I have to agree with your assertion that the Joe side of the conservative movement is both a hindrance to national success for the CPC (which looks more and more like the PCC) and somehow keeps the traditional progressive conservatives in Alberta illogically but truly attached to the UCP.
Provincially the "true conservative" has the increasingly more viable option of the Progressive Tory Party to escape the grievance bound and unethically supported UCP.
The NDP "could" still hold the centre (liberal) vote as they did in 2015 but most PCs remain allergic to orange and, like their federal cousins, the "pure" left wing of the party would seemingly prefer piousness and complaining over governing
Federally the Liberal party seems to be filling more of the middle as they swing back from being "NDP light".
PP seems to be stuck in the "Joe" perspective and it's really hard to see where he can retain the vote/seat share he has let along gain anywhere. Had they kept O'Toole around they would, imho, be in a much better long term position.
You’ve picked up on something there that I’ve heard complaints about; how the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives were two sides of the same coin. Might be a good topic for another post!
You have hit the nail on the head with your portrait of Joe as the small town guy who doesn't care to look much beyond his own property line, as long as he's getting his necessaries.
That is a fundamentally American-influenced attitude, of "Me before We".
From my time living in Alberta, it tracks with the history of the many early settlers who left US territories when they became states, because they didn't like the idea of all that new government telling people what they could, or couldn't do.
And it butts heads directly with what most of the rest of the country aspires to follow: "We before Me." That's the collective, community based orientation that says everyone has to give a little so we can all get along, and ahead.
And that is the essential difference in the separation movements of Quebec and Alberta:
Quebec dreams of a distinct vision of who they can be.
Alberta's rationale is based only on how much more they can get.
And that's also the reason Alberta will never be allowed to separate. A movement based simply on greed for more resource exploitation will never fly, in a country that has enabled and supplied much of the infrastructure and labour force to create that resource industry.
Please remind me of the last time I attended the local state fair. Guy Weadick was an American, don’t forget. When was the last time anybody outside of Calgary or AB identified the CS as “the greatest snow on earth?” It snowed during Stampede Week 1999.
The Klein government created policies and communications based on “Henry” and “Martha” from rural Alberta. A couple of old fuddy-duddies that reflect the true rural nature, not the sexy “Joe” image that some Albertans like to portray or think of as an Albertan.
I always bring it back to this.
I believe in us. The alt right believe in me and mine.
Another great essay Deidre
Collectivism has its place; like, in human society.
This is a must read for all Albertans. Thanks.
I have to agree with your assertion that the Joe side of the conservative movement is both a hindrance to national success for the CPC (which looks more and more like the PCC) and somehow keeps the traditional progressive conservatives in Alberta illogically but truly attached to the UCP.
Provincially the "true conservative" has the increasingly more viable option of the Progressive Tory Party to escape the grievance bound and unethically supported UCP.
The NDP "could" still hold the centre (liberal) vote as they did in 2015 but most PCs remain allergic to orange and, like their federal cousins, the "pure" left wing of the party would seemingly prefer piousness and complaining over governing
Federally the Liberal party seems to be filling more of the middle as they swing back from being "NDP light".
PP seems to be stuck in the "Joe" perspective and it's really hard to see where he can retain the vote/seat share he has let along gain anywhere. Had they kept O'Toole around they would, imho, be in a much better long term position.
You’ve picked up on something there that I’ve heard complaints about; how the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives were two sides of the same coin. Might be a good topic for another post!
You have hit the nail on the head with your portrait of Joe as the small town guy who doesn't care to look much beyond his own property line, as long as he's getting his necessaries.
That is a fundamentally American-influenced attitude, of "Me before We".
From my time living in Alberta, it tracks with the history of the many early settlers who left US territories when they became states, because they didn't like the idea of all that new government telling people what they could, or couldn't do.
And it butts heads directly with what most of the rest of the country aspires to follow: "We before Me." That's the collective, community based orientation that says everyone has to give a little so we can all get along, and ahead.
And that is the essential difference in the separation movements of Quebec and Alberta:
Quebec dreams of a distinct vision of who they can be.
Alberta's rationale is based only on how much more they can get.
And that's also the reason Alberta will never be allowed to separate. A movement based simply on greed for more resource exploitation will never fly, in a country that has enabled and supplied much of the infrastructure and labour force to create that resource industry.
Please remind me of the last time I attended the local state fair. Guy Weadick was an American, don’t forget. When was the last time anybody outside of Calgary or AB identified the CS as “the greatest snow on earth?” It snowed during Stampede Week 1999.
The Klein government created policies and communications based on “Henry” and “Martha” from rural Alberta. A couple of old fuddy-duddies that reflect the true rural nature, not the sexy “Joe” image that some Albertans like to portray or think of as an Albertan.
That’s weirdly optimistic… because it means we might be able to change it.