April 23 2012: Alberta Provincial Election

[kn]

You got to love those online who exclaim that they'll leave Alberta if Party X/Y forms government. Yeah, sure you will buddy.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by kn

You got to love those online who exclaim that they'll leave Alberta if Party X/Y forms government. Yeah, sure you will buddy.

I certainly will leave Alberta if the communist party forms the government. That is, if I will be permitted to leave when that happens.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by kn

You got to love those online who exclaim that they'll leave Alberta if Party X/Y forms government. Yeah, sure you will buddy.

Vote one way and it is pissing into the wind, vote the other way and it is like you and a buddy are pissing on each other because the wind died down.

We really need to see a minority government come out of tonight (regardless of the party that wins) because at least then only a few completely stupid things will get done, rather than dozens.

[Kjesse]

In the Calgary Bow riding, its a tough call for someone like me. I prefer Danielle Smith to Alison Redford as I view myself as a libertarian. I very much dislike the socially conservative arm of the Wildrose however. I also have Tim Dyck as my candidate in Calgary Bow, and he has close ties with (and a platform that sounds like) Rob Anders. On the other hand, Alana Delong has been a weak MLA who doesn't appear to have done much representing this riding.

Tough call. Will come down to ballot time.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I'm on the fence between the PCs and WRA (leaning slightly towards PC though). I'll admit, this thread will be a big factor on who I end up voting for.

Its been 20 days since I posted this.
I've read alot (not all) of the posts in this thread.
Its been interesting and informative.
Thanks to everyone for their views. I learned a lot

My wife and I have (finally) decided and will be voting today. It's gonna be a tight race!

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Vote one way and it is pissing into the wind, vote the other way and it is like you and a buddy are pissing on each other because the wind died down.

We really need to see a minority government come out of tonight (regardless of the party that wins) because at least then only a few completely stupid things will get done, rather than dozens.

I disagree, a minority government ensures everyones stupid ideas get done and we just go further into deficit to pay for the stupid ideas.

I just want a majority, perferably a new majority. But the worst case would be a minority with only the liberals having a balance of power. At least if the Libs and NDP's each can prop up the government the party in power can barter them against eachother for whose pet projects get funded.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by darklord700

I certainly will leave Alberta if the communist party forms the government. That is, if I will be permitted to leave when that happens.

Why would you wish to leave beloved motherland comrade?

Under Communist Party all the people would be treated equally.

T.V.'s for all Comrades



We will expand economy through a five year hero project that will bring alberta to forefront of car manufacturing



don't forget the combination luxurious vacation and advanced education resorts in Northern Union of Alberta Soviet Republic, where such social activities as Uranium mining and tree counting are extremely popular with guests



You could find future comrade and love of life

[kn]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I'm a municipal elected official and I have a dislike for party politics so will never run at those levels.

I hate that you generally have to toe the party line, regardless of your personal beliefs and philosophies. I hate that a lot of people generally vote for the party regardless of the worth of the local candidate. I hate that you can be an idiot and get elected because you're wearing the right colours. I also hate that you can be brilliant and have the makings of a great leader and stand no chance because you're wearing the wrong colours.

I hate how elected officials and parties sometimes have to negotiate to a position that is outside of their views for political reasons. I hate how elected officials at the provincial and federal levels tend to lose touch with the masses. I hate that the temptation exists and so many federal and provincial officials succumb and become arrogant, get a sense of entitlement, lose perspective and sacrifice their values and stop doing what is right.

I hate that sometimes I have to choose between loving my elected official and disliking the party or having to make other sacrifices because of the system.

I could go on and on about why I dislike provincial and federal politics, but I think you get the point.

And we have a current example, with Bruce Hyer quitting the NDP to sit as an independent over voting against party lines with respect to the long-gun registry.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Bruce+H...319/story.html

[TorqueDog]

Voted this morning before heading into the office... and took the time to change my bloody phone number in the process.

[Knalus]

I just want to remind people of why there is even an option for the Wildrose in the first place. In short, the ruling PC party does not deserve to lead this province.

Remember why there is a choice this election.

