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Alberta's Conservative Government


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July has been quite the month of Alberta's Conservative Party.

Here's a recap:

1. Lyle Oberg, Alberta's Minister of Infrastructure, Rural Pork, and Propaganda, stated that Alberta has a 7 billion dollar infrastructure debt, and proposed going into debt to fund these infrastructure projects.

Would Klein have any part of it?

Why yes, yes he would.

The next day, Oberg and Klein argued that Alberta really wouldn't really be in debt. Borrowing from Enron's accounting practices, the pair argued that they would be 'borrowing from themselves', borrowing from the Heritage Foundation AND, hillariously enough, the banks.

Klein furthur argued that 7.2 billions dollars spent on infrastructure would result in 7.2 billion dollars in assets, and as such, no debt. Klein has not responded on the point that such assets, even if they did hold such value, could not be cashed in immediately for equity.

2. Just a few weeks after scathing reports of family being barred and slapped with trespassing charges at eldercare facilities for challenging the way that their parents were being mistreated, and reports of elder abuse and poor conditions in these homes (baths once a week, etc.), the Alberta Conservative Government took strong action.

They appointed three MLA's to tour the province, and then report back to the Health Minister by the end of the summer.

(Wow. I'm impressed. A society that values its elders certainly moves quickly doesn't?)

This week, an 84 year old woman with dimentia at Wentworth Manner here in Calgary, an eldercare facility, was raped by an orderly.

And the Province's response?

Mute.

And the Public's response?

Tepid. At best.

The Conservative media, and by extention much of the Conservative public, just don't care.

They should. Most boomers are heading for the eldercare homes sooner rather than later based on the eating habits and excercise that I'm observing.

No response. No acceleration of the report. I guess the link between HR policies and elderabuse are just too difficult for the policy analysts in the Conservative braintrust.

3. Two-Tier Health

Klein released yet another vow to expand two-tier healthcare. The mechanism? Private health insurance...with a twist.

If you can afford it, you can jump the queue.

How can the middle class afford such a jump though?

Private health insurance of course.

The problem with the past Klein models was that it only benefited the top quintile of society. Now through this mechanism, the people in the top two quintiles of society can afford it.

The wonderful thing, from Klein's point of view, is that many Albertans have deluded themselves into believing that they are in fact middle class, and can afford such insurance.

So, here's a more basic question for the Alberta Cons: there are only so many Liver transplants in Alberta; does this mean that if somebody can afford it, they should be able to jump in front of the line to get a liver?

If the answer is no: consider this:

there are only so many doctors, nurses etc....finite resources, just like livers. Now, no amount of additional money is going to generate more doctors and nurses, we've seen this in Alberta already though those massive, massive pay hikes. So, why should the rich be able to get access to such finite services ahead of poor people?

Because they're rich?

Is that really the only justification?

------------------------------

So to recap July:

1. We're gushing with oil cash, yet....lo and behold, not enough money for infrastructure. We're going to go into debt! So much for fiscal conservatism.

2. Elder abuse (not just assault, but incredibly horrible living conditions) continues while the government drags its feet. So much for traditional Conservative values.

3. "Popular" two tiered health care. So much for collective security.

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July has been quite the month of Alberta's Conservative Party.

Here's a recap:

1.  Lyle Oberg, Alberta's Minister of Infrastructure, Rural Pork, and Propaganda, stated that Alberta has a 7 billion dollar infrastructure debt, and proposed going into debt to fund these infrastructure projects.

Would Klein have any part of it?

Why yes, yes he would.

The next day, Oberg and Klein argued that Alberta really wouldn't really be in debt.  Borrowing from Enron's accounting practices, the pair argued that they would be 'borrowing from themselves', borrowing from the Heritage Foundation AND, hillariously enough, the banks.

Klein furthur argued that 7.2 billions dollars spent on infrastructure would result in 7.2 billion dollars in assets, and as such, no debt.  Klein has not responded on the point that such assets, even if they did hold such value, could not be cashed in immediately for equity.

When has Alberta ever been about immediate equity? We are a province of investment, and it has paid off.

