Too Many Elections?

As we head into the provincial election (assuming, of course, that it will be called in February for the March timeframe), we hear rumblings of a Federal Election, the news is filled with reports of primiaries and secondaries in the states, and the signs have just disappeared from the streets from our Municipal run.

It seems a bit much - all in a year, all at once.

But this time the parties seem to be more prepared. They have candidates in place (for the most part), signs and brochures are just waiting for the election date to be called so that the proper date can be inscribed, and supporters are shining their shoes, ready to go to the door in droves.

But even though the writ hasn't been dropped, we are already seeing people at the doors, brochures being dropped off and candidates being promoted. It's rather refreshing to see the eager faces who are starting well before the election - it says that they have a lot to say, and that they have a strong belief in what they have to offer.

People have been rumbling that it is time for a change. Stelmach does not have the popularity that Klein once held - and he never will (just does not have the same charisma). And everyone has a change to offer. Everyone seems to have fresh ideas, and everyone is offering a change. Even the Conservatives.

Back up here - the Conservatives? Isn't this the party that has been in power in this province since 1971? Please, do correct me if I'm wrong, but how is voting in Conservatives voting for change?

Certainly, the banner of Conservative seems to have expanded. There are a number of members of the party who seem to have gotten confused between the policies and beliefs of the Wild Rose Party and that of the Conservatives; the right wingers who think that they can ride the previous success of the Conservatives right up to Edmonton. (Unless they are in a rural riding, it's not likely to happen.) Although Stelmach did show a bit of spine and indicated that there are limits to what the party will accept - and Chandler wasn't on the agenda. On the other side of the party - we have small "c" conservatives, the older, gentler style of PC that actually gave a thought to education, healthcare and the wellbeing of the province. Not exactly the portrait of a cohesive party, is it?

So, what is the sales strategy of the conservatives? Which candidate do we listen to - who is preaching the party line, and who is preaching their own line? And how many of these are being true to their own beliefs? (I guess here we have to grudgingly give a nod to Chandler - after all, he holds true to his own beliefs even when they run roughshed over the basic human rights of others).

Is it time for a change? It think it is. But let's go for a real change this time. The Conservatives have cried wolf one time too many - do we really want to believe them this time when they claim "we've changed!" Leaders - yes, policies - no. When we hear the conservatives putting forth their new plans about homelessness, education and health care - let's give pause to consider just where these new plans and policies came from. They were put forward by the Liberals. Give credit where credit is due.

Personally, I have ideas about the Alberta that I want to see. I want to see schools without roofs caving in. I want to see people able to find a roof to put over their head. I want to see support for the disabled. And I think we can realisticially do it within a budget without bankrupting the province - rather than just throw band-aid solutions and dollars at a problem that will fix it for a month or two, can't we invest that money in a reasonably considered plan that will solve these problems for good.

This election, I will put the Liberal sign on my lawn again - and I hope to see some more of my neighbours step forward with the same support for the Alberta that they want to see. And maybe - just maybe, if we can all step backwards and forget about voting the way our parents have always voted; and voting for what we have known all of our lives, we can see some real change.