Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Muta

If this abortion restriction stuff ends up being true, would this play into your vote in the next election; or in other words, is this extreme right-wing conservatism (and it has gone incredibly right wing) still the preferred option for you ('blue above all') given it's basically a two-party race at the provincial level?

I have little to no interest in supporting the UCP and my preference is with the Alberta Party.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by ThisIsAnOutrage

It's noble. The UCP would give up their political future in order to ensure unborn children get theirs. You don"t see that sort of high minded sacrifice in politics much any more.

How does restricting abortions in Alberta prevent abortions from occurring at all?

This just ensures that people will drive to other regions to get an abortion(which is already the case for people who don’t live in the cities that currently have abortion clinics) and you’ll start seeing more babies show up in dumpsters.

The NDP and Liberals at all levels of government could really learn from this example.

Isn’t the most common knock on those parties that they’re too ideologically driven as is? I think this is a case where you’re only saying this because you’re in favour of the particular policy being implemented.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Muta

Hey conservatives lurking this thread - speak up. Let's hear your thoughts on the this.

Or should I be asking this in the federal thread, even though it's the wrong topic?

I think many of them already have. There have been many comments from traditional conservative voters who have said this version of the party (UCP) has lost them. Some are in a political no mans land and feel there are not parties that reflect their values anymore, some have moved over to other parties altogether.

[Monahammer]

I wonder if this is a result of the unhappy 10 that were rumored previously. The unhappy 10 therefore being 10 far right MLAs who are kicking and punching to get more of their agenda through.

[chedder]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I think many of them already have. There have been many comments from traditional conservative voters who have said this version of the party (UCP) has lost them. Some are in a political no mans land and feel there are not parties that reflect their values anymore, some have moved over to other parties altogether.

Lost them but likely not enough to lose their vote. They'll rationalize by saying, 'but Notley...' then ramble off some jibberish about lightbulbs or paying 2% more in corporate taxes or communism.

As for the Alberta party. They fooled me once, too, in the 2019 election. They are a joke, unfortunately. All that will do is split the vote.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I think many of them already have. There have been many comments from traditional conservative voters who have said this version of the party (UCP) has lost them. Some are in a political no mans land and feel there are not parties that reflect their values anymore, some have moved over to other parties altogether.

Completely. I have voted Conservative in the past, but I no longer consider myself a 'Conservative' in the colloquial sense, nor have I voted for them recently.

The only real unfortunate part is that everyone else seems like a complete clownshoes numpty moron with the exception of Nenshi.

It will be interesting to see if Nenshi can swing this, because at least I respect him and believe that he actually GAF about Albertans.

This Smith nonsense has to go.

[KelVarnsen]

This is probably painting with a pretty big brush but #### it I don't care.

If you vote for the UCP, you can't call yourself a good person.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

This is probably painting with a pretty big brush but #### it I don't care.

If you vote for the UCP, you can't call yourself a good person.

At voting time they were either ignorant(the info was out there of what the UCP is), delusional(believed Smith's words), or, ya, a bad person, happy to foist awful policies for whatever reason they can justify to themselves, upon the rest of us. I've yet to hear a defense from anyone as to why they are not one of those 3. The door is open though, if any UCP voters want to take a stab at it.

[Muta]

The type of conservative mindsets that frustrate me the most are the ones that double-down on their right-wing freefall / tow the party line because 'blue good anything else bad', without actually looking at policy erosion and subsequently making a mature, independent analysis / decision on their own.

Watching many of my family members and some of my friends twist in the wind / spin doctor the UCP's bull#### because 'blue good orange bad' is not just embarrassing, it's quite sad to watch; it's like these people can't critically think for themselves and prefer a myopic approach to politics.

[Ozy_Flame]

Citizen 1: Did you see the UCP severely limited abortion for Albertans?

Citizen 2: They did? That's no good, that will make me re-think my vote next time. I'm socially progressive but fiscally conservative. This is not good.

2027 voting day:

Citizen 2: Abortion limits? They did that? Huh. I sort of remember that. Guess I'll have to keep my eye on it.

Votes blue again.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

At voting time they were either ignorant(the info was out there of what the UCP is), delusional(believed Smith's words), or, ya, a bad person, happy to foist awful policies for whatever reason they can justify to themselves, upon the rest of us. I've yet to hear a defense from anyone as to why they are not one of those 3. The door is open though, if any UCP voters want to take a stab at it.

They’re too busy crying about people being mean to them.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by edslunch

I agree with position that voting rights come with citizenship, but this frequent language of ‘protecting the rights of…’ drives me crazy. Everything is turned into defending against an assault on the status quo. It’s nauseating.

It all started with the Assault on Christmas

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Citizen 1: Did you see the UCP severely limited abortion for Albertans?

Citizen 2: They did? That's no good, that will make me re-think my vote next time. I'm socially progressive but fiscally conservative. This is not good.

2027 voting day:

Citizen 2: Abortion limits? They did that? Huh. I sort of remember that. Guess I'll have to keep my eye on it.

Votes blue again.

I F*****G hate this phrose.
And I say that as someone who used to identify that way.
The problem, and it applied to me too, is that no one can actually tell you what they mean by it.
I've come to the conclusion that it means some variation of:

1) I WOULD support good social programs, and a progressive agenda, if it was free.
2) I have a limited number of social causes I think we should spend money on. Anything outside of that narrow view is considered "Liberal" fiscal policy
3) I want the reason we have poor social programs, and crumbling health care to be because we have low corporate taxes, and are too reliant on oil and gas revenue.

I would honestly like anyone here who identifies this way to actually explain tome what they think it means.

[Ozy_Flame]

It's the attempted Alberta equivalent of the "get out of jail free" card after you regret your vote.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I would honestly like anyone here who identifies this way to actually explain tome what they think it means.

Too late. They all identify as moderate liberals now and hate social progressives (but like… don’t want to vote Conservative, but can’t see any alternative).

[Muta]

I would say that if you are for LGBTQ2IA rights and pro-choice on the abortion debate, but also believe in prudent fiscal policy (don't spend money you don't have or can't afford to), you're probably at least partly right in that definition, no?

[Roughneck]

Just want low taxes and low fees and little government meddling.

Could you imagine if we had provincial income tax rates set by the NDP? Or imagine what the NDP would do when it comes to stifling investment in energy projects?

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Just want low taxes and low fees and little government meddling.

Could you imagine if we had provincial income tax rates set by the NDP? Or imagine what the NDP would do when it comes to stifling investment in energy projects?

I’m going to give you the chance to clarify this as green txt before it gets torn to pieces.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by chedder

Lost them but likely not enough to lose their vote. They'll rationalize by saying, 'but Notley...' then ramble off some jibberish about lightbulbs or paying 2% more in corporate taxes or communism.

As for the Alberta party. They fooled me once, too, in the 2019 election. They are a joke, unfortunately. All that will do is split the vote.

You’d be surprised, I am traditionally more conservative but this iteration of the UCP is too far right for me. I did not vote for the cons last election and if they try to severely limit access to abortion it will further affirm my stance.

This isn’t the US, Canadian (and specifically Calgarian) conservatives are far more centred on the political spectrum than comparable parts of the states. For the UCP to attack LGBT rights and women’s health won’t fly in Calgary, and the UCP need Calgary or else they are hopeless come next election. I hope they see how this is political suicide and backtrack (again).

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by surferguy

I’m going to give you the chance to clarify this as green txt before it gets torn to pieces.

Green text is for the weak!