While I will direct my mind to the Alberta Party, much of the paradigm I will describe applies to the evolution of the Wildrose Alliance and the PCs, Liberals and NDP as well...we are all just at different stages and phases of this process.
I am inspired by a quote that I believe came from Schopenhauer. He said to the effect that all truth passes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Second it is violently opposed and third it is accepted as being self-evident. I was reminded of this quote in a recent workshop I attended on "Unstoppable Conversations" that I thoroughly enjoyed. It helped me get a handle on a framework for many of the thoughts about changes and transformations in the Alberta political landscape that I have been rumbling through my brain lately.
Back to Schopenhauer' s quote and the evolving nature of "truth." First off, I don't hold much stock in truth. It is too subjective, temporary and perceptually ambiguous a concept to deserve the weight it has in our political culture discourse. I can accept the de Bono concept of a proto-truth. To me that is something we hold on to as self-evident until something better (or just different???), comes along to occupy the mind space of a society. That sense of a proto-truth is very alive in the context of the Schopenhauer quote too. Truth changes. It is not absolute.
THE OLD LINE PARTIES ARE AT STAGE THREE OF THE "TRUTH"
The image of the PCs, Liberals and NDP are all at the third stage of truth in Schopenhauer's world. The self-evident niches for each of them are embedded in the political cultural context of the times and perceptions about them are set in the minds of citizens. The PCs after 40 years in power are the natural governing party but they are off their game of late. The Liberals are the oldest political party in Alberta but marked with a cultural meme that ties them to the federal party and the alleged evils of the often reviled National Energy Policy. To many misplaced beliefs and mythologies make them a political non-starter for most Albertans. The NDP are not extreme but just not mainstream enough to be seen as ready to govern. We like the NDP as critics of government in service of the public interest - but no more.
These conventional political parties seem to be able to sustain and reaffirm their political space on the left-right spectrum in the minds of most Albertans. Otherwise they would lack a sense of significance and could just as well disappear from the consciousness of the everyday Albertan. They tend to oppose each other in a political game of oppositional posturing and positioning, politely called "spin" but is in fact mostly just hard ball propaganda. They are not seen as nimble nor adaptable to the changing times or competent given the complexity of a shrinking world culture, globalized economy or the realities of an interdependent environment.
THE ALBERTA PARTY AND WILDROSE ARE DIFFERENT
The Wildrose Alliance Party, in my perception, is moving into the second stage of truth, that of being violently opposed. I say that because I am one of those who are actively opposed to the Wildrose Alliance governing philosophy of Libertarianism social policy and Monetarism economic policy and an environmental policy that is based on Climate Change Denial.
However, I would not call my opposition to the Wildrose Alliance Party "violent." The rancorous rhetoric of the extreme right in the USA and the linkage of that rhetoric alleged to encourage actual physical violence. Political based violence like the killings it Tucson and the murder of abortion doctors by radical hardcore conservatives of the assassinations of the 60s some say is returning. The question is why and who, what and where is that level of violent opposition becoming normative in the States? We know how it is becoming normative. The gun culture of the United States of America and the decline of education standards, opportunity erosion and increasing fear, uncertainty and doubt about the future for too many Americans.
Back to Alberta. I am more at the vehemently opposed level to the governing philosophy and political culture of the Wildrose Alliance. My opposition to the Wildrose is is a matter of conviction and vigour, not hate and anger. I do not want Alberta to be governed by that, or any other similar political dogma. My opposition, like every other moderate progressive I know or ever met, is intellectual and philosophical, not a matter of force and violence. I am a democrat and will defer to the will and decision of an informed and engaged majority of voter. Those who win elections with a mere 40% turnout casts a serious suspicion of those criteria being met in our elections. We need both democratic and electoral reform beyond tinkering with advertising rules and rates of special interests groups.
The Alberta Party is just emerging on the political radar screen in Alberta. As a result of such attention other partisans are stepping up the rhetoric and ridicule. That puts the Alberta Party very much at the first stage of the "truth" - the ridicule stage. This stage one level of ridicule is coming from some supporters of the other parties but not the parties themselves. This link is a perfect example. Here is a blog post with point of view on the political context of the stage one ridicule too.
I think this is all in good humour and pretty slick political PR too. It is important because it is an attempt to frame the Alberta Party as something it is not before the party has a chance to express its own narrative of what it is and aspires to be come.
This is not a new tactic for hard core conventional political party operatives. Harper spent an enormous amount of taxpayer supported money on television ads leading up to an election. This negative campaign timing was pretty cynical because this stuff was pure political campaign advertising but done just in advance of an election so it would not be controlled nor limited by campaign spending laws. Harper was successfully framing Stephane Dion, as the new leader of the Liberal Party in the public consciousness before Dion could set out his own narrative in the public mind.
This kind of negative adverting is universally denounced and universally used - because it works. Some Alberta unions did a high cycle television ad campaign in the last Alberta provincial election saying Stelmach Had No Plan. That resulted in new legislation sponsored by the Stelmach government limiting third party election spending in the province. So much for electoral free speech and opinion through advertising in Alberta. Not a big deal really, because there is scant evidence that such advertising changes opinions in any event. But as an offence to free speech...and government control of free speech - its a big deal.
