Wondering about politics?

[cowman]

Actually I've hardly heard Ed say anything! Dinning says its business as usual. Morton says we need to try some new things. Ed says lets tinker with the old stuff!
Now I've never tried to hide the fact I am an "instant Tory"? I would like to think the PC party can become a true Conservative party instead of the "liberal lite" party it has been ever since Lougheed? I really don't think I would have any interest in voting for a party that was even further to the left than Ralph was!
Sorry, call me an old Alberta red neck but I want a party that stands for family values, lower taxes, equal opportunity, democratic reform, protects the Alberta poeoples rights and personal responsibility? Not a party that continues to ignore reality, spends recklessly, cowtows to Ottawa, and works out back room deals with the big boys? Sorry...I'm supportin' Morton!

[cakadu]

The statement "cowtows to Ottawa" is an interesting one. Would it be possible for you to let us/me know what you mean by it?

I'm guessing that being a separatist, your definition is likely different than what others' definition might be.

[coppertop]

Linda, cowman is an instant Tory, and of course is only there for one reason, to put Morton in the Premier's office. If Morton does win this leadership he will be so in debt to the federal MP's that they will have him on a very short leash !!!!! Alberta has not cowtowed to Ottawa, they have paid their transfer payments and a Morton government will do the same.

As far as family values goes, one would have to travel along way to find anyone more devoted to his family, his church and his province than Ed Stelmach. In 20 years of public service both as a county councillor and Reeve and an MLA and Cabinet Minister there has never been even a whisper of scandal. He is not in the media shooting off his mouth like Morton and Dinning, he doesn't get involved in that style of politics.

Morton's policies, if implemented will ensure that the economy of Alberta slows to a crawl, thankfully he only has two supporters in caucus, one who has had all sorts of cloudy conduct in his own constituency regarding nomination meetings etc., and the other certainly is not on the same page as his own constituency, and in fact promised one of the other two candidates his full support as late as last week!!

[cowman]

Actually I see it as a good thing Morton is seen as an outsider? Do we really want someone who owes every man and his dog in the PC caucus? Aren't these the same guys who were on cruise control the last several years...or in reality on a spending binge that is not sustainable?
Cowtowing to Ottawa: Hmmmm...maybe we should learn from Quebec? Collect our own taxes. Set up our own pension fund. Have a provincial police force. In other words, rely on ourselves? Don't be slaves to Ottawa? Sure seems to be working for Quebec?
Ralph liked to huff and puff...but never really did anything?
Transfer payments...are they written in stone? Well no they actually aren't...witness many provinces(and the former Liberal government!) calling for "resource revenue" to be included in the mix! Jim Dinning has said he has no problem with that! Morton says "no way" and Ed...well I'm not sure where Ed stands on that...in fact I don't think many people know where Ed stands on anything???...but don't worry he's a nice guy!
It is interesting that Lorne Calvert(Sask) is dead against resource revenue being included? If included, it would take a lot of money out of Saskatchewan! Saskatchewan is now a "have" province...including resource revenue in the transfer mix would mean they would really pay through the nose!
Dalton McGuinty wants to change the transfer equation, he feels Ontario is paying too much? Do you think Alberta could find an ally there? BC, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan are all "have" provinces...they are also the provinces experiencing growth and stress on their infrastructure? How much sense does it make to send more money to areas that are losing population and investment? Pave some more back roads in Quebec while we can't afford to fix the potholes out here?
The whole idea that nothing can change in this country...because that is how it has always been...is really ridiculous? With a Harper Conservative government in Ottawa, vowing to change how we run this country...and a real Conservative government in Alberta prepared to help that agenda...the possibilities are there? Jim Dinning is not going to help a Harper government and I doubt an Ed Stelmach will either.
I suspect the people of Alberta, and Canada for that matter, are getting pretty sick of government waste and boondoggles? All this unecessary drivel about everything under the sun? We need to get our governments lean and mean and doing the real job...providing an environment where commerce can thrive? Commerce pays the bills for everyone...including all the wingding government parasites!
I was quite happy that Harper cut $5 million from NAC-SOW(status of women)? They had to close most of their offices! Good I say! We won't have to hear the bleatings of these old professional communist agitators!

