Yay! Alberta is Still Wild Rose Country

[AxeMan]

http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=3707866C581FE-D852-6009-F781C15F8ACD629E

Saving $15 mil on our plates and staying Wild Rose,
Jim did that one right!

[Tuc]

Yay but he's going to have to do a lot more than that Axe and he only has a year to do. All said and done, I think Alberta needs a change.

[AxeMan]

Tuc, don't worry. 
I am not supporting Jim at all, just saying I am glad they are leaving our plates alone.
Anyone who appoints the likes of Mr. Mandel gets zero respect from me.
This PC party is history in my books no matter what Jim does.

[walleyes]

I'm still going to give them the benefit of doubt,, just because at this point Jim is the best leader for our province. The party may be in rough shape but he is an intelligent man. When and if the WR gets it together and gets a proper leader I will throw my vote behind them again.

[walleyes]

We need a person that can negotiate our way through a lot of the issues facing the oil industry in this province at this time.

Guys,, Daniel Smith is not qualified to look after this province,, she isn't... She is nothing but a yappy mouth piece.. She will not be respected in the places our leader needs to be respected. Jim is,, he is known around the world and our nation as a negotiator we need this right now. 

There is more at stake here than higher wages for teachers or fixed pot holes in our roads or simple budget planning. Yes those things are important but none of it will happen if we do not take care of our business first. Alberta is in a fragile spot right now,, we can make it or break it big time over a couple big deals that are on the table,, namely these big pipeline projects that are in the works. This province needs those lines with out them the whole country is going to take a huge hit,, not just AB but the whole country.. We need this man in right now to look after this..

Daniel WHO wants a meeting with me Nope,, just doesn't fit.

Jim was put into power by the powers that be,, think about that for a moment,, these people wanted him in there for a reason,, they are business people they got who they wanted it will work out. Like we say in our industry,, don't sweat the small stuff focus on the bigger issues.

You have to take emotion out of it and think about it,, what ever harsh feelings there may be between some of these cabinet ministers he is putting in place forget about it. He is lining up an intelligent group of negotiators and experienced people. They may not be elected officials but so what. Most people are voted in on emotion they are not voted in because they are the best for the job. Jim is putting in people that are the best for the job. No emotion just business..

[Tuc]

don't sweat the small stuff focus on the bigger issues.

Walleyes, I think that's.... `Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff!`  lol

[Sonny]

So Prentice nixed the plate and the planes,that's a good thing.

But it's going to take more than that to get my vote.

I still have a grudge about the last PC government...time will tell I guess.

[guido]

We need a person that can negotiate our way through a lot of the issues facing the oil industry in this province at this time.

Guys,, Daniel Smith is not qualified to look after this province,, she isn't... She is nothing but a yappy mouth piece.. She will not be respected in the places our leader needs to be respected. Jim is,, he is known around the world and our nation as a negotiator we need this right now. 

There is more at stake here than higher wages for teachers or fixed pot holes in our roads or simple budget planning. Yes those things are important but none of it will happen if we do not take care of our business first. Alberta is in a fragile spot right now,, we can make it or break it big time over a couple big deals that are on the table,, namely these big pipeline projects that are in the works. This province needs those lines with out them the whole country is going to take a huge hit,, not just AB but the whole country.. We need this man in right now to look after this..

Daniel WHO wants a meeting with me Nope,, just doesn't fit.

Jim was put into power by the powers that be,, think about that for a moment,, these people wanted him in there for a reason,, they are business people they got who they wanted it will work out. Like we say in our industry,, don't sweat the small stuff focus on the bigger issues.

You have to take emotion out of it and think about it,, what ever harsh feelings there may be between some of these cabinet ministers he is putting in place forget about it. He is lining up an intelligent group of negotiators and experienced people. They may not be elected officials but so what. Most people are voted in on emotion they are not voted in because they are the best for the job. Jim is putting in people that are the best for the job. No emotion just business..

You remind me of the guy that bangs his head against the wall because it feels good when he stops.

[AxeMan]

Sorry Terry, I don't agree.

