Reboot Alberta

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Do You Really Want a Wildrose Alliance Government for Alberta?

I was made aware of this Youtube set of interviews of fans of Sarah Palin done at a recent book signing somewhere in the United States.  The tip came via Chris LaBossiere on Twitter and I want to thank him for the link.

The irrational exuberanceof the folks in this clip as the supports of Sarah Palin is unnerving.  They are people who have no idea about how she would govern if she won an election and that is truly scary.  These people are mouthing speaking notes and rhetoric without any understanding or reasoning behind what they are saying.

But don't get too smug Alberta.  I expect the same kind of interview responses would happen in Alberta today if such direct questions were asked of Albertans as to why we are supporting what the Wildrose Alliance Party really stands for.  The recend Angus Reid poll says the Wildrose Alliance Party now enjoys the support of 39% of all Albertans and 44% of rural Albertans.  Based on what?  Does anyone in Alberta really know the policy platform and capacity of this new party to govern? 

The Angus Reid poll puts the Wildrose Alliance in majority government territory in Alberta but without much serious expression, information or understanding of what the Wildrose Alliance party policies are or might become once they were elected.  Dannielle Smith is no Sarah Palin.  She is much more intelligent and enormously more capable than Sarah Palin.  But that is little comfort.  In fact that may be even more discomforting for Albertans once they start to think about it.  Thank heavens there is no immediate threat of an election in Alberta.

When thoughtful and capable citizen disengage from the politics of their times, they delegate the power to choose the direction and desitination of their lives to people like those in this Sarah Palin video clip.  These people do in fact show up to vote.  Political cynicism is a luxury that progressive Albertans can no longer afford.  The world is run by those who show up.

It is time for progressive Albertans to wake up and show up - or suffer the consequences.  That waking up and showing up is already starting to happen.  Reboot Alberta is the start of that shift towards a more conscious expression of citizenship. It is the start of a revitalization and a reinstatement of a more inclusive democracy in Alberta too.

If you, as a conscientious citizen, are ready to take back some control over your provincial politics, join the Reboot Alberta movement.  If you are ready to create and support some alternatives to the old-style politics of the past, join the Reboot Alberta movement.  If you believe that we need to delete some of the outdated and harmful approaches to politics and governance in Alberta, join the Reboot Alberta movement. 

If reinvigorating your rights and responsibility as a citizen of Alberta is not something you are concerned about, then get ready to be governed by the kind of values found in this Sarah Palin video clip. These people are not disengaged.  They are joining social/political movements.  They are exercising their influence.  And they are showing up to vote and support people like Sarah Palin.

The world is run by those who show up.  Govern yourselves according Albertan

28 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:14 pm

    I pray that people are just saying they would choose the WRA because they are pissed at the current folks in power. I pray that people look closely at what they stand for, and where their hidden funding is coming from. The impression is that WRA is being funded by corporations looking for better deals, lower taxes (for them, not for you), and you really MUST question why they are hiding it. They say it's to protect the people who donate. So that tells you they are interested in covering things up right out of the gate. We have enough dishonest politicians now, we don't need a new party like WRA who is clearly being deceptive from the start.

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  2. Anonymous7:38 pm

    Come on Ken. Quit with the partisan stuff. I thought you were all about Reboot and about getting away from partisan nonsense. This partisan bias you have destroys your credibility.

    It also does not do justice to the 39% of Albertans who like what they see with Danielle regardless of what you think. That's the problem with partisanship. You alienate people who otherwise might be interested in Reboot.

    Just leave it alone.

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  3. Anonymous7:43 pm

    Comparing Danielle Smith to Sarah Palin is lame Ken. Its just like the tiresome comparison people make of Harper to Bush that most rational people see as nothing but partisan hype.

    It also shows you have not done any research.
    Something you accuse others of not doing.

    We are sick of this partisan crap and want to move beyond it.

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  4. Anon @ 7:43 - I made no comparison between Palin and Smith except to say Smith was a much superior political candidate based on inteligence and capacity. I think that is obvious. Smith is much superior to Palin on any political capability measure but the political philosophies are very similar.

    Now the question is why are Albertan supporting the WAP? Is it for the same "reasons" those people in the video clip supported Palin? Mindless mouthing of rhetoric and sound bites?

