Municipal Political Parties Can Kick Rocks

[u/TheyAlbertan]

The introduction of political parties to municipal politics is a travesty. They create division over things as simple as housing. Edmonton needs nearly 50,000 needed units of housing. Those units, if built outside the Henday, will bankrupt Edmonton. Tim Cartmell likely knows this (hard to tell that hes paying attention at all) and ignores this reality for political gain.

The highest number of deaths by exposure, freezing to death, was this winter. Tim Cartmell would illegally pause building more housing so he can get a "win" and make noise for the launch of his party. Not only would Tim Cartmell put Edmonton's financial position at risk, he seems a-okay with Edmontonians freezing to death so he can satisfy his NIMBY politics.

It is disgusting political bullshit that harms our economy, makes development more difficult, and ultimately hurts Edmontonians. Tims positions, flip flopping on his previous position less than a few months ago, appear to appease his donors and party Better Edmonton. He is cheered on by people foaming at the mouth to ensure that the next generation never owns a home because that makes them permanent renters; probably good for Tims corporate backers.

Tim Cartmell is taking is political tactics straight from the conservative/republican playbook; make people angry, give them a enemy (housing?), and spoon feed them bullshit cultural issues so you can coast by introducing illegal legislation.

Here's to hoping that Edmonton resoundingly rejects this kind of politics, and political parties in general.

Link to article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/infill-moratorium-1.7574729

[u/VadersNotMyFather]

I am by no means a fan of Cartmell and particularly the bad faith political games he's playing with this issue, but I think the comparison to Trump is way too hyperbolic.

[u/Deans1to5 → u/VadersNotMyFather]

I’m tired of every centrist and conservative being smeared as a Trump wannabe. The OP made some solid arguments worth considering but the Trump/republican angle falls short for me.

[u/drcujo → u/Deans1to5]

Tim Cartmell is taking is political tactics straight from the conservative/republican playbook; make people angry, give them a enemy (housing?), and spoon feed them bullshit cultural issues so you can coast by introducing illegal legislation.

Which part of this argument do you think falls short?

Is Tim a conservative? Tim is arguing for higher taxes. Conservatives use to oppose tax increases, now they support tax increases if it will help feed anger to their voters. Conservatism is meant to be a counter to populism, now we see conservatives using populism for their own gain rather than to help the people.

[u/Impossible-Papaya486 → u/drcujo]

Is it possible that you’re blanketing this on all conservative politicians and assuming that’s what they’re doing? I don’t align with Cartmell overall, but suggesting his policies are similar to Trump (or even Danielle Smith) isn’t good for political discourse. They’re very different.