Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Wife, daughter & I all just voted





Suck it UCP

UCB > UCP

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by eddly

I believe this is my first post during this current election campaign in this thread.

I consider myself to be heavily interested in politics. That being said, for the first time, I will not be voting. There are too many key issues for me where both the NDP and UCP do not align with my views. My wife is in the same boat, she is also undecided. Come Monday… we will still both be undecided.

I do have two young adult children who will be voting NDP.

Will be interesting when we get to the federal election… I may have a hard time with that election too if the conservatives go too far right.

Abstaining from voting only benefits the UCP in this scenario though, have you given that a thought?

[eddly]

Originally Posted by Looch City

Abstaining from voting only benefits the UCP in this scenario though, have you given that a thought?

So be it. I’m not voting for one party to block another. While I support the NDP’s stance on social issues, there are still many other issues that go against what is important to me.

Even if the NDP were to change their party name… further distance themselves from the federal NDP party… that wouldn’t change anything.

Nenshi released a good article recently which discussed how many conservative leaning voters feel that I can relate to.

https://westobserver.com/news/canada...ibextid=Zxz2cZ

Nenshi supporting NDP doesn’t move the needle for me.

I have talked to a lot of UCP voters. A lot of them are claiming to be voting for their local candidate instead of Danielle Smith. I’m also hearing that they are banking on Danielle Smith being pushed out by her party shortly after the election… or of course vote UCP to block the NDP.

Vote for one of the smaller parties? Just a waste of time.

[Yoho]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1662278699654299653

[Kaine]

Woops, double post.

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by eddly

So be it. I’m not voting for one party to block another. While I support the NDP’s stance on social issues, there are still many other issues that go against what is important to me.

Even if the NDP were to change their party name… further distance themselves from the federal NDP party… that wouldn’t change anything.

Nenshi released a good article recently which discussed how many conservative leaning voters feel that I can relate to.

https://westobserver.com/news/canada...ibextid=Zxz2cZ

Nenshi supporting NDP doesn’t move the needle for me.

I have talked to a lot of UCP voters. A lot of them are claiming to be voting for their local candidate instead of Danielle Smith. I’m also hearing that they are banking on Danielle Smith being pushed out by her party shortly after the election… or of course vote UCP to block the NDP.

Vote for one of the smaller parties? Just a waste of time.

I guess the part I don't understand, is from what you said, your children were voting NDP, obviously they feel that party has a better effect on their future. If you are torn 50/50 as it sound, why not scrap your own feelings on issues since they are split down the middle anyways and use your vote to assist your children's future? I mean from your post it does sound like you are in a position in life where either party won't cripple your future?


Dunno, while I am in the age category (38M) that data indicates votes UCP on average, putting my own feelings aside I would vote NDP regardless due to my folks starting to get to the age where healthcare could become very important and we know how both parties feel about that. This election more than any previously feels like voters that will be fine either way should consider those close to them and how this election will effect them.



*shrug*

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by eddly

So be it. I’m not voting for one party to block another. While I support the NDP’s stance on social issues, there are still many other issues that go against what is important to me.

Even if the NDP were to change their party name… further distance themselves from the federal NDP party… that wouldn’t change anything.

Nenshi released a good article recently which discussed how many conservative leaning voters feel that I can relate to.

https://westobserver.com/news/canada...ibextid=Zxz2cZ

Nenshi supporting NDP doesn’t move the needle for me.

I have talked to a lot of UCP voters. A lot of them are claiming to be voting for their local candidate instead of Danielle Smith. I’m also hearing that they are banking on Danielle Smith being pushed out by her party shortly after the election… or of course vote UCP to block the NDP.

Vote for one of the smaller parties? Just a waste of time.

This is maddeningly pathetic. They're totally different parties. You're unable to decide which is better? I'm not even saying that in a partisan way or with a view to try to nudge you one way or another. UCP. NDP. Whatever works for you, but how can any thinking person be incapable of making a pros and cons list and picking between the two? It's actually impossible for them to both be equal if you apply an ounce of critical thought here.

We all have the same choices in every election. It seems as though you're under the mistaken impression that you're special here in that neither party aligns with you in a way that is totally comfortable. Are you serious? Why would one? Why should one? Pick the one the works the best. Jfc.

