Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Fuzz]

So is she in conflict with her leader on this one?

United Conservative Party leadership candidate Danielle Smith once argued that the risk of getting cancer from smoking cigarettes was not only exaggerated by health experts, but that smoking cigarettes also had special health benefits.

https://pressprogress.ca/danielle-sm...alth-benefits/

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

So is she in conflict with her leader on this one?


https://pressprogress.ca/danielle-sm...alth-benefits/

The leader is in conflict with herself, really.



Smoking good, but you can just shut cancer down before Stage 4 if you think hard enough or whatever.

[OptimalTates]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

That she said what she said at the most inappropriate time doesn't make the context of her statement incorrect, it just makes her a dumb-ass strategically.

It was two months ago, this was a podcast she did while campaigning for the nomination she would receive about a month ago.

Maybe not surprising but the guest before her on the podcast was none other than Theo.

But for this specifically, the question stemmed from a question about personal accountability and what that means, and she talked about cancel culture and how we are reliant on the government to save us before being asked for a specific example of where personal accountability is hurting society. And the video clip we watch (obviously intentionally) actually cuts off to make it seem worse:

"everyone else's problem but their own" is how the clip ends
"everyone else's problem but their own, so let's start looking at what we can do as a society to prevent things" (and then she goes on a rant about rural folks in Thornhill showing up against a bylaw or something because she rambles).

So, again rambling and wasn't going to listen to all of her word salad, but at this point her argument was pretty much "instead of government coming and saving us, government should focus on putting us in a position where we don't need saving" and really wasn't about healthcare at all except drawing from her history as a nurse. I mean she also went on a ramble about personal accountability is how she is helping clear snow from your neighbours driveway which made little sense to me.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by OptimalTates

From my perspective I would just flat out agree. It's clear she is talking about the "rule not the exception." 70% of males are overweight in Canada, a lot of our ailments are our fault used loosely. Obviously a lot aren't. But I think her statement is fair and true, and it's almost concerning to me that people take issue with it. We have a health problem guys, it's okay to acknowledge it and take action, let's not treat this like guns in the USA lol.

I guess it's more the motive for the statement and, as a politician, her actual plan to combat it. Is she, like she would clarify, arguing for betting education, maybe even laws like France banning free refills for sugary drinks, or (more worrisome) trying to suggest that we are responsible for our personal health so we should pay for it personally?

It's abundantly clear that we can't 'personal responsibility' our way out of these problems. Sugar is addictive; processed foods are so much cheaper they're all that many people can afford these days.

Even our general work/life balance compared to a lot of Euro nations. Both in terms of general stress, but also how it translates to day-to-day lifestyle and poor nutrition in a fast lifestyle where exercise is limited to the walk from office door to car door, etc.

Which is all to say that our society is simply designed really poorly for the idea of personal health responsibility.

[RogerWilco]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Probably not, but sometimes people need a reminder and the source of that reminder isn't necessarily all that important.

In the context of a looming election, her comments are completely idiotic, and if she has any sort of campaign manager, they should fire her as a client because -- as Duane Bratt said -- that is a massively tone deaf thing to say.

That she said what she said at the most inappropriate time doesn't make the context of her statement incorrect, it just makes her a dumb-ass strategically.

No one has ever needed a healthy living reminder from a political candidate, ever. Doctors, sure. Scientific reports , of course. Politicians, no.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

Did you need Chelsae Petrovic to help you come to this realization and are her comments in any way shape or form going to help you combat this?

No but I actually think that having someone in government who isn't afraid to pussyfoot around a subject is beneficial. We do have an unhealthy population and what can we do to make a healthier one is a legitimate statement to make. As long as it isn't followed up with something that just focuses on someone pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and be healthy.

Personally I think if you want to address the causes look at food insecurity, mental health, access to fitness facilities, improvement in knowledge, and primary health care including pharmaceutical coverage for low income populations and decreased barriers. When someone has had a MI that is too late, look at preventative measures. Those are all legitimate points.

