I have a concern with where our province is going politically. Currently we have an unelected premier being sworn in, and a cabinet containing more unelected officials being assigned positions of significant power and influence.
I’m no political scientist or historian, but this just seems so very wrong. I’m sure that at some point we’ll hear about byelections opening up to get these folks elected, but in the meantime I see them as operating without a mandate from Albertans.
Additionally, if these individuals fail to get elected, does this invalidate every policy they may have introduced or voted on while occupying these positions?
I was disappointed that things had slid so far with Progressive Conservative MLAs being discovered in scandal after scandal, revealing a level of corruption (entitlement) that should never be tolerated in government. Public officials should be held to a higher standard, not provided the legal means to avoid any kind of responsibility.
With that, I understand that there were choices for the PC Party of how to proceed after the resignation of the former premier. Were none of these choices able to accommodate an election and allow the voters to have some say in the future of our province? Why is it that what is best for the party is considered before what is best for Albertans?
I believe that we’ve just seen another demonstration of PC Party ethics getting even worse. How politics is just a game to them, and to secure and maintain power by any means possible is all that matters to the PCs.
I would like to think that serving as an MLA should be a noble occupation, a level of public service that exceeds the ordinary, and earns respect. Not just a position to be used for personal advantage, or that of your party supporters.
Perhaps I’m just an idealist?
Norman Wiebe
Red Deer