A CIVIL AND PROFESSIONAL POLITICAL CULTURE IS WHAT WE NEED
The Alberta Party is trying to change the nature of the discourse with a policy of MLA Guidelines aimed at returning civility and professionalism back into Alberta politics. I applaud those efforts. They may be naive but the sentiment is not misplaced. The theatre of the absurd that is Question Period or the pathetic discourse that passes as debate, dialogue and even public consultation in Alberta is disheartening.
My contribution to this effort at more civility and professionalism in politics in Alberta will be on this blog. I will continue to be critical of the politics and the tactics of those with whom I disagree but I will not engage in personal attacks about politicians at least not without evidence-based justification. When it comes to comments on how various political philosophies and promoted propaganda, I intend to be vehemently opposed where I disagree. But I will try my best not to be disagreeable in the process. I hope my readers support this position with non-anonymous comments that are aligned with this approach. I hope readers will be civil and vigilant in helping me keep to my word on this. Just a small step but one worth taking.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, January 09, 2011
What Raj Sherman Should Do - and WHY!
I did a blog poll on this question of Raj Sherman's future in politics last week. This is a non-scientific sampling of 174 self-selecting anonymous people. The results are merely anecdotal, so look at the results lightly and in that light. However the outcomes of this polling there is a clear indication of gratuitous advice to Raj Sherman, the ousted PC caucus member. The results are interesting.
Full disclosure, I am a member of the Alberta Party, the Edmonton Glenora constituency President but I in no way speak for the Alberta Party. This blog, as always, is just my personal perspective. For the record, I have had a number of email exchanges, phone chats and face-to-face meetings with Raj since he was ejected from the PC Caucus. I expect we will stay in touch. I want him to join forces with the Alberta Party and will give some reasons for this later in this post. Not a big surprise to anyone I expect.
THE OPTIONS - OR NOT!
Here is the non-scientific but still intriguing blog poll outcome. Raj should join the Alberta Party according to 45%, or join the Liberal Party according to 14%. The other options all cluster between 6%-9% so they are not really significant. Raj has already rejected the idea of quitting politics. That option only had 7% support anyway. That is the same number who thought he should go back to the PCs. There were 6% who felt he should join the NDP and 8% preferred that he sit with the Wildrose Alliance Party.
In this post I am going focus mostly on reasons to join or not to join the Alberta Party and the same for the Liberal Party. I cautiously discount the other alternatives. The Wildrose is a political force with a core of supporters. My sense is their protest support is as deep as a dime and there is a lingering mistrust that pervades them. They have a history and we are not sure what they really stand for anymore. We are cautious about what the strong social conservative element might do to Alberta, once in power. Look at Bill 44 that targeted homosexuals and teachers as an example of social conservative influence on politics and policy. Google Bill 44 in Alberta if you are unfamiliar with this draconian piece of legislation.
In my communications with Raj, he was looking at all options but I can't see him aligning with the Wildrose, on principle. He says he believes the PCs have a surreptitious plan to privatize health care after the next election. Despite protest to the contrary, no thoughtful observer of the Wildrose Alliance Party could conclude that they would not also privatize health care...once in power. They are not stupid. They will campaign on a middle of the road policy platform but their behind-the-scenes brain trust is pure Stephen Harper. Will they have any moral or ethical problem reversing campaign promises on matters like health care one they form government? Harper has had no pangs of consciousness in doing just that from Income Trusts to Afghanistan.
Raj has already said he will run again so going back to medicine is a non-starter, at least in the short term. As for the NDP, you can't fix health care with influence alone, you need power. Sherman had preferred, front row insider influence in the PC party. It did little to change things, except his own political fortunes. To consider rejoining the PCs Raj would have to apologize to Minister Liepert. I think that is too bitter a pill for Raj to swallow.
As for staying Independent Raj is quoted as saying "ideally, you need to align yourself with somebody. The challenge is I'm quite non-partisan." He is in contact with all the opposition parties in and outside the Legislature. It is pretty difficult, but not impossible, to get elected as an Independent but it is tough to have any impact to change government policy as a lone non-partisan voice in our governance system. My sense is Raj will join a party, the question is which one, when and why?
The Liberal Party is a definite option for Raj to consider. However, they have problems getting attention and traction in the political mind space of Albertans. This should be the best of times for Liberals to be rising in popularity but it isn't happening. David Swann just dismissed his second communications director since he became leader and there is angst in the caucus and in the party itself. Who knows for sure what voters will do to the Liberals, or any of the current and conventional political parties for that matter. But a one keen and seasoned observer of politics in Alberta said to the effect the Liberals have not captured the imagination of Albertans in almost 100 years and if they can't do it now, they are not a serious alternative political force going forward. That is not a conclusion but a concern for and about the Liberals.