Remember the Royalty Review they brought in unsolicited that resulted in a massive change that was full of unintended consequences, with the final result being the same Royalty now as before?

Or the power structure of the party which allows everyone's second choice to ultimately become the premier, whether or not it is in the best interests of the party or the province?

Or how about when Redford came into power, how she attempted to cancel the Fall sitting of the Legislature, only to flip flop on that matter after pressure, still only allowing one or two days in that legislature?

Or how about appointing her largest political rival to a post in Asia, only to remove him from the post? And then not even realizing he had been cleared while possibly defaming him during the leaders debate?

The no-meet committees, that were not dreamed up by Redford, but by a party with a negative grip on power over their own members?

And then Redford's oh-so-rational and deliberate attempt to suspend the committee, then after outrage, oh so slowly trying to get her members to pay it back, before finally demanding it? How long and how many attempts did it take for her to figure out the right answer?

Or the Budget that was supposed to be the end all of the PC party plan, but when slipping in the polls she pulls so many more promises out of her hat?

Or the wonderful idea that Alison Redford came up with during the election where she invented triage? How can they invent something like this without consulting the college of physicians as to whether or not this is necessary? Or even in place?

Or the fact Redford and the party was unable to see the writing on the wall and prepared for this election poorly?

Not to mention unpopular legislation or a leader who cannot represent the members of her own party, much less the province.

You don't think there is a slipping in competence here? Your vote is important. The PC party does not deserve your vote. Alison Redford deserves it even less.



You hear a lot lately about why you should not vote Wildrose. The entire election, my I remind many of you, is the result of why you should not vote PC. Vote for the liberals if you do not want to vote for the Wildrose. But do not vote for the PC Party.

[Rerun]

You left out "after 40 years as the ruling party, their Liberalize sense of entitlement".

Lets not make it 44. Enough is enough.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by Rerun

You left out "after 40 years as the ruling party, their Liberalize sense of entitlement".

Lets not make it 44. Enough is enough.

The really, really sad part is the sheer number of things I left out. Makes me sad just thinking of them.

[GirlySports]

The communist's downfall is their inability to make blue jeans.

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The communist's downfall is their inability to make blue jeans.

Plus they don't allow porn.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by darklord700

Plus they don't allow porn.

I don't think a Wildrose government would either.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Communists are allowed porn. Its just everyone has to share the same porn, it being communism and all.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by darklord700

plus they don't allow porn.

Originally Posted by makarov

i don't think a wildrose government would either.

fear-mongering at its worst!!!!

[Senator Clay Davis]

If you're taking my porn away, you're goddamn right I'm afraid!

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

I don't disagree, Knalus--but I'm not convinced that Wild Rose represents the right kind of change--or even that they represent "change" at all.

They seem to be the same party with green lawn signs and somewhat less-qualified (and, let's face it, dumber--though apparently pointing that out makes you an elitist. I prefer to think of myself as someone who would prefer that my elected officials have something between the ears) than their PC predecessors. Their braintrust is transplanted from the 1990s PCs (Rod Love, Tom Flanagan, eg)--and I remind you that it was the 1990s PCs under Klein that gave us the legacy of the no-meet committee.

I'm in a tough spot in this election, because I completely agree that the PCs deserve the boot. But the Wild Rose just aren't credible. I'm sorry, but they're not. Who is going to make up the cabinet? Is Ron Leech going to be a minister? Will Hunsberger get the education portfolio?

The fact is, Wild Rose has tapped into a widespread disaffection with the tories, but they've forgotten to tell us how they'll be different. Perhaps that's because they won't be--but they will be less experienced, and they will on average be less qualified. That's not supposed to be alarming? Governance is not easy.

On the other hand, I have an equally hard time justifying a vote for the Liberals right now (though that's probably what I'll wind up doing), because they've become so irrelevant.

[Flabbibulin]

Wow, a Christian friend of mine voted Wildrose simply because the candidate is a devout Christian as well- normally not a strange occurrence unless you consider that my friend is a visible minority not originally born in Canada, has been unemployed and on EI for some time, and has been fighting cancer for a couple years... oh ya, he was unionized when he was working. ahhhh, the loyalty of the christian right.