🍁 Spread the Word! Our Democracy Relies on It As an Albertan

🍁 Spread the Word! Our Democracy Relies on It As an Albertan, I am choosing to vote Liberal, and here's why: Firstly, I appreciate that Carney is not a career politician. I believe this outsider perspective could be a significant asset for a leader. Carney seems likely to approach challenges with fresh ideas and a focus on effective governance, rather than being burdened by traditional political practices. He is highly intelligent, and if his intentions are genuine (which is a gamble we face with every candidate), I feel he is the best option for promoting unity and prosperity in Canada. 

Addressing some common concerns: Is Carney wealthy? Yes, and so is Poilievre. I view this as a positive; it suggests that Carney would seek the Prime Minister's role for the right reasons, without a primary focus on salary or pension. Does Carney have offshore investments? Yes, but he has placed them in a trust. While this doesn't entirely eliminate the risk of conflicts of interest, it is a reasonable step. 

His approach is a compromise, but it pales in comparison to my two main concerns regarding Pierre Poilievre: 1. Poilievre is politically aligned with Danielle Smith and Trump. Trump seeks a right-leaning Canadian government, and Carney has proven to be a more formidable opponent than Trump anticipated. He has begun forging new trade partnerships for Canada and demonstrates a smart approach to dealing with Trump, avoiding any overt threats and playing it cool. By not showing our cards, we can manage Trump's unpredictable tactics. 

If Trump fails to gain traction, he may turn to rallying conservative support in Canada, specifically in Alberta. Carney's stance on oil taxation could defy Smith and challenge Trump's interests. It's clear that Trump favors a Conservative government, and if you're skeptical of his intentions, you should vote Liberal to oppose him. 2. Poilievre's reluctance to apply for security clearance raises questions about his transparency. Imagine a scenario where our defense minister has critical information but can't share it with the PM due to his lack of clearance—it's absurd. Having top-level security clearance should be a fundamental requirement for such an important position, and without it, I believe Poilievre should be disqualified.

 A quick note about my Premier: You don't need to convince me of Alberta's frustrations with Ottawa; I share them completely. The flow of funds to Quebec is particularly infuriating, which explains Alberta's strong Conservative leanings. However, there remains potential for national unity. If Carney wins, I would hope he extends a fair hand to Alberta, even if it seems unlikely—he is not your typical politician. As an Albertan and a Canadian, I agree with Kelly McParland of The National Post about Smith. You can search "Kelly McParland Danielle Smith's election help" for more context. Regardless of any legal violations, Smith's comments could very well be viewed as election interference. I used to admire her; she's intelligent, but this was a misstep. While she advocates for Alberta, her actions risk harming Canada as a whole, a sentiment that frustrates me just as much as Ottawa's treatment of our province. Where is the patriotism and loyalty to Canada? If Smith genuinely wanted to show commitment, she could impose a surcharge on Alberta's energy products sold to the U.S., symbolizing Alberta's unity with Canada in our national challenges. Can Alberta afford to jeopardize oil and gas sales to the U.S.? Absolutely not, and the U.S. cannot afford that either. Some of Smith's supporters have claimed she is the only premier with "balls." To that, I say "not enough." She stands up to Ottawa, which is commendable, but she also needs to confront the larger threats against our sovereignty. 
Canada comes first for me. If we lose our country, the disagreements between Alberta and Ottawa become meaningless. (Damn it, Smith, many of us care about being both Albertans and Canadians! We must start respecting one another and working collaboratively. It's possible!)
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