    Why are Albertans supporting the WAP? I don't think they are. I think they are mostly disillusioned with the other mainline political parties in Alberta. This poll is a symbolic safe message to send them. This is hopefully not support for the WAP but anger at the others. An election is over 2 years away so it is a safe bet to be sending such a political signal to the others.

    If I am wrong then the 60% of Abertans disengaged from politics and the progresively inclined will only have themselves to blame if we get a Wildrose Alliance government due to their indifference.

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  5. Anon @7:48 - who said Reboot was non-partisan. One of the theme streams emerging out of the launch was a new political party. Others are trying to change the exisiting political parties from within.

    Both efforts have Reboot people invloved who are personally very committed to either approaches...and they are not mutually exclusive in a free and democratic society.

    As for my partisan bias - I am still a member of the Progressive Conservtive Party of Alberta until Dec 31. I do not intend to renew my memebership. What exactly is my bias?

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  6. 39% of Albertans9:55 pm

    Dear Ken, your a duche.

    Sincerely
    39% of Albertans

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  7. Anonymous10:06 pm

    I am not a supporter of the Wildrose Alliance and never will be.

    I think the polls that have come out have shown that about two thirds of Albertans are right of centre "conservatives" and about a third are left of centre "progressives". The past thirty years of provincial elections bears that out. The only time the Liberals were even close to being a threat was with Lawrence Decore who was more right wing than Ralph Klein.

    The poll shows one thing very clearly Ed Stelmach has lost Albertans and the Progressive Conservatives better get a new leader or they are in deep trouble in the next election.

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  8. Anonymous10:33 pm

    Why don't you intend to renew your membership? Taking out a membership in another party?

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  9. Anonymous7:30 am

    Keep on doing the good work Ken and don't let the negative anonymous comments get to you. As far as I can see Reboot and Renew are the only folks that are trying to carry on a serious conversation about Alberta Politics while others add little substance to the same conversation.

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  10. Anonymous9:25 am

    People are supporting the WRA for 2 reasons: (1)the PCs have become arrogant and out of touch with the electorate, and (2)no one wants to pay the bill for the Liberals' ideas. If the Liberals would come up with some concrete ideas in the legislature rather than simply criticizing everything the PCs do, they might have a shot at becoming relevant as well.

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  11. Anonymous9:59 am

    I'm voting Wildrose because they are the ONLY party that is going to support our oil and gas industries and the ONLY party to stop climate change laws!

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  12. Anonymous2:29 pm

    Way to keep up the good work Ken! It's almost a compliment that those who disagree with you and make rude comments are still reading your blog. lol

    Also, Cap and Trade is a horrible idea. We have an energy problem. Supply is tight, demand is going up and we use energy inefficiently. Emissions and other externalities are the symptoms of the problem. We can find a better solution!
    Jarrett Leinweber

    Jarrett Leinweber

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  13. Frank3:03 pm

    I can't wait for the WRA's to run candidates! As Lorne Gunter says in the Journal on Sunday "...they still face plenty of obstacles, not the least of which I suspect will be dim-bulb eruptions from their own impatient, unsophisticated candidates" Dim Bulb Eruptions - It will be soooo much fun watching the WRA leadership trying to put out those fires! Let The Games begin (Please!) -I CAN'T WAIT

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  14. John Collison3:29 pm

    Ken,

    Danielle Smith and her views are hardly unknown. She is and has been one of the highest profile, most dynamic political advocates in the province for the last several years. She also campaigned very hard and effectively for six months to win the leadership.

    Then add the efforts of Link Byfield and Paul Hinman to the mix. The voting public knows full well who Wildrose Alliance is, what they are all about, and who/what they are supposed to be.

    The party under Danielle now justifiably enjoys the early popularity they deserve. How could you possibly argue the ignorance card in this context?

    The people of Alberta want the "conservative" policies the PCs were once expected to provide, and they want the liberal libertarian values this province was founded upon and which Danielle Smith represents so well.

