Who are you voting for

[4X4]

Originally Posted by RyZ

I'll probably go PC just to vote against NDP. Id rather the devil I know than the devil I dont. That and I cant imagine how badly the NDP will #### up the economy in this province.

Those are basically the two worst reasons for determining who to vote for.

[Resolute 14]

Actually, the fear that a party will do significant damage to the province's finances is a very legitimate reason to determine who not to vote for. After all, the argument against the PCs has pretty much been focused around "they have mismanaged our finances".

[4X4]

The fear that the party will do significant damage might be fair if they had ever had any sniff of power in the province's history.

[Barnet Flame]

The NEP had a huge impact on my life. It is why I'm not in Alberta now. That still hurts me, but the world has moved on from that. Don't let the past reflect how you vote. Go with what is right for now.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by 4X4

The fear that the party will do significant damage might be fair if they had ever had any sniff of power in the province's history.

When the brand is associated with looney toons like Thomas Mulcair and some of the disasters other provinces have endured, I'd worry too. Notley seems more reasonable than those people, but she's still tainted by those people.

Also, I am far from convinced that her tax the rich policies won't just circle back to tax everyone. especially since she can't pay for her promises as it is. Finally, a government that kowtows to unions today is setting us up for massive problems in the future when it comes time for them to face cutbacks themselves.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

When the brand is associated with looney toons like Thomas Mulcair and some of the disasters other provinces have endured, I'd worry too. Notley seems more reasonable than those people, but she's still tainted by those people.

Also, I am far from convinced that her tax the rich policies won't just circle back to tax everyone. especially since she can't pay for her promises as it is. Finally, a government that kowtows to unions today is setting us up for massive problems in the future when it comes time for them to face cutbacks themselves.

Just curious how you think they will kowtow to unions? If they the NDP follows through with its promise to cut contributions from corporations and unions, would that not further limit union influence on a potential NDP government?

I think coming from Alberta, Notleys NDP is far more aware of how they are demonized as spend crazy. Hopefully they are more pragmatic here than their other provincial peers.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by 4X4

The fear that the party will do significant damage might be fair if they had ever had any sniff of power in the province's history.

Well, some of us have had the experience in other provinces - it's one of the primary reasons so many of us have moved here.

[rubecube]

The whole "Well the NDP ruined other provinces, so they'll probably ruin this one" argument. There are plenty of right and centrist governments have done serious damage to the provinces they've run.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The whole "Well the NDP ruined other provinces, so they'll probably ruin this one" argument. There are plenty of right and centrist governments have done serious damage to the provinces they've run.

Sure. But the NDP have an impressively consistent record.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The whole "Well the NDP ruined other provinces, so they'll probably ruin this one" argument. There are plenty of right and centrist governments have done serious damage to the provinces they've run.

I heard there is a right-wing provincial government that has mismanaged a cash-flush province to the point that they have no reserve fund. It's almost a ludicrous prospect but I assure you it's true.

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I heard there is a right-wing provincial government that has mismanaged a cash-flush province to the point that they have no reserve fund. It's almost a ludicrous prospect but I assure you it's true.

And have consistently done it over multi terms.

[Aleks]

2 household votes for NDP here

[wingmaker]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I heard there is a right-wing provincial government that has mismanaged a cash-flush province to the point that they have no reserve fund. It's almost a ludicrous prospect but I assure you it's true.

Thank you! So tired of people raising the spectre of the NDP ruining the finances of the province when the conservatives have been doing that for years. My goodness, we need a new plan. If it doesn't work, well then we will be in exactly the same boat we are now...not working.

[sworkhard]

For me it comes down to NDP vs WR in this election, though hopefully next election, should the NDP not show the financial prudence I expect, the Alberta Party or revamped PC party will be well organized and in a position to earn my vote. It seems to me that both of these party's have the problem of paying for their platform, and I trust the WR not at all on education or the economy long term, so I voted NDP. In addition, I think the NDP will introduce some new ideas that work, even if they have many that don't, and a standardized education system leaving future governments with plenty of opportunity to cut costs if necessary while still having the revenue stream necessary to save for the future.

[cracher]

The rental apt in calgarybuffalo has been vacant for a couple weeks so I'll pretend I live there. This election is like trying to figure out which saddledome urinal to piss in. They all reek and have a puddle where your feet go. There are no good partys to vote for. Despite being quite right-leaning, i'm going for Kathleen Ganley (NDP) because she is one of the most intelligent and capable people I know.

[GGG]

An example of a fantastic NDP government is Roy Romanow, the first balanced budget in Canada, was held up as the model for the Chretien liberals and Ralph borrowed his policies. He raised taxes and cut spending. He came in after a disastrous PC government so bad that the party no longer exists.

If you are going to base your vote on bogeymen know that there have also been very pragmatic NDP governments. And remember that like all political parties the NDP will have to get reflected so they won't stray too far from the center.

[#-3]

Anyone fear mongering over the economic policy of the NDP needs to watch the daily shows report on the economic state of the Tennessee. The Wild Rose economic policy seems vary reflective of what they have done.

Basically cut everything and hope that businesses can grow enough to provide us with health care, schools, roads....

I was actually fairly satisfied with the PCs budget, I thought maintaining the flat tax or implementing a sales tax would precluded them from earning my vote, but they did neither. It was really a big step forward for where we need to be.

The NDP budget would be nowhere near as disruptive as the Wild Rose's.

[jtfrogger]

I voted in the advance poll for the Liberals in Buffalo. I did go to the debate on Wednesday to check them out before I actually voted. It might be the only riding in Calgary where I would actually vote for the Liberals.

There is no Alberta Party candidate in Buffalo. If they had run a reasonable candidate, they would have had my vote.

The NDP candidate is pretty much a paper candidate. According to the NDP site, her campaign office is way up in the NE. i.e. about a 20 minute drive from the riding. She has pretty much no online presence unless I befriend her on Facebook. She did attend the debate, and seems like a good person. But she was a little out of touch with some of the issues. She didn't seem to realize why she was being asked about strategic voting. Overall, she seemed fairly smart and I could see her growing into a good political candidate over time. Especially if she gets online, runs in a more appropriate riding and puts in an effort.

The WRP candidate is somewhat of a paper candidate too, but has a fair amount of political experience from Lethbridge. If she did find a way to get elected, she would be a good WRP soldier and vote against any suggestion of tax increases. But she is a bit out of touch. Again, no online presence.

Terry Rock is polished. If he was running for any other party, he might have my vote. But I do want to PCs out. I agree with Mike Morrison's reasons for not voting for them.

And that leaves me to vote for Khan. My only issue with him is the party and their leader. The party is dead and has been for some time. The leader is the physical embodiment of the party. Khan seems like a good guy.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by RyZ

I'll probably go PC just to vote against NDP. Id rather the devil I know than the devil I dont. That and I cant imagine how badly the NDP will #### up the economy in this province.

This is mind numbing. The PCs have royally screwed up in this province. So you're voting for them to continue to do it, so that the NDP doesn't get a chance to govern and possibly screw up?

[kn]

Originally Posted by jtfrogger

She has pretty much no online presence...

<snip>

Again, no online presence.

Just curious, is having an "online presence" a prerequisite for political office today? And what qualifies as an "online presence"? Do you need Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Google+ etc., etc.? I'm not sure what else is out there.