Unite The Right? No Thanks

[jpinkster]

Yesterday a group of 80 PC members from south Calgary met to discuss the future of the party. We outlined what our guiding principles are, what they should be, and what steps we need to take to move forward as a party.

 

We were also presented with 5 options on how the party should move forward. The options were:

1) Fold

2) Renew

3) Unite the Right

4) Unite the Middle

5) Renew and consider uniting in the future

 

Half the crowd wanted to see option 2 and the other half wanted to see option 5. There were only two or three people in the room that really wanted Unite the Right.

 

Here's my take on Unite the Right (I spoke with the Calgary Herald about it yesterday: http://calgaryherald.com/news/politics/tories-meet-in-calgary-to-discuss-partys-future-but-unification-looms-large).

 

My belief is that Unite the Right is a power ploy and nothing more. A small vocal minority is clambering for this because they believe this is a simple math equation. A + B is greater than C and that is how we get rid of the NDP. That is far too simplistic of a view on all of this. I believe that there are fundamental issues with conservatism in Alberta, and we need to find a way to make conservatism more reflective of the values of Albertans again. If you want to Unite the Right because of a simple vote count...I'm out.

 

Rumors of PC demise have been greatly exaggerated. From what I've seen first hand, there is a strong commit to rebuild and get things back on track. We are having an AGM in May followed by a leadership race in the fall. From 2017 to 2019 our job will be to sell the renewed party to Albertans and prove that we learned our lesson. There is a political vacuum that needs to be filled in Alberta, and I think the PCs are best positioned to do it.

[lad]

We were also presented with 5 options on how the party should move forward. The options were:

1) Fold

2) Renew

3) Unite the Right

4) Unite the Middle

5) Renew and consider uniting in the future

 

Half the crowd wanted to see option 3 and the other half wanted to see option 5. There were only two or three people in the room that really wanted Unite the Right.

 

 

Did 1/2 want to unite the right or ?

[jpinkster]

We were also presented with 5 options on how the party should move forward. The options were:

1) Fold

2) Renew

3) Unite the Right

4) Unite the Middle

5) Renew and consider uniting in the future

 

Half the crowd wanted to see option 3 and the other half wanted to see option 5. There were only two or three people in the room that really wanted Unite the Right.

 

 

Did 1/2 want to unite the right or ?

Whoops, brutal typo on my part. I corrected it in the original text. Half wanted to see option 2, half wanted to see option 5.

[fishinhogdaddy]

I am bothered by the "BLAME Provincial NDP or Federal Liberals".

Fact: Both inherited an unbalanced financial situation that the Federal PC's championed as having a surplus when in fact they released skewed numbers to the public showing a "surplus" in order to be re-elected. The Provincial NDP regime is being blamed with various comments in the web-world as the cause of the drop in oil prices and unemployment in this Province.

Is one political party better than the other? In my mind, it's doubtful.

While I can truly understand that there is anger out there from the masses affected by the downturn, it is up to us all to find answers to our own struggles. People cannot blame others for their buying of items, vehicles, boats, etc on the "nothing-nothing" plan just because they were earning $100K+ a year and could "afford it". Now jobless, it the governements issue that they are in their own disasterous pedicament.

Blame the Saudis and the rest of the oil pumping Countries that refuse to recognize that they are killing the worlds economies by keeping oil prices low so that they can profit, being that their resources are cheaper to get to market.

 

Just my opinion. Don't hate.

[lad]

I am bothered by the "BLAME Provincial NDP or Federal Liberals".

Fact: Both inherited an unbalanced financial situation that the Federal PC's championed as having a surplus when in fact they released skewed numbers to the public showing a "surplus" in order to be re-elected. The Provincial NDP regime is being blamed with various comments in the web-world as the cause of the drop in oil prices and unemployment in this Province.

Is one political party better than the other? In my mind, it's doubtful.

While I can truly understand that there is anger out there from the masses affected by the downturn, it is up to us all to find answers to our own struggles. People cannot blame others for their buying of items, vehicles, boats, etc on the "nothing-nothing" plan just because they were earning $100K+ a year and could "afford it". Now jobless, it the governements issue that they are in their own disasterous pedicament.

Blame the Saudis and the rest of the oil pumping Countries that refuse to recognize that they are killing the worlds economies by keeping oil prices low so that they can profit, being that their resources are cheaper to get to market.

 

Just my opinion. Don't hate.

I believe there are very few people who are actually dense enough to believe what you have stated. I do believe provincially the NDP are the worst party to lead us when we are faced with the challenges of the present economy. In their defense I will say part of the reason is they have zero experience in political leadership skills and many lack experience in making hard decisions due to their age and lack of life skills. Federally if Mulcair can't handle his own finances I don't want him leading the country either. I won't bother ranting about Justin but I do believe that in the future Harper will be known as one of the greatest leaders Canada has ever known.

[cgyguy]

lad,

Everyone has a right to vote and to have an opinion (no matter whether you think it is dense or not), that is why we live in a free country. No need to suggest people are "dense" just because you are of a different opinion.