Time to nut up.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by eddly

I believe this is my first post during this current election campaign in this thread.

I consider myself to be heavily interested in politics. That being said, for the first time, I will not be voting. There are too many key issues for me where both the NDP and UCP do not align with my views. My wife is in the same boat, she is also undecided. Come Monday… we will still both be undecided.

I do have two young adult children who will be voting NDP.

Will be interesting when we get to the federal election… I may have a hard time with that election too if the conservatives go too far right.

Genuinely curious if you can elaborate on these issues?

[Cube Inmate]

In elections where the outcome in your riding is a foregone conclusion, you can afford to vote for a third party to express support for that party and encourage them to continue growing. If you're in a coin-flip riding, even if you feel like you're choosing between poop or vomit, how could you not have even the slightest preference?

The only way that happens is if you're afraid to take accountability for your choice. You want to be able to blame everyone else for forcing you to eat a poop sandwich, rather than admitting you chose the poop because it's slightly better than vomit.

Even Homer voted for Kodos.

[eddly]

Originally Posted by Kaine

I guess the part I don't understand, is from what you said, your children were voting NDP, obviously they feel that party has a better effect on their future. If you are torn 50/50 as it sound, why not scrap your own feelings on issues since they are split down the middle anyways and use your vote to assist your children's future? I mean from your post it does sound like you are in a position in life where either party won't cripple your future?


Dunno, while I am in the age category (38M) that data indicates votes UCP on average, putting my own feelings aside I would vote NDP regardless due to my folks starting to get to the age where healthcare could become very important and we know how both parties feel about that. This election more than any previously feels like voters that will be fine either way should consider those close to them and how this election will effect them.



*shrug*

Yes my young adult children are voting NDP because they believe it will have a better effect on their future and because certain social issues have been politicalized. I agree on the social issues, but I don't see any evidence that the NDP will be able to improve their futures economically, at least not as much as the NDP is promising.

Could the NDP or UCP cripple my future? Well, I did lose my job when Notley was in power last. No, I don't work in Oil and Gas, but the damage done to O&G trickles down to many industries. I'm not bitter about the job loss as I was able to recover pretty fast and am in a better spot now. Her current campaign is specifically targeting the industry that I am in now as well.

My parents are voting UCP and my adult children are voting NDP. Really shows the generational differences. I can relate to both I guess. Should I vote UCP to please my parents? or vote NDP to please my children?

[Flames0910]

^ then vote for sanity and a return to normalcy in politics. Letting the UCP off the hook rewards them for their lying, deceitfulness and attacks on minorities. They will only be emboldened with a win, even if it’s a slim one, and Take Back Alberta will gain influence amongst all conservative parties in this country.

Look at it as voting for normalcy, or as voting against crazy.


And don’t do it to please your children. Do it to support their goals and trust their judgement like the good and thoughtful parent you probably are.

[Harry Lime]

If the ndp are targeting the improvement of uour particular industry, would it not be in your self interest to vote ndp?

[eddly]

Originally Posted by Sliver

This is maddeningly pathetic. They're totally different parties. You're unable to decide which is better? I'm not even saying that in a partisan way or with a view to try to nudge you one way or another. UCP. NDP. Whatever works for you, but how can any thinking person be incapable of making a pros and cons list and picking between the two? It's actually impossible for them to both be equal if you apply an ounce of critical thought here.

We all have the same choices in every election. It seems as though you're under the mistaken impression that you're special here in that neither party aligns with you in a way that is totally comfortable. Are you serious? Why would one? Why should one? Pick the one the works the best. Jfc.

Time to nut up.

Imagine if you could only choose one of two things in every aspect of your life. Not the best example, but it might help you understand my point of view a little bit. Maybe I don't like vanilla or chocolate, instead I want chocolate mint or neapolitan.

Both NDP and UCP are poor choices in my opinion. It is what it is. Perhaps with a longer campaign, more debates... more substance/detail provided on the party websites... maybe I could reach a decision.

[surferguy]

Would you be willing to ask your honest questions here?

