Want to have a say in Alberta's Future?

[peter12]

So as I may have mentioned in previous posts, I work at a place called the Manning Centre for Building Democracy.

The Manning Centre is holding a conference on Alberta's Future in February 5-6 in Edmonton. Even if you cannot attend, we would appreciate it if you filled out our "report card" on Alberta. Basically this provides an opportunity for you to provide your feedback on how you think the province is doing and which direction you think it should go.

We are interested in all responses from Alberta citizens, not dependent on ideological beliefs. All feedback will be presented at the conference.

The Manning Centre will NOT be profiting from this information and it will all be held anonymously.

Click here to fill out the report card.

Given all of the kerfuffle around this site lately regarding the recent shifts in the political scene, I thought that this link might provide some additional food for thought and discussion, as well as a selfish opportunity to promote my own organization.

Feel free to pass this along to any friends or family, as well as cross-posting it on other forums.

[4X4]

I believe I had my say when I purchased a membership for the WRA. But I'll fill out the report card as well. There'll be a few Fs.

[Azure]

Right now there will be more than a few Fs.

[FanIn80]

There might even be a couple Us with those Fs.

[SebC]

Hard to see much value in this. A self-selected internet poll with extremely broad categories doesn't have much real meaning.

IMO, if you want to build democracy in Alberta (as "Manning Centre for Building Democracy" implies you should be pushing for big electoral reforms (i.e. Single Transferabble Vote). That said, it would probably result in smaller conservative representation (note: small c), so you'd probably be conflicted about it.

[peter12]

This isn't just information we are collecting for our own purposes. It will be shown and analyzed at a conference in February. Some very big "high-ups" will be attending from at least 2 provincial parties, so the stuff you say on the report card could end up making some sort of difference.

[Slava]

I completed the report card and put comments. Why do I feel that the results are a foregone conclusion though?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by SebC

Hard to see much value in this. A self-selected internet poll with extremely broad categories doesn't have much real meaning.

IMO, if you want to build democracy in Alberta (as "Manning Centre for Building Democracy" implies you should be pushing for big electoral reforms (i.e. Single Transferabble Vote). That said, it would probably result in smaller conservative representation (note: small c), so you'd probably be conflicted about it.

This is just to provide a foundation for further discussion. If you are interested in what the Manning Centre does to "build democracy," check out our website. We do not push for electoral reforms, we focus more on the training/knowledge side of things, basically with the centre-right side of the spectrum.

We aren't affiliated with any conservative political party, federal or provincial.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Slava

I completed the report card and put comments. Why do I feel that the results are a foregone conclusion though?

Possibly, maybe even probably. That's why we need as diverse a sample as possible. It's not scientific or anything, but merely content for discussion.

[Slava]

^ Right, but if the PC's aren't too happy (which seems to be the case) then how many opposition party supporters/voters of any stripe are going to balance that out by saying "I'm thrilled!" ? My guess is that its flawed from the start here...

[SebC]

Originally Posted by peter12

This is just to provide a foundation for further discussion. If you are interested in what the Manning Centre does to "build democracy," check out our website.

Already looked at it.

[driveway]

I submitted and added my voice to the Single Transferable Vote argument. First-Past-The-Post is no longer an effective method, someone's got to grow a pair and do the right, if not politically expedient thing. Not that anyone on any side of any aisle is going to.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Do you really want ME to fill out the report card?

"Alberta isn't doing enough for me personally, they only give me money through equalization payments to my provincial government. Why can't they give me money personally?"

[SebC]

Well, I filled it out. Hopefully you can make use of the comments somehow, as the letter grades are fluff.

[VladtheImpaler]

Alrighty - have my worthless opinion.

[Daradon]

The categories are too few and way too broad. But I threw in three para's of comments that hopefully didn't sound too stupid.

[peter12]

*bump*

Come on guys, keep filling it out.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by peter12

We aren't affiliated with any conservative political party, federal or provincial.

Right. Totally non-partisan.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

Right. Totally non-partisan.

We're conservative, but not Conservative. Get it?

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

I filled it out, though I'll echo the "partisan" worry--in the sense that the questions are broad enough that an "F" could be used to make an argument for absolutely any ideology. One example: if I rate Health Care an F, does that mean that I agree with other respondents about how it should be fixed? Absolutely not. One might say "I think it should be privatized," while another might say "there aren't enough resources--we have to spend more."

Either way, I voted and added some thoughts. Good luck with it!