So true about the draconian ID rules! I was not able to sign the Anti-Coal one because as a rural Albertan my driver's license lists my PO Box and not a physical address. All of my bills list my PO Box too and because I use a different name than my legal name none of those bills would have worked anyhow. So, if you changed your name when you married, your spouse gets the bills in their name, or you use a different name on bills than your legal name then you have no suitable ID for voter verification. I find it satisfying, though, that the loudest people spouting the conspiracy about huge voter fraud from non-citizens voting are the very people disenfranchised by their laws and rules. They also had property tax increases because of the cost of hand counting when their conspiracy-riddled brains decided vote tabulators were part of some plot. Hoisted on their own conspiracy-driven petards.
It would seem that increasing the necessity of more documentaion for any government service or citizen activity is ideological in nature. When we talk about these separatists and what their goals are, it becomes very confusing. For example, the other day on social media, a post about something the Liberal government was doing, gathered the typical conservative responses. Poorly thought out and basically the same old 'its all Ottawa's fault". If I recall one person actually said that Alberta would be better off once we are out of the "Liberal shitshow" we are downtrodden by. I simply remarked in a separate comment line that "Looks like the separatistes are out in force". To which I recieved the reply that in part, I called that partiular person names, and that they do not support separatism and are concerned about the future for their children and grandchildren, which unlike themselves I obviously do not care about the future of my children and grandchildren.
I simply point this out to show that even IF people do not truly support the Separatist Organization, they are very likely to vote YES on every referendum question in October. It also shows that many are so under the influence of the anti-Ottawa rhetoric, they do not see the nuances of the situation. I can only guess what they percieve as the future because they never actually describe what their vision is. I once heard a very good comment about this topic of freedom. It was basically this idea"
Freedom, what is it you want? Freedom from . . . OR Freedom to . . . ?
And it seems that the answer is never Freedom to do something, rather it is always Freedom from the Liberal government.
"Good", we say. That will make it harder for those separatists!
But...
We, who are canvassing for signatures for the Water Not Coal Petition to stop future coal mines on the eastern slopes of the Rockies are also running into the frustration of having to turn folks away because their drivers lisence only has a PO Box.
Regardless of the initiative, this new rule stifles democracy. It is authoritarian, draconian even. Like Dr. Wesley says, "a solution looking for acproblem".
Rules should encourage maximum participation. Programs should assist the maximum number.
If there is a small amount of misuse or other forms of shenanigans, so what? It doesn't affect the outcome and is no reason to change a system that is working 99.99%.
Nailed it again Jared. The UCP base has been heavily influenced by the MAGA nonsense and culture wars in Trump world. Smith relies on that base, and the myopic view of those voters who distrust government, taxes and immigration so she panders to those sensitivities. Fanning the flames of voter fraud works on that group so she plays to that. Shameful really.
While the UCP government champions “red tape reduction” it seems that applies only to the Big Corporations (mainly O&G and other extractive industry) and not to the Little People. Instead the Little People are facing deeper and deeper and more intrusive red tape and restrictions to be able to do even execute their basic Charter rights.
Could you direct me to an awareness raising effort that is addressing the proposed referendum questions -- the possible consequences of each question if it achieves a majority and if it does not? Also important is having this kind of civic education material available in several different languages. Maybe this is already "out there" but I'm not on IG, FB, or X so... I'm sure that the Premier will give her version on her radio talk show, but we need something less biased.
forever-canadian.ca is asking people to sign up on their website. They will provide information and clarity if there is a referendum question on separation.
The UCP motto 'Dirty books, gender 'confused' teens, voter fraud, foreigners getting health care, we're fixing problems that don't exist everywhere in Alberta!'
They're counting on another mulligan awarded them, courtesy of Smith.
Otherwise, this is voter fraud. Elections Alberta doesn't have to accept these illegal petition signatures.
It honestly never occurred to me when I wrote my address on the the other group's petition...and the petitioner checked it against the physical address on my driver's license.
the same people who are terrified of digital identification are the ones upset that they cannot sign a petition if they use a PO box or rural route on their hard copies. it's fun to watch.
Thank you Jared. I think you've summarized the problem well.
