April 23 2012: Alberta Provincial Election

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by transplant99

yeah....IFF brought this up yesterday as to how he/she arrives at the conclusions they do...its a bit awkward for sure.

One thing is for certain though....no matter what particular ridings go which way, the WRA will be forming the next gov't, but its just a matter of by how much. Again unless a huge mis-step occurs by Smith in the debates...this will be one of the more remarkable campaigns by a party that i can ever remember at any level of politics.

The only comparable was Ralph when he ran for mayor in 1980.

I dunno, this is probably no more remarkable than when the PCs, Socreds and UFA first came in. Which isn't to say that such a result wouldn't be remarkable, just that it would be how we seem to operate in this province.

I'm not ready to call a Wildrose government yet, though I am obviously optimistic. The latest polls ended early in the "conscience rights" issue, and we'll see early next week if the fear mongering by the three leftist parties will have enough impact to slow this train down. Plus the debates are yet to happen.

[MarchHare]

The big one is non medically necessary abortions. A doctor could refuse to perform the abortion and recommend the patient to another doctor would be one.

Is this actually happening today? Has there ever been a single instance of a doctor who is against abortion being forced to perform one anyway? If not, then why do we need to open the can of worms that is "conscience rights" to prevent a non-issue?

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Also, a tax credit aimed at a broad spectrum of Alberta's population, with health benefits attached, is a far sight better than a tax credit aimed at the people who supported Allison Redford's leadership bid.

I presume that this is a shot at the $500 tax credit for teachers, I tend to agree actually, and while I understand that teachers do spend their own money on classroom supplies, decorations and learning tools, I am sure that 95% of other professions also spend money on supplies for their work that aren't covered. It did seem like vote pandering to me and I would rather that money be invested directly into the schools.

Just because I tend to agree with many of the PC's policies in this election, doesn't mean that I agree with them all and unlike some posters here who support any of the parties I will not try and make my views fit the policies of a political party, you know the round peg in the square hole thing doesn't always work out well.

PS. Every party is fear mongering, not just the "leftist parties"... the Wildrose included. Just because they are a party that you are supporting doesn't mean that they don't engage in the tactic.

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Is this actually happening today? Has there ever been a single instance of a doctor who is against abortion being forced to perform one anyway? If not, then why do we need to open the can of worms that is "conscience rights" to prevent a non-issue?

I'm pretty sure there isn't. and it's the point I make to my socially conservative associates who initially think it adds protection for religious leaders (thinking religious leaders are marriage commissioners), for example, when in reality, it makes no difference. Not one socially conservative person has brought up anything besides 'pastors being forced to perform gay marriage' and "being forced to perform abortions", when citing reasons to support conscience rights, when neither of these are even issues today, just fears. Once you explain that it's not going to make any difference but will cost taxpayers money, their support fades pretty quickly.

I'm opposed to the policy FWIW, but I also don't see it as being some big, scary thing either, which is pretty much the point of my arguments. Don't vote against the WRA just because of the conscience rights issue, but look at their entire platform and make a decision on the parts that will actually be of consequence and can be expected to survive after a legal challenges. Only if there's a tie, or it's close, should you make this an issue when deciding who to vote for as it could end up costing use as taxpayers money without any benefit.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I presume that this is a shot at the $500 tax credit for teachers, I tend to agree actually, and while I understand that teachers do spend their own money on classroom supplies, decorations and learning tools, I would rather that money be invested directly into the schools.
PS. Every party is fear mongering, not just the "leftist parties"... the Wildrose included. Just because they are a party that you are supporting doesn't mean that they don't engage in the tactic.

I completely agree on the tax credit for teachers. As an educator, I do spend a significant amount of $ out of my own pocket for my classroom but imo that credit would be better served if it went directly to schools. Well it would actually go to the school divisions but nevertheless it would have a better impact on students if it went there instead.

I also agree with your last comment. Although I'm a conservative, I do not support everything they are promising or engaging in. The fact is, the 2 front runners will be putting forth these credits or rebates in an attempt to buy votes, unfortunately its how it works and these rebates will have an impact on several thousand voters. So, it might come down to who can buy the most votes. And like a few others, just because the polls have the WRA way out in front, I'm not ready to say they will form the government. It has been too easy for them so far, I expect that to change over the next 2 weeks and the PCs have been very quiet so far, which I also expect to change now.

I said it before, as an educator, the party that has impressed me the most with their educational ideas moving forward is the Alberta Party, but I have to question if that one platform is enough for me to change my vote. I will add that if the WRA does form the next government in Alberta, I'm very concerned about our education system moving forward. I believe it will be like we've taken 2 steps forward but it would have take 3 steps back.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Also, a tax credit aimed at a broad spectrum of Alberta's population, with health benefits attached, is a far sight better than a tax credit aimed at the people who supported Allison Redford's leadership bid.

Careful, your beloved WRA has proposed the same tax credit, which is ridiculous for the same reasons.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I completely agree on the tax credit for teachers. As an educator, I do spend a significant amount of $ out of my own pocket for my classroom but imo that credit would be better served if it went directly to schools. Well it would actually go to the school divisions but nevertheless it would have a better impact on students if it went there instead..

Truth be told I think that the people who were consulted the least on benefits associated with a $500/year tax credit for teachers, are the teachers who would be impacted. I have talked to a number and not a single one of them thought that it would result in better services for the students and the optics of it are that they are buying votes in small segments. I do think that this tax credit in particular will repulse more people than it appeals to and lead to reduced overall support for the PCs.

As you alluded to, while I am leary of the Wildrose, the PCs have done absolutely nothing to galvanize the voting populace to date.

[TorqueDog]

Keep the $400/person and put it back into the province.

[Flickered Flame]

From Stephen Carter's twitter:

BREAKING: While door knocking, PC Candidate and Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk was assaulted. Police on scene.

[transplant99]

^^^How bizarre.

Pissed off teacher maybe?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

From Stephen Carter's twitter:

Just saw this as well. Incredibly bizarre.

[First Lady]

EDMONTON - Thomas Lukaszuk, MLA candidate for Edmonton-Castle Downs and Alberta Education Minister, was campaigning in Edmonton's north-end Saturday afternoon, when he was allegedly kicked and punched in the face.

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/albe...621/story.html

[Kybosh]

Meh, everyone gets kicked and punched in the face in north Edmonton.

[kn]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Pissed off teacher maybe?

Pissed off doctor? Taxpayer?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by kn

Pissed off doctor? Taxpayer?

Maybe....was just pointing out he was Education Minister is all.

[Slava]

Thats brutal. I received a really threatening phone call as a school trustee candidate and even that had me rattled (who calls a school trustee candidate in that manner?!), so I can't imagine an actual assault. Crazy!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Slava

Careful, your beloved WRA has proposed the same tax credit, which is ridiculous for the same reasons.

Yes it is. All parties promise the moon, and not one of them can reach it.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Yes it is. All parties promise the moon, and not one of them can reach it.

After the election they'll start talking about things that actually matter I suppose!

[killer_carlson]

Shouldn't be making it this personal. Too bad for lukazuk. Hope he is ok.

I know the wra candidate in my riding had signs taken down in the riding and then dumped at the apartment building where he lives. Creepy.

[Resolute 14]

Pretty crazy about Lukazuk. Stupid people in this world.