April 23 2012: Alberta Provincial Election

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Rerun

The problem of low voter turn out isn't because people just don't have time to do it. Its appathy, particularly in the younger generation. Having the polls stay open longer won't change that.

Voter apathy is particularly rational under first-past-the-post. What a dumb system.

=======

Originally Posted by Jacks

I think the concept is that (after social programs are funded) surplus cash will help out someone is low income more than someone who is high income.

Yup, the energy dividend is akin to progressive taxation.

[redforever]

I found this article about Peter Lougheed to be a very good read. Not only Alberta, but Canada as a whole, was very lucky to have a person of such integrity and with such leadership qualities.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle2409628/

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I think the concept is that (after social programs are funded) surplus cash will help out someone is low income more than someone who is high income. Makes sense and 90% of the people I've heard from like the idea. I still don't like the idea but $300 isn't going to have a meaningful impact on my life. For a family of 4 it is a mortgage payment.

Yes, a $300 cheque will help a low income person more than a $300 cheque will help a high income person. Obviously. However, $600 (as a cheque, or better yet, as programming) will help a low income person a lot more than a $300 cheque for them and a $300 cheque for a high income person for whom said $300 will have no meaningful impact (as you've said.) It is a totally regressive, stupid idea, that hurts poor people.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Abacus poll, April 18-19

Calgary:
Wildrose: 44%
PC: 29%
NDP: 12%
Liberal: 13%

Sometimes I just don't understand you, Calgary.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by SebC

Voter apathy is particularly rational under first-past-the-post. What a dumb system..

First past the post does have its faults, as do all other systems. I consider the alternative to be unwieldy and it usually ends up giving us coalition governments where it is extremely difficult to accomplish anything substantial. Perhaps a better system would be to retain the first past the post method but to give the individual reps more independence. Do away with the party whip system.

Originally Posted by SebC

Yup, the energy dividend is akin to progressive taxation.

Please explain.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Makarov

Sometimes I just don't understand you, Calgary.

Sometimes I just don't understand Edmontonians. How can they be so fundamentally different than Calgarians? Is it because they are a civil service town? That can't be it because there is way more to Edmonton than the Legislature... unlike Ottawa.

Edmonton:
Wildrose: 29%
PC: 36%
NDP: 16%
Liberal: 17%

[Slava]

Danielle Smith and big tobacco. What is it this woman dislikes about science so much, anyway?
http://www.albertadiary.ca/2012/04/w...-danielle.html

My fave quote attributed to Smith: "the evidence shows moderate cigarette consumption can reduce traditional risks of disease by 75% or more"

I wish that was made up or from the Onion or something!

[Jacks]

Alright, time for some predictions, don't be chickens.

Wildrose - (40 - 52 seats) I'm going with 48
PC - (27 - 39 seats) I'm going with 31
Lib - 2 (Raj and either Swann or Hehr)
NDP - 6
AP - They'll have plenty of preparation time for when they form government in 5 years.

Fearless predictions:
- Redford will not resign on election night but will be gone shortly after. (unless she loses her seat).
- Morton loses his seat.
- Strategic voting decimates the Liberals but has little effect on the NDP in Edmonton.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Alright, time for some predictions, don't be chickens.

Wildrose - (40 - 52 seats) I'm going with 48
PC - (27 - 39 seats) I'm going with 31
Lib - 2 (Raj and either Swann or Hehr)
NDP - 6
AP - They'll have plenty of preparation time for when they form government in 5 years.

Fearless predictions:
- Redford will not resign on election night but will be gone shortly after. (unless she loses her seat).
- Morton loses his seat.
- Strategic voting decimates the Liberals but has little effect on the NDP in Edmonton.

Will be glad to see Morton lose his seat. Being an offroad enthusiest I hate that prick.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Slava

Danielle Smith and big tobacco. What is it this woman dislikes about science so much, anyway?
http://www.albertadiary.ca/2012/04/w...-danielle.html

My fave quote attributed to Smith: "the evidence shows moderate cigarette consumption can reduce traditional risks of disease by 75% or more"

I wish that was made up or from the Onion or something!

A few notes:

Nor would many have noticed that the Wildrose Party indicated in its response to the survey that it would not agree to consider taking action on such measures as banning candy-flavoured tobacco, reducing sales to minors or suing tobacco companies to recover health care costs resulting from disease tied to negligence by the industry. If Wildrose MLAs wanted to do something about those things, they could introduce a private-member bill, the party’s response said.

