I knew that Ralph Klein was a little kooky, but I had no idea politics here would be every bit as interesting as the province I had left.

With the recent resignation of Premier Ed Stelmach and now Liberal Party leader David Swann, I wonder if the leaders of political parties are taking their queues from British Columbia. I had a sense of déjà vu when I heard Swann was quitting.

It actually made me laugh because it’s like B.C. politics where recently a tremendously unpopular Premier Gordon Campbell resigned and the leader of the NDP opposition Carole James quit shortly after that.

Sales taxes & lessons from B.C.

If that isn’t weird enough, I read yesterday that former Alberta finance minister Jim Dinning (and former Alberta Conservative leadership hopeful) is in B.C. to chair a panel to help explain why the HST is the best choice for B.C. (don’t ask B.C. residents what they think). Adding to the weirdness is the fact that Dinning may take a run at the Conservative leadership in Alberta, against now former finance minister Ted Morton (who quit the day after Stelmach did, so he could announce his candidacy).

The Alberta Conservatives have already floated the trial balloon of a provincial sales tax, so it would be interesting to see how Dinning’s recommendations to B.C. residents might play out.

For those who don’t know what’s happened in B.C., after the last provincial election, the B.C. Liberals sprung the HST on an unsuspecting population after promising not to. Canadians aren’t known for mass revolt, but that is the best way to describe the HST protests and recall petitions that are not done yet. It may have been good for businesses on paper but it’s been a wallet-sucking tax on B.C. citizens. I understand many businesses are suffering because of decreased revenues now.

Even weirder was former premier and Socred party leader Bill Van Der Zalm leading the charge to eliminate the HST. Alberta Conservatives should learn a few things from B.C., if they forget what happened to the Alberta Social Credit party. The B.C. Socreds had the same thing happen to them when the NDP trounced them in 1991 and they were finally wiped out in 1996 with the election of a Liberal government.

In a land without a sales tax, something Albertans are quite proud of, there might be riots at West Edmonton Mall should a government impose one. In an era of budget deficits, I’m sure Prime Minister Stephen Harper is dangling the carrot (bribe) of billions of dollars should Alberta saddle Alberta residents with an HST. I’m sure the government would indicate it would not be an HST, but you know it would be.

Oil & gas royalties will be cut, again

Also in this era of deficits, governments seem to think it’s a great time to shift the burden of taxation to individuals and away from corporations, saying it will “create jobs.” Economists seem to know there’s always multiples associated with government and business spending in terms of how many jobs may be created or the economic effects of tax cuts (or increases). MPs and MLAs claim that this isn’t that case and they’re not sure how many jobs will be created, but we are assured they will be. Let’s just hope those jobs aren’t created overseas, as is so often the case these days.

Perhaps Alberta could take a novel approach of eliminating corporate subsidies (reduced oil and gas royalties) in an attempt to balance its budget. Instead, with the ominous approach of the Wildrose Allliance, we’re seeing a radical shift to the right there and in the Conservative Party. We’re more likely to see the usual dipshit move of cutting social programs to balance the budget. When things get better, the government increases social spending, expecting to be treated like heroes for doing so.

Education isn’t really a Conservative priority

Social spending on education is never seen as an investment in the future, just a line item on the budget. With governments failing to sufficiently invest in post-secondary education, college and university students emerge from their programs with crushing debt and are often unable to find work.

So what does the future hold for Alberta? I’m sure it will continue to be interesting, if a little bizarre (more bizarre than usual). Perhaps I should make some predictions regarding the next election? It’s coming soon too. I already made a bet with a friend that if the new leader of the Alberta Conservatives doesn’t call an election within 30 days of being crowned leader, I’ll buy a membership in the party. Oh, they’d love me at a convention. If an election is called within 30 days, he’ll buy an Alberta Party membership. I am going to win.

Election predictions:

• Alberta Conservative party “wins” the next election with a minority
• Wildrose Alliance official opposition
• Alberta Party comes in third
• NDP stays about the same
• Alberta Liberal party eliminated

Other predictions:

• Raj Sherman joins the Alberta Party
• Conservatives continue to say they’re increasing seniors long term care beds, but aren’t
• More cuts to oil and gas royalties once Ted Morton is premier
• Emergency room waits in Edmonton will continue to kill patients
• Lindsay Blackett puts his foot in his mouth (as Environment minister)

With the reigning Conservatives on the ropes in terms of their approval ratings, the Wildrose Alliance has seen support rise for its party. It seems like a natural thing, since they both occupy similar real estate in the political spectrum.

The Conservatives are especially defensive after the defection of two MLAs to the Wildrose Alliance. This defensiveness apparently has spread to the Wildrose Alliance now that the Alberta Party has merged with the Renew Alberta movement

The Wildrose Alliance has the attack dogs out on the Alberta Party questioning a number of things such as the party apparently suspending its constitution as a result of the merger, appointment of board members, etc.

