Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Fiveway

On that note, I still don't understand why Calgarians are so opposed to user fees.

Me either. In fact user fees seem to be exactly what Albertans and Calgarians claim they want. We get lower taxes overall, and let people specifically using discretionary services pay for them. At least that's the impression I've gotten from people here. We don't want a socialist paradise where everything is "free" but taxes are through the roof.

What I *am* against are taxes re-branded as "user fees". It's not like I have any choice in paying for curbside recycling. I personally support the hell out of the program, but don't claim it's a user fee that I can somehow get out of paying. It should be part of our base property taxes. Like it or not, property taxes increased when they brought the program in (even if the amount was so insignificant as to not bother me), so stop lying about it.

Presuming that's the sort of user fess people are complaining about...

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

Once a story gets repeated enough they believe it even without evidence. Global warming/climate change is a perfect example.

How so? That's quite the statement, one way or the other. (By the way, in what way do you mean, that people believe in climate change because of the media, or that people do not believe in climate change because of the media?)

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by fusili

How so? That's quite the statement, one way or the other. (By the way, in what way do you mean, that people believe in climate change because of the media, or that people do not believe in climate change because of the media?)

Devil's advocate here, but comments such as "there is no debate" and "scientific consensus" sure don't help the issue.

[DizzyEdge]

You know I'm sad to see Dave go, but 10 yrs is probably enough for any one Mayor, good to get new bodies, even with the fear of the unknown.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Devil's advocate here, but comments such as "there is no debate" and "scientific consensus" sure don't help the issue.

Exactly. Myself being one who does believe that humans are a cause of climate, to say that there is scientific consensus is first of all an oxymoron (the whole point of science is not to gain a consensus, but to constantly challenge establish facts and theories in the pursuit of science) but also offensive to my scientific sensibilities. People will constantly challenge scientific theories, and that is good. They should not be shunned, but encouraged. Challenges are welcomed, but being welcoming should not be misinterpreted as being in agreement.

[bigcanuck]

Any thoughts on the non-political candidates who are potentially entering the race? Some names that have been thrown around include George Brookman and Ken King.

[MalcolmTucker]

Ken King is the often rumoured but never put forward name. Last I heard there is a former Catholic Board Chair that was feeling around (a man, I can't remember the name), and a couple other 'entrepreneurs' that want to put there name forward.

Shall see over the next few months who is shaken out of the wood work.

[mooky]

Ken King? Really? The Flames will be lucky to scrape into the bottom wrung of the playoff race in the west if they're lucky, don't we want a can-do mayor, not a can-don't mayor?
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Upon further reflection, maybe we want a him as mayor. The Flames had everyone thinking top tier and Stanley Cup contenders at the start of the year, and in the end let everyone down. Sounds like a perfect politician to me

I jest, I jest, I am a long suffering Oilers fan who couldn't resist the shot.

[You Need A Thneed]

Dar McBool should run.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

Dar McBool should run.

You mean Mcbool Darr?

[wmp.dll]

Originally Posted by mooky

I jest, I jest, I am a long suffering Oilers fan who couldn't resist the shot.

Hey atleast some one on the Oilers is scoring (probably not safe for work!):

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-...09631728_517901728_4764752_7780545_n.jpg

But back to the election thing.

I for one will not miss Bronconnier. I felt he became Mayor more for the photo op's, than to actually run the city.

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by wmp.dll

I for one will not miss Bronconnier. I felt he became Mayor more for the photo op's, than to actually run the city.

i'm sorry, but that's just absurd.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Wooster

You sound like Sarah Palin. Are urbanists not 'real' Calgarians?

"Real" or long-term Calgarians tend to be very against government intervention in their lives in terms of being told what to do and how to do it. The people pushing urbanism in this city are so prescriptive that they actually do come across as not being real Calgarians. Most people don't like to be told how they live and what they value is wrong. Especially when it most of it seems to be coming from people who have recently moved her and have no intentions of staying. Maybe it's time we only allow those that have lived here for at least 10 consecutive years to vote. :-)

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Fiveway

I guess I'm an un-calgarian calgarian.

On that note, I still don't understand why Calgarians are so opposed to user fees.

My guess is that most people consider *mandatory* user fees a tax. If there are viable options and the choice to opt out I doubt many people are opposed to user fees. For example, you don't hear too many complaints about library fees or having to pay to go to a city run rec center.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ You have a very skewed view of people, I have to wonder where you work and what your social circle is like to hold that view. Not saying that it is wrong to hold the positions that you do, just that to transpose them onto the majority of Calgarians is quite a stretch.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by fusili

How so? That's quite the statement, one way or the other. (By the way, in what way do you mean, that people believe in climate change because of the media, or that people do not believe in climate change because of the media?)

The main stream media have always been huge cheerleaders in favor of the global warming crowd so what I said isn't quite the statement. It wasn't until people outside of the main stream media started doing some digging that people realized that they've been told one lie after another. Now that there is a large amount of evidence that reports have been rigged, not peer reviewed, etc. and most importantly those involved have admitted this is all true that should put an end to all of the "science is settled" crap that they've tried to shove down on our throats. This, at least for awhile, is also going to make most people a lot more weary about what they are being told which is a very good thing in my books.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Devil's advocate here, but comments such as "there is no debate" and "scientific consensus" sure don't help the issue.

It's rather obvious that schools have been brain-washing students on this topic for over a decade now. Just look at the story in the news yesterday about all of these poor climate research scientists who are crying that Harper won't renew their research grants and they have managed to get over 1,000 students to sign a petition and of course the students think Harper is out to lunch, blah, blah, blah. When those students are older they'll look back on all of this and be totally pissed off at how they were taken advantage of.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

Ken King is the often rumoured but never put forward name. Last I heard there is a former Catholic Board Chair that was feeling around (a man, I can't remember the name), and a couple other 'entrepreneurs' that want to put there name forward.

Shall see over the next few months who is shaken out of the wood work.

A school board member (either board) would be a frickin disaster as mayor.

I can't see Ken King wanting to be mayor and I could see a certain segment of the population attacking him right away saying he's only running to help get the Flames a new arena.

[mooky]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

"Real" or long-term Calgarians tend to be very against government intervention in their lives in terms of being told what to do and how to do it. The people pushing urbanism in this city are so prescriptive that they actually do come across as not being real Calgarians. Most people don't like to be told how they live and what they value is wrong. Especially when it most of it seems to be coming from people who have recently moved her and have no intentions of staying. Maybe it's time we only allow those that have lived here for at least 10 consecutive years to vote. :-)

Yup, its official, you make my shit list for stupidity. I've been here 15 years this summer, and I for one actually like the urban fabric of this city more now then I did back 10 years. I guess in your view I'm allowed to vote thought so hey.... that's good.

Perhaps you should revise your time frame out 20 years now, eh?