I always enjoy the Edmonton Journal’s Paula Simons’ perspective on things. We mostly align but not always. Well her column today is almost a total overlap as how I see the transition between Klein and Stelmach. It is worth a read.
Stelmach is too much of a gentleman to run against Klein. I do recall Klein ran against the Getty record rather successfully back in the day. The “messes” of the past are being addressed by Stelmach and he is putting his own stamp on how his government will operate and his more inclusive and integrated policy focus. Stelmach is a change and shift away from the old days. He is thoughtful, reflective, caring and capable - and a refreshing change as we now focus on the planning and positioning of the province for the future.
This blog will focus mostly on the election with posts from an Albertan with a Progressive and Conservative perspective. I intend to explore and engage on a wide range of issues and events through out the campaign. I am hoping to encourage more citizen engagement and some serious commitment of time and energy so folks can see a reason to return to politics as a positive part of their lives.
My focus is to try and get a better government that is progressive and conservative and to help readers/citizens/voters understand how that vital and effective combination of principles can be the best way to go forward as a province. I expect contrarian and complementary comments but I also expect civility as the basis for the conversations too.
Stelmach is too much of a gentleman to run against Klein. I do recall Klein ran against the Getty record rather successfully back in the day. The “messes” of the past are being addressed by Stelmach and he is putting his own stamp on how his government will operate and his more inclusive and integrated policy focus. Stelmach is a change and shift away from the old days. He is thoughtful, reflective, caring and capable - and a refreshing change as we now focus on the planning and positioning of the province for the future.
This blog will focus mostly on the election with posts from an Albertan with a Progressive and Conservative perspective. I intend to explore and engage on a wide range of issues and events through out the campaign. I am hoping to encourage more citizen engagement and some serious commitment of time and energy so folks can see a reason to return to politics as a positive part of their lives.
My focus is to try and get a better government that is progressive and conservative and to help readers/citizens/voters understand how that vital and effective combination of principles can be the best way to go forward as a province. I expect contrarian and complementary comments but I also expect civility as the basis for the conversations too.
I am also working professionally on some issues for clients and will be careful to advise when a comment or a post is about a client’s activities and objectives too.
Elections are about choices and changes. They are about getting on with determining the destination and directions for the new Alberta. Apathy is boring and not an option if you value your democratic freedoms. So this time – in this election - get engaged Alberta – it is our future that is at stake.
Elections are about choices and changes. They are about getting on with determining the destination and directions for the new Alberta. Apathy is boring and not an option if you value your democratic freedoms. So this time – in this election - get engaged Alberta – it is our future that is at stake.
Hey Chapman...Get over your obvious dislike of Klein. Your candidate, Nancy Betkowski, was trounced in 1992. Been there, done that.
ReplyDeleteKlein was great for the first 5-6 years and then we rested on our laurels...I say "WE" because all Alberta let that happen and for too long.
ReplyDeleteBetkowski had a great leadership platform but as Liberal leader was proven to be unable to execute it...Klein adopted her platform (beyond debt and deficit) when he won the leadership and executed that excellent platfrom masterfully.
I don't dislike Klein at all. I am ticked that we (he and the rest of Alberta) squandered 7 years or so of post debt opportunity with no forward thinking on what to do with a debt free province.
If the liberal Betkowski had been Premier, our province would not be in the fabulous position it is in now .... but maybe we would have thriving arts programs and less GHG.
ReplyDeleteThe (royalty framework)framework is here to stay," Stelmach said when queried on opposition demands to revisit the new plan.
ReplyDelete"It's the certainty required for continued investment".
Translation: I need every penny I can get because I'm trying to spend this province into oblivion. Ed Stelmach is a big government conservative. Change we can't afford.
Betkowski was a Liberal in the PC Party. 200 Days of Change was written by Jim Dinning, not Nancy Betkowski. In fact, her "excellent" platform was taken directly from the playbook of Laurence Decore's policy document "Alberta's Biggest Problem." You know it, Ken.
ReplyDeleteKen:
ReplyDeleteCan you do anything to muzzle your friend Bill Hunter? He is either a liar or a fool, or both, when he claims he did not see the various government technical reports on royalties cited in his Email response to the ND researcher. I know for a fact that all these reports were made available to the Panel. Maybe he just didn't read them. How politically naive is Chairman Hunter, replying to an Email request from an ND researcher. I suggest you shut him down or I will cut his you know whats out. Tell him to just go away, once and for all.
Anon @8:46 - I can tell you Bill Hunter is neither a liar or a fool and definitely not both. Nor should he be muzzled in a free and democratic society.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad YOU "know for a fact that all these reports were made available to the panel." Since you choose to remain anonymous with such vital and probative information I can safely speculate as to your integrity as a fool and can also presume you may be a liar too...since you hide your identity.
Who in Hell are you and who in Hell do you think you are? Don't waste the time of this Blog and its readers with such anonymous tripe again.
If you know something for sure that is significant to a critical issue that impacts the rest of us like royalty rates then have the quality of character to tell us who you are
Be a stand up citizen not an anonymous coward.
Anon @ 5:55 - I do remember a thing or two about the Betkowski Leadership campaign way back in the winter of 1992...because I was there
ReplyDeleteI know the "200 Days" was written by her policy group. No doubt Jim Dinning had a had in it but I know he did not hold the pen. As for it being taken from the Decore policy document - it was not.
Again thanks for your anonymous knowledge, wisdom and less than factual insights Also thanks for the cloud of suspicion that covers your comments because of lack of courage and character to identify yourself.
Who are you afraid of? Why are you so insecure about openly exercising your rights of free speech?