2.  Just a few weeks after scathing reports of family being barred and slapped with trespassing charges at eldercare facilities for challenging the way that their parents were being mistreated, and reports of elder abuse and poor conditions in these homes (baths once a week, etc.), the Alberta Conservative Government took strong action.

They appointed three MLA's to tour the province, and then report back to the Health Minister by the end of the summer.

(Wow.  I'm impressed.  A society that values its elders certainly moves quickly doesn't?)

This week, an 84 year old woman with dimentia at Wentworth Manner here in Calgary, an eldercare facility, was raped by an orderly.

And the Province's response?

Mute.

And the Public's response?

Tepid.  At best.

The Conservative media, and by extention much of the Conservative public, just don't care.

They should.  Most boomers are heading for the eldercare homes sooner rather than later based on the eating habits and excercise that  I'm observing.

No response.  No acceleration of the report.  I guess the link between HR policies and elderabuse are just too difficult for the policy analysts in the Conservative braintrust.

Oh, and did you hear that the Cons are responsible for sunburns? I mean heck those *ssholes actually allow the sun to burn us!

Blame the act on those responsible, the government is NOT always responsible. I mean if you think about it, your socialist policies are more to blame for this, because you are so soft on criminals they don't fear jail (people commit crimes to live in jail) and therefore they don't fear the law.

3.  Two-Tier Health

Klein released yet another vow to expand two-tier healthcare.  The mechanism?  Private health insurance...with a twist.

If you can afford it, you can jump the queue. 

How can the middle class afford such a jump though?

Private health insurance of course.

The problem with the past Klein models was that it only benefited the top quintile of society.  Now through this mechanism, the people in the top two quintiles of society can afford it.

The wonderful thing, from Klein's point of view, is that many Albertans have deluded themselves into believing that they are in fact middle class, and can afford such insurance.

So, here's a more basic question for the Alberta Cons:  there are only so many Liver transplants in Alberta; does this mean that if somebody can afford it, they should be able to jump in front of the line to get a liver?

If the answer is no:  consider this:

there are only so many doctors, nurses etc....finite resources, just like livers.  Now, no amount of additional money is going to generate more doctors and nurses, we've seen this in Alberta already though those massive, massive pay hikes.  So, why should the rich be able to get access to such finite services ahead of poor people?

Because they're rich?

Is that really the only justification?

The middleclass will have to stick with the current system then, I am middle-class white trash and am perfectly ok with a two-tier system. If some rich guy wants healthcare who am I to say he can't get it? What if your grandparents were dying and needed a surgery within 2 months to live? Big problem #1, waiting lists can be YEARS in the current system. Big problem #2, we still end up paying for healthcare, especially post-surgery.

With the private tier you have the chance to live, because you could get a loan from the bank or possibly (if your family is big or rich) you could pool money and afford a proper surgery and save your parents life.

This isn't about changing the current system, its about adding more options to my healthcare. Since we already pay premiums plus additional expenses not covered by our healthcare (which is pretty much everything other than doctor checkups) I don't see it as logical to oppose a private tier.

As for the lack of doctors/nurses, blame our public system. Its easier and more profitable to go to the States rather than stay in Canada, I mean heck they can start private practices and make a pretty penny OR they can stay in Canada and get regulated pay and be overworked.

Your right we can't poof doctors into existence, which is why we have to give them a reason to stay in Canada (and money isn't always the reason).

So to recap July:

1.  We're gushing with oil cash, yet....lo and behold, not enough money for infrastructure.  We're going to go into debt!  So much for fiscal conservatism.

I recall that same thing being proclaimed every time Alberta invested in anything for the long-term, looks like our gamble won out.

2.  Elder abuse (not just assault, but incredibly horrible living conditions) continues while the government drags its feet.  So much for traditional Conservative values.

Taking care of your parents is not my governments job, I don't believe in a nanny-state and neither does most Albertans. If you don't care enough to move your parents out of a bad elderly home don't blame the government when they get mistreated, blame the home and get criminal charges pressed.

3.  "Popular" two tiered health care.  So much for collective security.

Collective security is a fable, such a utopia has never existed in Canada and never will so long as we are a nanny-state.

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When has Alberta ever been about immediate equity? We are a province of investment, and it has paid off.