So true about the draconian ID rules! I was not able to sign the Anti-Coal one because as a rural Albertan my driver's license lists my PO Box and not a physical address. All of my bills list my PO Box too and because I use a different name than my legal name none of those bills would have worked anyhow. So, if you changed your name when you married, your spouse gets the bills in their name, or you use a different name on bills than your legal name then you have no suitable ID for voter verification. I find it satisfying, though, that the loudest people spouting the conspiracy about huge voter fraud from non-citizens voting are the very people disenfranchised by their laws and rules. They also had property tax increases because of the cost of hand counting when their conspiracy-riddled brains decided vote tabulators were part of some plot. Hoisted on their own conspiracy-driven petards.
Interesting! I just signed that petition the other day with only a PO Box on my driver’s license. They didn’t flag that as an issue.
Rejected.
They are not supposed to take that as ID for your address. But I am glad you got it signed!
Directly from the Trump playbook ... Every day, in every way.
Consequences to actions is not really part the UCP thought process.
It would seem that increasing the necessity of more documentaion for any government service or citizen activity is ideological in nature. When we talk about these separatists and what their goals are, it becomes very confusing. For example, the other day on social media, a post about something the Liberal government was doing, gathered the typical conservative responses. Poorly thought out and basically the same old 'its all Ottawa's fault". If I recall one person actually said that Alberta would be better off once we are out of the "Liberal shitshow" we are downtrodden by. I simply remarked in a separate comment line that "Looks like the separatistes are out in force". To which I recieved the reply that in part, I called that partiular person names, and that they do not support separatism and are concerned about the future for their children and grandchildren, which unlike themselves I obviously do not care about the future of my children and grandchildren.
I simply point this out to show that even IF people do not truly support the Separatist Organization, they are very likely to vote YES on every referendum question in October. It also shows that many are so under the influence of the anti-Ottawa rhetoric, they do not see the nuances of the situation. I can only guess what they percieve as the future because they never actually describe what their vision is. I once heard a very good comment about this topic of freedom. It was basically this idea"
Freedom, what is it you want? Freedom from . . . OR Freedom to . . . ?
And it seems that the answer is never Freedom to do something, rather it is always Freedom from the Liberal government.
"Good", we say. That will make it harder for those separatists!
But...
We, who are canvassing for signatures for the Water Not Coal Petition to stop future coal mines on the eastern slopes of the Rockies are also running into the frustration of having to turn folks away because their drivers lisence only has a PO Box.
Regardless of the initiative, this new rule stifles democracy. It is authoritarian, draconian even. Like Dr. Wesley says, "a solution looking for acproblem".
Rules should encourage maximum participation. Programs should assist the maximum number.
If there is a small amount of misuse or other forms of shenanigans, so what? It doesn't affect the outcome and is no reason to change a system that is working 99.99%.
Nailed it again Jared. The UCP base has been heavily influenced by the MAGA nonsense and culture wars in Trump world. Smith relies on that base, and the myopic view of those voters who distrust government, taxes and immigration so she panders to those sensitivities. Fanning the flames of voter fraud works on that group so she plays to that. Shameful really.
While the UCP government champions “red tape reduction” it seems that applies only to the Big Corporations (mainly O&G and other extractive industry) and not to the Little People. Instead the Little People are facing deeper and deeper and more intrusive red tape and restrictions to be able to do even execute their basic Charter rights.
But do golden cats eat faces?
Could you direct me to an awareness raising effort that is addressing the proposed referendum questions -- the possible consequences of each question if it achieves a majority and if it does not? Also important is having this kind of civic education material available in several different languages. Maybe this is already "out there" but I'm not on IG, FB, or X so... I'm sure that the Premier will give her version on her radio talk show, but we need something less biased.
forever-canadian.ca is asking people to sign up on their website. They will provide information and clarity if there is a referendum question on separation.
What about the other questions--on immigrants, etc.?
The UCP motto 'Dirty books, gender 'confused' teens, voter fraud, foreigners getting health care, we're fixing problems that don't exist everywhere in Alberta!'
Smart as marbles? Hoisted on their own petard.
They're counting on another mulligan awarded them, courtesy of Smith.
Otherwise, this is voter fraud. Elections Alberta doesn't have to accept these illegal petition signatures.
It honestly never occurred to me when I wrote my address on the the other group's petition...and the petitioner checked it against the physical address on my driver's license.
the same people who are terrified of digital identification are the ones upset that they cannot sign a petition if they use a PO box or rural route on their hard copies. it's fun to watch.
“… the thresholds required to be heard…”
My experience, unfortunately, has been that it almost takes total crisis before many people wake up. Then when your not allowed to be heard…
“Don’t let the basterds grind you down”
UcPeers cutting off their nose to spite their faces.
Fascist ucp