tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post372699330908798155..comments2023-09-22T06:22:50.820-06:00Comments on Ken Chapman: Did Danielle Smith Ignore WAP Floor-Crossing Policy?kenchapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-84971049299409628702010-01-10T09:35:31.901-07:002010-01-10T09:35:31.901-07:00I agree with "Chels."
The most simple...I agree with "Chels." <br /><br /> The most simplest and most respectful way to cross the floor is to resign from one party and sit as an independent for as long as it takes before voters can decide for themselves why exactly it is they vote... and if the "crossing" suits them.<br /><br />During that time, said MLA/MP can continue to vote their conscience on all issues.<br /><br />... or wait... we could just have more free votes in our legislative houses and we wouldn't have to worry about so much floor crossing.<br /><br />That's an idea past due.<br /><br />Resigning as an MLA (or MP) would work for me too but it does create extra costs for citizens.Berry Farmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03447299342398591508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-25843492801414327782010-01-09T21:48:44.174-07:002010-01-09T21:48:44.174-07:00Hi Ken - While I agree with your comments about th...Hi Ken - While I agree with your comments about the infernal use by politicians of "the public wants", I also have concerns about the concept of holding politicians to the party they were elected. It is not that many years ago that ballots did not have party affiliation on them as the concept was and I beleive should be that we vote for the individual and not the party. I prefer to vote for the politics of the politician and not for the politics of the party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-15439768669030620222010-01-09T09:41:13.040-07:002010-01-09T09:41:13.040-07:00Hi Ken, I noticed that Graham Thompson of the Edmo...Hi Ken, I noticed that Graham Thompson of the Edmonton Journal is asking the same questions as you. http://bit.ly/6ByKOn<br /><br />I truly hope WAP does not intend on trying to win the election on name familiarity, or familial voting patterns based on some notion of consertative idenity, but I think I am asking to much.<br /><br />It strikes me that to come up with a decent policy platform it takes money, time, expertise, and some sort of experience in government. With the same government in power for almost 40 years it weakens the ability of other parties to formulate decent policy given their "out of the loop" status.<br /><br />I suspect the next election will NOT be about substance, but about good looks, positive allusion, and who seems to talk the best. The political science literature I have been reading these days seems to back me up on this point. <br /><br />My 80 year old grandmother has told told me that she is going to vote for Danelle because because she "seems" like a good women. She would still vote for WAP even if their policies would put her on the streets.<br /><br />Page 23 of Ralph Could Have Been a Superstar By Rich Vivone has a funny story of a meeting that former Liberal MLA Betty Hewes had with a group of senior citizens who were crying because they could not support themselves under cuts to seniors programs. She suggested to the group to vote for something other than Ralph. Despite their tears the group left her office while one senior said 'Not on your life sister.'<br /><br />My question, and my fear is Alberta ready to get away from the cult of personality and take that extra step to vote for a party on substance ?<br /><br />Consider these thoughts Ken at Reboot 2.0 and consider how we deal wit this delimma.NLARnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-9191980968061012002010-01-08T11:11:00.582-07:002010-01-08T11:11:00.582-07:00I just wanted to clarify, since I'm not all th...I just wanted to clarify, since I'm not all that cogent above:<br /><br />Voters asked for a certain kind of representation. If an MLA crosses the floor, they may still provide some of that representation in party policy overlap, but since they have to tow Party B's line now, they can't provide what they initially promised by running as a rep for Party A. That's the part that grinds my gears (bad pop culture reference, I know).<br /><br />Though, expecting politicians to keep promises is another topic in and of itself...<br /><br />/end rantChelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096113162448865021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-143338246079891542010-01-08T11:04:20.021-07:002010-01-08T11:04:20.021-07:00I think there should absolutely be an election if ...I think there should absolutely be an election if someone wants to cross the floor. Until then, an MLA should sit as an Independent. I think this is the only way to approach this issue.<br /><br />The fact of the matter is, in Canadian politics, MLAs have to tow the party line. The actual person is basically irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. If an MLA crosses the floor, it says to the public "I don't care what you initially wanted, it doesn't suit ME anymore". <br /><br />Maybe those constituencies would have voted WAP were they given the opportunity... but presuming that is the case is a bit of a slap in the face to democracy, legit political maneuver or not.Chelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096113162448865021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-84428592206168568402010-01-08T10:17:24.095-07:002010-01-08T10:17:24.095-07:00A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little m...A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson.<br />That said, Ken, who cares if they have a floor-crossing policy? Let's see their policies on things that matter such as reducing government spending (especially on themselves), an increase in government saving, ... See Moreetc. <br />I personally would never vote for a party with extremist anti-labour, anti-gay, anti-abortion views, but I would like to see how their pro-business platform compares to the Conservatives. Who can crawl farther and faster up the colon of Big Oil.<br />Ready, set, . . .Robert Gerardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-80809311889272771582010-01-08T09:53:11.242-07:002010-01-08T09:53:11.242-07:00I'm looking at the Wildrose Alliance Party'...I'm looking at the Wildrose Alliance Party's constitution and policies at www.wildrosealliance.ca, and nowhere do I see a policy on floor crossing. The constitution states only that caucus members must be members in good standing of the party. Can you provide a primary source for the alleged policy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-60978252290004808772010-01-08T09:45:29.754-07:002010-01-08T09:45:29.754-07:00I like your proposals, and I personally am against...I like your proposals, and I personally am against the backroom deal floor crossing that plagues the various legislatures and parliaments across the country. I would really prefer to see the independent route used for people who dislike their party (like Garth Turner initially used before he became a hypocrite and sat with the Liberals).<br /><br />Opinion polls are out as they can be easily manipulated by clever wording or dishonest practices.<br /><br />BC currently has a recall/referendum petition law, but it requires something like 40% of eligible voters (not just those who show up) to sign, so it'll never end up being implemented.<br /><br />Nevertheless, it's pretty obvious that this "grassroots" and "democratic" party is neither (note especially how Ms. Smith will perpetually refuse to disclose her campaign donors).Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08107622422843170178noreply@blogger.com