#abvote2015

[reluctant-mysticism]

I've been involved in a few online conversations in the past week concerning some people and issues important to me. All of them were emotionally charged; one of them left me feeling like I'd under...

“Nice” has become our No Person’s Land where we find ourselves when we want to look like we’re being loving, but we really would much rather avoid confrontation, slam the other person’s point of view, or look at the person from a distance rather than getting too close.

[gradstudentdrone]

The NDP won not only because Jim Prentice’s campaign was bad but also because of Rachel Notley’s decisive leadership. Let’s give her credit for this.

Last night, Alberta finally voted to change government. After being ruled by the Progressive Conservatives for 44 years, Albertans got fed up with the status quo and opted to vote for the NDP. Interestingly, Albertans were so angry that they demoted the PCs to third place, leaving the Wildrose Party as the Official Opposition.

Most people - myself included - see the PC’s loss as the end result of a series of electoral blunders that make seasoned politico Jim Prentice look like an utter novice. First was his role in facilitating the crossing of the floor of Wildrose Party MLAs - including erstwhile Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith - to the PCs. While ostensibly a smart move in that it encouraged the creation of a more unified conservative party, doing so alienated Wildrose party supporters, who didn’t appreciate that the MLAs they elected because they were part of the Wildrose party and NOT because they were Tories suddenly decided to transfer allegiances. Second was his budget, which punished everyone but his corporate buddies. Third was his insistence that Albertans needed to “look in the mirror” to see what went wrong with Alberta. Then finally, Prentice fumbled a lot during the campaign season, culminating in an abysmal performance during the leaders’ debate that saw him mansplain Notley that “math is hard” (while ironically giving the wrong figures).

That said, can we also please see the NDP’s win not only as a result of Prentice’s blunders but also because Rachel Notley ran a brilliant, compassionate, transparent, and well-executed campaign? One thing I’ve noticed when reading election coverage is that most pundits are quick to say that the NDP won because the PCs just did a terrible job. And this is true, of course, but let’s also give credit where credit is due: throughout her campaign and in fact her rule as leader, Notley provided Albertans with a viable alternative. She appeased business leaders by stressing that she will work with them to improve Alberta’s tanking economy and at the same time stressed her desire to maintain ties with workers (unionized and non-unionized alike) to make sure their interests are well-represented. She listened to people’s concerns about the environment and made promises to help advance a greener agenda. She provided a reasonable solution to Alberta’s financial woes: why not tax those who could afford to pay higher taxes (in her definition, those who made $300 000 or more)? Through it all, Notley was poised and confident. She handled questions about the NDP’s capability to form government with aplomb, mentioning that she selected a good team of MLAs and pointing out the circular logic imbued in statements that blame the NDP for not having experience to govern because they have never governed. 

If the only reason the NDP won is because Prentice’s campaign was a disaster, then the NDP would only have squeaked by with a minority government. The NDP emerged with a firm majority because of Notley’s leadership. It is important that we recognize this lest we fall into the trap of thinking the NDP win was a “fluke.” A strong female leader - against all odds - brought change to Alberta. A strong female leader made sure that almost half her caucus consists of women. Today is a good day for Alberta and for gender equality.

[hikikomori-yugen]

15/hr with the ndp?

to those of you berating the possibilty of a 15/hr minimum wage as a result of the ndp gaining power, id just like to say; Alberta’s workforce is more than worthy of a living wage, whether their flipping burgers, or flipping houses we are all worthy of affording food, shelter, and basic luxuries. i don’t think anyone can deny the fact that a higher minimum wage will lead to a swelling in unemployment rates, but i think raising the minimum wage is a necessary step in ensuring the dignity and well being of Albertan’s, the fact that the living wage in calgary is 41 %higher than our current minimum wage is disgusting. The minimum wage was designed to create a minimum standard of living to protect the health and well-being of employees, and at the present time it is failing, therefore i believe action needs to be taken.

[popcornpunk]

I'm so tired of old people (aka my grandparents) talking about how the election results are terrible and saying that a pc government is the only way to go Like fuck off, this election decided my future, not yours Chill

[popcornpunk]

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I AM LIVING IN A PROVINCE WITH A NON CONSERVATIVE PARTY IN CHARGE

if that's not progress, idk what is

[cloudatlassextet]

For everyone outside of Canada, shit went down in our Texas (Alberta). The conservative party (kinda like Republicans) was ousted from govt after 44 years of rule. Alberta now has a left leaning government and I am so happy about this. 

PS: Fun fact, I was born in Alberta!

[thataustinmorris]

Go and Vote!!!

Hey, You! Yes. You! (If You is 18 or older and a Canadian citizen who lives in Alberta.) Have you voted yet? If you haven't yet. Go and Vote!! Elections allow you to help shape your province. No matter were you are on the political spectrum. Whether you're a conservative, socialist, liberal, moderate or any were in between. Go and Vote! We as Canadian's have a right to vote. Let's not waste that right. Just Go and Vote! It's simple. All you need is government ID. If you live in a place that is not on you ID, bring a bill that has your current address and your name on it. Polls close at 8pm For more information on were your polling station is and how to vote. Go to elections.ab.ca

[pordzofthemoose]

only a hour left before the polls close. I can’t wait to see the results!