I was typing a response but I just deleted it.
This booming Alberta is just not for me.  I miss my old Alberta.

[walleyes]

Sorry Terry, I don't agree.

I was typing a response but I just deleted it.
This booming Alberta is just not for me.  I miss my old Alberta.

Well in some cases I agree with you,, but what are we to do,, go backwards,, it can't happen, the holes that are left are to big. As a society we have to push forward and progress does that mean we lose some of the quieter things we enjoy unfortunately yes. We all know each other pretty good on this place and you all know I am an old school boy and very few people have lost more ground and quiet ground than I have. But I have to accept it, it's part of the world we live in. We can't stay where we were at boys it doesn't work that way. The rules and the regulations are going to eventually squeeze us out,, that's life. It's unfortunately but that life.

Alberta has always boomed,, that's what makes Alberta, Alberta.. The industry in this province is going to ensure we always have a pile of crown land in this province and wild places to go. The government will never sell that crown land, they make to much money off of it. There are either trees on it or oil under it. Either way they aren't going to give it up.. And as long as they hold it it will be held for the people in a sense.

Hey,, there's always Sask,, did I just say that ??

And please share your thoughts axe,, mine are usually quite focused on my world I like to see other points of view. I enjoy hearing other perspectives,, it's how we learn.

[guido]

The government will never sell that crown land, they make to much money off of it. There are either trees on it or oil under it. Either way they aren't going to give it up.. And as long as they hold it it will be held for the people in a sense.

Hey,, there's always Sask,, did I just say that ??

The AB. govt. almost sold some crown land a few years back. If it wasn't for some backlash from Alberta residents it would have happened. Then, just recently they tried to sell the same property again. Keep banging.

[walleyes]

The AB. govt. almost sold some crown land a few years back. If it wasn't for some backlash from Alberta residents it would have happened. Then, just recently they tried to sell the same property again. Keep banging.

Well truth be told they have sold a whack of it over the years.. Pretty much all we live on.. And that land they are trying to sell has been used by private holders for over a hundred years now. It's been grazing lease held by a few ranchers that pay next to nothing to use it. So what's the differnace.

Not banging my head either just want what's best for our province and taking the emotion out of it and using common sense.

[BruceW]

Walleye's you've Really got to do a little actual research.  Start with bills C 19,24,36 and 50.  Seriously, read them.

Not to mention as far as I know we still have no idea what the bill for the powerlines being strung across the province will be, since they were given carte blanche on billing.

You can't make this stuff up, research it and you'll find it. 

IMO the pc's have done more damage to this province in the last few yrs than even an ndp gov't could have.  Changing the leader changes nothing, it's like putting a coat of red paint over an orange lemon.

If you value property rights and personal freedoms you won't be voting for the AB pc's.  In my opinion voter ignorance what got them elected last time (voters who thought they were actually voting for a conservative party).  That plus urban liberals and the easily swayed youth vote.  Redford basically followed trdo1's example and I believe got elected by the same demographics.

Keep in mind also the pc's seem to think the sacking of High River was just a dandy breach of property rights.  Despite a new leader, not a peep about it.

Not sure why so down on D. Smith.  She seems to be doing a very good job as opposition and is well versed in both politics and business;  remember she was at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business prior to getting into politics, in fact I don't doubt that's what lead to it.

Prentice on the other hand I really don't know much about other than he's a career politician from Quebec.  Haven't bothered to do any research as like I alluded to above, a flawed party with an anti Albertan platform getting a new leader means nothing to me.

There's a reason the Social Credit party got tossed.  Long past time for the AB pc's to join that club.

Sorry Walleye's, we're going to vehemently disagree on this one.  I view the pc's as a corrupt scourge that needs to be completely erradicated';  the sooner that happens the faster we can get a good government with Albertan's interests at heart putting Alberta back on a path our heirs will thank us for.

[AxeMan]

Terry and all,

A friend sent me this link yesterday and it made me think that if we had a provincial government that could be fiscally conservative, we could enjoy benefits such as Alaska.  You may say woop-ti-do $1800 lousy bucks but that would be in my pocket, not some friggin foreign worker program admin cost or something equally as dumb.