Yes, as the spending on the plastics industry, hundreds of abandoned tourism checkpoints, and unkept parks that went up during the 1970's testify.

And what, we managed to put away just 10 billion for the heritage fund?

Investments paying off my ass.

We're blowing this boom just like we blew the last one.

Oh, and did you hear that the Cons are responsible for sunburns? I mean heck those *ssholes actually allow the sun to burn us!

Blame the act on those responsible, the government is NOT always responsible. I mean if you think about it, your socialist policies are more to blame for this, because you are so soft on criminals they don't fear jail (people commit crimes to live in jail) and therefore they don't fear the law.

Would you blame the government if YOUR child was molested by a teacher who was had a criminal record for peadophilia?

OF COURSE it's governments responsibility to enforce strict HR policies for PUBLIC employees.

The middleclass will have to stick with the current system then, I am middle-class white trash and am perfectly ok with a two-tier system. If some rich guy wants healthcare who am I to say he can't get it? What if your grandparents were dying and needed a surgery within 2 months to live? Big problem #1, waiting lists can be YEARS in the current system. Big problem #2, we still end up paying for healthcare, especially post-surgery.

With the private tier you have the chance to live, because you could get a loan from the bank or possibly (if your family is big or rich) you could pool money and afford a proper surgery and save your parents life.

This isn't about changing the current system, its about adding more options to my healthcare. Since we already pay premiums plus additional expenses not covered by our healthcare (which is pretty much everything other than doctor checkups) I don't see it as logical to oppose a private tier.

As for the lack of doctors/nurses, blame our public system. Its easier and more profitable to go to the States rather than stay in Canada, I mean heck they can start private practices and make a pretty penny OR they can stay in Canada and get regulated pay and be overworked.

Your right we can't poof doctors into existence, which is why we have to give them a reason to stay in Canada (and money isn't always the reason).

Illness should NOT bankrupt a family as it does down in the united states.

The second tier is only available to the top two quintiles. You will never be able to get such a loan.

What bank it in its right mind who put their hands on an ill train wreck that might not make it through?

Moreover, you assume that you'd survive.

You'd really leave your family in that much debt? Who would be left holding the bag?

I recall that same thing being proclaimed every time Alberta invested in anything for the long-term, looks like our gamble won out.

Plastics subsidies.

'nuff said.

Taking care of your parents is not my governments job, I don't believe in a nanny-state and neither does most Albertans. If you don't care enough to move your parents out of a bad elderly home don't blame the government when they get mistreated, blame the home and get criminal charges pressed.

It's individualism that's driving the nursing home phenom.

You really want to abandon the idealogy of individualism?

I sure as hell don't want to be a bother to my kids when get old. I don't want to be a burden.

And really, who does?

Nursing homes is the result of such a culture.

I for one defend the North American model and reject whole heartedly the Chinese Communist/Traditonalist model. If you want to be a Maoist, you go right ahead. I stand for the individual right to choose, and if I choose a nursing I home, I expect, and demand standards.

Collective security is a fable, such a utopia has never existed in Canada and never will so long as we are a nanny-state.

It's always so rich listening to an Albertan complain about the nanny-state.

Say, how much money did y'all get for BSE and the droughts...and then the floods?

Nanny state indeed. Nanny state indeed.

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Yes, as the spending on the plastics industry, hundreds of abandoned tourism checkpoints, and unkept parks that went up during the 1970's testify.

And what, we managed to put away just 10 billion for the heritage fund?

Investments paying off my ass.

We're blowing this boom just like we blew the last one.

While we put away money without equalization other provinces were in massive deficits with nothing put away. I would say things worked out a bit better than you are giving credit for =p

Would you blame the government if YOUR child was molested by a teacher who was had a criminal record for peadophilia?

OF COURSE it's governments responsibility to enforce strict HR policies for PUBLIC employees.

How can the government be held responsible??? Seriously that is ridiculous, the government should NOT be expected to meddle with every venue of life and try to control everything. If my child was molested by a teacher I would literally beat the teacher to death, because I know if he got to court he would get a slap on the hand and sent to rehab (peds CANNOT be rehabed yet people still proclaim rehab works, and the peds are continually released into our towns and cities to stalk children again)

Again, place the blame where it lies, socialism and its acceptance of all evil under the veil of tolerance and understanding. You don't want your children getting molested? Give peds the death sentence or at least life (I mean the hardkore peds, the ones that look at dirty pics or touch places should merely be beaten daily for a few years for first offence. Then death if they give into their perversion again.)

