Most Alberta PC contestants had agreed to do it, except for Jim Dinning. They pledged to disclose the sources of their campaign funding. Ed Stelmach, the man for whom the word “honest” was often used to precede his name made the same pledge. Two days after winning the leadership of his party, Stelmach reiterated his intention to publish the list of donors to his leadership bid. Now, Stelmach has gone back on his word, however he wishes to rationalise it.
Point number one of Stelmach’s so-called “new Alberta agenda” promises to “govern with integrity and transparency.” No matter how one cuts it, Stelmach does not look good on this. He is going back on his word, even if only in part. He is giving the impression of hiding or shielding people’s names who donated large sums of cash. There is no way to make that look good before Albertans.
These are acts that do not reinforce “integrity and transparency.” In fact, Stelmach’s actions give appearances to the contrary. Skating back to withhold some of the names is surely not transparency, and in light of the promise to make the list known, it is not integrity.
Not even a week into the oath of office the man called “honest Ed” is not living up to the very first principle outlined in his “agenda” and makes some call into question the qualifier before his name.
In a twist of the old adage: It is not enough to simply be honest beyond reproach; one must be seen to be honest beyond reproach. And regardless of whether Stelmach likes it, there is no way he, or any other politician, can justify taking untold thousands of dollars from undisclosed sources.
Of all the places to slip right at the beginning of his premiership, this is not the best for “honest Ed.” Stelmach sure seems to be out of touch with the desire for change that there is in his party. The same old tactics are not going to work, and the expectations are now much higher. Stelmach will either move with the winds of change to work on real honesty and transparency, or he will be swept by them.
crossposted from civitatensis.ca
Anon wrote:
You are misrepresenting Ed here. Ed NEVER said that he would post the names of donors who asked to remain anonymous. To do so would in fact be going against his word. For you to say Ed went back on his word days after accepting office is complete rubbish. Get your facts straight.
What about your good friend Ted? Any donor disclosure yet? Your hyposcrisy is stunning.
I challenge you to leave this comment up, but somehow I don’t think you will, as it doesn’t fit with your agenda.
Posted on 19-Dec-06 at 1:39 pm | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
Everyone should look into the background of Stelmach’s Cabinet members, theirs some real shiners in their when it comes to the law. I would be more specific but that comes across as slander, which happens to be frowned uppon from what I hear.
Posted on 19-Dec-06 at 1:48 pm | Permalink
Greg Farries wrote:
Oh ya, cause we’re always taking down comments that don’t fit our “agenda.”
Nice try Anon,
Posted on 19-Dec-06 at 2:37 pm | Permalink
kaqchikel wrote:
Challenge accepted, anon. Did Ed ever placed caveats during the campaign as to whose names he would or would not reveal? If I missed that, please show me that I’m wrong by pointing at the record and I’d be happy to correct.
Posted on 19-Dec-06 at 2:38 pm | Permalink
Aaron Unruh wrote:
“I would be more specific but that comes across as slander, which happens to be frowned uppon from what I hear.”
It’s possible to be more specific within slandering those involved. Otherwise, this comes across as unsubstantiated mud-throwing.
Posted on 19-Dec-06 at 6:59 pm | Permalink
Barb Harrison wrote:
Premier Stelmach, I just wanted you ro know that I have purchased your Buick Alure
at Beaverhill Motors in Tofield. I am very please with the car and am honored to be
able to own it. I am a senior citizen of Tofield for sevemteen years, previous to that I was the receptionist for the County of Beaver No.9. I well remember you coming into our County as a young MLA and saying you will do just fine in the future, never knowing you would be Premier. Never the less I noticed from our local paper in Tofield you are coming to the Sodbusters Rodeo in May, and I so much would like to meet you again. If this is possible please confirm.
Sincerely Barb Harrison
Posted on 02-May-07 at 7:01 pm | Permalink
Jaunque wrote:
wha??
Posted on 02-May-07 at 10:33 pm | Permalink