 

This is a fishing website anyways, there are other platforms for this kind of banter. Whether you agree or not, the NDP were voted in by the majority of the people in Alberta. Not my choice personally, but I had my vote, enough said.

 

 

Go fishing!

[lad]

lad,

 

Everyone has a right to vote and to have an opinion (no matter whether you think it is dense or not), that is why we live in a free country. No need to suggest people are "dense" just because you are of a different opinion.

 

This is a fishing website anyways, there are other platforms for this kind of banter. Whether you agree or not, the NDP were voted in by the majority of the people in Alberta. Not my choice personally, but I had my vote, enough said.

 

 

Go fishing!

It is a fishing website but you should read the title of the thread and don't respond if you don't believe it should be here. Check the context of my post, I was suggesting that most people are not dense, but you missed that i guess.

[jpinkster]

I am bothered by the "BLAME Provincial NDP or Federal Liberals".

Fact: Both inherited an unbalanced financial situation that the Federal PC's championed as having a surplus when in fact they released skewed numbers to the public showing a "surplus" in order to be re-elected. The Provincial NDP regime is being blamed with various comments in the web-world as the cause of the drop in oil prices and unemployment in this Province.

Is one political party better than the other? In my mind, it's doubtful.

While I can truly understand that there is anger out there from the masses affected by the downturn, it is up to us all to find answers to our own struggles. People cannot blame others for their buying of items, vehicles, boats, etc on the "nothing-nothing" plan just because they were earning $100K+ a year and could "afford it". Now jobless, it the governements issue that they are in their own disasterous pedicament.

Blame the Saudis and the rest of the oil pumping Countries that refuse to recognize that they are killing the worlds economies by keeping oil prices low so that they can profit, being that their resources are cheaper to get to market.

 

Just my opinion. Don't hate.

 

I subscribe to your opinion 100%.

 

We contributed to this problem in a very big way, and we have to wear that. The PC party has a role to play right now, and that role is as a constructive, intelligent and respectful alternative to the government. That has to be reflective in our tone and in our messaging. Albertans need to understand that we can be conservative and be reasonable at the same time.

[fishinhogdaddy]

I believe there are very few people who are actually dense enough to believe what you have stated. I do believe provincially the NDP are the worst party to lead us when we are faced with the challenges of the present economy. In their defense I will say part of the reason is they have zero experience in political leadership skills and many lack experience in making hard decisions due to their age and lack of life skills. Federally if Mulcair can't handle his own finances I don't want him leading the country either. I won't bother ranting about Justin but I do believe that in the future Harper will be known as one of the greatest leaders Canada has ever known.

.My apologies.

[jpinkster]

Let's keep this exchange as respectful as possible, this isn't Question Period.

[cgyguy]

Sorry Lad, I must have missed your point. Apologies.

 

Cheers

[lad]

Sorry Lad, I must have missed your point. Apologies.

 

Cheers

 

Did not intend to offend anyone. Dense was not a good choice of words. Ultimately we are all in the same boat and I sure do hope for calmer seas for our province and country in the future.

My apologies to anyone offended.

Lad

[tika]

I believe there are very few people who are actually dense enough to believe what you have stated. I do believe provincially the NDP are the worst party to lead us when we are faced with the challenges of the present economy. In their defense I will say part of the reason is they have zero experience in political leadership skills and many lack experience in making hard decisions due to their age and lack of life skills. Federally if Mulcair can't handle his own finances I don't want him leading the country either. I won't bother ranting about Justin but I do believe that in the future Harper will be known as one of the greatest leaders Canada has ever known.

Thank you Load! For a minute there I thought this thread may degenerate into the bashfest we see on so many comment strips in MSM.

Jpinky, Renewal is critical. Many, including myself, overlook the shift in geopolitical trends resulting from mass migration worldwide. It appears that progressive socialism may just sweep the western world this coming decade. I think all the good people that support true progressive leaders have lost there party. So, come on back to middle ground and rebuild. Ditch the far right Capitalist Socialism that prioritizes corporate interests and shareholder greed. Balance our efforts to represent all Albertans. Not just the powerful, the privileged or the "connected" and the whiney bitches. Disassociate from Rebel.com and Alberta First... radicals that act out anarchy will only serve to divide and hate. Otherwise choose #1

[McLeod]

The PC party can always make a comeback but in order to do that it needs to rid itself of all of the past MLA'S that keep showing up in the media.

The Johnathan Denis and Thomas Lukaszuk's ..

[BurningChrome]

but I do believe that in the future Harper will be known as one of the greatest leaders Canada has ever known.

This made me lol.

[jpinkster]

The PC party can always make a comeback but in order to do that it needs to rid itself of all of the past MLA'S that keep showing up in the media.

The Johnathan Denis and Thomas Lukaszuk's ..

I just find it amusing when some of these folks claim that they speak for the grassroots even though it's the same dozen people at every event they hold.

[Taco]

I quit supporting one party or another 3 elections ago. Too much of any one political philosophy is not desirable for a Province or a Country