Apparently two Alberta opposition parties say they’re being shortchanged in the legislature. Stop and think about this for a minute, what are the rules regarding official party status? The last time I checked you were required to have four MLA's in the Legislature to achieve official party status.
Those of you who follow my blog know I am absolutely a supporter of the Wildrose, but I will also give the criticism when it is due. The Alberta NDP have enjoyed special status since 1997 when Ralph Klein made the provision after they dropped below the required four. Does this mean that this should continue? With all of the cuts and fiscal responsibilities being tossed around, how responsible is it to fund these two parties that simply do not meet the criteria? Ken Kowalski has been in the legislature for 30 years as a PC, do you really think he cares if you call him partisan? Is 30 years maybe enough time that everyone realizes this? Lets get to Guy Boutillier, the independent that was removed from the PC caucus for speaking out. Should he receive the funding and get special status as well? Why not, he is only one member behind the NDP, I am sure he could use the funding and research money as well. Why does he only get a question a week? Fair is fair.
It is time for the Alberta Government to get a backbone and follow the rules of the Legislative Assembly. Remove all special privilege and status, and spend our tax dollars on things they were meant to be spent on. My hope is that the Wildrose will be a different opposition party than the status quo, although with the joining of the NDP and their habitual bitching I don't know that we will be. I realize how important this funding and questions are to the Wildrose, but in party principle we need to practice what we preach and wasting more tax dollars is not the what we claim. Democratic reform is also preached so how is demanding special treatment democratic?
In short to Mr. Kowalski I would like to thank you for recognizing the Wildrose as an official party even though we are not. Thank you for being non-partisan and allowing 1-2 questions per day (time permitting) when we are only entitled to as many per week. You could have played the partisan card easily here and you rose above the fray, a reason you have been in the Legislature for the past 30 years. (Update: I know this was over the top, it was to make a point!!)
To my friends at the Wildrose please don't turn into the standard opposition party, stick to your roots. Use your time wisely to make Alberta a better place. Change the old habits of government and give us the refreshing change we expect from you, it may hurt in the short term but in the long run it will come back ten fold! By sticking to your principles now, you define the party so no one else can define it for you.
Update: Wildrose News Release
Let Me Fix That Headline For You
6 hours ago
AA: In a bit of a "twilight zone" moment here, I've got to disagree with your criticism of the WAP. Must be "opposite day"...
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell, my argument is this: Democracy is ALWAYS worth the cost. Based on election and by-election results (the only polls that matter), the NDP and the WAP each represent about 10% of Alberta's voting population (not that they each hold 10% of the seats, but that's an ENTIRELY different argument). That 10% deserves to be heard, and MUST be heard, for democracy to be served by this democratic institution.
The rules of the House are written in pencil, not in stone. It's time to adjust the rules to the new realities of Alberta politics, and make sure that the Legislative Assembly hears from the 20% of Albertans who supported the WAP or the NDP with the sacred trust of their vote.
Then again... as I just pointed out on MY blog, nobody REALLY voted, legally, for the NDP or the WAP at ALL, did they? They just voted for candidates who were members of those parties at the time of the election.
Nevertheless, what makes democracy both great and simultaneously convoluted is the special allowance that we make for the voice of the minority to be heard. The voices of the NDP and WAP must be heard. To do otherwise restricts accountability on the government benches, and even if that works out for the WAP in the long-term, in the short-term it leaves Alberta without an effective opposition voice with which to hold the government to account.
Flushing the next 2 years down the loo to make the WAP look like an even better option in 2012 might be what the rules perscribe - but it's hardly what's best for this province and its people.
Thanks for the input E.S. but what about Boutillier? Should he get funding? Maybe do the question period without the funding, or do you fund every member so much rather than the party?
ReplyDeleteGot to have some guidlines regarding the rules. We are not talking about a small amount of money amongst all of the cuts.
I agree democracy should be funded, but the government can't be the sole funder of democracy.
ReplyDeleteWell said AA.
ReplyDeleteIf I could ever bring myself to consider the WRA as a viable alternative, one question would be "are they just going to be another party of the same old, same old".
Good advice to your party.
I'm trying to do the same with mine.
What are your thoughts on a legislated "PayGo" budgeting requirement. (pay as you go).
George Bush, Sr. brought it in, Clinton maintained it - and George Jr. threw it under the bus. Basically, it requires that any new budget initiative be required to have funding prescribed prior to passage - either by cutting other programs or raising taxes.. so avoid the "buy now, pay later" concept.
The Wildrose has only elected one member and the other two were never elected as Wildrose. Their leader is too chicken to face voters. Yet even more reasons why "change" is not needed.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with the last commenter. The Wildrose Alliance is the only party that is truly conservative. Rob Anderson supported incredibly positive parental rights legislation like Bill 44. I don't trust anyone else.
ReplyDeleteCorporate event locations in Chicago have good arrangements for the official party celebrations and to enjoy the big parties.
ReplyDelete