Illness should NOT bankrupt a family as it does down in the united states.

The second tier is only available to the top two quintiles.  You will never be able to get such a loan.

What bank it in its right mind who put their hands on an ill train wreck that might not make it through?

Moreover, you assume that you'd survive.

You'd really leave your family in that much debt?  Who would be left holding the bag?

The USA has a single tier system, it is ALL private. What we are talking about is NOT the USA system it is a two-tier system, therefore do NOT use the USA as an example of anything.

Listen to me carefully now, we will KEEP our CURRENT SYSTEM the way it is (you know, the heaven you seem to think it is) and it will remain UNSCATHED. However, we will open the POSSIBILITY for private practices and insurance companies SHOULD THE PEOPLE DESIRE THEM. Hence, you get your public healthcare still, so you don't break the bank if your poor and your nose bleed can still be taken care of in Emergency =p

As for your deduction of my example, if my parents were going to die I would put myself in debt for life to at least try and save them. Without them I wouldn't exist, therefore I owe them big time.

Plastics subsidies.

'nuff said.

Oil and Agriculture, nuff said.

It's individualism that's driving the nursing home phenom.

You really want to abandon the idealogy of individualism?

I sure as hell don't want to be a bother to my kids when get old.  I don't want to be a burden.

And really, who does?

Nursing homes is the result of such a culture.

I for one defend the North American model and reject whole heartedly the Chinese Communist/Traditonalist model.  If you want to be a Maoist, you go right ahead.  I stand for the individual right to choose, and if I choose a nursing I home, I expect, and demand standards.

Actually your system is closer to a communist system, in that you would rather regulate it and centralize everything. I never said anything about individualism, and if you want to choose a terrible nursing home I say good riddance you deserve what you get. Why should my tax dollars pay for your stupidity?

It's always so rich listening to an Albertan complain about the nanny-state.

Say, how much money did y'all get for BSE and the droughts...and then the floods?

Nanny state indeed.  Nanny state indeed.

The BSE package was about 2.1 billion dollars, which ironically doesn't even cover how much we paid out to Ottawa in equalization (http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inimr-ri.nsf/fr/gr107911f.html)

The Droughts aid was 5.2 billion over 6 years (but not just for Alberta, it was all Canadian farmers affected by drought) and 40% of which came from the 'have' provinces (lol so yeah, we paid to give ourselves aid... and the Feds got credit =p)

Also worth noting is the Albertan government personally provided over 300 million in aid from our own coffers (on top of our equalization 'donation')

(http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/agriculture/drought2002.html)

The Floods gave us nothing, we handled it ourselves. Martin did promise aid after his visit though, but that was back in June so I guess its just probably another empty pledge by the Fiberals(http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/24/alta-flood-050624.html)

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While we put away money without equalization other provinces were in massive deficits with nothing put away. I would say things worked out a bit better than you are giving credit for =p

Alberta's record on spending, especially over the past 10 years, nothwithstanding the Getty years and the waste of the Lougheed era, is nothing to be proud of.

How can the government be held responsible??? Seriously that is ridiculous, the government should NOT be expected to meddle with every venue of life and try to control everything. If my child was molested by a teacher I would literally beat the teacher to death, because I know if he got to court he would get a slap on the hand and sent to rehab (peds CANNOT be rehabed yet people still proclaim rehab works, and the peds are continually released into our towns and cities to stalk children again)

Again, place the blame where it lies, socialism and its acceptance of all evil under the veil of tolerance and understanding. You don't want your children getting molested? Give peds the death sentence or at least life (I mean the hardkore peds, the ones that look at dirty pics or touch places should merely be beaten daily for a few years for first offence. Then death if they give into their perversion again.)

You can't wiggle out of this one, references to the 'shoot them all and let God sort them out' aside, government is responsible for hiring public servants, after all, they're called public servants.

How is demanding that people be screened rigorously socialism?

