I am sure that all of us were really excited last week when the geese began to arrive, the snow disappeared and the colorful provincial election signs began to appear on all boulevards and street corners.
It is preparing us for three weeks or so of wild and woolly campaigning and all sorts of political forums full of political perks and promises.
Already the coffee shops, the news media and the electronic airwaves are full of the usual election chatter that certainly will create a hot and heavy ‘Battle of Alberta’ political show-down — which will all be decided when we go to the polls on April 16.
There is no doubt in all of our minds, that our previously vibrant province has fallen into some ‘economic doldrums and downturns’ over the past couple of years, due the falling oil prices and pipeline controversy among other things.
So, we will now have the vital task and opportunity to choose an active and dedicated government who will lead us in the right direction at a hopefully progressive, honest, committed and affordable pace over the next four years.
It has and always will be the job of our elected MLAs to manage the day-to-day business, benefits and promotions of all facets of our great province — most of which is financed by each and every taxpayer and on the backs of thousands of hard-working Albertans and their families.
But now — with a little heads-up and some high-fives for our provincial government — we all know that in order for them to make their major decisions, they all have to depend on the ongoing support, funding and direction of our federal government.
But, by the way, that their little political ‘fiasco’ is going right now — it could very well become a wild and woolly skirmish up on Parliament Hill before that election hits the bricks this October.
In my humble opinion, every elected government official should have the right the ‘speak their piece’ on any issue, no matter what it might deal with or why and whoever are trying to keep it secret. These MPs are the voice of their constituents and their nation, and it should all be put out on the table for them to see the truth, as well as the rest of the story.
Before this major decision is made about our future, now is the vital participation time during this short election campaign to read the candidates platforms in the newspapers or wherever, attend the community forums and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions.
At this point in time, we are all very interested and anxious to know how and what plans and timelines that our new leaders might have.
Then they will work to keep to get our province back and stay on the right track towards economic viability, stability, successes, milestones and recognition that this province has enjoyed and been recognized for decades — both nationally and internationally in the past.
All age groups and walks of life in Alberta so richly deserve the assurance and promotion of the ongoing opportunities and benefits of employment, first class health care and education, infrastructure, social amenities and activities and all the rest, both now and long into our future.
It will then be up to us to make our choice for our next government and representatives, when we all take advantage our free right to vote at our local polling stations or online in our next and most vital provincial election on April 16.
Thanks for your participation and pride in our amazing communities and province.
Take a break
Now let’s relax and have a little fun.
- A politician is one who claims to understand both sides of an issue and may take both of them.
- Somebody once told me never to laugh at political jokes, because some of them just might get elected.
- Sign on a politicians’ desk — the secrecy of my job does not permit me to know what I am doing.
- In this day and age in order to ensure the education of their teenager’s parents, they need to unplug a few wires — mainly the T.V., telephone and ignition.
- Occasionally those great little announcements in the local newspaper get messed up. Wanted: a folding table by a woman with detachable legs; Wanted: a strong horse to do the work of a country minister; This week we welcome the Smith family to our community. Little Johnny is still in school and his folks are in the iron and steel business — his mother irons and his father steals.
On some day,s most of us think that we can still do anything that we could do in our 20s, but thankfully we usually talk ourselves out of trying most of them and then have a nap instead.
Have a great warm, sunny, and invigorating week, all of you.