[coppertop]

WEll, don't be too surprised to see a couple of bus loads of university students from Ontario out here helping Morton, so do you think he will OWE Ontario if he gets in ???????

If you have attended any of the forums you would know where Ed stands on issues, and the fact that he is a decent, honorable man should not be something to snicker about. But of course we need someone from the US to run Alberta, don't they know more about everything than we do, including the Beef industry ???

What is Morton's agriculture policy....I haven't heard anything from him in that regard. He has insulted Edmonton, so they aren't being encouraged to support him. He has Muslims and Vietnamese in Calgary on his bandwagon but the leaders of the Muslim community in Edmonton are staying away in droves.

[cowman]

Of course he won't owe Ontario anything, but he should be able to work with McGuinty for a common goal...to change the transfer equation?
I suspect Morton would also be able to work very constructively with a Harper government...not so sure about a Liberal government though?
Morton is a CANADIAN citizen? Why do you keep insisting he is an American? I don't think anybody is saying Ed Stelmach is a Ukeranian and not a Canadian?
I think the vietnamese support came over from Oberg? They tend to vote in a block? This is nothing new? This is and always has been a part of Canadian politics?..no story here!
I will note a lot of so called Vietnamese, are in reality ethnic Chinese, and have always been excellent at business? Sorry that is just my opinion and not trying to stereo type either Chinese or Vietnamese!

[kpb]

coppertop, again, what happened to taking the high road and not slinging mud at the other candidates? Has that gone by the board or is Ed's campaign in trouble?

It may very well be that Ed outlined his positions clearly at public forums but he sure hasn't any time I've heard him speak in public. In fact it's usually just blah, blah, blah even when asked very specific questions. I put it to you again since you didnt answer the first time-yes or no is Stelmach in favor of private for pay health clinics, will he cut our health care premiums, will he increase royalties? I've heard him asked these questions a few times now--and a few more besides--and he's yet to give an answer that anyone can decipher. He seems to want to get by on generalities and cliches alone and I don't think that will cut it this time.

kpb

[cowman]

Well hopefully Ed will spell it all out tonight on Global? Could be interesting?
I doubt much will be accomplished though?
Who in their right mind is going to go "confrontational" in this 40 minute debate?
Dinning is going to beat up Morton. Morton is going to beat up Dinning. Ed is going to keep portraying himself as the "nice" guy who is above making a choice...so vote for him!
Second ballot choice, in my view, has got to be Dinning! Hot or cold is better than lukewarm!
Come on...Dinning is the leftist candidate in this election! Morton is the rightist! Ed is the "business as usual" candidate!
You either want change...or you don't? Dinning is for change...its called moving to the politically correct left? Morton is to the right...business oriented politics? Ed is more of the same... "Ralph lite"!
I personally believe the PC party has given us an opportunity to change the face of Alberta, and actually in the big picture... Canada on this one!...this might just be the last opportunity? Don't waste your vote!

[coppertop]

Unfortunately this leadership will be settled by the major cities, not rural Alberta, and rural Alberta has the most to lose if the candidate that gets in doesn't have a clear understanding of the issues facing us.

During the debate this evening, it will be interesting to see whether there are any constructive comments made or just posturing.

As for getting along with Harper goes, he lost a lot of ground when he decided that Quebec was a nation within a nation, everywhere except Quebec, so are we in for another round of catering to one province ?? I am disappointed in his record lately, albiet I did support the party in the election. I wouldn't be too optimistic about a marriage between him and Morton, if Ontario decides they want a chunk of our oil revenue, they will rattle Harper's cage and I am betting which direction he jumps...Morton or no Morton.

As far as Ed being Ukrainian goes, he is a third generation Alberta, was born and raised and educated here.

I ask you who you would go to for advice on, and policy development on agriculture matters, a college professor born, raised and educated in another country or a third generation Alberta farmer ??? No names mentioned ?????
Stating fact is not mud slinging.

[kpb]

ok coppertop this is the third time I have asked you this question without an answer so far. Is your man Stelmach in favor of private sector medical clinics or not? It's a simple question and one I think a lot of Albertans are interested in. Do you have a straighforward answer?

kpb