As a newcomer to the province but also as a longtime observer of Alberta conservative politics, I marvel at the popularity of this ‘upstart’ and the following it is gaining.

I have always admired Alberta for their stance within Confederation......a great supporter but with clear and defined lines drawn to keep out those pesky Feds and their social and fiscal meddling in provincial matters, unlike most other provinces in Canada. The only comparison is Quebec where the Feds are kept out, but their money is welcome, but I digress.

What other provinces do like clockwork is 'change' ideologies, but not Alberta, they just change one brand of 'cons' for another, probably from their deep rooted agri-society attitude in which all are taught, "a new broom sweeps clean". Just as long as the broom has a great big blue label on it!

But, have you ever noticed how all entrenched Parties always morph into the progressive liberal socialist mode as their omnipotent power corrupts even the most stalwart until, yup you got it, "a new broom comes in". Klein, Stelmach, enter Danielle Smith to the rescue, ya right!

Now, what does this scenario do for the 'real' opposition parties? Nothing! And therein lies the seeds of destruction for Alberta`s foundational society of conservatism. Sooner or later, particularly with mass migration attracting all ideologies to the wealth of this province, the irony is that success will eventually turn to defeat at the polls and it will not be another 'blue brand', it will not be pretty. Long pent up desires of other political parties will come forth and their pent up frustrations will overwhelm sensible government. [Who can forget the NDP fiasco in B.C?]

What I am talking about here is Einstein's definition of insanity; "repeating the same practices and yet hoping for change". Like politics, physics has long confirmed that in the end, it is not only futile but destructive.

I, being part of the Refederation movement, am offering a solution to the inevitable, the wild swings of politics. How? By providing inclusiveness to others heretofore denied through decades of dominance by the 'cons'. No this is not some mishmash airy fairy elitist fantasy, but a system of governing long proved successful in the Swiss model of government. The people are the supreme authority and can shut down out of control politicians and their organizations no matter the stripe or level of competence or lack thereof.

In Alberta, with minimum fuss, and leaving the reigns of 'running' government with the elected Party, The People will have absolute authority over unpopular legislation and with those initiating it. So by all means, elect the party of your choice. The Alberta Refederation Association [ABRefed] can show you how to keep "your representatives" on the straight and narrow.

"In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief, by the chains of the Constitution." - Thomas Jefferson

Mel Garden/Interim Chair
Interim President, Alberta Refederation Association
Vice President, BC Refederation Party