    Comparing Danielle to Palin -- who is ain't great, but also is not as bad as CNN et al have made out -- is not cool. A more accurate comparison would be to compare Ed to Chernenko or any other of the faceless, futile 'General Secretaries' of the extinct Soviet Union ;-)

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  15. Anonymous9:29 pm

    Well Ken at least you have inspired others to at least write on your blog.Being a frequent visitor on your blog I have found it less than interesting warranting no entry by myself and others who have in the past enjoyed your insight and plain talking entries.REBOOT seems to have reinvigorated you somewhat.While I am not gonna wish you luck with your vision of a new party I will give you credit for at least trying to inspire the voting public.

    As for the popularity of WRA I think this is just one more example of the disenchanted crying for someone to listen.While Stelmach says he understands changes are needed I believe we will still see the old dog and pony show the only difference being a change in the characters.I am so frustrated at "my" conservative family I am willing to at least listen to WRA and get a better understanding of their policies(which I understand are being revamped to reflect the current vision of the strength of those who contribute to the party).Add ot that the plan to methodically seek out candidates in all 84(87 if needed)ridings, I believe you have not seen anything yet-Stay Tuned.

    Even before the new leader was chosen this party without a leader had gaiend enough audience to garner PUBLIC support.It would only seem natural that once a new leader was chosen the support would increase significantly which is what we are seeing now.

    Once again stay tuned and you will be surpised(pleasantly perhaps) what the WRA has in stored for those looking for a legitimate party to go to that will embrace the views of the mass.Unlike Stelmach when even his "old friends" do not recognize who he is these days...Smith is true to her fiscal beleives and conservative values-sound familiar??She certainly does have a wide range of close advisor but unlike Stelmachs who will patronize him for the sake of their jobs,Smith's advisor's appreciates at the least the opportunity to give input and realize the decisions being made is in the best interest of the party and Albertans.

    The CAlgary-Glenmore results were more than a message to the governing party-these results were an expression of all Albertans.I wonder how Stelmach feels knowing he is just as popular "yuk" as Dr Swann.

    The next two years or so will be very interesting and exciting as the Conservatives continue to chase their tale and the WRA build their party one constituency at a time.

    Look forward to more inspiring posts that warrants more posting.Who knows you may become as popular as DAVEBERTA jk :-)

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  16. Anonymous9:31 pm

    Will Dave Hancock be the Leader of this "new party"?

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  17. Anonymous9:24 am

    I agree. Danielle Smith is the only one that will stop climate change legislation, allow guns for anyone who wants them, get rid of s. 3 of the Human Rights code, and build more jails to house the criminals we need to put there.

    She's got my vote. Anyone else is a communist.

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  18. Ken,

    I don't share your fear of a WAPjob government.

    Democracy is served by throwing out governments. The elected and non-elected Alberta Tory apparatchiki has been in power for way to long. They take their privileged position for granted.

    MLAs know that they will generally be "Ministrable" after the more senior MLA retires or otherwise moves on. Really, what else could explain Victor Doerksen?

    Ministerial and MLA staff know that they will be taken care of inside or outside of government. For all they know, it has always been this way.

    The insiders know that they have access.

    Defeating the Alberta PC party will shake up many or even most of those elements. That serves democracy. The only question I have left is how many of the current insiders will transfer their loyalty to the new leader.

    And frankly, looking at a government that would allow parents to opt their kids out of classes touching on real life issues (sex, sexuality, religion), how much worse can the WAPjobs be?

    It's not as if the Stelmach Tories are beacons of enlightenment.

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  19. Anonymous10:03 am

    People have bought a myth the things would be different for average folks in the O and G industry under a Liberal or NDP government. You are lining the pockets of American C.E.O.s!!!

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  20. Anonymous12:30 pm

    I support the WAP because they will increase parents' abilities to opt out of sexuality, sexual orientation, and religion and get rid of s. 3 of the Human Rights Code. Only then will Alberta be truly free!

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  21. A couple of quick questions:

    Anon 9:59 – You support WAP because they are “the ONLY party that is going to support our oil and gas industries…!”

    Okay…so what exactly are their Oil and Gas policies? HOW will they support the oil and gas industries? What would royalties be under a WAP gov’t? How would that affect the provincial budget?

    Anon 9:25 – People support WAP because “no one wants to pay the bill for the Liberals' ideas”. Like…which ones? What are these hugely expensive policies? Please let me know!

    The whole point of Ken’s post is that WAP supporters are like the people in the video. Not because Smith = Palin, but because her supporters don’t actually know what they are supporting. Saying that you support the WAP because they support oil and gas is the EXACT SAME THING as the people in the video saying that they support Palin because she supports freedom.