You state that you a politically aware so obviously there must be a couple specific hitches that you are hung up on. Perhaps a discussion about it will be better for you vs trying to find something on a website (that sometimes will only contain the half truth- for both parties) or in more debates which do not lend the time to fully disseminate an issue.

I disagree that campaigns should be longer. The last thing we need is politicians trying to court our vote for an extended time.

[eddly]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Genuinely curious if you can elaborate on these issues?

This is just a few of the issues on my mind.

I can't fully support the NDP's economic direction. What the NDP is proposing is simplistic from what I have seen. Raise corporate taxes. Lower insurance rates.

What happens if corporate taxes are raised?

Why are insurance rates high? What happens if they are lowered?

I guess I just want these two things explained further in terms of why they reached the solution they are proposing and what impact they think it will have.

There are several reasons why insurance rates are increasing and it isn't simply because of inflation. Claims are more frequent and severe. Your car... your house... they are more expensive to replace compared to 10 years ago. Catastrophic events like wild fires are more frequent. Even if these events occur in the US for example, it still raises the cost of your insurance. Insurance companies get reinsurance to protect themselves to a degree. This reinsurance they are required to buy (regulation) is increasing in cost dramatically.

NDP's playbook is to tax the rich into submission with the expectation that they will gladly take it.

Of course, I could spend just as much time complaining about the UCP. UCP doesn't have the answers either. I won't even entertain UCP with them calling transgender children poo.

[Cube Inmate]

Okay, say you don't vote. Imagine election night and how you'll feel if each of the only two possible outcomes occurs. You didn't vote so the outcome isn't "your fault," so all you're left with is your gut feel of whether it's the worse of two outcomes or the less worse.

"Global news can now protect Danielle Smith will lead a majority UCP government."

"CTV is protecting Rachel Notley will return to the Premier's office with an NDP majority."

Turn off your brain, pick whichever of those announcements makes you feel the least icky, and vote for it.

[eddly]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Would you be willing to ask your honest questions here?

You state that you a politically aware so obviously there must be a couple specific hitches that you are hung up on. Perhaps a discussion about it will be better for you vs trying to find something on a website (that sometimes will only contain the half truth- for both parties) or in more debates which do not lend the time to fully disseminate an issue.

I disagree that campaigns should be longer. The last thing we need is politicians trying to court our vote for an extended time.

While I just started posting in this thread, there is an overall tone from many posters here (I have been lurking throughout the campaign and prior) that if you don't vote NDP, you are stupid (or at least clueless in regards to politics and what would be best for Alberta). I appreciate your post and others, but the reality is that the majority here will not agree with my claim that I am politically aware unless I vote NDP.

[Looch City]

One side calls trans kids poo poo. The other side wants to raise corporate taxes (and to still be the lowest in Canada).

Do you truly believe that these issues are equal?

[eddly]

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

Okay, say you don't vote. Imagine election night and how you'll feel if each of the only two possible outcomes occurs. You didn't vote so the outcome isn't "your fault," so all you're left with is your gut feel of whether it's the worse of two outcomes or the less worse.

"Global news can now protect Danielle Smith will lead a majority UCP government."

"CTV is protecting Rachel Notley will return to the Premier's office with an NDP majority."

Turn off your brain, pick whichever of those announcements makes you feel the least icky, and vote for it.

Good example. My feeling in both situations would initially be a bit of despair and hope that it won't be a bad as I think it might be.

In reference to the NDP, I'd hope they would deliver on the majority of their promises and would not make rash decisions. I'd hope things would be well thought out and perhaps after further analysis they would pivot from some of their promises if that was the right decision after seeing the details. I'm worried that they are making too many promises to gain votes...

For the UCP, well, I guess I'd hope Danielle Smith would be forced out... but that wouldn't be enough... several other candidates would need to go too.

[eddly]

Originally Posted by Looch City

One side calls trans kids poo poo. The other side wants to raise corporate taxes (and to still be the lowest in Canada).

Do you truly believe that these issues are equal?

No, they are not equal, but they both can have a negative impact on Albertans.

Should I vote based on one issue? There are many issues to consider.

The particular issue you raise here is the most important to me to the point where for the first time in my life I have flirted with the idea of voting NDP.