Pay Back Time
Some are predicting that it is only a matter of time and Ottawa will make a grab for a bigger chunk of Alberta’s wealth. If the Liebrano’s win another minority government or heaven forbid a majority it would be a safe bet it will happen sooner rather than later.
One can not blame Albertans nervous tension in regards to the hard earned “surplus” they are wrestling with. What with central Canada’s flag wrapping, separatist appointing, Liebrano$ tip toeing around this issue, which is really none of their business, yet pretending like it is a national issue.
As well, the rest of the country seems to have swallowed the fallacy that Alberta’s wealth can only be attributed to oil and gas! This, at least, has long been Saskatchewan’s explanation or excuse!
Alberta’s current premier, like those of the past, spouting “hands off” rhetoric, has not calmed the fears as we all know from his history that when it comes to butting heads with the feds he eventually gets a concussion. But it has, as in the past, put Albertans to sleep! No wonder there is cause for concern.
I would like to make a suggestion to resolve this dilemma from the perspective of an Alberta boy who went against the flow 33 years ago and moved to Saskatchewan. “Flow” is an appropriate word as so many will know if you ever are out on those east-west prairie highways at the beginning of a long weekend and experienced the bumper to bumper traffic, first flowing east, and then back west to their homes and jobs in Alberta.
In fact it could be argued that Albertans should be responsible for the building and maintenance of these Saskatchewan routes as it is on these routes that we annually export our calves, then our grain and then our kids. Everything we hold dear!
It is said that there are more Saskatchewan people living in Alberta today, than in Saskatchewan. For this reason it could be argued that Alberta owes much of its success to those industrious, adventurous, hard working, motivated, socialist fleeing, and entrepreneurial, spirited people of Saskatchewan.
For decades Saskatchewan has been the breeding grounds for much of Alberta’s “conservative” work force and business base, leaving Saskatchewanians at the mercy of the N.D.P. (No Definite Policy) elites that excel at only one thing….denying reality!
My idea would go along way in quieting and calming those hostile, bigoted, and jealous elements in the East who would be loath to object to such an obvious solution that recognizes the debt and historical connection that Alberta owes and feels for Saskatchewan.
Albertans who might normally respond with a knee-jerk reaction to any suggestion that other provinces are entitled to an even bigger share of Alberta’s wealth would be hard pressed to argue against my proposal. After all, many Albertans have moms and dads, brothers and sisters and cousins and uncles and aunts, grandpa’s and grandma’s, great grandpa’s…well you get the picture, still living in Saskatchewan.
These people are still doing what they do best. Raising more kids on the farm where they learn to work the land, pick the rocks (or curl them), feed the cows, then, representing our best and brightest, move west to the land of opportunity. Escaping the socialist utopia of Saskatchewan where the Regina manifesto, that capitalist hating document perceived to be sacred, has ruled the political world here for so long that even when conservatives win here, which is seldom, it is only because they out socialize the socialists.
Here is my proposal; Alberta could defuse the “sharing” sentiments of our federal masters by stroking an enormous check to the province of Saskatchewan for payment of the decades of raw resources and people that have been the foundation of Alberta’s success. How could the east object? Seems only fair! It is more a blessing to give than to receive. Right? With this bold, ground breaking and generous action, there can be no doubt, that Alberta would continue to be blessed by its neighbor to the east.
Now let me be clear here, I am not just “whining” for a hand out, no no! This should only happen if certain conditions are agreed to.
If the payment is significant, it will have a long and lasting impact for the people of Alberta and Saskatchewan. With this “windfall” we will reduce the debts and obligations of our government and our people, and the need for top prices for what we produce will be reduced. Many taxes must be lowered or completely eliminated! Debt reduction and of course the enhancing of those well traveled westbound routes would be a priority.
In any forum, especially academic, any reference to Tommy Douglas, CCF, and that capitalist hating “Manifesto” document as being a positive part of our history must be countered (equal time) with facts revealing the farce that it is. Don’t know if this would be legal…but it sure is a pleasant thought.
Saskatchewan must align its tax policies with Alberta; this would cut down on those PST free weekend shopping trips to Alberta, lowering demand in Alberta and therefore prices…a win win situation for everyone!
Hey Albertans …every socialist has a price. For 1 billion dollars we'll dump the NDP! For 3 billion, we'll oust them for 20 years! For 5 billion we'll harmonize all our taxes, royalty structures, policies, laws and government, elect our senators, dump the Crown Corps, let you use the words "bunny hugs" and “coffee row”...and vote “Conservative” in perpetuity!
Just think…no longer would the border line show a decidedly different, Alberta versus Saskatchewan, approach to resource development! We would be “open for business”, finally! You can even call us East Alberta! C’mon, let’s make a deal…buy us off! Pleeeease!
We also will promise to follow Alberta out of the quagmire that has become Canada,
when you decide to go! We will call it “plan G”, since if you look back far enough, which one must, A, B, C, D, E, F, have all failed at bringing the west “in”!
The west can only get justice in this CON-federation if we, in the west, stick together. None of this divide and conquer stuff any more! The west from now on will speak with a united voice!
Is he dreaming, you might ask, or is his tongue firmly planted in his cheek? Perhaps, but those are your choices Alberta…share the windfall with family, or let the thieving Liebrano$ invade. We know what they will do with the money; they'll spend it on legalizing drugs and prostitution, killing off old people, posturing at the UN, taxing exhaust emissions, building palaces for Dingwalls and Dingbats, liberal advertising! Or use it for registering slingshots, peashooters and soldering guns!
Like they say on FOX News…you decide!