As stated earlier, my bias is for Raj to take a chance on the emerging Alberta Party because, while it is not non-partisan, it is not a single-minded top down left versus right ideological driven hierarchy driven political machine. Nor is it a centrally controlled monolith with all the power in the hands of an entrenched leader who is mostly influenced and his or her unelected advisors and undisclosed fund raisers. The Alberta Party is new. In fact it is so new that it is just now forming constituency organizations all over the province, and is just starting its leadership process. Raj, in the Alberta Party, can have more influence on the leadership outcome and the election policy platform than he can in any of the other alternatives. By joining the Alberta Party he can shift public attention, trigger some imagination and bring a new meaning to political participation in our province.
Is the Alberta Party a real force? I say yes it is and while it is very young it is not naive about the challenges ahead for itself as a party, the province and the people of Alberta. There are outstanding questions of who will lead the Alberta Party. Can they raise enough money to be competitive in an election campaign? Will they attract enough quality candidates to be taken seriously and gain the confidence of Albertans? All legitimate issues but as an Alberta Party member, I know the progress on all those organizational fronts is moving along at an amazing pace - and the reception from Albertans is positive, energizing and exciting.
To me the revival of the Alberta Party feels very much like the late 60s. That was when Peter Lougheed captured the imagination of forward thinking Albertans of those days with his revival of the Progressive Conservative Party. That was when I got involved in provincial politics, moving beyond student politics at the University of Alberta. In the late 60's Peter Lougheed was travelling all over the province along with his sidekick (a.k.a. Executive Assistant) Dave King (who is now working hard on the Provincial Board of the Alberta Party). Lougheed was gathering citizen's interest all over the province in the emerging Progressive Conservative Party, one community meeting, one coffee party and one Chamber of Commerce speech, at a time.
Back in the day, the Lougheed PCs came to be seen as the viable option to replace the tired, tedious and too-long-in-the-tooth Social Credit party. The tipping point came in the 1971 election with the slogan "NOW." Now it is the time for the Alberta Party. It is now being seen as the progressive viable alternative political voice for moderate progressive Albertans. What I am grappling with is what will it take to get moderate progressive Albertans to reaffirm their responsibilities and roles as citizens in our democracy. What is the tipping point to get them to re-engage in changing the political culture and the direction of this province?
Most Albertans are feeling a little uncertain and doubtful about the future. There is a lingering angst over what the future holds for each of us given all the economic, ecological and social volatility in the world. We are yearning for a political alternative that is not an extreme. We are not a province of social conservatives or authoritarian Tea-Party-in-training types we see rising in power in the States. The Ayn Rand inspired, Libertarian influenced Wildrose Alliance Party conjures some serious suspicions about their real political intentions and where they would take us if they had power. We also know we want to move beyond the rudderless and feckless PCs, who are akin to the old Social Credit party incarnate and failing to adapt to the changing times.
FIX HEALTH CARE IS JOB#1 FOR RAJ:
Raj is clear on one thing. He wants Albertans to understand and engage in facing the challenges necessary to fix health care in Alberta. He has recently told reporters and others he is staying in politics and will spend some time touring the province to "...engage people in an honest conversation, a non-partisan conversation...to see how many Albertans care about health care." Raj can do that very effectively as an independent MLA, in the short term. He has to be careful he does not become a one-trick pony and morph into just another publicity seeking political protester like Greenpeace has done with the oil sands.
So to help him out with his road show here is some intelligence for him to use in his caravan around Alberta. This survey data gives a sense of what Albertans are feeling about our health care system. This data comes from a survey we did of over 1000 Albertans in a random sample in March 2010, just after Raj and Minister Zwozdesky were appointed to the Health Ministry in January 2010. This data timing reflects more on Minister Liepert's Reign of Error than on Raj's or Gene Zwozdesky's efforts at health care reform.
When Albertans were asked how confident they were in their government effectively managing the health care system only 14% agreed or strongly agreed they had confidence. Only 21% of us were satisfied with the state of health care in Alberta and just 42% believed we have a world class health care system. When asked if we had concerns as to whether the public health system in Alberta was sustainable 55% were felt it was not sustainable. The long term view is even more alarming. There were 70% of those surveyed who said we need to make changes to our health care system if it will be there for our children. What kind of changes need to be made is the political and policy challenge.
So there is lots of concern amongst Albertans about a wide range of health care issues. The Stelmach response last year was a quick and controlled public consultation over the summer and a report that lead to new health care legislation passed last fall. Has any of that changed the level of public concern or increased confidence in the Stelmach government's handling of health care? Given the outpouring of public support for Raj Sherman's recent public advocating for the Emergency Docs cry of a crisis and government mismanagement, I would presume that Albertan are not assured nor appeased by the Stelmach government attempts at policy change.
WHAT IS THE LONGER TERM POLITICAL PLAN FOR RAJ SHERMAN?
So what is Raj Sherman going to do? My advice is stay independent for a bit and go out and talk to Albertans as a non-partisan. The Alberta Party knows from The Big Listen that people are eager to share their stories, their ideas and express their frustration to anyone in government who will listen and respect their opinions. Something that 51% of Albertans think is not happening now.