$1,884: The amount of the 2014 Alaska Permanent Fund dividend.
http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/the-amount-of-the-alaska-permanent-fund-dividend/article_2a815156-3e92-11e4-966a-0017a43b2370.html


We have an Alberta Heritage Trust Fund that was started nicely but really what good does it do me?  It is used to supplement the operating budget lately:

"Approximately $36.5 billion in investment income has been transferred to the province's General Revenue Fund to support program spending in areas such as health care, education, infrastructure, debt reduction and social programs."

http://www.finance.alberta.ca/business/ahstf/faqs.html

Horner's deficit budgets have been further eating away at our potential savings.  This is not Conservative, it is Liberal spending and no one can argue that. I believe that Jim Prentice is a big business guy yes, but also a very liberal spender and is surrounding himself with other liberals (Mandel..haha..had to get that in there).  Spending in excess will continue and mostly to accommodate new Albertans.  I was born here, so were my parents.  We contributed to Alberta but now the continued boom is just not benefitting us anymore.  Don't get me wrong, I am financially very stable but the riches of this province are lopsidedly being driven toward rampant growth and to new Albertans at the expense our traditional Albertan society.
 
Most of us born and bred Albertans are fiscally conservative at heart but this PC government just isn't that anymore.  Jim will not fix that imho.  Jim is already catering to the big city liberal mayors who have recently doubled our civic taxes and they want more and more and are asking the Province to contribute more.  There is only one tax payer.

Big oil business deals (pipelines such as Northern Gateway and Keystone) just will not benefit me.  This is a personal reality and I am thinking me and my family.  The provincial money just doesn't go to bettering my lifestyle anymore in Alberta.  Boom town syndrome!

I have to vote for change....period.

BTW, Bruce, good points.

[bigbore444]

Sorry Terry, I don't agree.

 
This booming Alberta is just not for me.  I miss my old Alberta.

X2

But its long gone never to return. Makes me sad.

[walleyes]

All very solid points boys.

And Bruce I am fairly up to date on the bills you speak of,, don't know them fluently but I am aware of the result of them.

You are all right this government has had more than adequate time to right the ship and it hasn't, it's been one blunder after the other,, starting with giving away our natural resources for next to nothing.

We will have time to see if it's going to be the same old same old or a definnet change. If they don't have their shat together by election time,, we all know what to do we, do have an option and of this party has any brains they will see that and make changes.

If not I have no problem throwing my vote behind the WR just wish they had a differant leader.

[Tuc]

Well guys the PC's can do what ever in the hell they want and I still won't vote for them. It's time for change. Change can bring about a new era in government with fresh ideas. I think Alberta needs that.

"In my opinion voter ignorance what got them elected last time (voters who thought they were actually voting for a conservative party). "   

Bang on Bruce! When I see all the crap Redford pulled on Alberta I sort of had a little grin on my face listening to the PC voters complain. Told you so, suck it up and vote right the next time!!

As for Danielle Smith, I think she has lots oif experience and will be a good leader. Danielle has come from humble beginnings and knows what it's like to struggle in life to make ends meet. That there says enough.....

Here's a few of her credentials:
- Born in Calgary was also a journalist and talk show host.
- Attended the University of Calgary and acquired a Bachelor of Arts in English and in economics.
- Smith pursued work as an advocate for ranchers, farmers and other rural land owners with the Alberta Property Rights Initiative and the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute.
- Smith was hired by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in 2006, becoming provincial director for Alberta.
- Smith supported Ted Morton in the 2006 PC leadership election. Morton lost to the more centrist Ed Stelmach and Smith became increasingly disillusioned with what she claims were Stelmach's "free-spending ways".    Smith cites the 2008 provincial budget as a turning point where she determined that Stelmach's government had 'lost its way'.....  in 2009 became leader of the WRA. Now there's a woman with incentive!
- MLA for the Highwood riding.

In my opinion she's been around and well schooled on provincial politics. I think I'll vote WR.

[guido]

- Smith supported Ted Morton in the 2006 PC leadership election.

I won't hold that against her.