    AK

    p.s. good post Ken!

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  22. After reading all the comments, I wonder why some people saying you compared Ms. Smith to Ms. Palin?

    One's reading skills don't actually have to be great to understand your camparison is to the sort of support that comes from people who are uninformed about the policy of particular politicians.

    It is difficult to understand why people would profess their support when they cannot articulate what a person stands for. In the case of the Palin interviews, people could not explain what aspects of her policy they supported; they simply didn't know.

    They were attracted to her by a much simpler and emotional personification of what they believe she stands for.

    When people don't even know what they are voting for, yet are fervant about their choices, democracy really might not be that great a system.

    Didn't Winston Churchill say something like, "the best argument against democracy is talking to the average voter for five minutes... and I don't even think he ever visited Alberta.

    P.S. To an early poster on this thread... what's a "duche"... and why do 39% of Albertans think Ken is one?

    P.P.S. If only "douche bags" could spell... and penguins could fly... and right-winged loonies could... oh... never mind!

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  23. Good Post Ken,
    I think it is wise to question why you support a party which may form the next government. If people had done this with the Ed Stelmach government we may not be in the situation we are today. Each of us that support WAP do so for our own reasons which may be as simple as a protest vote, some of us have more indepth reasons. I personally am tired of the direction the PC government has taken us, the policies in WAP are not as vague as you make them out to be. I like many of them and am glad there is finally a party willing to come out and try new things to make our province better. The big difference may be in our views of what we consider better.You support a progressive movement which is more vague in hopes of changing things to your idea of a better province, I support who I do for the same reasons. Neither is wrong just different

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  24. Anonymous1:50 pm

    The PC and WAP are functionally the same in every aspect. Good thing the right will be split - Premier Swann!

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  25. Anonymous7:17 am

    A good effort Ken. Your blog is refreshing and the fact that it is drawing some strong criticism is indicative of the fact that you are hitting very close to home. Good show. Carry on! The WAP party is really just the extreme right wing of the Toies, so any support they get simply bleeds off the Tory support resulting in a chance for a centrist party to pick up votes. It is noted that in recent poles, the support for Liberals and NDP have remanined static, thus supporting the above position.

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  26. Vegard McFadzean4:12 pm

    That YouTube video of Sarah Palin supporters doesn't demonstrate anything particularly special about Palin supporters. You would get about the same response generally from supporters of any other politician.

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  27. Anonymous4:59 pm

    Please take the time to look into UN Agenda 21, in particular the tab titled Rio Declaration. I beleive another word for this is communitarianism

    http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/index.shtml

    Nothing has been signed yet but it is still active. Ask yourselves what policitcal parties would just love to see this agreement signed.

    AGW is a trojan horse which is really about power, control and the redistrubtion of wealth.

    Your property rights and resources are at risk.

    Look what happend to a farmer in Australia as a result of the government following the Kyoto protocol.

    http://joannenova.com.au/2010/01/the-commonfascism-of-australia/

    I do not live in Alberta but I am very concerned about the above issues including Cap and Trade.

    If the MSM and politicians will not discuss it , I leave it to you to bring give it the attention it deserves.

    I don't like using an American phrase but "We the People" are in the process of being screwed.

    Why is it that the politicians and MSM refuse to discuss Climagegate yet it is all over the internet. Good Luck.

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  28. Anonymous5:19 pm

    Ken: so you talk about Sarah Palin over, and over and over again in this article. You then bring up the highly intelligent and capable Danielle Smith and upstart WRA. You then state then Albertans should be afraid....you then talk about Palin.....but oh don't worry I'm not comparing the 2....I would have to give the post a C-. You are by taking about Palin and Smith in the same article comparing them. It is not different than the age old argument when people mention Hitler in an argument, qualify it by stating that they are comparing said issue to Hitler/Nazism, but in so doing they just did.
    Smith is no Palin (who would have been, without doubt, the worst VP, since Al Gore). Her party has fresh policy, fresh ideas and more and more Albertans are being attracted to the Party. No doubt there will be some loonies on the fringe, and love or leave em, every party has its loons. But the policy is sound, the leader well spoken....majority here we come!!!

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