Quote:
Originally Posted by Cowboy89
Why can't the government do less in terms of services and involvement in the economy? We all talk about how Albertans want gold plated services without paying higher taxes for them. The end of that discussion seems to always result in left leaning types insisting that taxes must go up and that the business of government cannot be questioned. Why can't we talk about what the populace really wants/needs from the government?
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The PCs changed because Alberta changed. Redford won the PC leadership - and the PCs won a majority - with campaign promises to build 50 new schools and increase hospital beds. Basically, the key Alberta voter is no longer a guy who grew up on a farm and now works for an oil services company. It's an urban soccer mom who is stressed about no schools for her kids in her community and access to health care for her ageing parents.
The PCs could keep both soccer moms and the low taxes crowd happy while energy royalties gushed into provincial coffers. Now everyone is going to have to make compromises if we hope to close the huge budget deficit.