Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

You guys that are having candidates/MLA's knock on your door are doing it wrong.
My MO for this election will be as follows:

NDP shows up at my door: "Hey, don't worry, you've got my vote 100%. Don't waste your time here, go speak with other people who need convincing"

UCP shows up at my door: I will talk to them as long as they want. I'll seem very interested, and listen intently. I'll try to soak up as much of their time as they are willing to spend on me. I'll even ask some questions so they hang around longer. (the longer they are talking to me, the less time they have to speak to anyone else).
ANy good candidate knows that the end of any slightly postitive interatction should be "So can I count on your vote?"
My response will be: "Oh absolutely not, but have a lovely day"
Bonus points if they spend more time with me trying to figure out why I'm not voting for them.

I could waste MY time telling that candidate all the reasons the UCP is terrible, but they already know all of that. Where I see some value is in letting them waste THEIR own time.

[para transit fellow]

Originally Posted by Khel

Chestermere municipal affairs report being delivered now.... Not a good look

Full documentation here.



https://www.alberta.ca/chestermere-m...nspection.aspx

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Craig Chandler, he's like the Wish or Alibaba version of Ezra Levant Jabba the Hutt.

Fixed. F--k that guy.

[aaronck]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

You missed a great performance art opportunity to scream at him tearfully

Of course I thought of a bunch of awesome things to say once they were gone

[Wastedyouth]

I am not going to tell anyone how to deal with door knockers (volunteers, at least be a little respectful) or MLAs who will actually show up to your door for a convo.

But regardless of your political leaning, do you not think it would be important to actually have a civil conversation with any candidate that will talk to you?

Either candidate could be voted in, and understanding their own viewpoints, platforms and insights are very valuable for constituents, in my opinion.

These people aren't devils. They are people. If you treat them like ####, why would they go out of their way to try to represent your needs? In the end they have a pretty significant impact on your life for the next 4 years. Why would you not want them to listen to your concerns, even if you arent voting for them??

When I was campaigning I talked to every resident. Even the ones that prominently displayed my opponents signs on their lawns and were slagging me off on social media. I focused on those houses. Because regardless of how the election goes, you have to represent EVERYONE. Even the people who hate you (or your party).

Just my opinion.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Because regardless of how the election goes, you have to represent EVERYONE. Even the people who hate you (or your party).

The UCP has left the chat.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

I am not going to tell anyone how to deal with door knockers (volunteers, at least be a little respectful) or MLAs who will actually show up to your door for a convo.

But regardless of your political leaning, do you not think it would be important to actually have a civil conversation with any candidate that will talk to you?

Either candidate could be voted in, and understanding their own viewpoints, platforms and insights are very valuable for constituents, in my opinion.

These people aren't devils. They are people. If you treat them like ####, why would they go out of their way to try to represent your needs? In the end they have a pretty significant impact on your life for the next 4 years. Why would you not want them to listen to your concerns, even if you arent voting for them??

When I was campaigning I talked to every resident. Even the ones that prominently displayed my opponents signs on their lawns and were slagging me off on social media. I focused on those houses. Because regardless of how the election goes, you have to represent EVERYONE. Even the people who hate you (or your party).

Just my opinion.

I've had a few interactions with my MLA, and while they have all been respectful(on both sides, I can do it!) I never felt like he was actually going to change his positions or be any benefit to my needs. Same with Sean Chu(though perhaps I was less respectful after he told me he didn't feel my wife and I have a right to be safe riding to work). I feel like they are only willing to convince you they are right, not that you have anything valid to add.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I've had a few interactions with my MLA, and while they have all been respectful(on both sides, I can do it!) I never felt like he was actually going to change his positions or be any benefit to my needs. Same with Sean Chu(though perhaps I was less respectful after he told me he didn't feel my wife and I have a right to be safe riding to work). I feel like they are only willing to convince you they are right, not that you have anything valid to add.

Well that's fair. I can't promise they will all be good people, but there ARE good people.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

I am not going to tell anyone how to deal with door knockers (volunteers, at least be a little respectful) or MLAs who will actually show up to your door for a convo.

But regardless of your political leaning, do you not think it would be important to actually have a civil conversation with any candidate that will talk to you?

Reps for the AB NDP, Alberta Party (Greg Clark days), PCs, federal and municipal candidates have all come to my door and I've been willing to give them some time to chat where I hadn't already done my homework and made up my mind.

