Politics

Jonathan on February 10th, 2010

I am going to out myself, I admit that in my younger years I played Dungeons and Dragons quite a bit.  There I said it, mock me if you must but that is the truth.  In a fantasy world whenever you are out of money the characters go on a quest which brings them fame [...]

Continue reading about Fairy stories are only good in fantasy novels #wap #ableg

Jonathan on January 11th, 2010

I consider myself a mushy middle politically.  When I do all those surveys for basically political ideology I come out often on the barely left or barely right side.    I think that I have over the years modified my political views as I have experienced various sides of life.  At one time I was an NDP [...]

Continue reading about Being partisan, is that a problem? #ableg #wap

Jonathan on January 7th, 2010

In light of the views being expressed by various people inside and outside the party I would like to share this comment which I took from my older political blog. ED: Harper changed my views completely after this interview From CBC Your Turn:  http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/yourview/your_turn_conservative.html Peter Mansbridge: Next question is coming from a city you’re very familiar [...]

Continue reading about How my views changed on floor crossing #wap #ableg

Sometimes when you cross the floor you are called principled, brave, honourable, sometimes you are called a whore, traitor, a cheat.  Since 2005 I have had to come to grips with the parliamentary tradition of crossing the floor.  It is an old tradition in our system.  One that is both honoured and vilified depending on [...]

Continue reading about Parliamentary independence is worth floor crossing #wap #ableg

Jonathan on January 4th, 2010

As the news of the day was announced on my radio at 6:30 this morning I have to admit to being shocked and pleasantly surprised to learn about the crossing of Rob Anderson and Heather Forsythe to the Wildrose Alliance.  I was almost in shock with surprise. However the Alliance still needs one more MLA [...]

Continue reading about Rules are made to be adjusted #ableg #wap

Jonathan on December 17th, 2009

I have only ever been in a room with Premier Ed Stelmach on a few occasions.  All of them were leadership related, he was running, winning or holding on to it.  On the other hand I was introduced to Premier Ralph Klein once, talked briefly with him at a function and was with him on an [...]

Continue reading about Nice guy Ed does not count anymore #wap #ableg

Jonathan on December 12th, 2009

While the Wildrose Alliance had reached the poll nirvana I am realizing that plenty of commentors, bloggers and media types are confused about what the make up of the old Wildrose Alliance party and beliefs of the previous incarnations. I would according to some be an old time Alliance type.  I have been involved with [...]

Continue reading about Wildrose Alliance, as Albertan as anyone else.

In a recent discussion on Twitter Chris LaBossiere posted the statement: Every party creates policy from it’s members. In the case of the WAP I think they hide behind that to defend bad or little policy. My comment to that was to say: Chris, creating policy that no one listens to is not the same [...]

Continue reading about In response to Chris LaBossiere: Being bound on party policy #ableg #wap

Jonathan on November 9th, 2009

Betty Unger the PC Senator in waiting is quoted by Jason Fekete of the Calgary Herald: “(Wildrose Alliance) certainly have got a good leader. In terms of politicians, you could say she’s a superstar. She really is.” (bold added) As the postmortem of the PC convention continues they are still worried about the Alliance, and [...]

Continue reading about She is a Superstar and Calgary oil likes her

Jonathan on November 7th, 2009

For the past two days I have been witness to the Alberta Progressive Conservative Annual General Meeting.   Filled with a mix of mostly white haired people  general muttering.   This muttering is not held to just Ed it is about one issue or another.  Few big surprises but here is my general impressions. The PCs are [...]

Continue reading about The view from Red Deer so far at the Tory AGM