Yesterday I rushed out in the morning to get the Herald and Globe and Mail newspapers, fearing that the Herald would sell out early. There were only a few of either dailies, when I got mine at around 9-am. I never buy the Calgary Herald anymore, ever since it was bought out by the reactionary National Post. With this big change on Alberta’s political scene however, the Herald ignored its owner’s outlook and paid full attention to this NDP ‘socialist’ win.
In North America ‘socialist’ is a swear word, but capitalist is highly regarded. These are totally ideological positions considering that the tax payer cum community cum sociality had bail out the irresponsible capitalists in 2008. The after effects of which are still felt and borne by the taxpayer community.
Any way, after forty and four (44) years of conservative power in Alberta, we now have the NDP in with a solid majority, but with significant opposition. None of this governance by an over powering party rule with no significant opposition.
According to me, Alberta politics always has had an under current of the socially engaged individual, albeit conservative as people, but not in the capitalistic sense. The people’s voice has to be heard and that was missing with the Alberta Conservative who went down to a resounding defeat under the grafted leadership of banker Jim Prentice.
He showed no class in the end resigning from has own seat even, in the legislator to which he was elected as the MLA that same evening. He had come in for the big time and that the Alberta electorate sniffed out as the campaign rolled on and rejected this slight of hand by the party establishment.
Alberta has a history of these kinds of ‘palace revolts’ so to speak. The electorate in this province likes a steady helm at the tiller and is patient with some foibles. There are limits and when that time comes, the switch is definite. The defeated foregoing parties never raised their heads again, beginning with the Liberals in 1905, followed by the United Farmers, the Social Credits and now the Conservatives, political tombstones all.
How will the NDP do? Many people have their doubts, but I’m confident that the new leader Rachel Notley will do just fine and steer a steady and sensible course.
How will the NDP do? Many people have their doubts, but I’m confident that the new leader Rachel Notley will do just fine and steer a steady and sensible course. That course will be more to the left, but after the almost free for all under the Klein oversight, it is time for some accountability and transparency all around in Alberta politics. So, Notley has my blessings and I wish her and the NDP fortuity on our journey together as party and people.
Derrick phoned during the election evening last Tuesday night as Michelle and I were taking in this revolution in provincial politics. He wanted to share the NDP revolution news with me and get the latest info. Michelle had brought some wine and we raised a glass to the new party and its leader as we watched Notley make her acceptance speech.
No coffees with John, who is very busy these days, but last Tuesday Juliet and I went together - by LRT - for her to cast her vote at the City Hall. Today I’ll stop by to do some more computer transcribing at her place. On Friday I’ll meet up with Don and hope to visit the ‘Witness Blanket’ exhibit at the Castell library.
P.S: I did do my grocery shopping on Tuesday and also voted … Liberal at that, but the new man did not get in.