We, the opposition
March 4, 2008 | 11:25 AM
Loralee Edwards
I was a scrutineer at one of the polls in Lethbridge last night.
I was happy to see a very diverse crowd voting -- so many young people, and I was pleased that some parents brought their children to the polls with them. I wish more parents did so that children grew up with the knowledge the importance of voting, because otherwise it is pretty easy to wonder about the value of our votes in Alberta.
It is probably not surprising that I am more than disappointed with the election results. More than that I am worried -- Albertans (okay...a teeny tiny group of Albertans...cause hardly anyone in Alberta voted...) voted in a government that has done so much harm in the last 35 years plus.
Some of my friends comments this morning: "I wonder what my vote actually did?"; "Eleven straight majorities is no longer a government; it's a freaking dynasty"; "Why do Albertans continue to vote for corporate greed, feed-lot stench, and homelessness"; "I'm concerned: the opposition is now practically nonexistent!"; and "I welcome you to Albertastan - democratic dictatorship where the few rule the many! Don't blame voter apathy; without proper representation most Albertans will never be heard!"
As I said I am worried for Alberta. We don't have many members of the opposition to keep the PC's responsible and in line...so citizens, get ready! WE are going to need to make our own voices heard, get involved with politics, and stay informed on the issues and so if you are not happy with the way your representatives are respresenting you, don't -- as an older woman said to me last night at the polls -- just “belly ache” about the issues - TAKE ACTION: visit/phone/write letters to your local MLA, join an advocacy group, do anything and everything ...take action!
And please talk to your children about politics - if they have a keen interest in politics they are more likely to vote in the future.
Comments: (1)
Voted in a government that has done so much harm in 35 years?? Please! I'm always aghast at people that live in one of the best provinces in the country and still find a way to bitterly complain. When, I ask, are endless job oppurtunities, thriving businesses,and wealth in general such a great harm to you or this province. I will give you that a lot more needs to be done in the way of funding schools, hospitals, infrastructure, AISH requirements and the list goes on. However, we as Albertans need to make our concerns heard directly as in phone calls, and letters to the people we just elected. That is the one thing that Americans do better than us. Am I 100% happy with the Conservatives? Certainly not. But the very thought of voting for some socialist party that would fritter away everything we have worked for is totally out of the question. These parties have no concept of creating wealth. Yes wealth, not a dirty word or a sin as I recall. I do hope we all get more involved. I hate seeing seniors married for 50+ years being split up into homes hours apart from each other because there is no room for them in a home together. It is appalling in a province like this. As you said, write, phone, visit but don't be bewildered at why more did not vote for an alternative party. Now Eddie got the green light to run this fine province and I for one will be calling on my MLA a lot more than in the past to make sure they do well by all their people. Voter apathy? You bet. Hard to be anything else when things are so good for most people.
Posted March 4, 2008 03:41 PM