Alberta budget news

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Yes. Every "special interest group" that has been welcome for the last 20 years but is now excluded because they don't spew Redford's line of BS.

Greenpeace?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Slava

They're a pure special interest group, along with the PGIB, CFIB and many others. Where do they get their mandate from? I have no idea why they would need to be in the lock-up to begin with? I'm sure we can hear their comments just fine along with everyone else after the budget is tabled.

Sorry...aint buying the spin.


Special interest groups generally have a financial motive behind them in that what they lobby for will provide them with a benefit of some sort as a business.

CTF is non-profit, their employees cant even hold political party membership, and they finance themselves strictly by non charitable deduction donations. ANYONE can join them at no cost.

They are the anti-special interest group as they represent everyone equally.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Sorry...aint buying the spin.


Special interest groups generally have a financial motive behind them in that what they lobby for will provide them with a benefit of some sort as a business.

CTF is non-profit, their employees cant even hold political party membership, and they finance themselves strictly by non charitable deduction donations. ANYONE can join them at no cost.

They are the anti-special interest group as they represent everyone equally.

Weird because the polls all show that Albertans are on a different page than what we're hearing from the CTF. How exactly does that happen? Again, where does the mandate come from?

If they represent us all (how noble and glorious!) isn't that completely redundant given that we elect government to do that?

[Azure]

Oh please. The CTF got kicked out because they wouldn't paint the PCs in a pretty light.

Nothing more, nothing less.

[Jacks]

Glad to see you haven't fallen off the PC bandwagon yet Slava. Oops I forgot, you aren't a PC supporter.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Glad to see you haven't fallen off the PC bandwagon yet Slava. Oops I forgot, you aren't a PC supporter.

I'm not. What does that have to do with special interest groups whining though? In find it amusing that anyone would defend these guys being involved though. In all honesty, whats the difference?

We all know what their position is: cut taxes. Fantastic insight as usual. We don't need environmental groups there telling us to be more green, and we don't need pro-life/pro-choice involved federally either. Its just such a non-story and non-concern.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by Makarov

To clarify my point, graduating from law school, being appointed Queen's Counsel, being chosen to advise the UN on constitutional reform issues in Africa, and being elected as Premier of Alberta are all pretty strong indicators of very high intelligence (although not necessarily indicators of being a good Premier.) To suggest otherwise is absurd.

Intelligence means nothing when you base your decisions on knee-jerk emotional reactions and self-interest.

[Dion]

Would it be that difficult for the Redfraud PC's to set up a couple of extra chairs for the CTF?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Dion

Would it be that difficult for the Redfraud PC's to set up a couple of extra chairs for the CTF?

Sure, but why? I ask again, what's the difference?

[Jacks]

Well the Alberta Liberals are only polling around 13%, we know what their position is and they're only going to be whining. Maybe we shouldn't invite them either.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sure, but why? I ask again, what's the difference?

You invite the CTF for 20 years straight and then turn around and say the invitee list changes year-to-year as an excuse. Doesn't that strike you as odd?

[Dion]

Redford told reporters before entering the legislature she doesn’t put much weight in polls, but her government will demonstrate it is prudent, accountable and responsible when it tables the budget Thursday.

“From my perspective, I think Albertans did put their trust in us last year,” she said. “These are challenging times and I think we will make the choices that reflect their priorities.”

In the House, Redford criticized the tone of Smith’s questions and retorted that the opposition is stuck on “extremism and ideology” and doesn’t understand how to build a government that provides services to Albertans, continues to invest in families and communities and is prudent with taxpayer’s dollars.

“I’m awfully sorry if my tone is hurting the premier’s feelings,” Smith responded. “Running balanced budgets isn’t an issue of being right wing or left wing. It’s an issue of being competent.”

When Liberal Leader Raj Sherman stated the Conservative government’s move from a progressive tax to a flat tax has left the province “broke” Redford said the province was not broke and his insinuation was “ridiculous.”

“What is ridiculous is that in a boom they can’t balance the budget,” retorted Sherman.

In another fiery exchange over Medevac services being from Edmonton’s downtown airport to the International Airport south of the city, the premier accused the opposition of fearmongering and trying to scare people. Redford also accused Smith of “wasting time in the legislature” with her questions.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Re...614/story.html

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Sorry...aint buying the spin.


Special interest groups generally have a financial motive behind them in that what they lobby for will provide them with a benefit of some sort as a business.

CTF is non-profit, their employees cant even hold political party membership, and they finance themselves strictly by non charitable deduction donations. ANYONE can join them at no cost.

They are the anti-special interest group as they represent everyone equally.

Oh please. The CTF is clearly a special interest group that predominantly represents the interests of those who benefit the most from lower taxes: business owners and high wage earners. Why even pretend otherwise?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Makarov

Oh please. The CTF is clearly a special interest group that predominantly reptesents the interests of those who benefit the most from lower taxes: business owners and high wage earners. Why even pretend otherwise?

LOL...yeah OK.

Liberals make me laugh.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

My first thought after hearing about the CTF was she was going to demand a public apology before letting them play with the toys again. Feels so similar.

Originally Posted by Slava

Any other special interest groups that you'd like to see get access?

Everyone there could be called a special interest group. So why not this special interest group?

I don't think it will help Redford. Unlike the mayor shutting industry out of a closed process they need to be part of because they dont drink the kool aid, the CTF doesnt really need or want to be part of the process, they just need a microphone. She has no leverage and is almost doing them a favor.

[Tinordi]

CTF is also a cesspool of climate change deniers.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

CTF is also a cesspool of climate change deniers.

Care to offer any evidence?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Dion

You invite the CTF for 20 years straight and then turn around and say the invitee list changes year-to-year as an excuse. Doesn't that strike you as odd?

So what? Its clear they have nothing to add here, so we don't need to invite them on the basis of tradition.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

My first thought after hearing about the CTF was she was going to demand a public apology before letting them play with the toys again. Feels so similar.



Everyone there could be called a special interest group. So why not this special interest group?

I don't think it will help Redford. Unlike the mayor shutting industry out of a closed process they need to be part of because they dont drink the kool aid, the CTF doesnt really need or want to be part of the process, they just need a microphone. She has no leverage and is almost doing them a favor.

I actually don't disagree with you if you're saying what I think you are. Groups like the AFL, UNA, etc. shouldn't be there either. Why do they need a sneak peek at the budget? Surely they can all be upset for media after its released? We know the AFL will say that its bad because there are too many cuts, and the CTF will say they should cut taxes. Maybe we can save the complimentary coffee and donuts and just get on with the show.

[peter12]

Anytime there is a political debate on this board, I am reminded of how stupid most people don't deserve to vote, or comment on public affairs.

You don't think having citizen watchdog groups at a budget meeting is a good idea?