tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post1929282875649034942..comments2023-11-02T06:37:23.839-06:00Comments on daveberta.ca: tiny perfect alberta ndp.davebertahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-44654819177117959122009-06-28T07:21:18.673-06:002009-06-28T07:21:18.673-06:00I come from another part of the country where the ...I come from another part of the country where the NDP have every riding except one. Of all the people that I have ever known I was the biggest NDP support however upon moving to Alberta I have distanced myself from the party. I can not support a party that allows unions to buy bulk memberships; which are memberships that do not belong to a specific person but allow the union to have numerous votes on all issues and for all leadership candidates within the Alberta NDP. I can also not support a party that bans and speaks out against all Christian suggestions. I am used to the NDP being made up of people from all walks of life such as clergy, public service,small business owners, etc. The Alberta NDP even supports unions over small businesses in Alberta which is a no-no anywhere else in the country. <br /><br />Now for those of you who think that I may have no clout I will let you know that I have been a paid campaign staffer for the NDP both federally and provincially in different parts of Canada as well as an executive member in the past.<br /><br />Also I know Denny and although I do not always agree with him I do think that he is a good person and my experience and knowledge backs up what he says in his comments.<br /><br />Denny don't let the Old Guard of the Alberta NDP silence you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-27113829046257147352009-04-12T17:34:00.000-06:002009-04-12T17:34:00.000-06:00"Global collapse of Capitalism"Lighten up. It's a ..."Global collapse of Capitalism"<BR/><BR/>Lighten up. It's a joke. :-)davebertahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06822739409684978316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-56132214749640742762009-04-12T15:37:00.000-06:002009-04-12T15:37:00.000-06:00"Global collapse of Capitalism" No wonder the Albe..."Global collapse of Capitalism" No wonder the Alberta Liberal Party is about to be thrown under the bus.not a geniusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-46646635720317054842009-04-07T10:46:00.000-06:002009-04-07T10:46:00.000-06:00Read this on Denny Holmwood's Blog:CEP Local 777 h...<A HREF="http://anotherrandomview.blogspot.com/2009/04/me-and-alberta-ndp.html" REL="nofollow">Read this on Denny Holmwood's Blog</A>:<BR/><BR/><I>CEP Local 777 has been supported the Alberta NDP for many years has backed that up with money and volunteers for the party. For the last number of Alberta Federation of Labour Conventions Local 777 has organized a number of fund raisers for the party. But because of internal issues will not be putting on a fund raiser this year. Look for the Local helping with the Friends of Medicare fund raiser at convention. <B>CEP Local 777 has been asked to co - sign for the debt that the Alberta NDP has incurred. THE LOCAL has over the years put hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Alberta NDP.</B></I>Dipper Watchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-47311963417278859322009-04-06T12:31:00.000-06:002009-04-06T12:31:00.000-06:00Fair post. Really enjoyed the read, Dave.Fair post. Really enjoyed the read, Dave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-11658557801119168692009-04-05T15:56:00.000-06:002009-04-05T15:56:00.000-06:00Wow great article about what has happened with the...Wow great article about what has happened with the Alberta New Democrats. It was missing one thing about convention. The fact that the paid staffers of the party were actively campaigning for the past president. This also played an important role in the out come of the elections for executive officers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-14391650334828931712009-04-03T10:21:00.000-06:002009-04-03T10:21:00.000-06:00Solidarity through intimidation. Don't think you'r...Solidarity through intimidation. <BR/><BR/>Don't think you're the first, Denny.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-53793924143441485102009-04-03T01:59:00.000-06:002009-04-03T01:59:00.000-06:00This evening Lou Arab, former Chief of Staff at th...This evening Lou Arab, former Chief of Staff at the NDP Caucus and husband of Rachel Notley sent me a Facebook message criticizing me for daring to critique the party here. He also messaged the party's table officers.<BR/><BR/>Apparently Lou does not feel that I should be expressing my opinion about the NDP. He asked the table officers to ask me to retract my posts, or for me to voluntarily do so.<BR/><BR/>It will be interesting to see if the table officers do in fact ask me to retract my comments, or take other actions against me. If they do, they will be proving the points that I was attempting to make earlier about voices of members being stifled.<BR/><BR/>I will keep you all posted. Sadly the state of democracy in the party may be worse than I initially though.Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-58858532248243341552009-04-03T01:56:00.000-06:002009-04-03T01:56:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-24951706236368783552009-04-02T18:12:00.000-06:002009-04-02T18:12:00.000-06:00Mr. WapitiGrassroots organizing is something I eng...Mr. Wapiti<BR/><BR/>Grassroots organizing is something I engage in on a regular basis, and something I support within the party.<BR/><BR/>What I am saying however is we can do all the grassroot organizing we want, but it's meaningless if the party leadership ignores the grassroots.<BR/>There are a few people on the executive who have to fight tooth and nail to actually ensure that even a few positions adopted by the grassroots at conventions and councils are implemented, if it wasn't for them even less of what the party membership has called for would be implemented than already is.<BR/><BR/>So no, I won't stop highlighting what I think are problems with democratic deficits within the party, and I will continue to raise these issues, I'm sorry but turning a blind eye to these issues is not something I'm willing to do.Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-34279936674488969052009-04-02T18:10:00.000-06:002009-04-02T18:10:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-28294484886931882022009-04-02T16:32:00.000-06:002009-04-02T16:32:00.000-06:00Mr. DennyRegardsing grass roots organizinginstead ...Mr. Denny<BR/><BR/>Regardsing grass roots organizing<BR/>instead of sniping and kavetching <BR/>why not enegize the NDYA or heck - join a constituency association and actually recruit, discuss, debate and move forward -Wapitidudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-31046461587656791102009-04-02T14:08:00.000-06:002009-04-02T14:08:00.000-06:00Premier Brian MasonFinance Minister Gil McGowanEne...Premier Brian Mason<BR/>Finance Minister Gil McGowan<BR/>Energy Minister Linda Duncan<BR/><BR/>What a scary thought! Good thing it will never happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-60375327330714743132009-04-02T13:56:00.001-06:002009-04-02T13:56:00.001-06:00The largest seat total the NDP have ever won in Al...The largest seat total the NDP have ever won in Alberta is 16. <BR/><BR/>Even in my wildest imagination I can't believe the NDP would elect more than 5-6 MLAs under Brian Mason's leadership. I want a change in government, not a change in an already tiny opposition.Colinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-47773370409178752042009-04-02T13:56:00.000-06:002009-04-02T13:56:00.000-06:00The largest seat total the NDP have ever won in Al...The largest seat total the NDP have ever won in Alberta is 16. <BR/><BR/>Even in my wildest imagination I can't believe the NDP would elect more than 5-6 MLAs under Brian Mason's leadership. I want a change in government, not a change in an already tiny opposition.Colinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-84241005400616766442009-04-02T11:39:00.000-06:002009-04-02T11:39:00.000-06:00I agree that the revitalization conferences have b...I agree that the revitalization conferences have been successful. What I worry about it that they will be virtually meaningless if their recommendations and suggestions are ignored, and it remains to be seen how their recommendations will be treated by those running the show.<BR/><BR/>Most party members are not overly interested with internal party politics, you are right, which is unfortunate, because if they realized what little influence the grassroots have in the end over the actions that are eventually taken, they would likely become more interested.Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-47985024086834538972009-04-02T11:35:00.000-06:002009-04-02T11:35:00.000-06:00I love when people hide behind Anonymous names on ...I love when people hide behind Anonymous names on the comments. It really calls into doubt the legitimacy of what they're saying. For example, we have no idea if Anonymous at 10:01 could be one of the people who is in the center of power, or one of their sympathizers for all we know, but they hide behind a veil of anonymity instead of letting us know who they are, and what their motives are.<BR/><BR/>When policy resolutions proposed by the grassroots calling for more openness mysteriously do not appear in convention agendas, and when party staff and table officers refuse to disclose information to the party executive, to provincial council, and provincial convention, or attempt to steer any decision that needs to be made back to the table officers, coupled with underhanded threats from party staff about the consequences ones future in the party will, or support one will receive from the staff in future campaigns, face if one chooses to openly support particular policy resolutions and candidates for party executive positions, it really does call into question how much the grass roots of the party really are being listened to.Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-90128483581473238952009-04-02T10:01:00.000-06:002009-04-02T10:01:00.000-06:00This is a perfect example of "if you say it often ...This is a perfect example of "if you say it often enough, it becomes true". I disagree with the entire premise about who is running the NDP. What I DO see is a handful of disgruntled people, many of whom are prolific bloggers, who feel shut out by the grassroots majority. Most NDPers that I meet are interested in talking about how we can move this province forward in a more progressive direction and not about internal party politics. And they are donating in large amounts and are organizing locally. We've now had two very successful revitalization conferences with very positive and practical suggestions being made about how we can move the party forward. This negative navel gazing is a job better left to Alberta's Liberals and Greens, because we have real work to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-7402944475336276552009-04-02T09:59:00.000-06:002009-04-02T09:59:00.000-06:00Numbers may be up, but they will not provide numbe...Numbers may be up, but they will not provide numbers for how many memberships have actually been renewed, and how many have lapsed. It's entirely possible that a large number of long term members have not renewed their memberships. These new members will also not necessarily renew their memberships. You need to remember that an Alberta NDP membership comes virtually free with a donation of any amount to the party, so the question is, will these new memberships translate into long term continuing members, or are they one off things? Will those who do get involved in the party continue to participate, or will they be turned off by the fact that too much power is held by small amount of individuals?Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-73275339249283503812009-04-02T08:43:00.000-06:002009-04-02T08:43:00.000-06:00Denny, Hard to argue the membership is alienated ...Denny, Hard to argue the membership is alienated if the numbers are up and they are donating more.artnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-33149012495779545342009-04-01T22:25:00.000-06:002009-04-01T22:25:00.000-06:00I agree with anonymous at 9:25. New members and mo...I agree with anonymous at 9:25. New members and money do matter, but they need to be engaged, and if the membership are alienated by a core group who try to dominate the affairs of the party, having names on paper and money won't help much.Dennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504852115380593351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-71525426921239328962009-04-01T21:57:00.000-06:002009-04-01T21:57:00.000-06:00Money and names on a list indicate people who supp...Money and names on a list indicate people who support the direction they are going in. Those members and donors don't seem too concerned with the so-called 'clique.'Inglbertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-65032290869738337682009-04-01T21:25:00.000-06:002009-04-01T21:25:00.000-06:00No, because it takes more than money and names on ...No, because it takes more than money and names on a list to win elections. It takes a vision that resonates with the non-partisan masses, it requires a small army of volunteers to run each local campaign, and it takes some meaningful policies that you plan to enact should, god forbid, you actually win.<BR/><BR/>The clique that's running today's NDs lacks all of those other elements and has no idea how they could change to acquire them (without giving up some of that juicy decision making power).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-47313388624615074112009-04-01T20:43:00.000-06:002009-04-01T20:43:00.000-06:00Gotta love the comments above. The NDP is raising...Gotta love the comments above. The NDP is raising more money, signing up more members, and generally heading in the right direction while the Liberals and Greens implode. If the NDP is being controlled by a small group including Mason - it sounds to me like they are doing something right, no?Inglbertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10290429.post-86340629551322644142009-04-01T19:58:00.000-06:002009-04-01T19:58:00.000-06:00As a Dipper I can say that Dave's analysis is fair...As a Dipper I can say that Dave's analysis is fairly accurate. Certainly the parts about a handful of people controlling all decisions are true. This tyrannical structure is slowly driving the traditional grassroots towards other options (David Swann's team had several ex-Calgary NDP types aboard and Joe Anglin is ex-NDP as well). Perhaps the ND's rediscovered union affiliates can more than make up for the slack though? Change has to always be on the table for such a small shop.<BR/><BR/>When looked at with Dave's newest post about the AB Libs laying off the last of their staff one has to think we are headed towards 1986 style election results; a massive PC majority in 2010/2011 and the Official Opposition being a handful of NDP MLAs.<BR/><BR/>While this is somewhat good news for the NDP it is terrible news for Alberta. The NDP seem unlikely to ever take power in this province so while they might make a terrific opposition they will never present the PCs with the democratically neccesary threat of defeat. If they truly wish to capitalize on the current Liberal collapse then the NDP would be wise to install Eggen, Notley, or someone else as leader prior to the next election. Brian Mason lacks both a coherent vision and the soft skills required to maximize this window of opportunity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com