It isn't.

It's just common sense, red herrings aside.

The USA has a single tier system, it is ALL private. What we are talking about is NOT the USA system it is a two-tier system, therefore do NOT use the USA as an example of anything.

Listen to me carefully now, we will KEEP our CURRENT SYSTEM the way it is (you know, the heaven you seem to think it is) and it will remain UNSCATHED. However, we will open the POSSIBILITY for private practices and insurance companies SHOULD THE PEOPLE DESIRE THEM. Hence, you get your public healthcare still, so you don't break the bank if your poor and your nose bleed can still be taken care of in Emergency =p

As for your deduction of my example, if my parents were going to die I would put myself in debt for life to at least try and save them. Without them I wouldn't exist, therefore I owe them big time.

You can't keep the current system while brining in another tier.

You have to starve one system to fund the other system.

There is a finite number of people who can actually BE doctors, who can actually BE nurses, who can actually DO healthcare.

This is something that many from the Fraser Institute just can't seem to get their heads around.

The market does a very, very poor job with respect to healthcare. We see the results of a such a system in Britain. The public system crumbles while the private system prospers.

No thank you.

I repeat, a family should not have their finances devastated by illness.

Oil and Agriculture, nuff said.

Oil: 99% private.

Agriculture: festering black hole of pork and subsidy.

Agriculture in this province is a good example of a model NOT to follow.

(incidentally, how many people got drought assistance in non-drought areas? Do you know the figure?)

Actually your system is closer to a communist system, in that you would rather regulate it and centralize everything. I never said anything about individualism, and if you want to choose a terrible nursing home I say good riddance you deserve what you get. Why should my tax dollars pay for your stupidity?

You assume that you actually make enough money to make a difference. lol. I seriously doubt that you do.

I pay taxes throughout my entire life.

I'm eating/living/exercising very, very well, and hopefully I'll be able to die at home of a heart attack like generations before me. Should I not be so lucky, I'd like to go to a nursing home --

the fact that you acknowledge that they're terrible places speaks volumes about the value you place of elderly life....that somehow they deserve to be treated that way.

Shame on you. And you have the nerve to call yourself a conservative.

Disgusting.

The BSE package was about 2.1 billion dollars, which ironically doesn't even cover how much we paid out to Ottawa in equalization (http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inimr-ri.nsf/fr/gr107911f.html)

The Droughts aid was 5.2 billion over 6 years (but not just for Alberta, it was all Canadian farmers affected by drought) and 40% of which came from the 'have' provinces (lol so yeah, we paid to give ourselves aid... and the Feds got credit =p)

Also worth noting is the Albertan government personally provided over 300 million in aid from our own coffers (on top of our equalization 'donation')

(http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/agriculture/drought2002.html)

The Floods gave us nothing, we handled it ourselves. Martin did promise aid after his visit though, but that was back in June so I guess its just probably another empty pledge by the Fiberals(http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/24/alta-flood-050624.html)

And what about the drought relief before that?

And the locust bailout before that?

And the floods before that?

It's amazing just how much 'relief' agriculture gets in this province.

And what about water subsidies? What about grain subsidies? What about milk subsidies and quotas?

You know, it's easy to be a radical individualist gung-ho on the free market when you're sucking from the urban tit of Canada.

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Alberta's record on spending, especially over the past 10 years, nothwithstanding the Getty years and the waste of the Lougheed era, is nothing to be proud of.

Neither is the theft of our tax dollars by the Liberal government, and neither is the amount each Albertan pays for equalization.

Why do you ignore those wrongs yet seek to find errors in the Albertan government? Of course they exist, and I will admit I don't agree with everything our government does... After all, I do have reasons to support seperatism =p

However, compared with other governments and provinces, our government is still better =)

You can't wiggle out of this one, references to the 'shoot them all and let God sort them out' aside, government is responsible for hiring public servants, after all, they're called public servants.

How is demanding that people be screened rigorously socialism?

It isn't.

It's just common sense, red herrings aside.

Huh? I am not trying to wiggle out of anything =p You just want to blame the government for all of life's evils, which is retarded to say the least. Who hired the guy? Did he meet the standards? Is he a re-offender? Did he have anything on his record that should have made it a clear case that he was a risk?

