Hydraboss

Exactly. If any of these "plans" were about being "fair", they would simply raise the base exemption...but they didn't. To me, that basically translates to creating a micro-class war of sorts. The 1% versus the "middle class". I guess it must be important to support working families (just the right ones). Tax break for some, paid for by tax increases for others. Now what does that remind me of??????

As we've discussed here at length, the terms Left, Right and Center are meaningless without a frame of reference. The Conservatives are the "extreme right" to the majority of NDP supporters. They would also be considered "extreme left" by any US political standard or "left leaning" by those of us who identify as conservative in Alberta. If someone could give a single issue and stance that we could agree upon as "center" would we then be able to put these parties in the correct places? Until then, they can only be assessed in relation to each other. edit-> Conservatives - left Liberals - more left NDP - extreme left

I absolutely agree. Just like capital punishment. My kids were given increasing freedom as they showed they were responsible. That's how they learned about money - by starting to do their Christmas shopping in stores by themselves (either my wife or myself were always in the mall). An 11 year old in a Lego store is not considered to be "abandoned"....he is considered to be "shopping".

I can't believe how callous everyone is being about this. Two people take up arms and a whole damn squad of SWAT officers open fire. I don't believe they arm SWAT (or other top end forces) with bullets that are "just sufficient" to stop someone (like .22 or .38) - they use some pretty heavy equipment. There were CARS in the area. Potentially some NICE cars. Does anyone give a thought for them, I ask you? Thank god it was only a couple of wingnuts that got damaged and not someone's Merc, Aston, or (heaven forbid) Porsche. The ability to stop idiots like this is one of the things I really do admire about the US.

He's right. The deficit will undoubtedly balance itself. <okay Michael - you can delete my post now>

I've been in that top rate for a number of years, but not as far as my taxes go. If you make between 200-250k and don't know how to report under 200, you need a better accountant. The Liberal plan gives me $670, fine, but they're not going to get any of my income at 33% (unless I get one hell of a raise and can't bury it). I wonder if they actually did the math to see if the increased income at 33% in Canada will offset the percentage rate drop for "middle class". Of course, math is hard.

If this is such a massive problem for some members, why not do this: 1) do away with "anonymous" status 2) do away with "block user" ability 3) do away with all site moderation/facilitation 4) code in a redirect to Rabble.ca (I think this is likely the only option that would make some people happy) I doubt any of these would satisfy some members, but aren't we all here to make the "minority" poster feel warm and fuzzy?

Why the hell does Canada need a "symbol" for 150 years? This reminds me of Harley Davidson...the 100th anniversary editions were kinda cool...until the 105th anniversary editions were released...and then the 110th anniversary editions..... What a waste - not the 5k paid to the student (good for her). I mean the amount of cash that will be spent from this point on promoting this crap.

The strong showing outside of "leftist" Edmonton is simply an ABC movement and not necessarily a movement towards socialism. This is still Alberta, remember.

308 is a great site, but Eric doesn't actually conduct polls - he amalgamates them and then does his interpretation. If you read the entire history of his predictions for Alberta, you'll find he and I agree on most outcomes. The NDP vote is too concentrated and release of polls showing them in majority territory will only serve to actually get lazy, on the couch, watching Survivor PCs out to vote for their party. The last thing you want in Alberta is for the polls to show you in the lead. "Middle class" Albertans will not benefit from NDP policy. They will find themselves significantly poorer because of it.

Calgary COULD be the decider. Right now, the NDP vote is very concentrated in a certain number of seats (which means that an increase in popular vote will not necessarily convey more seats overall). The WR has dropped which means (unfortunately) my prediction is likely more...well...likely. When WR loses a vote, it goes to the PCs.

That's smart parenting.

