I was feeling content about the Alberta leadership election. I wasn’t a member of the Conservatives so I didn’t have to pay attention. I could let someone else do my thinking for me. It’s a pleasant thought.
Then I made the mistake of thinking.
This ended up with me buying a membership in the Conservative party.
<rant>
In Alberta, nobody’s vote counts.
No matter how much you try, the Conservative party will win. And because this is a forgone conclusion, no political party cares about the voters here. The Conservatives don’t need to do squat, because they know they will win every riding. Other parties don’t even bother to pander because they won’t change the voters minds.
And because of the riding system, your vote especially doesn’t count. On a provincial level, the mindless sheep that are the electorate will vote your riding into conservative hands. On a federal level, at least you know that your vote will give about two bucks into the party of your choice, but your riding will still be conservative. Anyone who tells themselves otherwise is simply deluding themselves.
And, even if through some miracle, some other party gets power in Alberta, will they even know how to run. No other party has any experience in running this province. So, do you honestly think they will do a good job.
You might as well not vote. That thought scares me.
</rant>
So, I joined the conservative party. This is the only way I can see to actually have a say in matters. This vote is a simple majority. No riding system to skew the results. Whoever wins this vote will immediately become premier for at least two years. And probably for a lot longer, because he will win the next provincial election.
This is in fact the only chance I have to select the premier.