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| DAMMIT, JIM! |
But, regardless of Mr. Dirks' assertions, it appears the PC leadership is the ones who don't get it. Mr. Prentice doesn't get to decide what issues matters to Albertans. Albertans decide. And if the governing party is acting completely irresponsible, condescending, entitled, or like characters in a mafia movie, then that is probably something Albertans should be concerned about. And if Prentice thinks blackballing deserving candidates to ensure your hand-picked guy doesn't have to contest a nomination, then maybe Prentice should look in the mirror.
THE PROGRESSIVE PROBLEM
Now, in light of that issue, that doesn't mean Prentice has to agree with Albertans on what's important. And I'll admit, there are some cases where I don't either. Maybe if I was more hardline, I would agree with some of them. A few examples that I could cite include the progressive Twitterverse constantly bringing up Christine Cusanelli's Olympic vacation. Now, people who follow me on Twitter probably view me as a Cusanelli apologist, and I'm not sorry that I'm proud to call her a friend and have the pleasure of working with her on poverty issues. Of course, I don't defend her spending decisions as a cabinet minister, but let's face the facts. She paid the money back before the press even broke the story. By the time it was reported, the matter had been completely resolved.
Now, if that Olympic decision is truly important to progressives, far be it from me to tell you otherwise. But sadly, the view I get on social media is that progressives are looking for any reason to attack any PC MLA or Candidate. I mean, really, we already have "Look in the Mirror," "Math is hard," "Albertans don't get it," "Buddy you're being set up..." We have the original bill 10, we have Prentice attempting to cut the charity tax benefit, we as progressives have lots of reasons to throw out Jim Prentice and the governing PC's. Bringing up something that happened 3 and a half years ago, was resolved AT THAT TIME, and then not even found by the media until two years ago... If it's important to you, then fine. Vote based on that premise. But the constant bringing it up on social media really makes progressives look scared and desperate. And that is the opposite of the message we want to send.
And for the record, to the guys who dropped the flyer in my mailbox mentioning "Was removed from Cabinet for spending taxpayer dollars on an Olympic Vacation." That's not correct. She paid it back within ten days upon returning. So everyone in the PCAA party knew already about it. While using the government expenditure as a credit card isn't responsible, even I'll admit that, she wasn't removed from cabinet for that. She was removed because the media reported it after the issue was resolved. Basically, she was thrown under the bus by Allison Redford. A premier who herself had her own share of taxpayer spending issues. And it is THAT kind of mafia-family government we don't want. And that is exactly why people have plenty of reasons to vote progressive.
Now, if that Olympic decision is truly important to progressives, far be it from me to tell you otherwise. But sadly, the view I get on social media is that progressives are looking for any reason to attack any PC MLA or Candidate. I mean, really, we already have "Look in the Mirror," "Math is hard," "Albertans don't get it," "Buddy you're being set up..." We have the original bill 10, we have Prentice attempting to cut the charity tax benefit, we as progressives have lots of reasons to throw out Jim Prentice and the governing PC's. Bringing up something that happened 3 and a half years ago, was resolved AT THAT TIME, and then not even found by the media until two years ago... If it's important to you, then fine. Vote based on that premise. But the constant bringing it up on social media really makes progressives look scared and desperate. And that is the opposite of the message we want to send.
And for the record, to the guys who dropped the flyer in my mailbox mentioning "Was removed from Cabinet for spending taxpayer dollars on an Olympic Vacation." That's not correct. She paid it back within ten days upon returning. So everyone in the PCAA party knew already about it. While using the government expenditure as a credit card isn't responsible, even I'll admit that, she wasn't removed from cabinet for that. She was removed because the media reported it after the issue was resolved. Basically, she was thrown under the bus by Allison Redford. A premier who herself had her own share of taxpayer spending issues. And it is THAT kind of mafia-family government we don't want. And that is exactly why people have plenty of reasons to vote progressive.
FINAL WORD
Like my views or hate it, I am trying to raise money to attend the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. I had six years of lived experience in Calgary's shelter system and have been an advocating for better treatment of our city's most vulnerable, including discrimination. Please take the time to donate by clicking on the box on the top right side of the page, so I can attend the conference as a person with lived experience. If, after budgeting is done and my estimate is too high - or if I go beyond my fundraising goal - extra funds will go towards gifts for the Montreal Homeless Community.
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