In what terms would you like me to define it? Economic - "the province is crumbling under a massive deficit and this will be 1982 all over again"....only, not really. I've been in the energy industry long enough to have seen this time and time again (hence the Oilfield Prayer - "Please god let it come again. I promise I won't piss it all away this time.") The sky is NOT falling; the province is NOT going to be penniless; there will not be widespread MASSIVE job losses or home foreclosures. I believe this is just another energy company cost correction which they do every few years (including my company). Keeps the pendulum from swinging too far in one direction or the other. Political - "the PCs are the most corrupt political party that has ever existed in Canada"....only, not really. They are shady to say the least and there are lots and lots of skeletons in the closet. Name a party that has been in power that doesn't have that. I think the majority of the electorate's "political acumen" extends as far as the most recent soundbite that reflects their beliefs. It's easy to spout off about how mad you are, but I highly doubt most people will be upset enough to actually go vote unless they are already the type that does. The NDP are creating some new "excitement" that was long overdue politically, and I think they will have their best showing ever in terms of seats. They won't form government though. The Wildrose, although they have a newbie leader, are finally not wandering off the message and letting their feet get firmly planted in their collective mouths. That should be enough to get them quite a few seats (because we all know TAXES ARE BAD). I still think the PCs will win a thin minority, but I don't particularly care for that outcome since I am far more "right wing" than the PCs which I perceive to be VERY "left wing". Does that answer your question or did I just ramble on for no reason? edit->sp

Very well thought out posts. And I am now confused as several of your statements run completely contrary to what you have been posting since you got here. Not looking to start a fight here, but YOU claimed that teachers are underpaid AND overworked. And YOU defend the idea of removing marks for students. How do you justify the 180 degree turn around in your thoughts? Just curious.

All true. Now what happens if WR and the NDP split Calgary? I strongly doubt Rachel will gain enough seats in cowtown to form a majority, but it is plausible (if not likely) that the WR may take to majority of seats there. Should that happen, there is an ever-so-slim chance that they could total the 44 seats needed. Now THAT would be a shocker - but a hell of a good one to see. Unfortunately, I'm still going to go with a PC minority at this point. Disappointing I know, but Albertans tend to come off the couch to vote only when there is a challenge to the status quo.

Teachers NEED to defend their professionalism. Good point.

Great poll if you have a minute to read it. Point of interest.....Prentice refused to answer. http://mikesbloggityblog.com/albertas-political-leaders-weigh-in-a-pop-culture-survey/

Here ya go eyeball. For reference.

True, removing principals from the clan likely had a negative influence on what substitute teachers get what placement, but it could be worse such as in Alberta where they ARE in the same damn union. Principals pretty much refuse to point out anything negative about a teacher because.....the principals are also teachers and we all know they don't eat their own. So if a choice had to be made, I would suggest it's better that there is at least a modicum of separation between principals (administration) and teachers.

I never said we wouldn't. What I said, in response to another of eyeball's "Islam would find it veeerrryyy bad" posts, was that "those guys" would have cut his head off in a millisecond if anyone had committed those acts against them.

Any incumbent normally is very happy with low turnouts. The losers say the result is "lack of democracy" and the winners say it's "a sign that they are doing what the electorate want". Both are full of crap. It's simply apathy. Or a hockey game is on.

That's the only subject she can discuss (read: rave on about). EVERYTHING is Harper's fault. Pluto not being a planet is obviously his doing too.

True. Easily proven by the existence of websites/money grubbers such as AE911, etc.

Ms. Notley's "anti-Northern Gateway Pipeline" stance is likely going to cost her some of the "I voted PC, but maybe I'll give the NDP a try" crowd. Shooting that down, along with all of the perceived jobs/money that goes with it, is being well played by Jim's PCs as another indicator that Rachel and her party will "destroy the economy". With any luck, this turns against her in Calgary but not Edmonton (which it shouldn't). A handful of seats in Calgary and a landslide in Edmonton would be enough to give her the official opposition that she should have, and clear the way for the Wildrose to decimate the PCs in the rest of Calgary and all of rural Alberta for a win. I still have my doubts that this election will do anything other than put the PCs in a minority government, but one can hope correct? I'm almost to the point of having to pick the NDP over the PCs if it were to come to it. It would kill me to do, but I dislike Jim and his liberals enough to do it. Yikes.

Why do so many refuse to discuss the revenue?