Conservative Minority

[jamesq]

Ugh. They're gaining seats. Kind of the worst of all worlds from my point of view. It means more Conservative rule, but being a minority, they can't show their true colors.

I almost wish they got their majority - they'd scare Canadians so badly over the next four years that they'd be sent to the wilderness for eight years afterward. Now that's not going to happen.

In other election news, CBC's Wendy Mesley is hott!

Comments

[petranef.livejournal.com]

Another 4 years of Prentice. Wheee. *choke*

[jamesq]

Prentice has been known to disagree with Harper. Occasionally. I can't say the same about Ablonczy.

[petranef.livejournal.com]

I wrote to Prentice on a couple of issues important to ME, and the reply I received was unsatisfactory. He does not represent my views. Simple as that.

[jamesq]

Oh I agree. Both of us are fairly "alien" to Alberta, despite being born and raised here.

Look on the bright side - you got reply's, My friend _grog_ has written Kenney on numerous occasions and has never received anything more the howling void.

[petranef.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I am not quite sure how I 'happened' here. ;) It boggles my mind.

[jamesq]

If I were to speculate, I'd say that "the in crowd" when you were growing up didn't accept you, this gave you an outsider's perspective and the ability to look beyond basic tribalism (because tribalism never worked for you). As an adult you applied that skepticism to politics and the "natural governing party" of Alberta (the in crowd writ large) and it comes out wanting.

Or maybe I'm just talking about me.

[manyra.livejournal.com]

We'll be voting again in at least 2 years. Main reason I hate minority Gov'ts.

Although, I will say that out of all the CBC personalities Wendy & Brent Brambry are the best. They make the Test Canada programs very, very enjoyable.

[jamesq]

Maybe. I thought we'd be voting a lot sooner then we ended up this time, and the CPC has gained seats.

They can govern as if they have a majority for a year though, because the Liberals are going to kick out Dion. The Liberals can't really afford a leadership election, but have to have one anyway. Sadly, I think it's still too soon for Justin Trudeau to become Leader.

[pandorasbox.livejournal.com]

Wish our Election was over.

[jamesq]

Switch to the Westminister model. I'm sure the rest of the world would approve.

[wee-megan.livejournal.com]

Not trying to really stir the pot here, but what are you so afraid the Conservatives would do if they won a majority? It can't be as bad as the last Liberal government we had...Or are people so easy to forget all the crap that went on "back then"?

[jamesq]

1) I think we'll get in bed with the American Republican party. On the bright side, the Democrats might win (though I think this is far from certain). That means we'll get sucked into Iraq.

2) I think social programs will get gutted, because Harper is very much a student of the "Calgary School/Frasier Institute" economic model. Basically this means allowing Business to do whatever they want. Current events in the States shows why that's a bad idea.

3) We will do nothing as a nation to improve the environment. See #2 above for why.

4) I think they're like the Alberta government in that they only care about rich white men. If you're a minority, or female, or disadvantaged, or poor, you'll be on your own.

5) Government itself will be secretive and highly regulated from the Prime Minister's Office.

All of this is, I think, obvious to anyone who observes the candidates closely or with an eye for history. That Harper was able to keep the rest of the party muzzled for so long is nothing short of remarkable - but it's the only way he could keep from losing seats. Obviously it worked.

[wee-megan.livejournal.com]

1) I think that the Democrats might win too which is awesome!!! However, even if they don't and even if Harper DID win a majority, I don't think Canada would go to Iraq. What makes you think that we would?

2) I think that Harper was the only leader that even mentioned Canada and how it plays in the world market (before we got into the whole crisis stuff). All of the other leaders talked about Canada on a national stage but didn't even want to talk about how we fit or where we want to go internationally.

3) I don't think any of the parties other than the Green party have any real aspirations or plans to change the environment which is truly sad to me.

4) I don't see the Alberta government this way... I may be naiive but I've had some pretty good times here as a female who grew up in a low income family. Can you clarify this point at all? I'd like to try to understand your opinion.

5) I don't think that the Liberal government was very forthcoming or honest themselves. How about stealing money from the people you're supposed to be representing?

I've observed Harper for quite a number of years and was a part of his riding until last year. I wrote frequent letters to him about my concerns and many times received a reply. I think the Liberals have no concern for the West and are so comfortable over in Ontario/Quebec that they could care less about what's going on over here. I'd love to hear more of your thoughts. I'm not trying to be mean or nasty. I like to learn and I find that one of the best ways to learn and open my mind is to talk to someone who has very different opinions than me. Let me know if I'm bugging you.

[jamesq]

I'll address some of this tomorrow, when I've had a chance to sleep on things. I do think that Alberta has itself to blame for being ignored by the Liberal party. You can read this for my reasoning as to why (it's from the previous election, but nothing really has changed as far as my analysis is concerned):

http://quixote317.livejournal.com/127308.html