tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post4382660466647079464..comments2023-09-22T06:22:50.820-06:00Comments on Ken Chapman: Is Alberta About to Enter an Empire of Illusion Stage Politically?kenchapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-68959214408634737642009-11-08T23:41:21.375-07:002009-11-08T23:41:21.375-07:00Can anyone point to some policy positions of the W...Can anyone point to some policy positions of the WRA? (besides their lackluster website)When Ezra Levant is raving about them that scares me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-71729114975192736712009-11-08T08:06:24.394-07:002009-11-08T08:06:24.394-07:00You are the only voice of reason that people like ...You are the only voice of reason that people like me rely on. The good thing about your blog is that you write things that most of us want to say but we don't have a voice to speak. You are very objective and quite engaging. Where are others like you with so much passion for this province?<br />I agree with the person who mentioned the lack of recognition of change in Alberta demographics which is something no one seems to be addressing. The last boom brought new people to the province from different parts of the country and the world. So it can’t be business as usual. Politics in Alberta should be more inclusive. There is a large pool of people out there looking for a reasonable, inclusive and moderate party to believe in. So far, none seem promising. <br />Ken, thanks for providing this forum because it gives someone like me the hope that there is someone selflessly caring for people like me and giving me hope that all is not lost in this province. Sometimes the political class seem like a joke. They are totally out of touch and always hiding behind one finger as if we are special breed of stupid people. <br />Alberta is blessed with natural resources and good people but no leadership. A lot can of damaged can be done with more that inadequate leadership. We need to reassess our future as a province now, and figure out how things can better work for the people. This province has so much potential.<br />I am just wondering if your audience can suggest what we can do get our province out of this political conundrum. We need something to give us hope, engage us and energize us a people. We need a whole new perspective, what we have is definitely not working for us.<br />Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-42454498398270978272009-11-07T10:04:04.222-07:002009-11-07T10:04:04.222-07:00The appetite for change is certainly in the air bu...The appetite for change is certainly in the air but the question becomes change to "what". The PC tent has grown so large that it has become dysfunctional. Until more of the PC active supporters, back room organizers, and the sitting MLAs start making their positions public - voters have little of anything to go on. Until the WAP begins coming out with substance - not just criticisms - voters have very little to go on. Change for the sake of change is never a good thing. It has happened in Education far to many times and also in Health. For existing/former PC supporters to hold memberships in both the PC and the WAP solves nothing - just exacerbates the situation and reinforces that it is all about power, not the benefit of Albertans.calgary clipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01635386817826820826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-43319183672113978232009-11-06T15:26:32.575-07:002009-11-06T15:26:32.575-07:00Hey, Ken - about your twitter post, I think that t...Hey, Ken - about your twitter post, I think that the uncertainty is a good thing. It keeps everyone on his toes - not just Ed and the PCs, but the rest of us. A good friend f mine had a favourite saying: "In uncertainty, there lies profit." And I believe that. Life/society/community/individuals do not grow and progress on the basis of the status quo, but rather on constant change - and accepting that.Carlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-41249286484227097072009-11-06T15:20:11.433-07:002009-11-06T15:20:11.433-07:00I am constantly surprised that the media ignores t...I am constantly surprised that the media ignores the obvious when it comes to the PC's response to our lost resourse revenues. Their handling of information is abissimal, the Gov'ts plan is no plan at all, no wonder Albertans are disillusioned.<br />As an example: More than 40% of every health dollar goes to administration. I work in an industry with endless regulation, yet our admin expense is 12% and falling. There are millions available if the gov't takes on beaurocracy... but they cut beds instead??? <br /><br />P.C.'s will protect their leader. They have to. I rather like steady Eddy, but he better show some inovative, out-in-front leadership soon or his career will be short-lived.