The leadership campaign of the Alberta Party will get going soon. Progressive minded Albertans will be more aware, engaged and attentive to what is happening with this new progressive political citizen's movement we call the Alberta Party. While Raj is on the road I hope he encourages Albertans to pay attention, buy a membership and use the Alberta Party leadership campaign as a referendum to send a message. That message is that progressive Albertans are re-engaging in the politics of our time and we want real options and real change and we will reject Libertarian politics or hardcore socially conservative dogma.
As for Raj joining the Alberta Party here is a bottom line as I see it. My sense is Raj Sherman does not need the Alberta Party, nor does the Alberta Party need Raj Sherman,, at least not right now. However Alberta and Albertans need both of us, sooner than later too. The synergies of an independent thinking Raj Sherman in a fresh new progressive political movement, like the Alberta Party, would be a positive force to better serve the greater good. It is the best option for everyone. Time will tell if that happens. No predictions, but I have been around politics long enough to know anything can happen, and nothing should surprise us...hope springs eternal.
One thing is certain. For the first time in 40 years we now have a sense that real political change is coming to Alberta. What the change will bring, no one knows yet, but Alberta will soon be changed, perhaps in the next election. Will it be transformed into a model of a 21st century pluralist society with a new prosperity of a diverse creative economy that is respectful of ecological realities. Or will the counterclockwise forces of the far right dominate and take Alberta back into a rigid authoritarian dog-eat-dog world where an unfettered marketplace model drives all the social, environmental and economic policy decisions?
To be continued......
Full disclosure, I am a member of the Alberta Party, the Edmonton Glenora constituency President but I in no way speak for the Alberta Party. This blog, as always, is just my personal perspective. For the record, I have had a number of email exchanges, phone chats and face-to-face meetings with Raj since he was ejected from the PC Caucus. I expect we will stay in touch. I want him to join forces with the Alberta Party and will give some reasons for this later in this post. Not a big surprise to anyone I expect.
THE OPTIONS - OR NOT!
Here is the non-scientific but still intriguing blog poll outcome. Raj should join the Alberta Party according to 45%, or join the Liberal Party according to 14%. The other options all cluster between 6%-9% so they are not really significant. Raj has already rejected the idea of quitting politics. That option only had 7% support anyway. That is the same number who thought he should go back to the PCs. There were 6% who felt he should join the NDP and 8% preferred that he sit with the Wildrose Alliance Party.
In this post I am going focus mostly on reasons to join or not to join the Alberta Party and the same for the Liberal Party. I cautiously discount the other alternatives. The Wildrose is a political force with a core of supporters. My sense is their protest support is as deep as a dime and there is a lingering mistrust that pervades them. They have a history and we are not sure what they really stand for anymore. We are cautious about what the strong social conservative element might do to Alberta, once in power. Look at Bill 44 that targeted homosexuals and teachers as an example of social conservative influence on politics and policy. Google Bill 44 in Alberta if you are unfamiliar with this draconian piece of legislation.
In my communications with Raj, he was looking at all options but I can't see him aligning with the Wildrose, on principle. He says he believes the PCs have a surreptitious plan to privatize health care after the next election. Despite protest to the contrary, no thoughtful observer of the Wildrose Alliance Party could conclude that they would not also privatize health care...once in power. They are not stupid. They will campaign on a middle of the road policy platform but their behind-the-scenes brain trust is pure Stephen Harper. Will they have any moral or ethical problem reversing campaign promises on matters like health care one they form government? Harper has had no pangs of consciousness in doing just that from Income Trusts to Afghanistan.
Raj has already said he will run again so going back to medicine is a non-starter, at least in the short term. As for the NDP, you can't fix health care with influence alone, you need power. Sherman had preferred, front row insider influence in the PC party. It did little to change things, except his own political fortunes. To consider rejoining the PCs Raj would have to apologize to Minister Liepert. I think that is too bitter a pill for Raj to swallow.
As for staying Independent Raj is quoted as saying "ideally, you need to align yourself with somebody. The challenge is I'm quite non-partisan." He is in contact with all the opposition parties in and outside the Legislature. It is pretty difficult, but not impossible, to get elected as an Independent but it is tough to have any impact to change government policy as a lone non-partisan voice in our governance system. My sense is Raj will join a party, the question is which one, when and why?
The Liberal Party is a definite option for Raj to consider. However, they have problems getting attention and traction in the political mind space of Albertans. This should be the best of times for Liberals to be rising in popularity but it isn't happening. David Swann just dismissed his second communications director since he became leader and there is angst in the caucus and in the party itself. Who knows for sure what voters will do to the Liberals, or any of the current and conventional political parties for that matter. But a one keen and seasoned observer of politics in Alberta said to the effect the Liberals have not captured the imagination of Albertans in almost 100 years and if they can't do it now, they are not a serious alternative political force going forward. That is not a conclusion but a concern for and about the Liberals.