The only... ONLY person I have ever been even a bit rude to was Craig Chandler, because he's a total arsehole and complete waste of oxygen, and nothing demonstrated that to me more than his 'elevator pitch' when he came to my door. I wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire.

[Ozy_Flame]

When I lived in Edmonton, I had a 45-minute conversation with Councillor Andrew Knack, who came to my door and answered every single question I had. The guy was polite, reasonable, patient, and very pragmatic about municipal democracy. I thought I would vote for him regardless, but after getting to chat with him one-on-one, my vote was absolutely sealed. Just about the best, most committed, honest and seemingly uncorruptible politician I think I've ever met. Just a fantastic rep for my area at the time.

His main opponent (who lost by a big margin), came to my door and started saying Knack and Iveson were wasting tax dollars. I asked him to explain and he said it was all being spent on affordable housing, and asked me deadpan would I want to live next to "that type of building with those type of people". I asked him what else and he said bike lanes were a problem because no one uses them (and couldn't source any number). I told him that bike lanes weren't even an issue in our ward, and if that's all he's got he's going to be in serious campaign trouble. I told him politely to bugger off.

Door-knocking is not for the faint of heart. Please do ask hard questions, and the candidate that can best answer them and have a plan (doesn't necessarily have to be your type of politician) should give you an indication at how best you're going to be represented in Council.

But please show respect and be polite, as it's not easy to do door-knocking in today's politically-hot environment.

[TheIronMaiden]

It is going to be a long two months.

[Knut]

I told the UCP guy that came to my door that as long as Danielle Smith is the party leader they will not be getting my vote. Others I know have said the same thing. IF enough of us say it they will have to make a change.

[powderjunkie]

I'd be fascinated to hear my UCP MLA list me 5 things that makes him proud of his party, and 5 things that make him feel shame.

But really I'd just like to is how much more deplorable his party would need to be before he reconsidered devoting another 4 years of his life to them?

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I'd be fascinated to hear my UCP MLA list me 5 things that makes him proud of his party, and 5 things that make him feel shame.

But really I'd just like to is how much more deplorable his party would need to be before he reconsidered devoting another 4 years of his life to them?

This is actually the framing for one of my favorite questions, which is "If you could change one party policy, what would it be and why?"

[Wastedyouth]

Those are great questions. Please ask them!!

[MoneyGuy]

Do you really think you’d get honest, unbiased answers from a UCP MLA?

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Do you really think you’d get honest, unbiased answers from a UCP MLA?

Not all of them, but some of them. In the end, it's the dialogue that I think matters for both parties. They still need your vote and if they arent willing to try, then they aren't the right candidate. But you won't know till you ask.

I am no idealist. But I think an engaged and informed voter base is paramount to success in our society. Writing someone off because they don't represent the party you like (or represent the party to you dislike) is just not ideal.

We need to pull everyone to the center, not continue to push them to the right and the left.

That starts with the voters and the public and bottom up, not with the current politicians. Nothing can be changed in this system top down.

Your vote is incredibly powerful. Voting the right PERSON in is way more important than the right PARTY.

But that is of course just my opinion.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Do you really think you’d get honest, unbiased answers from a UCP MLA?

Only if he's standing in your driveway crying and screaming at you.

[Voodooman]

I've tried to have a discussion with multiple CPC and UPC candidates who have come to my door in the latte sipping inner city. In every single case, I've asked about their plans for the economy, and in every single case, all I get is finger pointing about what "the Liberal government", "the Trudeau liberals" or the NDP are currently doing. I stop them, and say, no, I want to hear your ideas...try and convince me without using the words Trudeau, Notley, Liberal or NDP.

And they can't. They have no ideas of their own, the platform are dog whistles and finger pointing at the other guys. That's their one trick pony.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

I've tried to have a discussion with multiple CPC and UPC candidates who have come to my door in the latte sipping inner city. In every single case, I've asked about their plans for the economy, and in every single case, all I get is finger pointing about what "the Liberal government", "the Trudeau liberals" or the NDP are currently doing. I stop them, and say, no, I want to hear your ideas...try and convince me without using the words Trudeau, Notley, Liberal or NDP.

And they can't. They have no ideas of their own, the platform are dog whistles and finger pointing at the other guys. That's their one trick pony.

Absolutely. These are bad candidates. I have conversations with MLAs that CAN answer those questions though.

They aren't all shills and party line men/women. And on both sides, they are the ones that should get voted in, regardless of party affiliation.


Edit: I am overposting in this thread, haha. I will take a break. but I love these kinds of discussions!