You don't ever consider these things, you just want a scapegoat.. and the government is convenient =p People are the problem, not the government.

You can't keep the current system while brining in another tier.

You have to starve one system to fund the other system.

There is a finite number of people who can actually BE doctors, who can actually BE nurses, who can actually DO healthcare.

This is something that many from the Fraser Institute just can't seem to get their heads around. 

The market does a very, very poor job with respect to healthcare.  We see the results of a such a system in Britain.  The public system crumbles while the private system prospers.

No thank you.

I repeat, a family should not have their finances devastated by illness.

Let me ask you this, define a Privately owned practice. Right now. Then somehow finally understand what it means. Then once you got that one figured out realize that we taxpayers won't be paying a dime for private services (unless you try and bring the government into private services)

As for your pathetic attempt to stir my emotions, a family already has their finances devastated by illness in our current system. How would it be any different? =p I know this firsthand, my uncle died due to a bad operation to replace his kidney and my grandma nearly died from low platlet counts (her body's immune system saw them as bad). Both required the use of our healthcare systems... and if you know anything about our 'free' healthcare system, you would know it isn't free.

Oil:  99% private.

Agriculture:  festering black hole of pork and subsidy.

Agriculture in this province is a good example of a model NOT to follow.

(incidentally, how many people got drought assistance in non-drought areas?  Do you know the figure?)

No. Do you?

As for Agriculture, yeah well you can also give a high five to the East for that one. Thanks for giving us the Wheat Board =)

Oh, and Oil is private, which is good. It means the government doesn't need to waste money regulating it yet we still get tax profits from it (obviously, I mean look at our surpluses)

You assume that you actually make enough money to make a difference.  lol.  I seriously doubt that you do.

I pay taxes throughout my entire life.

I'm eating/living/exercising very, very well, and hopefully I'll be able to die at home of a heart attack like generations before me.  Should I not be so lucky, I'd like to go to a nursing home --

the fact that you acknowledge that they're terrible places speaks volumes about the value you place of elderly life....that somehow they deserve to be treated that way.

Shame on you.  And you have the nerve to call yourself a conservative.

Disgusting.

What does my paycheque have to do with anything? Or are you advocating the view you accuse most Albertans of having, that more money = more say. Of course not, I mean that would make you a hypocrite right? =)

Oh, and go to a nursing home, but for your own sake at least choose a good one. Terrible places should not be used, and people that go to them and stay regardless of how they are treated deserve what they get.

I place more value on elderly life than most people, and that is why I am placing the blame where it lies. Not on the government, but rather on the individuals responsible for the terrible acts and also on the children that don't at least move their parents from such an environment.

I love you too :D

And what about the drought relief before that?

And the locust bailout before that?

And the floods before that?

It's amazing just how much 'relief' agriculture gets in this province. 

And what about water subsidies?  What about grain subsidies?  What about milk subsidies and quotas?

You know, it's easy to be a radical individualist gung-ho on the free market when you're sucking from the urban tit of Canada.

You keep calling out these aid packages, yet you probably haven't looked them over yourself. As I look them up (the ones I am not familiar with) I notice it is usually for 'Canadian' farmers etc, this means not only Alberta. Also of interest is how it is spread out over years, meaning rarely do we get alot of initial aid when we need it.

Oh, and also keep in mind we give out over 9 BILLION dollars a year from this province, or roughly 1 million dollars an hour, so any aid we recieve is merely a minor repayment of the debt Canada owes us =p Its pathetic that when we need aid all we get is a few hundred million dollars, split between 3-4 provinces.

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Neither is the theft of our tax dollars by the Liberal government, and neither is the amount each Albertan pays for equalization.

Why do you ignore those wrongs yet seek to find errors in the Albertan government? Of course they exist, and I will admit I don't agree with everything our government does... After all, I do have reasons to support seperatism =p

However, compared with other governments and provinces, our government is still better =)

How can you decry the Liberals while ignoring the provincial government.

The core difference between provincial cons and federal libs: the federal media isn't completely co-opted by the government.

There's certainly more corruption in Alberta, you just never hear about it.