As stated earlier, my bias is for Raj to take a chance on the emerging Alberta Party because, while it is not non-partisan, it is not a single-minded top down left versus right ideological driven hierarchy driven political machine. Nor is it a centrally controlled monolith with all the power in the hands of an entrenched leader who is mostly influenced and his or her unelected advisors and undisclosed fund raisers. The Alberta Party is new. In fact it is so new that it is just now forming constituency organizations all over the province, and is just starting its leadership process. Raj, in the Alberta Party, can have more influence on the leadership outcome and the election policy platform than he can in any of the other alternatives. By joining the Alberta Party he can shift public attention, trigger some imagination and bring a new meaning to political participation in our province.
Is the Alberta Party a real force? I say yes it is and while it is very young it is not naive about the challenges ahead for itself as a party, the province and the people of Alberta. There are outstanding questions of who will lead the Alberta Party. Can they raise enough money to be competitive in an election campaign? Will they attract enough quality candidates to be taken seriously and gain the confidence of Albertans? All legitimate issues but as an Alberta Party member, I know the progress on all those organizational fronts is moving along at an amazing pace - and the reception from Albertans is positive, energizing and exciting.
To me the revival of the Alberta Party feels very much like the late 60s. That was when Peter Lougheed captured the imagination of forward thinking Albertans of those days with his revival of the Progressive Conservative Party. That was when I got involved in provincial politics, moving beyond student politics at the University of Alberta. In the late 60's Peter Lougheed was travelling all over the province along with his sidekick (a.k.a. Executive Assistant) Dave King (who is now working hard on the Provincial Board of the Alberta Party). Lougheed was gathering citizen's interest all over the province in the emerging Progressive Conservative Party, one community meeting, one coffee party and one Chamber of Commerce speech, at a time.
Back in the day, the Lougheed PCs came to be seen as the viable option to replace the tired, tedious and too-long-in-the-tooth Social Credit party. The tipping point came in the 1971 election with the slogan "NOW." Now it is the time for the Alberta Party. It is now being seen as the progressive viable alternative political voice for moderate progressive Albertans. What I am grappling with is what will it take to get moderate progressive Albertans to reaffirm their responsibilities and roles as citizens in our democracy. What is the tipping point to get them to re-engage in changing the political culture and the direction of this province?
Most Albertans are feeling a little uncertain and doubtful about the future. There is a lingering angst over what the future holds for each of us given all the economic, ecological and social volatility in the world. We are yearning for a political alternative that is not an extreme. We are not a province of social conservatives or authoritarian Tea-Party-in-training types we see rising in power in the States. The Ayn Rand inspired, Libertarian influenced Wildrose Alliance Party conjures some serious suspicions about their real political intentions and where they would take us if they had power. We also know we want to move beyond the rudderless and feckless PCs, who are akin to the old Social Credit party incarnate and failing to adapt to the changing times.
FIX HEALTH CARE IS JOB#1 FOR RAJ:
Raj is clear on one thing. He wants Albertans to understand and engage in facing the challenges necessary to fix health care in Alberta. He has recently told reporters and others he is staying in politics and will spend some time touring the province to "...engage people in an honest conversation, a non-partisan conversation...to see how many Albertans care about health care." Raj can do that very effectively as an independent MLA, in the short term. He has to be careful he does not become a one-trick pony and morph into just another publicity seeking political protester like Greenpeace has done with the oil sands.
So to help him out with his road show here is some intelligence for him to use in his caravan around Alberta. This survey data gives a sense of what Albertans are feeling about our health care system. This data comes from a survey we did of over 1000 Albertans in a random sample in March 2010, just after Raj and Minister Zwozdesky were appointed to the Health Ministry in January 2010. This data timing reflects more on Minister Liepert's Reign of Error than on Raj's or Gene Zwozdesky's efforts at health care reform.
When Albertans were asked how confident they were in their government effectively managing the health care system only 14% agreed or strongly agreed they had confidence. Only 21% of us were satisfied with the state of health care in Alberta and just 42% believed we have a world class health care system. When asked if we had concerns as to whether the public health system in Alberta was sustainable 55% were felt it was not sustainable. The long term view is even more alarming. There were 70% of those surveyed who said we need to make changes to our health care system if it will be there for our children. What kind of changes need to be made is the political and policy challenge.
So there is lots of concern amongst Albertans about a wide range of health care issues. The Stelmach response last year was a quick and controlled public consultation over the summer and a report that lead to new health care legislation passed last fall. Has any of that changed the level of public concern or increased confidence in the Stelmach government's handling of health care? Given the outpouring of public support for Raj Sherman's recent public advocating for the Emergency Docs cry of a crisis and government mismanagement, I would presume that Albertan are not assured nor appeased by the Stelmach government attempts at policy change.
WHAT IS THE LONGER TERM POLITICAL PLAN FOR RAJ SHERMAN?
