I just rebooted myself... and it feels good.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 9:15PM I came to the mostly "Progressive" Reboot Alberta event as the second part of a two part introspection series on what politics means to me. The first part was to commit to listen to the PC Association of Alberta, of which I have been a member and/or supporter of for nearly 20 years, by attending their Annual General Meeting last month in Red Deer. Sadly no new ideas and vision came from that event and in many ways I actually saw some very troubling indications of a party that seems only interested in holding onto power, and not reinventing itself regularly.
Most of you who read this blog know that I found myself reeling from the actions of my own party when they forced the Bill 44 Legislation through the house, and in my opinion set-back the image of our Province in the eyes of the world. But the eyes of the world are not who I had to feel accountable to, but the eyes of my own children, one of which is a high-school student and compassionate in her own right. She, her friends and her teachers were equally offended and felt set-back by my party.
I could talk endlessly about how the Bill 44 issue was not only bad policy, but really bad politics. Our Premier lied to Albertans and promised that the 3rd and final reading of the bill would be a "Free Vote". I have heard so much speculation and positioning from cabinet ministers, their staff and regular caucus members that there were a number of my party who wholeheartedly rejected the legislation. Yet every PC MLA that voted, voted in favour of the legislation. Many have speculated that the Premier has been over-handled and perhaps even set-up to allow the social conservative movement to take root within the party. I'm no Oliver Stone, and I avoid conspiracy theories, but he has had every opportunity to make this right for the thousands and thousand of people who were offended by this legislation, and he hasn't.
It is not just Bill 44 that disturbs me about the party, as I have very serious concerns about it's willingness to question itself, say sorry when they screw-up (spelled H.1.N.1.), and engage the moderate party members. They seem scared of the political pressure from the upstart Wildrose Alliance Party, and are swaying towards them on policy and gesturing. Leaving the moderate and Progressive part of the Progressive Conservative movement feeling awfully insignificant.
So tonight I resigned from my constituency association board of directors, as well as from the board executive. I will also withdraw my 2009 PC party membership, although I have no idea how I actually do that. So this will be mostly an exercise in gesture until I can figure that out. I am very sad that it came to this, but only because the people I served with, and our MLA, are very dedicated and hard-working servants of our constituency.
So, where does that leave me? I am now in a very refreshing position where I can evaluate how I might want to stay involved in politics, or if I even do. But I can do it, without having to always apologize in advance for the party I was a part of. I am tired of having to put an asterix on why I was an active PC party member. to paraphrase someone today in a session about "Rebooting Alberta", I can get back to looking my freinds and family in the eye, and start talking about what might be a better way.
Also, there is nothing more inspiring than being around people who genuinely care about bettering our society and today gave me a renewed interest in trying to find a better way to meet the needs of most everyone in our province. I care about the economic well-being of our province, but I also care about the disenfranchised and homeless, about creating an environment of innovation and a knowledge economy, sustainable urban design and development, protecting individual human rights and not pandering to special interests, and finally I care about my kids, who DON'T care about sexual orientation, religion, gender and race in any way influencing how we govern. I know that the PC party says that it cares about those things too, but until I see actions that inspire me to return, I think I will be busy "Rebooting Alberta".
As always, I need to point you to three of my favourite bloggers, and their thoughts on the today. Like them, I am reserving these as my initial thoughts on the subject (mine being more abrupt I admit), and I will try to follow up with more insight into the actual compelling discussions today about HOW we Reboot Alberta.
Alex Abboud - Reboot Alberta - Instant Reaction
DJ Kelly - You're about to get rebooted
Dave Cournoyer - Reboot Alberta
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Reader Comments (9)
Thank you for your open and honest post Chris. Know that that there are others who share your views. I look forward to any fresh and exciting ideas that Reboot Alberta brings to the table. Could I caution you however against the Wildrose Alliance Party. I don’t believe them to be a progressive party, although I do believe they have something to offer the political conversation in Alberta.
Please accept my apologies for posting anonymously. It has something to do with who my employer is.
Chris,
Your post has given me so much hope for the future. To see a revocation of the PC party by a PC cardholder who recognizies that the current PC party is not the PC party that many of us grew up with is monumental for me. I was a born and bred PCer, but left the party in the mid 1990's because I did not believe that the Klein government had a plan, other than to cut, with no regard where they cut, and then to spend like druken sailors while still marginalizing segments of our society and rewarding, without conscience, so much public funding to interests that supported them, with little regard to what many of us consider to be the rudiments of a modern democratic society.
I sit here a little dazed and confused, trying to get back into the idea of being able to type more than 140 characters, after a long day of little tweets here and there, but mostly really looking at what was said. I can't even begin to image what it is like being there, other than it must be an intensely electrifying time.
I admire your determination to support the "Progressive" side, for I too had a dream much like yours. Along the way I have come to much the same conclusions you have, where year after year those in charge have become complacent in what they do. Klein started the downhill slide with hospital closures and deregulation, padding the pockets of american companies who defaulted to being your 'energy providor' and selling the gas wells while conning Albertans into thinking it was a good deal by stuffing some bucks in their pockets to keep them quiet.
The trend of "we have the power to do what we want" needs to change to "we have the desire to make it right". And that could have been, only if the current people in power would only listen. Unfortunately the distinct message now being sent is one of arrogance and "how dare you tell us whats best". *sigh*
But hey, on the bright side... there appears to be LOTS of people who do have some really great IDEAS, and those ideas can and will be boiled down into some unique AND timely policies. More so, it seems to me that the people taking part in reboot Alberta know that policies need to be adapted to the times, with a proper edge to looking into the future. Old hat is gone!
Look out world! The new blood is coming!
I agree it's not the same party. The last few years of Klein were just spend, spend, spend with no plan. Now there's an actual plan to cut spending and get us back where we should be. Plus Bill 44 made me take out a membership again - now that was real leadership.
Thanks so much - means a lot to this 66 year old living in Ed Stelmach's Riding to know that there are other non- blinkered Albertans out there. The social conservatives have without a doubt hijacked the PC Party and have to be stopped before it's too late- but how?. What terrifies me is the damage that will likely be done by this controlling faction in the next two years - maybe it's already too late?
Come ‘on Ian, I can’t tell if you are being sarcastic with your comment or have an enlightened vision for Alberta yourself. Could I suggest to you that it’s not about what subtype of P.C. you are but indeed a ground swell of common sentiment and collective experience that leaves a reasonable person to conclude that something is seriously wrong in Alberta and that we could do better.
Chris,this is an interesting journey that you're allowing all of us to experience as you rethink your political activism. The PC Party lost a strong member...thanks for sharing and good luck figuring things out. Regardless of where a person resides on this issue, one thing is for sure, there's a lot of "thinking" going on.
Thank you for the post, Chris.
I also feel like a political orphan in Alberta, without anyone I can really support or be enthusiastic about. Good luck with your search for better solutions for better government in Alberta, and keep us posted.
Thanks to everyone for the comments, even those that might challenge my own thoughts. Please consider however that what I have done is not courageous as much as simple political introspection, and then the willingness to take a stand on something that matters to me.
Now, I am taking the week off from politics to get focused on my business. Cheers ;)