Huh? I am not trying to wiggle out of anything =p You just want to blame the government for all of life's evils, which is retarded to say the least. Who hired the guy? Did he meet the standards? Is he a re-offender? Did he have anything on his record that should have made it a clear case that he was a risk?

You don't ever consider these things, you just want a scapegoat.. and the government is convenient =p People are the problem, not the government.

Government is responsible for government policy.

Demanding that firm policies in place is hardly 'socialist'.

Let me ask you this, define a Privately owned practice. Right now. Then somehow finally understand what it means. Then once you got that one figured out realize that we taxpayers won't be paying a dime for private services (unless you try and bring the government into private services)

As for your pathetic attempt to stir my emotions, a family already has their finances devastated by illness in our current system. How would it be any different? =p I know this firsthand, my uncle died due to a bad operation to replace his kidney and my grandma nearly died from low platlet counts (her body's immune system saw them as bad). Both required the use of our healthcare systems... and if you know anything about our 'free' healthcare system, you would know it isn't free.

I don't believe that a private system has a lower incidence of malpractice.

If anything, it means that the poorest get more malpractice due to inferior care.

Moreover, as shown in the United States, malpractice litigation would severly drive the price up for everybody.

I maintain my point, anecdotes aside: a family should not have to be ruined by illness.

You can't possibly refute this basic point.

No. Do you?

As for Agriculture, yeah well you can also give a high five to the East for that one. Thanks for giving us the Wheat Board =)

Oh, and Oil is private, which is good. It means the government doesn't need to waste money regulating it yet we still get tax profits from it (obviously, I mean look at our surpluses)

The Wheat Board is a subsidy mechanism.

A majority of prairie farmers love the wheat board.

You shouldn't confuse a vote for the cons as a vote against the wheat board. It doesn't work that way.

What does my paycheque have to do with anything? Or are you advocating the view you accuse most Albertans of having, that more money = more say. Of course not, I mean that would make you a hypocrite right? =)

Oh, and go to a nursing home, but for your own sake at least choose a good one. Terrible places should not be used, and people that go to them and stay regardless of how they are treated deserve what they get.

I place more value on elderly life than most people, and that is why I am placing the blame where it lies. Not on the government, but rather on the individuals responsible for the terrible acts and also on the children that don't at least move their parents from such an environment.

I love you too biggrin.gif

You still imply that terrible things should happen to the elderly because they're "too stupid" to go to a 'bad home'.

Why should we tolerate 'bad homes' as you imply?

Why should be tolerate elder abuse?

Does anybody deserve to be abused?

You keep calling out these aid packages, yet you probably haven't looked them over yourself. As I look them up (the ones I am not familiar with) I notice it is usually for 'Canadian' farmers etc, this means not only Alberta. Also of interest is how it is spread out over years, meaning rarely do we get alot of initial aid when we need it.

Oh, and also keep in mind we give out over 9 BILLION dollars a year from this province, or roughly 1 million dollars an hour, so any aid we recieve is merely a minor repayment of the debt Canada owes us =p Its pathetic that when we need aid all we get is a few hundred million dollars, split between 3-4 provinces.

Pork is Pork.

Common sense dictates: if land isn't meant to be farmed, government shouldn't be dishing out the pork to keep that land farmed.

Of course, this leads into the entire 'subsidy of lifestyle' arguements.

Again, it's so easy for you to advocate the free market (as in healthcare) when you're living totally off the tit of subsidies.

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I place more value on elderly life than most people, and that is why I am placing the blame where it lies. Not on the government, but rather on the individuals responsible for the terrible acts and also on the children that don't at least move their parents from such an environment.

Gotta jump in here. I went through this with my father and you can't just remove a person from one nursing home and place him/her in another. THERE IS NO ROOM, thanks to the Klein administration. There simply aren't enough beds, especially where I live. And we could not keep him at home due to his medical needs. Just realize this is not a black and white issue.

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Gotta jump in here. I went through this with my father and you can't just remove a person from one nursing home and place him/her in another. THERE IS NO ROOM, thanks to the Klein administration. There simply aren't enough beds, especially where I live. And we could not keep him at home due to his medical needs. Just realize this is not a black and white issue.

Sorry to hear that Newb.

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