I am interested in pragmatic pluralist politics, citizen participation, protecting democracy and exploring a full range of public policy issues from an Albertan perspective.
Thoughts and Theories on the Alberta Leader's Debate
For my take on the Election 2008 Debate (and Daveberta’s too) go to the CBC.ca site and click on Youcast to get the skinny. Davebeta and I are taping a piece for CBC TV tomorrow morning too. Not sure when it will air but I will let you know.
I came away from the debate pretty depressed about Alberta's current crop of leaders. As many commentators have mentioned, Stelmach met or exceeded low expectations by looking thoughtful and professional, but not inspiring. Though I have no inclination toward the WAP, I thought Hinman acquiited himself well and didn't look too scary, which is an accomplishment onhis part of the political spectrum.
The real disspointment for me was the bickering between Taft and Mason. This was Taft's opportunity to present himself to the province as the alternate Premier, leading a government-in-waiting. Instead he came across as a rather shallow gainsayer. Mason's fixation on the evils of big corporations was tiresome the first time it came out of his mouth, and did not get any fresher.
Barring something really dramatic happening on March 3, I hope the Liberals and ND's will take a deep breath, give their heads a shake, and start some serious talks about a merger. Pick a brand new name and leader, and start the job of preparing to govern. Based on last night's performance, both are going to need that time to prepare.
Seeing myself as an average Albertan I struggle with some very basic concepts;
On the right hand we argue for lower and lower taxes on the left hand we argue for more and better services.
If I drift to the right hand I see the emphasis being on more and more personal responsibility for purchasing the services my family and I want and need.
If I drift over to the left hand I see a need for more and more money because our collective desire is to have the best of everything.
If I go with my right hand I see paying for things through the free enterprise system which I assume that could lead to private health care, private provincial parks, private schools, sending those unable to work to BC and Sask, getting more people to volunteer etc
If I drift to the right and follow the personal responsibility line of thinking will I see Alberta farmers and ranchers lining up at the Food Banks or are there yah buts…..?
If I go left I could be faced with higher taxes or even a provincial sales tax or fewer jobs in the province if the oil companies feel slighted.
The challenge is choosing a path when we know that politicians have a number of short comings:
they can’t plan for the long term they struggle with priority setting they rarely connect the dots they fight symptoms and not root causes
How do we find the correct blend that will allow us to have a quality of life we all aspire to, have the appropriate number of safety nets, feel safe in our communities, feel safe that our children will have access to the education that will be their ticket to the future, feel secure that we are caring for those that are not able to care for themselves?
We don't. There won't be a "correct" blend because we're all different people.
What we *do* do, however, is make sure the politicians know that they have to listen to us if they want their job. Look at the candidates in your riding. If you are undecided between the incumbant and any of the their competitors, vote for the competitor. Then, after the election, write to whoever won and tell them what about their positions you like and what you don't.
The only way we'll see the change we desire in our politicians is if our politicians know what that change is, and know that their jobs are on the line if they don't provide.
Stelmach is a dud and all he did was read off his talking points - kind of reminds me of how George Bush used to survive in debates with much smarter opponents. The PCs will win as they always will but hopefully they lose a lot of seats (10 to 15) and Stelmach gets kicked out of the party.
I don't often agree with Rick Bell, but his column today in the Calgary Sun (Feb. 23) is dead on. Tne Stelmach campaign is being run by the "not ready for prime time players."
I believe that Ed did a great job during the debate, anon - actually, I believe that he is starting to show more confidence as well as better connection to the people of this province....sure he can still use a little work on the public speaking stage but that will come...and no I for one am NOT "disappointed at the low quality skill level of the PC leadership"
Lemme guess. You thought Stelmach did great. Gasp! :)
ReplyDelete"Every problem Paul perceived could be solved easily with market place competition, good old fashioned efficiency and new fangled innovation."
ReplyDeleteAnd professional economists overwhelmingly agree with him.
I mention a few at www.bdell.ca like Paul Romer and Jack Mintz. But it is more than than just them.
This a winnable argument, NOT an unresolvable conflict of values.
