reasons for switching:

http://67.205.105.189/RobAnderson/in...d=65&Itemid=53

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Wow. That's rather candid.

I'm impressed.

Even if I still don't like the fact that he switched parties instead of just going independent, I welcome him to the party.

[Resolute 14]

His complaints about the cost and influence of an unelected bureaucrat will certainly fit in well with the WRA point of view, as that was a very common theme in the leadership debates: trimming the fat in the bureaucracy.

[Azure]

Plus it helps to expose what Stelmach has been doing.

Love or hate the WRA, its become pretty obvious that the Stelmach government is anything but democratic.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Azure

Plus it helps to expose what Stelmach has been doing.

Love or hate the WRA, its become pretty obvious that the Stelmach government is anything but democratic.

Yes, it's about time the "grey mediocrity" was exposed for the dyed-in-the-wool Stalin-wannabe that he really is.

[HotHotHeat]

That Rob Anderson letter is well written.

It's utterly amazing how bad a politician Ed Stelmach is. The arrogance in that party is, I guess, what you would expect from one that has been in power for as long as they have.

[Boblobla]

Sounds like 2 MLAs acting like bitter children.

If I was in their riding I would be really really steamed.

[Slava]

I totally agree fotze. I love arguing about politics though...its a great diversion from things that actually matter in life!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by fotze

Political arguments are always silly, especially federally. Once a party relinquishes power to the opposition, all the followers adopt the same arguments of their opposition and vice versa. The power in party pulls some shenanigans and the oppostiions followers get up in arms what they previously defended.

Its just like a softball game with a bunch of deadbeats where they swich sides after every inning. The parties barely change anything other than giving buddies contracts, the parties are so similar that any changes made are hardly noticeable in your life. Stelmach and his cronies like Swann does give us something to blame stuff on.

The things that affect your life are based on the following percentages:
- Your own life choices, like going to university, etc - 70%
- Randomness - 29.98%
- Politicians policies and rhetoric - 0.02%

People spend a disproportionate amount of time and blame on that last one.

Also, no offence to anyone arguing in this thread is taken hopefully, just blabbering.

Great post. I gave up caring about politics for the most part. I have come to conclusion that most politicians care more about themselves and their careers and salaries, than they do about me or my community. They wouldn't think twice about screwing people over to ensure their own job/financial security. I find it difficult to even get up and cast a ballot for those smarmy, sweater vest wearing elitists. Most politicians make contestants on Survivor look open and honest.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Slava

I totally agree fotze. I love arguing about politics though...its a great diversion from things that actually matter in life!

Politics as we know it is a huge waste of time. Politics as it was known classically encompassed the public sphere of life, unfortunately something that no longer exists because most people are not interested in acting in the civic's interest, only their own (see job, financial security, personal success etc...).

[troutman]

fotze, I have an Honors Degree in Political Science, and I think politics is silly.

IMO, you have to have a personality defect to think you have all the answers and that you know how to fix everything.