So far so... what? Where are you Ed?
Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 3:26PM If you read my last post, considering we can't go backwards in time, you know that I think the Government should have done exactly what they are doing now. EXCEPT, I have been waiting for the Premier to assert himself into this situation.
The distribution of the H1N1 vaccine should not have been so difficult. All along, Dr. Gerry Predy and the government have had a strategy on dealing with pandemics. I heard him speak over 4 years ago to the Edmonton South Rotary Club about what he called then, a certainty. He said that a flu pandemic was not a matter of if it might happen, as much as when it will happen.
Minister Liepert is now coming across like a cat chasing a ball of yarn. He has lost control of the messaging in this situation and the Premier seems happy to watch from the sidelines, delegating the entire situation to his Minister and senior bureaucrats. This is NOT leadership.
Premier Stelmach had an opportunity yesterday to step into his obligated role and start communicating directly to Albertans. He has chosen poorly, especially considering the glib and almost condescending way Liepert deals with the media.
Since the Liberals have come out and called for Liepert's resignation, and the Premier looks like he won't be firing him (which is what I think he should have done), we can now start to watch what will be a very politically charged week coming up to his mandatory leadership review next Saturday. The Wildrose Alliance leader Danielle Smith has been quiet, but rest assured that is only because she will be planning to make the most of this reaching into Saturday.
I'll be in Red Deer at the AGM as a PC Delegate. The party continues to be where I find the most alignment with my political ideology, but that is starting to feel more and more like I am settling. I will stay with the party and even help promote it, assuming I see a major improvement in leadership and vision. Considering that is unlikely, I am starting to wonder, is it better to be a member of a party even if it continues to move away from what I value, or should I set out looking for something else?
Maybe it is time to Reboot Alberta? Maybe one has to ignore the fringe Social Conservatives and join the Wildrose Alliance Party? Or maybe I join the Liberal party and learn to live in a World contaminated with negativity.
I'll keep you posted, but I wonder....what are you doing?
BTW, if you're not sure what I am talking about regarding Liepert, watch this video. He literally looks like he is making this up as he goes. (Video posted to YouTube by the Calgary Herald on Friday, October 30th)
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Reader Comments (6)
Friends don't let friends join the Liberal Party. I got your back :)
the NDP would be the most sanest party, the Liberals trailing behind.
**Most sane... sorry
Ted:
If by sane you mean destroying our economic sector and assuring that all entrepreneurial, research and investment was to go elsewhere. then yes. The NDP have never presented a balanced approach to governing. I am a pretty balanced guy, but the NDP running Alberta is one of those Hell freezes over kind of things.
But thanks for commenting ;)
Chris, when you are at the convention on the weekend, and you get your token chance to ask a question, could you please ask Ed this one:
"Mr. Stelmach, given the recent news of the Calgary Flames hockey team getting preferential access to the H1N1 vaccine and your recent outrage in the Leg this week, could you please tell me a) if you have had a shot and, if so, b) which vaccination clinic line-up you endured?"
The answer to this question will tell you a lot about this man, his party and their respective abilities to lead. My guess/speculation is that this government's long history of preferred access and entitlement is going to play out very badly here...
Not that social conservatives are always or even usually a problem, but there are more of them in influential positions with the PC party (e.g. Morton) than the WRA. In fact, I haven't heard ANYONE from the party of Bill 44 talk about libertarianism. So what exactly does the party stand for besides the establishment?