The financial cost of obesity is massive, look at the rates of diabetes and the associated costs. Look at the rates of kidney failure and dialysis associated with poorly controlled diabetes. It is a disease that needs to be addressed and to bury ones head in the sand isn't beneficial for anyone.

Actually the reason I support the NDP is because I generally think that they are a more progressive party that focuses on long term economics.

[puffnstuff]

I dont think I'd want her as my nurse.

She has a few other red flags as well. Her anonymous fundraising, her husband is reportedly involved with the Coutts convoy folks, and using her mayoral office to assist in her ucp nomination/candidacy. Thats just what I saw in a quick glance.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

No one has ever needed a healthy living reminder from a political candidate, ever. Doctors, sure. Scientific reports , of course. Politicians, no.

This is true, still it is politicians jobs to help administrate the systems that allow for Healthcare workers, Teachers and Academics work with the general population.

[Looch City]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Come on south Calgary, get your #### together

*loud truck noises*

We're trying here, it's a huge uphill battle!

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

The only poll that matters is the election, but this must be making the Wildrose United Party sweat.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1645770130658574342

YOHO not posting polls... Guess things are not going well for him.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

No but I actually think that having someone in government who isn't afraid to pussyfoot around a subject is beneficial. We do have an unhealthy population and what can we do to make a healthier one is a legitimate statement to make. As long as it isn't followed up with something that just focuses on someone pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and be healthy.

Personally I think if you want to address the causes look at food insecurity, mental health, access to fitness facilities, improvement in knowledge, and primary health care including pharmaceutical coverage for low income populations and decreased barriers. When someone has had a MI that is too late, look at preventative measures. Those are all legitimate points.

The financial cost of obesity is massive, look at the rates of diabetes and the associated costs. Look at the rates of kidney failure and dialysis associated with poorly controlled diabetes. It is a disease that needs to be addressed and to bury ones head in the sand isn't beneficial for anyone.

Actually the reason I support the NDP is because I generally think that they are a more progressive party that focuses on long term economics.

I'd add trying to improve school-based education in nutrition and fitness. Traditional gym class doesn't work well for everyone. The old Canada Food Guide (or whatever it was called) had so many flaws, and I recall learning so many things that are now obviously wrong the few instances nutrition was ever discussed in my education.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I'd add trying to improve school-based education in nutrition and fitness. Traditional gym class doesn't work well for everyone. The old Canada Food Guide (or whatever it was called) had so many flaws, and I recall learning so many things that are now obviously wrong the few instances nutrition was ever discussed in my education.

Trudeau Government updated the Food Guide in 2019 so what we learned in school is out the window.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canad...veil-1.4987261

[FlameOn]

One thing to note about the poll, it was conducted between March 23rd and April 6th. News of the Danielle Smith pressuring prosecutors for Artur Powlowski ethics violation didn't drop till the 29th so the impact is only partially captured.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Torture

Trudeau Government updated the Food Guide in 2019.

I know. And wasn't it a bit controversial?

[Torture]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I know. And wasn't it a bit controversial?

I don't remember any controversy. *shrug*

Seems pretty straight forward to me.

Spoiler!

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Torture

I don't remember any controversy. *shrug*

Seems pretty straight forward to me.

Spoiler!

Sorry, I mean weren't farmers up in arms about it or something? The new guide makes 100% sense.

[Geraldsh]

The drink milk crowd felt left out.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Geraldsh

The drink milk crowd felt left out.

I feel rural UCP candidates are more along the lines of the Hulk Hogan philosophy to life.

Train, eat your vitamins, and say your prayers!

Then say dumb things in the media you can't take back without suing.

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

No one has ever needed a healthy living reminder from a political candidate, ever. Doctors, sure. Scientific reports , of course. Politicians, no.

Some people don't listen to any of them anyway.

[Muta]

No way - can't have the woke left / Libtards / Trudeau-Singh-Notley alliance telling us what we can and can't eat. Protein foods? Plenty of fruits and vegetables? Whole grain foods? WATER? Tell those commies if they don't have Freedom Fries, tomahawk steaks and AGD to wash it down, they can get stuffed.

Health Canada should be defunded, just like the CBC.