So what is Raj Sherman going to do? My advice is stay independent for a bit and go out and talk to Albertans as a non-partisan. The Alberta Party knows from The Big Listen that people are eager to share their stories, their ideas and express their frustration to anyone in government who will listen and respect their opinions. Something that 51% of Albertans think is not happening now.
The leadership campaign of the Alberta Party will get going soon. Progressive minded Albertans will be more aware, engaged and attentive to what is happening with this new progressive political citizen's movement we call the Alberta Party. While Raj is on the road I hope he encourages Albertans to pay attention, buy a membership and use the Alberta Party leadership campaign as a referendum to send a message. That message is that progressive Albertans are re-engaging in the politics of our time and we want real options and real change and we will reject Libertarian politics or hardcore socially conservative dogma.
As for Raj joining the Alberta Party here is a bottom line as I see it. My sense is Raj Sherman does not need the Alberta Party, nor does the Alberta Party need Raj Sherman,, at least not right now. However Alberta and Albertans need both of us, sooner than later too. The synergies of an independent thinking Raj Sherman in a fresh new progressive political movement, like the Alberta Party, would be a positive force to better serve the greater good. It is the best option for everyone. Time will tell if that happens. No predictions, but I have been around politics long enough to know anything can happen, and nothing should surprise us...hope springs eternal.
One thing is certain. For the first time in 40 years we now have a sense that real political change is coming to Alberta. What the change will bring, no one knows yet, but Alberta will soon be changed, perhaps in the next election. Will it be transformed into a model of a 21st century pluralist society with a new prosperity of a diverse creative economy that is respectful of ecological realities. Or will the counterclockwise forces of the far right dominate and take Alberta back into a rigid authoritarian dog-eat-dog world where an unfettered marketplace model drives all the social, environmental and economic policy decisions?
To be continued......
Thursday, January 06, 2011
Holiday's Are Over - Politics Is Back!
Graham Thomson is speculating on a number of critical uncertainties in Alberta politics. The pressures of leadership in all spheres of influence are enormous and especially in politics. Speculation on internal tensions for replacing party leaders at so close to an election with all the planning and pressures that entails is understandable for inside-baseball partisans but meaningless to the ordinary citizen.
In my mind Stelmach deserves to lead the PCs into another election and then decide himself what his future is. The same is true for Swann, Mason and Smith. Only Mason and Stelmach have faced the trial-by-fire reality of a general election and we should see the election results of the other two leaders before we start throwing them under the bus as in Swann or deifying them as in Smith.
Then there is the new wild card, the Alberta Party. They are just starting to select their leader and will be selling memberships and raising public profile in the process culminating at a leadership convention in Edmonton at the end of May. The yearning for a change in the political culture of Albertans is such that anything can happen...and in politics, it usually does. So the smart money should not reject any political scenario, but don't fixate on any one possibility either.
The other dynamic is the general dysfunction and discontent amongst politicians and partisans. This started a year ago with the PC-WAP floor crossers. We then say Dave Taylor bolt from the Alberta Liberals to sit as an independent to Kent Hehr running for Mayor of Calgary as an option to provincial politics. That was followed by the ejection of Boutilier from the PC Caucus and more recently the PC caucus expulsion of Raj Sherman from their ranks. Add in the impact on party organizations due to 4 new seats in plan and the real possibility of a number of potential MLAs considering retirement from politics.
The range of paradoxes, ambiguity, complexity and even chaos outcomes can't all be discounted when there is a hunger for change and some fear what the future holds in the citizenry. Change is in the air. That is the only certainty I can see. That "change in the air" sense was there in the last provincial election too and it resulted in a larger Stelmach majority instead of a change of government. That result was because Albertans were hoping the Stelmach government would change so they did not have to change the government. Stelmach has adapted and changed but not in ways that are in alignment to the new realities Albertans are seeing, facing and fearing. And that may make all the difference.
In my mind Stelmach deserves to lead the PCs into another election and then decide himself what his future is. The same is true for Swann, Mason and Smith. Only Mason and Stelmach have faced the trial-by-fire reality of a general election and we should see the election results of the other two leaders before we start throwing them under the bus as in Swann or deifying them as in Smith.
Then there is the new wild card, the Alberta Party. They are just starting to select their leader and will be selling memberships and raising public profile in the process culminating at a leadership convention in Edmonton at the end of May. The yearning for a change in the political culture of Albertans is such that anything can happen...and in politics, it usually does. So the smart money should not reject any political scenario, but don't fixate on any one possibility either.
The other dynamic is the general dysfunction and discontent amongst politicians and partisans. This started a year ago with the PC-WAP floor crossers. We then say Dave Taylor bolt from the Alberta Liberals to sit as an independent to Kent Hehr running for Mayor of Calgary as an option to provincial politics. That was followed by the ejection of Boutilier from the PC Caucus and more recently the PC caucus expulsion of Raj Sherman from their ranks. Add in the impact on party organizations due to 4 new seats in plan and the real possibility of a number of potential MLAs considering retirement from politics.