I had to laugh at Jane Morgan’s claim:

“Sorry to disappoint the WAP detractors; but the WAP has absolutely ZERO to do with this. It’s just lil’ol me typing away on an otherwise boring weekend; trying to get to the bottom of some very bizarre switch-a-roos.”

Using someone else to do your political dirty work, paid or unpaid, is a political tactic as old as the hills and helps politicians maintain plausible deniability. I get the impression Ms. Morgan is now a former party official, though I do not know what role she played in the WAP.

I understand what they’re doing. They’re hoping to frame the debate about the Alberta Party as one that is acting illegitimately, in violation of its constitution and without the support of its members.

The Alberta Party could potentially siphon off support from every party as Alberta voters don’t seem to be satisfied with any party at this point. No surprise that the WAP sees the AP as a threat. WAP would like to be the protest party of choice for Albertans. Having two out there muddies the already very murky political waters.

My view of the Alberta Party

Anyone who knows me, knows I have some strong views on politics and I’m suspicious of political parties in general.

I am interested in what is happening with the Alberta Party and may yet participate in their “Big Listen.” Will I vote for them? I can’t say at this point. It really depends on a number of factors.

I think it’s fair to raise questions about the party’s constitution and how that was handled. Political parties do need to ensure they operate according to the rules they’ve laid out for themselves and to ensure they’re in compliance with any government legislation.

I would also like to see what policies develop out of the “Big Listen” process and subsequently at any policy convention. I’m not worried, as some anonymous poster is, that the “Big Listen” is similar language used by Hillary Clinton; oh, and also that poster was concerned about “starting conversations.”

So, Democratic party leadership candidates have a monopoly on listening and starting conversations? Does using similar language mean that you have the same policies? Please. Pull your head out of your ass and start listening. Hell, start a conversation while you’re at it.

A key issue for me is the autonomy of party MLAs and party discipline. I believe in free votes on everything.

Political parties should not impose their will on duly elected MLAs. An MLA should always be free to vote according to their conscience and the will of their local electorate. I don’t believe in small- or large-scale authoritarianism. This is one of my main problems with virtually every political party.

I don’t tend to be a labeler and bristle at attempts to label me. I like ideas from across the political spectrum and, really, I am a centrist if you’d like to use the term. Frankly labeling is an overused American political tactic to short-circuit critical thinking. Many Canadian political parties are importing this tactic. Why? I guess their critical thinking skills have been short-circuited. Judging by the political situation in the US and how well everything is going there, do we really need ANY political tactics or policies imported from there?

Open finances

Another concern of mine is that the Alberta Party’s finances be completely open and transparent. That goes for political campaigns as well as leadership campaigns. I have some serious concerns about WAP leader Danielle Smith hiding her leadership campaign supporters and donations from public scrutiny. What does she have to hide?

Furthermore, how can the WAP leader have a party policy of an “open and comprehensive Freedom of Information Act” as well as wanting to “institute strict conflict of interest guidelines facilitated through the Provincial Ethics Commissioner’s office” yet not have her leadership campaign fully open to public scrutiny?

It seems more politics as usual. Money talks and I wonder what money is talking to Danielle Smith? I can bet I know. It’s the same money that talks to everyone in politics in Alberta. That concerns me.

The energy lobby in Alberta is obviously tremendously powerful. We need governments that are transparent, open and not unduly influenced by any lobby. We need a government that implements policies that are in the best interests of Albertans as a whole and do not cater to any lobby.

The citizens of Alberta elect governments, not businesses. That’s not to say that business is not important. It’s not a dichotomy. A balanced approach is appropriate. I’ve been a Chamber of Commerce director and I am fully aware of the needs of small business. I also know that governments tend to focus more on the needs of large business, typically at the expense of small business.

I also believe in a balanced regulatory approach between government and business. The economic meltdown we’re still in is proof that there has to be regulation of business. Business operating without regulation is, quite simply, stupid. Government’s role is to look out for the public interest. Laws and enforcement of those laws is how we keep things fair for everyone.

The supposed architect of the boom and bust, Alan Greenspan, a noted Ayn Rand sycophant, admitted he was wrong about essentially letting business regulate itself. How is it that some could claim one group, government, can’t sufficiently look after the public interest, yet put blind faith in business to do the same? It’s either stupidity, willful ignorance or outright duplicity.

Looking to Alberta’s future

Unfortunately, Alberta governments really haven’t looked that far into the future, looking more towards the next election and staying in power. We need governments that are looking generations ahead. We haven’t had it here. In fact, most governments operate much like large corporations, by the quarter, it seems. Maybe it would pay for Alberta governments to think of Alberta citizens as shareholders? We do have all the voting rights and should be the ones collecting the dividends.

This short-term thinking has to stop. We are facing serious issues on this planet, and while the Alberta government, whatever its political stripe, isn’t going to solve them, it can play a role in not making those problems worse and also look after the interests of Albertans.

These are just some of the things I will be looking at in the Alberta Party. I’ll give them a fair shot, like I have with every other political party. For now I am willing to engage in the listening and conversation, and so should every Albertan because the discussion transcends just one political party.