I came away from the debate pretty depressed about Alberta's current crop of leaders. As many commentators have mentioned, Stelmach met or exceeded low expectations by looking thoughtful and professional, but not inspiring. Though I have no inclination toward the WAP, I thought Hinman acquiited himself well and didn't look too scary, which is an accomplishment onhis part of the political spectrum.
ReplyDeleteThe real disspointment for me was the bickering between Taft and Mason. This was Taft's opportunity to present himself to the province as the alternate Premier, leading a government-in-waiting. Instead he came across as a rather shallow gainsayer. Mason's fixation on the evils of big corporations was tiresome the first time it came out of his mouth, and did not get any fresher.
Barring something really dramatic happening on March 3, I hope the Liberals and ND's will take a deep breath, give their heads a shake, and start some serious talks about a merger. Pick a brand new name and leader, and start the job of preparing to govern. Based on last night's performance, both are going to need that time to prepare.
Stelmach solidified what we already knew about him. He is not a leader.
ReplyDeleteI hoped that the lack-of-planning-and-buying-votes years were behind us. How come there are no more fiscal conservatives in the PC party?
The Bozo Years are giving was to the stumble-bumble years.
You must be very disappointed at the low quality skill level of the PC leadership.
I will say this for Stelmach at least he's sober and goes to the meetings.
Seeing myself as an average Albertan I struggle with some very basic concepts;
ReplyDeleteOn the right hand we argue for lower and lower taxes on the left hand we argue for more and better services.
If I drift to the right hand I see the emphasis being on more and more personal responsibility for purchasing the services my family and I want and need.
If I drift over to the left hand I see a need for more and more money because our collective desire is to have the best of everything.
If I go with my right hand I see paying for things through the free enterprise system which I assume that could lead to private health care, private provincial parks, private schools, sending those unable to work to BC and Sask, getting more people to volunteer etc
If I drift to the right and follow the personal responsibility line of thinking will I see Alberta farmers and ranchers lining up at the Food Banks or are there yah buts…..?
If I go left I could be faced with higher taxes or even a provincial sales tax or fewer jobs in the province if the oil companies feel slighted.
The challenge is choosing a path when we know that politicians have a number of short comings:
they can’t plan for the long term
they struggle with priority setting
they rarely connect the dots
they fight symptoms and not root causes
How do we find the correct blend that will allow us to have a quality of life we all aspire to, have the appropriate number of safety nets, feel safe in our communities, feel safe that our children will have access to the education that will be their ticket to the future, feel secure that we are caring for those that are not able to care for themselves?
We don't. There won't be a "correct" blend because we're all different people.
ReplyDeleteWhat we *do* do, however, is make sure the politicians know that they have to listen to us if they want their job. Look at the candidates in your riding. If you are undecided between the incumbant and any of the their competitors, vote for the competitor. Then, after the election, write to whoever won and tell them what about their positions you like and what you don't.
The only way we'll see the change we desire in our politicians is if our politicians know what that change is, and know that their jobs are on the line if they don't provide.
Stelmach was freakin terrible. No inspiration, no ideas, and no intelligence. A sad day for all Albertans - how did we let it get this far??
ReplyDeleteI found it hilarious when Stelmach tore up the idiot Liberal PMs who actually thought that the oil belonged to all of Canada.
ReplyDeleteStelmach is a dud and all he did was read off his talking points - kind of reminds me of how George Bush used to survive in debates with much smarter opponents. The PCs will win as they always will but hopefully they lose a lot of seats (10 to 15) and Stelmach gets kicked out of the party.
ReplyDeleteKen:
ReplyDeleteI don't often agree with Rick Bell, but his column today in the Calgary Sun (Feb. 23) is dead on. Tne Stelmach campaign is being run by the "not ready for prime time players."
I believe that Ed did a great job during the debate, anon - actually, I believe that he is starting to show more confidence as well as better connection to the people of this province....sure he can still use a little work on the public speaking stage but that will come...and no I for one am NOT "disappointed at the low quality skill level of the PC leadership"
ReplyDeleteSo...here's to another 4 years!