The range of paradoxes, ambiguity, complexity and even chaos outcomes can't all be discounted when there is a hunger for change and some fear what the future holds in the citizenry. Change is in the air. That is the only certainty I can see. That "change in the air" sense was there in the last provincial election too and it resulted in a larger Stelmach majority instead of a change of government. That result was because Albertans were hoping the Stelmach government would change so they did not have to change the government. Stelmach has adapted and changed but not in ways that are in alignment to the new realities Albertans are seeing, facing and fearing. And that may make all the difference.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Peter Kent Has Talent BUT He is No Jim Prentice
Congratulations and condolences to Peter Kent the newly condemned Harper Con Minister of the Environment. I think Jeffrey Simpson's column in the Globe and Mail today captures the conundrum the Toronto based Minister will face internally. Harper is a one-man authoritarian control freak and that will put the laudable investigative journalist instincts Mr. Kent somewhere between the back burner or buried in the closet.
The external pressures the new Minister faces are even more disheartening as he is clearly appointed for political purposes as a bone to Toronto as Harper prepares to engineer the timing of his next election, likely over the budget or his execution of same, not his ineptness and indifference to the environment.
Do not expect Mr. Kent's journalistic talents to be seen or even allowed to be applied to his new portfolio. Harper does not like science, evidence or opinion that runs contrary to his dogma - especially from his Cabinet or Caucus. That is really unfortunate but Harper is the strict authoritarian abusive father figure. He uses his power to control the lives of his underlings and his lesser-beings in Cabinet and Caucus because he, and he alone, makes the rules and all the decisions for all those who serve him at his pleasure in in his house.
ALBERTANS ACCEPT SOME FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN OIL SANDS
As for Mr. Kent engaging effectively about federal involvement in oil sands policy and regulation, the Albertan industry and the Alberta government will watch him with a wary eye. The Alberta public knows that the oil sands are key to our future and continued prosperity. Only 17% of us are in any way satisfied with the performance of our federal MPs - and that was before Jim Prentice left politics and the oppressive regime of Stephen Harper. Mr, Kent will do nothing to reverse those fortunes and impressions of how effective our MPs are in protecting our interests as Albertans.
Our research shows that Albertans know the provincial government is responsible for managing our natural resources. We overwhelming (90%) hold industry liable and responsible for any environmental damage they cause. Interestingly 62% of Albertans see some role for the federal government in the development of the oil sands. In the Chretien Liberal days of the mid 90's that federal role was federal tax breaks instigated by Alberta MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan.
EXPECT A FED-PROV FIGHT OVER WHO RUNS THE OIL SANDS SHOW?
Today the Harper Cons are belatedly entering into the environmental monitoring role as a federal government. We found that 68% of Albertans believed the federal government has increased its role in the development of the oil sands.This is unnerving to the Alberta government who are responding with an even more belated entry into responsible environmental monitoring. There is a looming jurisdictional donny-brook over who is ultimately responsible for environmental monitoring and re-mediation policies to assure Albertans, as owners of the oil sands, that their resource is being developed responsibly. The partisan hand wringing in the province is all behind closed doors but there are signs surfacing of the inter-governmental competition for the trust of Albertans, not just the political hearts and minds. This may be the fed-prov "crisis" that Premier Stelmach will use to trigger an early Alberta election...but I doubt it.
WISE GOVERNING OR DUMB LUCK?
Bottom line is both the federal and provincial governments are wise to be focused on the issue about environmental monitoring regarding oil sand development. That is a good start because 18% of Albertans said that was the most important concern they had around how their oil sands were being developed. While it is a start is is noting to brag about because that same survey showed 20% Albertans were concerned about having assurance that the proper type of oil sands reclamation was being done. Add to that the 19% how said their top priority for responsible oil sand development was habitat protection and you see why I say ecological monitoring is just a start for government engagement and regulation.
So we have a Toronto media type with proven investigative journalist credentials allegedly running Harper's environment portfolio. Actually Harper was pretty clear who would be running the file in the Kent appointment announcement when he said Kent's mandate was "to stay the course." That is code for continue to do nothing but talk a lot so it does not look like you are doing nothing.
So Mr. Kent welcome the Harper in Wonderland world of inert environmental policy and authoritarian political control of you and your soul. We don't expect to see much of you in Alberta after the first run through. Your real job is to get more seats in Toronto next election, not to champion economically enlightened planet saving environmental policy. Don't expect industry to be calling on you much after the first grin an grab initial rounds of meet and greet the new Minister. They have real fish to fry...oops - bad metaphor.
The external pressures the new Minister faces are even more disheartening as he is clearly appointed for political purposes as a bone to Toronto as Harper prepares to engineer the timing of his next election, likely over the budget or his execution of same, not his ineptness and indifference to the environment.
Do not expect Mr. Kent's journalistic talents to be seen or even allowed to be applied to his new portfolio. Harper does not like science, evidence or opinion that runs contrary to his dogma - especially from his Cabinet or Caucus. That is really unfortunate but Harper is the strict authoritarian abusive father figure. He uses his power to control the lives of his underlings and his lesser-beings in Cabinet and Caucus because he, and he alone, makes the rules and all the decisions for all those who serve him at his pleasure in in his house.
