Why for the first time in my life I won't vote PC next Provincial Election

[Slava]

Originally Posted by First Lady

I find it surprising that you think a handful of people can influence an entire party where each member has a vote on issues.



Well, better to have people who have learned from their mistakes, than those who keep doing the same things over and over even though they do not work.

Fresh ideas and innovative approaches are important to moving forward.

I understand how the populist parties operate and your point here. But I also need look no further than where this party has won seats or been close...its areas where the religious right have been effective in influencing the party. Personally I don't consider this a fresh idea or an innovative approach...its the same thing that "alternative" parties have been giving us over the past decade or two. When they do things like remove references to same-sex marriage or call it traditional family values its basically a wolf in sheeps clothing...

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Kaon

I actually followed the byelection results and was considering the Alberta Alliance for my next vote. The quote above is taken from your byelection post about AA policy. I would quote actually policy, but can't seem to find past policy on the AA site, so feel free to correct me if I was wrong above, but until the Fall sitting the AA supported exclusively marriage as being between a man and a woman and were pro-life. I just fail to see the need to mention the "family institution" at all in your policy unless it's to appease social conservatives in the party. Sure nothing might come of it, but I would rather there was no mention whatsoever given the social conservative background of many party members. I watched for the policy changes, I suppose firsthand, as I checked the AA website myself to see what changes would be implemented with the fall sitting.

So far as I know we have never had one regarding "pro-life". We very recently did remove the reference to definition of marriage; I was the one who brought the motion forward for it's removal and I got overwhelming support and agreement.

We do not have policies that have not been passed by a majority of members. So yes, placing value on the families of Alberta and there well being through various programs is important to our members.

Sorry if my post some how offended?, but I have been following the AA as there is not currently a party in Alberta that I can identify with. Not sure why you're on the defensive given that policy concerns from your potential electorate I would think would be important.

No need to apoligaize. I did not take offense.
I think Delgar thought I was "going after you". However, I was simply stating two things.

One; your first comment sounded like fear mongering.
And two; your second comment was incorrect, in that we did not replace the marriage policy with the family reference policy.

I am sorry if I have come off as being on the defensive; I guess it can and does look like that when I am trying to dispell mistruths being spoken of about the party.

I do appreciate that you have been following the party. Too few people take the time and effort; that is very admirable.

[Kaon]

Thanks for the response. I thought that the AA ran Pro-life in the 2004 election platform, but that could have been misconception, honestly in 2004 despite Ralph's failings I still voted PC and did not feel the need to consider an alternative party.

I wasn't going for the fear mongering effect, but it was a concern of mine, I couldn't remember the exact wording of the past policy to compare the two and forgot that the family institution portion was a part of the past policy and separate from the gay marriage debate, which very few people wanted to see brought up again and again.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Before becoming a registered party; you register a non-profit corporation under Alberta's Society's Act. As a registered society, they have passed resolutions. If they attain party status those policy resolustions become the partys' policy and thus their platform.

The Wildrose Party is not a Non-profit entity. Any person who donates money to the "to be yet regisitered" party does not qualify for any tax reciepts. The money is put into a trust fund and when tit does become a party then receipts can be given out. Party policy is not dicated by the fact that a party is registered or not. The Wildrose constitution states that a majority of the members must ratify a policy proposal before it becomes policy. The WRP does have a few policies now in it's platfrom as you have mentioned earlier and provided a link. The remaining policy proposals will not come into effect if and when they have been ratified by a majority of the party members.

If they are "simply proposals" and they do not have a "platform"; how can you make a comment like your earlier one:



What are you basing your endorsement on?
If they do not have any "policies" or a "platform"... why would anyone vote for them?

The very few polcies they have are good ones. There will eb many more to follow but it takes a fair amount of time to debate and decide what policies will be adopted by the party. It is not like the AA where the executive can make all the policies it wants, WRP policies must be decided by the members. Also, a good reason to vote for them is becuase they are not the PC's.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

The Wildrose Party is not a Non-profit entity.

Well I do not have intimate knowledge of how they set themselves up.
There are only two ways:
Non-profit corporation or
A trust as a foundation.

Any person who donates money to the "to be yet regisitered" party does not qualify for any tax reciepts.

That is correct. Any moneys donated prior to Elections Alberta accepting and validating the registration, is not eligible as a tax credit contribution.

The money is put into a trust fund and when tit does become a party then receipts can be given out.

If you are involved with the WRP (as it seems you may be).... I would suggest they dig a bit deeper on this one.
Understandably, I have no interest in seeing them registered... so that is the extent of help I am going to offer.

Party policy is not dicated by the fact that a party is registered or not. The Wildrose constitution states that a majority of the members must ratify a policy proposal before it becomes policy. The WRP does have a few policies now in it's platfrom as you have mentioned earlier and provided a link. The remaining policy proposals will not come into effect if and when they have been ratified by a majority of the party members.

That is not the way they explained it at the June meeting in RD, perhaps it has changed.