An open letter to Danielle Smith:
At first I was just confused.
I was sure I was hearing it wrong.
Now, the more I think about it, the angrier I get!
Just a week or two ago you ended a friendship with someone who crossed the floor to the PCs. You said she would have to answer to her constituents!
Here’s the kicker, Danielle. I’m from the east originally, a staunch Liberal.
But I noticed you.
You seemed to be a woman of, and for, the people.
You seemed to speak your mind, defend your party members when controversies arose. I began to like you! I thought to myself, that woman’s got integrity. I started to believe there could be honest politicians.
I was seriously considering voting Wildrose in the next election. Several friends whom I deeply respect were backing you and entering into politics under the Wildrose banner. Well I guess we can be thankful that you showed your true colours before we really started believing in you!
And then this. You cross the floor and urge other members to do the same?
WTH Danielle?
I don’t know what kind of back room meetings you’ve been attending. But I do know you’re not a woman for the people. You’re a woman for yourself! Did you strategize a better career move with your decision? Are you drawing a better a salary?
A co-worker told me today that her parents figured they should just get a bunch of folks to run as PC members and then cross the floor to the NDP party when they’re elected. And why not, it’s no more of a mockery than you’ve committed.
Turns out that you’re just full of the same you-know-what you’ve been accusing the PCs of all along! I guess I’m back to voting for the least offensive person again in the next election.
As for you, you’ll be answering to your constituents, I imagine.
What a disappointment you’ve turned out to be.
Diana Schwenk, Calgary AB
talktodiana 
When I tell folks about my years in reporting, I say I preferred covering the cop and court beat to politics. Why? At least, theoretically, you can tell the good guys from the bad guys. While I still believe that some folks are doing the best they can in politics, I feel they are the exception to the rule. Too bad for the rest of us who are searching, as Demosthenes did, for an honest man.
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Too bad indeed. I like Alan’s thought on term limits though, what do you think?
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There are some that I would like to see stay in – so, no term limits. If all this accomplishes is to replace the “old bad” with the “new bad,” then it really doesn’t matter. Voters have to look at how politicians vote, who funds them (that’s who really has a politicians’ear and support), and what they’ve done. That’s a lot of work. But it might yield a more effective politician if s/he knew voters were going to make them accountable.
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I can’t think of a good enough one that I would miss if there were term positions. I’ve seen good ones come in and become entitled and changed over time. It’s hard not to change, I suppose. The system would overcome you.
I could never be a politician. The machine like quality of government, how it drones on, how one can hardly get anything done without cutting through a bunch of red tape, would kill me.
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This is why I didn’t like covering politics. There didn’t seem to be a learning curve. Each meeting the same folks argued over the same things. I have no desire to be in politics.
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Yes. You nailed it Judy! There does not seem to be a learning curve….
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Diana,
My experience has been that there is no such thing as an honest politician. Many enter with altruistic ideals yet all fade as soon as the game shows itself to be bigger than the players. One thing for sure is that power corrupts. Because those who are in power don’t acknowlege its origin. Can’t wade into a pool of corruption and stay uncorrupted.
The only hope to somewhat put the people before its govenment, goes beyond any constitution. It requires term limits!! And what is the likelyhood of a politician imposing that on themselves.
-Alan
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I agree Alan. There should be term limits!
Diana xo
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Well, Diana, that’s a great letter that really gets your point across! (Unfortunately I don’t know what it means, though I do obviously understand it’s political.) I hope it gets to your government people and they direct it to Ms. Smith and she rethinks her actions. 🙂 Good luck! ❤
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Thanks Rachel. I doubt she will re-think her actions but thank you. ❤
Diana xo
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Too bad, Diana. In Canada, too. 😦
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Everywhere in the world Mark 😦
Diana xo
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Diana love your honesty here and wish the politicians had to go through honesty school before applying. Now that would knock many starters out at the beginning. Happy hunting for the right one.
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Thanks Kath! ❤
Diana xo
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Go get’m, Tiger! XD
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Grrrrrrr!
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“You go girl” Get it off your chest. Love your passion for justice. It’s important they know.
🙂 🙂
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haha thanks Karen, felt good to get it off my chest!
Diana xo
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I wonder if today there is a politician left in the world that is not in it for tgemselves and big money….. the days of “for the people” only exist before the elections, thereafter it is a case of “who the hell are you?” This is a world wide phenomena that we all discover too late….
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I have to believe there are good ones bulldog, it’s in my nature. I really thought she was different, so I expected so much more from her. Maybe it’s more about my expectations than it is about her?
Diana xo
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When the good heart for a common good meets the strategic brain of self interest and manipulation … Its tough!! So glad you shared your feelings and disappointment here Diana.
You are the real thing …better than Coke and politics!
Hugs
Val x
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Really? Better than Coke? Wow – thanks Val!
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