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-15058061011785307592009-11-06T15:01:56.089-07:002009-11-06T15:01:56.089-07:00Interesting point about the challenge of getting p...Interesting point about the challenge of getting poll participants. With phone technology today, many fewer people even answer their phones. I wonder if there is a profile of the demographic that's likely to participate in a poll, and whether that has an effect on poll results.Clyde Blackburnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-91795414023525749302009-11-06T13:20:12.415-07:002009-11-06T13:20:12.415-07:00Simply put...the season of discontent is not just ...Simply put...the season of discontent is not just now, but nested in the very nature of a province in dramatic demographic shift. We have a new population in Alberta, and 'the old ways' were never a historical moment for these people. It will be the party that can connect with Albertans (old and new), and understand a vision to move the province forward. The PC party has shown very clearly what happens when you are in power too long, they are unquestioningly in decline, and the power base has shifted with immigration.<br /><br />44 Billion in Net Assets<br />No Provincial Debt<br />And we are cutting education, health and essential services?<br /><br />Ed, time to go and relax with a cup of coffee with your spouse. It is time for serious people to take control of this listless province.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-62988562216346781802009-11-06T12:21:45.194-07:002009-11-06T12:21:45.194-07:00Stelmach wins 85%
If this occurs this weekend what...Stelmach wins 85%<br />If this occurs this weekend what does this mean, what is the party saying to the citizens of Alberta? On one hand the message from the loyalists is that the leader and party are doing a wonderful job. The media and a few flakes are simply out to get us. Alternatively, the meaning might be that we don’t sacrifice our leaders in public but in the interests of protecting our tenure in power we will deal with it (privately) behind the scenes. Perhaps replace some advisors, perhaps a strategic cabinet shuffle (but not too soon), perhaps Ed learns that “family priorities are more important” with 14 months still to go before the next election in order to anoint a new leader and rebuild brand. <br />Both of these approaches have embedded risks. The first is continuation of the pure distain that the party is perceived to hold for citizens at large; a big brother mentality that we know what is right for you. It would appear that their are forces (on both the right and left) are no longer prepared to acquiesce. It does not matter if Wildrose is real or not, the fact that people are talking as though they are is providing the closet critics some confidence to become more publicly vocal. Continuing to pursue politics as usual may make the Harry Strom phenomenon come true. The other approach is equally dangerous for the party and the province. Everyone will be continuously looking for the Diefenbaker knives to be drawn; any chance of good government will be reduced to palace intrigue. <br />A true leadership position would involve a very public statement by the leader; a “we have really screwed up and here is what we want to do to make it better” speech and an active agenda to, in fact, try to make it better. Unlikely though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-43727339582141261142009-11-06T08:42:47.816-07:002009-11-06T08:42:47.816-07:00With all of the negative press against the governm...With all of the negative press against the government, it's shocking the Wildrose isn't in the 40's or higher. The public is starting to see them and their leader for what they are: a bunch of extremist ideologues not fit for a single seat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-64404765053923761542009-11-05T23:21:38.850-07:002009-11-05T23:21:38.850-07:00re Canwest, the Edmonton Journal's unsigned ed...re Canwest, the Edmonton Journal's unsigned editorials have, in fact, been defending the premier and Kerry Diotte of the Edmonton Sun has insisted that Mr Stelmach has been hard done by as well.<br /><br />I don't see the government as having much grounds for complaint about the Edmonton media. If there is some coverage of the Wildrose Alliance it is arguably warranted if support has risen from less than 2% of the electorate in the capital city last election to 17% currently (ahead of the NDP). The NDP took 2 seats in Edmonton with 18% of the city-wide vote.Brian Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01987594019787137564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-35062556751596289092009-11-05T16:00:24.723-07:002009-11-05T16:00:24.723-07:00Looking at this, it's clear that the idea that...Looking at this, it's clear that the idea that WAC is a shoe-in as the next Official Opposition or Government, is not based on fact. For one thing, it's likely their supporters have been told to answer these 'random' polls while Albertans without party affiliations are hanging up the telephone. Secondly, most pundits are missing the fact that we could well see a Liberal Minority. Places like Edmonton, Northern AB, and Lethbridge are more likely to vote Liberal than WAC. And every Tory supporter in AB is not going to switch parties, either.I hardly think the Tories are going to lose enough support to make WAC a shoe in, either.Jane Harris Zsovan (Jane Harris)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12076301737580482355noreply@blogger.com