Some are predicting that it is only a matter of time and Ottawa will make a grab for a bigger chunk of Alberta’s wealth. If the Liebrano’s win another minority government or heaven forbid a majority it would be a safe bet it will happen sooner rather than later.
One can not blame Albertans nervous tension in regards to the hard earned “surplus” they are wrestling with. What with central Canada’s flag wrapping, separatist appointing, Liebrano$ tip toeing around this issue, which is really none of their business, yet pretending like it is a national issue.
As well, the rest of the country seems to have swallowed the fallacy that Alberta’s wealth can only be attributed to oil and gas! This, at least, has long been Saskatchewan’s explanation or excuse!
Alberta’s current premier, like those of the past, spouting “hands off” rhetoric, has not calmed the fears as we all know from his history that when it comes to butting heads with the feds he eventually gets a concussion. But it has, as in the past, put Albertans to sleep! No wonder there is cause for concern.
I would like to make a suggestion to resolve this dilemma from the perspective of an Alberta boy who went against the flow 33 years ago and moved to Saskatchewan. “Flow” is an appropriate word as so many will know if you ever are out on those east-west prairie highways at the beginning of a long weekend and experienced the bumper to bumper traffic, first flowing east, and then back west to their homes and jobs in Alberta.
In fact it could be argued that Albertans should be responsible for the building and maintenance of these Saskatchewan routes as it is on these routes that we annually export our calves, then our grain and then our kids. Everything we hold dear!
It is said that there are more Saskatchewan people living in Alberta today, than in Saskatchewan. For this reason it could be argued that Alberta owes much of its success to those industrious, adventurous, hard working, motivated, socialist fleeing, and entrepreneurial, spirited people of Saskatchewan.
For decades Saskatchewan has been the breeding grounds for much of Alberta’s “conservative” work force and business base, leaving Saskatchewanians at the mercy of the N.D.P. (No Definite Policy) elites that excel at only one thing….denying reality!
My idea would go along way in quieting and calming those hostile, bigoted, and jealous elements in the East who would be loath to object to such an obvious solution that recognizes the debt and historical connection that Alberta owes and feels for Saskatchewan.
Albertans who might normally respond with a knee-jerk reaction to any suggestion that other provinces are entitled to an even bigger share of Alberta’s wealth would be hard pressed to argue against my proposal. After all, many Albertans have moms and dads, brothers and sisters and cousins and uncles and aunts, grandpa’s and grandma’s, great grandpa’s…well you get the picture, still living in Saskatchewan.
These people are still doing what they do best. Raising more kids on the farm where they learn to work the land, pick the rocks (or curl them), feed the cows, then, representing our best and brightest, move west to the land of opportunity. Escaping the socialist utopia of Saskatchewan where the Regina manifesto, that capitalist hating document perceived to be sacred, has ruled the political world here for so long that even when conservatives win here, which is seldom, it is only because they out socialize the socialists.
Here is my proposal; Alberta could defuse the “sharing” sentiments of our federal masters by stroking an enormous check to the province of Saskatchewan for payment of the decades of raw resources and people that have been the foundation of Alberta’s success. How could the east object? Seems only fair! It is more a blessing to give than to receive. Right? With this bold, ground breaking and generous action, there can be no doubt, that Alberta would continue to be blessed by its neighbor to the east.
Now let me be clear here, I am not just “whining” for a hand out, no no! This should only happen if certain conditions are agreed to.
If the payment is significant, it will have a long and lasting impact for the people of Alberta and Saskatchewan. With this “windfall” we will reduce the debts and obligations of our government and our people, and the need for top prices for what we produce will be reduced. Many taxes must be lowered or completely eliminated! Debt reduction and of course the enhancing of those well traveled westbound routes would be a priority.
In any forum, especially academic, any reference to Tommy Douglas, CCF, and that capitalist hating “Manifesto” document as being a positive part of our history must be countered (equal time) with facts revealing the farce that it is. Don’t know if this would be legal…but it sure is a pleasant thought.
Saskatchewan must align its tax policies with Alberta; this would cut down on those PST free weekend shopping trips to Alberta, lowering demand in Alberta and therefore prices…a win win situation for everyone!
Hey Albertans …every socialist has a price. For 1 billion dollars we'll dump the NDP! For 3 billion, we'll oust them for 20 years! For 5 billion we'll harmonize all our taxes, royalty structures, policies, laws and government, elect our senators, dump the Crown Corps, let you use the words "bunny hugs" and “coffee row”...and vote “Conservative” in perpetuity!
Just think…no longer would the border line show a decidedly different, Alberta versus Saskatchewan, approach to resource development! We would be “open for business”, finally! You can even call us East Alberta! C’mon, let’s make a deal…buy us off! Pleeeease!
We also will promise to follow Alberta out of the quagmire that has become Canada,
when you decide to go! We will call it “plan G”, since if you look back far enough, which one must, A, B, C, D, E, F, have all failed at bringing the west “in”!
The west can only get justice in this CON-federation if we, in the west, stick together. None of this divide and conquer stuff any more! The west from now on will speak with a united voice!
Is he dreaming, you might ask, or is his tongue firmly planted in his cheek? Perhaps, but those are your choices Alberta…share the windfall with family, or let the thieving Liebrano$ invade. We know what they will do with the money; they'll spend it on legalizing drugs and prostitution, killing off old people, posturing at the UN, taxing exhaust emissions, building palaces for Dingwalls and Dingbats, liberal advertising! Or use it for registering slingshots, peashooters and soldering guns!
Like they say on FOX News…you decide!
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