How is that for fiscal responsibility, Alberta? That is BILLIONS of dollars in damages, your tax dollars, that Smith is leaving on the table. Incidentally, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland have all initiated billion dollar claims against the tobacco industry (you can read about it here if you're interested.)

[DFO]

Originally Posted by Slava

Danielle Smith and big tobacco. What is it this woman dislikes about science so much, anyway?
http://www.albertadiary.ca/2012/04/w...-danielle.html

My fave quote attributed to Smith: "the evidence shows moderate cigarette consumption can reduce traditional risks of disease by 75% or more"

I wish that was made up or from the Onion or something!

Wow. My vote for WR = gone.

[transplant99]

Wildrose - 47
PC - 32
Lib - 3
NDP - 5

[Jacks]

I'd like to see the full quote in context, not some snippet from a guy who obviously hates her guts.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Jacks

I'd like to see the full quote in context, not some snippet from a guy who obviously hates her guts.

Yes. This isn't an impartial news story by a respected journalist. This is an essay, a blog, a diatribe, by someone with an axe to grind..

David Climenhaga, author of the Alberta Diary blog, is a journalist, author, journalism teacher, poet and trade union communicator who has worked in senior writing and editing positions with the Toronto Globe and Mail and the Calgary Herald. His 1995 book, A Poke in the Public Eye, explores the relationships among Canadian journalists, public relations people and politicians. He left journalism after the strike at the Calgary Herald in 1999 and 2000 to work as Communications Director of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees, which with more than 73,000 members is Alberta’s largest union and Canada’s 10th largest. Alberta Diary focuses on Alberta politics and social issues.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Yes. This isn't an impartial news story by a respected journalist. This is an essay, a blog, a diatribe, by someone with an axe to grind..

Not quite:

David Climenhaga is an award-winning journalist, author, post-secondary teacher, poet and trade union communicator who has worked in senior writing and editing positions at the Toronto Globe and Mail and Calgary Herald. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from the Carleton University School of Journalism in Ottawa.

[Jacks]

Don't care what his credentials are, you feel the hate when reading that.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Also, linked in the diary is a Herald article that is pretty damning as well

Almost all the major party leaders pledged Monday that they would take steps to curb youth tobacco use if elected, save one - Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith.

In a survey compiled by a coalition of provincial health organizations, party leaders were asked if they would support a number of measures aimed at limiting youth access to tobacco products, including a proposed ban of flavoured tobacco products.

Brian Mason, Alison Redford, Raj Sherman and Glenn Taylor reported that they were in favour of the ban.

The same four leaders said they would also support raising tobacco taxes and suing tobacco companies to recover health-care costs resulting from deceptive marketing practices.

Only Smith said she wouldn't support the majority of the measures. The Wildrose Party has vowed not to raise taxes, including taxes on tobacco products.

But Smith said she would be willing to support redirecting existing revenue towards initiatives to curb youth smoking, adding that she was also open to supporting free votes on all private members bills targeting tobacco use among minors.

The coalition wouldn't say whether or not they were disappointed that a front-runner in the provincial race wasn't in favour of a majority of the measures.

"We would hope that any leader or politician or government member would take a leadership position on something that affects the health of Alberta kids," said Angeline Webb of the Campaign for a SmokeFree Alberta.

"We applaud all the leaders that want to support these initiatives that reduce youth tobacco use."

The survey was put together by a coalition of health organizations including the provincial chapters of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Lung Association, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta.

http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald...c-ade9ecb2144a

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Slava

Danielle Smith and big tobacco. What is it this woman dislikes about science so much, anyway?
http://www.albertadiary.ca/2012/04/w...-danielle.html

My fave quote attributed to Smith: "the evidence shows moderate cigarette consumption can reduce traditional risks of disease by 75% or more"

I wish that was made up or from the Onion or something!

It was though she stopped paying attention to science in the 50s.

I have to assume that quote is out of context because that might be one of the dumber things I have ever heard attributed to a modern politician.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Makarov

Not quite:

Means nothing though, he is an extremely biased writer because of his union affiliation, and it is clear in that manifesto if you read it as such.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Also, linked in the diary is a Herald article that is pretty damning as well

Damning how?