ALBERTANS ACCEPT SOME FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT IN OIL SANDS
As for Mr. Kent engaging effectively about federal involvement in oil sands policy and regulation, the Albertan industry and the Alberta government will watch him with a wary eye. The Alberta public knows that the oil sands are key to our future and continued prosperity. Only 17% of us are in any way satisfied with the performance of our federal MPs - and that was before Jim Prentice left politics and the oppressive regime of Stephen Harper. Mr, Kent will do nothing to reverse those fortunes and impressions of how effective our MPs are in protecting our interests as Albertans.
Our research shows that Albertans know the provincial government is responsible for managing our natural resources. We overwhelming (90%) hold industry liable and responsible for any environmental damage they cause. Interestingly 62% of Albertans see some role for the federal government in the development of the oil sands. In the Chretien Liberal days of the mid 90's that federal role was federal tax breaks instigated by Alberta MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan.
EXPECT A FED-PROV FIGHT OVER WHO RUNS THE OIL SANDS SHOW?
Today the Harper Cons are belatedly entering into the environmental monitoring role as a federal government. We found that 68% of Albertans believed the federal government has increased its role in the development of the oil sands.This is unnerving to the Alberta government who are responding with an even more belated entry into responsible environmental monitoring. There is a looming jurisdictional donny-brook over who is ultimately responsible for environmental monitoring and re-mediation policies to assure Albertans, as owners of the oil sands, that their resource is being developed responsibly. The partisan hand wringing in the province is all behind closed doors but there are signs surfacing of the inter-governmental competition for the trust of Albertans, not just the political hearts and minds. This may be the fed-prov "crisis" that Premier Stelmach will use to trigger an early Alberta election...but I doubt it.
WISE GOVERNING OR DUMB LUCK?
Bottom line is both the federal and provincial governments are wise to be focused on the issue about environmental monitoring regarding oil sand development. That is a good start because 18% of Albertans said that was the most important concern they had around how their oil sands were being developed. While it is a start is is noting to brag about because that same survey showed 20% Albertans were concerned about having assurance that the proper type of oil sands reclamation was being done. Add to that the 19% how said their top priority for responsible oil sand development was habitat protection and you see why I say ecological monitoring is just a start for government engagement and regulation.
So we have a Toronto media type with proven investigative journalist credentials allegedly running Harper's environment portfolio. Actually Harper was pretty clear who would be running the file in the Kent appointment announcement when he said Kent's mandate was "to stay the course." That is code for continue to do nothing but talk a lot so it does not look like you are doing nothing.
So Mr. Kent welcome the Harper in Wonderland world of inert environmental policy and authoritarian political control of you and your soul. We don't expect to see much of you in Alberta after the first run through. Your real job is to get more seats in Toronto next election, not to champion economically enlightened planet saving environmental policy. Don't expect industry to be calling on you much after the first grin an grab initial rounds of meet and greet the new Minister. They have real fish to fry...oops - bad metaphor.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
"Success" Must be Redefined to Thrive in the Creative Age
This clip of a film has piqued my interest. I have not seen the film but I want to. It asks the key questions about what role our education system should play in preparing young people for a changing world and how do we prepare young people to be healthy, bright and contributing citizens?
As part of the Learning Our Way to the Future initiative and the Creative Alberta movement I see so much potential being enabled by the platform for transformation from the Dave Hancock lead Inspiring Education and Inspiring Action on Education.
I am pleased to see this screening of this film being done in collaboration with a number of interesting sponsors and in particular the Calgary Public Library and Leadership Calgary , the sister organization to Leadership Edmonton. These programs are all about striving forward with a greater understanding of the human venture which teaches a progressive approach to unleashing leadership that has wisdom and judgement.
The Calgary screening is January 12, 2011 at John Dutton Theatre, W.R. Castell Central Library, 616 Macleod Trail SE. Doors open at 5, screening at 5:30 and moderated discussion at 7 pm. Tickets at www.race.leadwellinitiative.com
I will work on getting this film screened in Edmonton in the near future too. Stay tuned.
As part of the Learning Our Way to the Future initiative and the Creative Alberta movement I see so much potential being enabled by the platform for transformation from the Dave Hancock lead Inspiring Education and Inspiring Action on Education.
I am pleased to see this screening of this film being done in collaboration with a number of interesting sponsors and in particular the Calgary Public Library and Leadership Calgary , the sister organization to Leadership Edmonton. These programs are all about striving forward with a greater understanding of the human venture which teaches a progressive approach to unleashing leadership that has wisdom and judgement.
The Calgary screening is January 12, 2011 at John Dutton Theatre, W.R. Castell Central Library, 616 Macleod Trail SE. Doors open at 5, screening at 5:30 and moderated discussion at 7 pm. Tickets at www.race.leadwellinitiative.com
I will work on getting this film screened in Edmonton in the near future too. Stay tuned.
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