The end is nigh!

[cakadu]

Cowman, if indeed the government is responsible for managing our resources, then I would say that copper is right - we need to take a long hard look at the managers and do some major overhauls.

The one part of your equation that you are overlooking is the fact that we buy back the refined products - no matter what they are - at inflated prices. There is no net win there at all.

I'll give you an example of how we could do better in terms of refined goods and it will be the Joffre example. Nova produces plastic pellets that are processed into various plastic shapes. Up until now, the price that they sell them at is the global price, not a local price because demand has not historically been there. Demand is increasing so that now companies can start to approach Joffre and negotiate for a better price. Companies can buy them and make the plastic goods to sell here, which captures the money for Alberta, not elsewhere.

I would say that you are a bit off when it comes to the shareholders that the government is supposedly looking after - it isn't the citizens of the province, but rather the businesses that are the shareholders.

When it comes to voting, I would agree that if you don't vote, you can't complain about what the government does. The apathy is/has set in because we don't see anything different, current premiere exempted because we have to give Mr. Stelmach a chance.

[cowman]

It is the voters who decide who will be the "managers" of the province? Apparently the vast majority support the managers we have in place? If you think the "voters" need to be educated so they won't be so dumb...then you'd better get out there and sell the solution?
How many people voted in the last provincial election? If you are too damned lazy or indifferent to care...then what does that say?
In the PC leadership contest...you got to choose the PREMIER! For a lousy $5 you got to pick the guy who makes a lot of the decisions that will affect you?
I am not a PC supporter, as such? I'm a lot further to the right than that! But I would be voting for them if there was a chance in hell of a Liberal or NDP government getting in!
Now obviously some people on here don't agree with me...and that is your right! So get out and sell your ideas...all you have to do is convince the majority that you are right? Maybe we can become "Saskatchewan West" if you are successful?
I hope Mr. Stelmach will continue with a rightist agenda and never forget that the people of Alberta support business and private enterprize.
Democracy is a funny thing. We may think the majority are nuts but they do call the shots? Not big business, not big unions, not special interest groups? At the end of the day it is the average Joe who decides! If you don't like how he votes...get out there and convince him!
The average Albertan supports the PC party and their policies. That is just a fact.

[cakadu]

If the last provincial election results are any indication, the average Albertan was moving away from supporting PC's, hence the new leader etc. I don't know that the PC party can sit back and rest on those facts.

Who knows for sure why people don't get out and vote.

Quite frankly, I don't believe in becoming an "instant" anything. Either you believe in what you're doing or you don't.

[coppertop]

I suspect that Edmonton will elect more PC MLA's in the next election. I feel that a good healthy opposition isn't a bad thing, keeps governments on their toes. As long as the opposition is also working toward the end result of good governance . The Premier is planning on sitting down with the opposition to see how all parties can delver good government, and during the campaign he indicated that he would make use of all party committees vs only having members of the party in power appointed to committees.

[cowman]

Linda: What is instant? The vote was for the PREMIER? The most important job in Alberta! Do you think that is silly?
I have no party I adhere to...just a view of life as how it should be?
I don't normally vote PC? Now I will admit I voted for Klein the second time around...because he was honest and did the things he said he would...and I'll admit, because I thought Lawrence Decore just might get in!
It has nothing to do with being "instant"?
I will always vote Pro-business, pro-free enterprize if that is what it takes to keep these " socialist dreamers" out of office!
If I have the luxury of being assured a pro business government will be elected...then I can indulge myself and vote for the radical seperatist type parties! Now that may seem like I'm "wasting" my vote...but in reality not much different than you when you vote for the wingding liberal or NDP party? Just a fact.
And if it looks like old Ed might have a problem next time...I'll be voting for him....because at the end of the day Ed Stelmach is a true Albertan and I think he will protect our interests from the damned LIBERALS!

[coppertop]

cowman, glad to see you have ' seen the light' about our Premier. Now, before you yell at me, I realize he has to prove his ability, and his Cabinet has to do the same. He has inherited some issues, health care being one of them. I am glad he has suggested a high level meeting with health care professionals to see where the health care funds are being spent. I have a family member that is a nurse and she tells horror stories of the waste in the system in the hospital where she works, and it certainly isn't alone. I hope that a year from now our province is still enjoying a thriving economy and that our government has made some necessary changes .

I listened to Rutherford this morning, and the silly twit that was hosting the show was in a debate over non smoking bans in public buildings, apartment complexes etc. He felt it was a violation of individual rights and went as far as to say that no-body has ever been made ill by the smell of smoke!!! I would have loved to call in and ask just how much smoking costs the health care system....but I am getting off topic.

[cakadu]

Oh cowman, you make me laugh. Copper has been talking about the "instant" tories for weeks - I bring it up and get pounced on. It also makes me smile with the assumptions on who or what party I'm voting for.

It's always good to be able to smile.

[cowman]

Well Linda, you are right, I don't know how you vote and shouldn't assume how you might vote. I think the PC party of Alberta can just about appeal to anyone in the political spectrum!
Coppertop: I think Ed Stelmach is "doing the right thing" from a political perspective? The people of Alberta are still under the delusion that the healthcare system is sustainable! Actually it is...just as long as we want to spend the majority of our tax dollars on it! Its like Ralph said "How much is too much? Is 50% enough? Is 60% enough? is 70% enough? Where does it end?"!
Studying how we can save pennies in a flawed system is not really tackling the problem...but a smart political position! Sooner or later...we will have to deal with it?
BC is moving rapidly into a more "private" system. Ontario apparently is also?....and here...we study it?...I don't think it will work. Just my opinion.

[coppertop]

The influx of people to Alberta is one reason for increased costs in health care and education, but there has got to be a better way to deliver health care services.
Shortage of nurses is getting crucial in some areas of the province. Some nurses are working long past their retirement years because there is no-one to take their place.
I hope that whoever is in charge of any meeting of the minds, to see where efficiences are possible, isn't some slick consultant that puts their own spin on the issue. If changes are to be made, then the facts need to be on the table, along with possible solutions.

[cowman]

Politically just about any solution is going to be a tough sell? Look at anytime Klein tried to bring in any kind of change? The raging grannies and Friends of Medicare screamed "Americanization"! No real debate just fear mongering and pushing the right buttons!
I believe the Alberta governments portion of medicare came to around $11 billion last year? Schools and "higher education" got fairly close to $10 billion? On a $27 billion dollar budget...that doesn't leave a lot to keep up the infrastructure and run all the other government programs including social services?
Alberta healthcare costs are increasing faster than just about any other public sector and the cry is for "MORE, MORE, MORE"! Where does it end?
I don't know if there are gross inefficiencies in the healthcare system, but I sincerely doubt spending is going to go down? Until there is some personal responsibility placed on the user...I doubt it will happen?
Maybe I'm just an old redneck out of touch with reality...but I truly believe the tail can't wag the dog...or pretty soon the dog ain't worth a damn!!! Pretty well all the provinces oil and gas royalty money...goes to pay the Alberta portion of healthcare! Does that concern you? What happens if we go into a major bust? Will we be borrowing money just to pay the medicare bill?
Personally I believe government should pay for programs out of taxes? The oil/gas royalties should not be used for social programs or government operations! That money is the peoples money and should be either dispensed as a dividend or saved as a fund to be invested for the people of Alberta...not blown on government largesse! Just my opinion.