Ralph Klein Says Liberals Will Win Election

[Black Dog]

Ralph said that in an answer to those who complained about him giving $400 to each man woman and child in the province.

Should he have asked the people if he can give it to them?

Atually it was not specifically relating to the RalphBucks Bonus, but the surplus spending as a whole. It's a question of accountability. Currently, the government is spending the extra dough however it pleases with no oversight whatsoever. Sounds a lot like the bunch in Ottawa.

I can't for the life of me understand why Albertans whinge about Ontario's voting habits. "Why oh why do those stupid easterners keep voting for a corrupt government that throws away heir tax dollars?" is the cry.

Talk about yer pot calling the kettle black.

[Riverwind]

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[shoop]

Because the Government in Alberta returns money to the people of the province instead of funnelling it to the party apparatus. No difference there at all.

I can't for the life of me understand why Albertans whinge about Ontario's voting habits. "Why oh why do those stupid easterners keep voting for a corrupt government that throws away heir tax dollars?" is the cry.

Talk about yer pot calling the kettle black.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[tml12]

Because the Government in Alberta returns money to the people of the province instead of funnelling it to the party apparatus. No difference there at all. 

I can't for the life of me understand why Albertans whinge about Ontario's voting habits. "Why oh why do those stupid easterners keep voting for a corrupt government that throws away heir tax dollars?" is the cry.

Talk about yer pot calling the kettle black.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HAHAHA

Ah when he's on a roll...

[FTA Lawyer]

Ralph said that in an answer to those who complained about him giving $400 to each man woman and child in the province.

Should he have asked the people if he can give it to them?

Atually it was not specifically relating to the RalphBucks Bonus, but the surplus spending as a whole. It's a question of accountability. Currently, the government is spending the extra dough however it pleases with no oversight whatsoever. Sounds a lot like the bunch in Ottawa.

I can't for the life of me understand why Albertans whinge about Ontario's voting habits. "Why oh why do those stupid easterners keep voting for a corrupt government that throws away heir tax dollars?" is the cry.

Talk about yer pot calling the kettle black.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First of all, I never called Ralph a genius...I said he had conviction and behaved according to principle...has nothing to do with intelligence (or lack thereof).

No matter how much money has flowed into Alberta, if Klien had not closed schools and hospitals and cut back spending drastically as he promised, and then did, Alberta would not be where it is today financially. Doesn't mean we'd be Newfoundland, but we'd be far worse off.

As far as the surplus spending, I've had three different surveys sent to me (as have all Albertans) by the government asking my opinions on how surplus dollars should be allocated. Poor Ralph got criticized for wasting taxpayer money through these public consultations...and now you want to criticize him for not doing it...when he did...

I asked for increased funding of Legal Aid programs and higher salaries for Crown Prosecutors, amongst other initiatives.

In fact, just yesterday a huge fold-out glossy pamphlet found its way to the homes of Albertans which was the Alberta government's detailed description of what it is doing with surplus funds.

I cannot remember ever being asked as a taxpayer and citizen what I wanted to do with the several successive multiple billion dollar federal surpluses...and I have not yet seen any instances of Ralph's ministers falsifying invoices and well...you know the rest.

So let's see, they asked every citizen for input on how to spend the surplus and then sent out a report on what they are doing...perhaps I'm wrong but I'd call that the definition of government accountability.

It seems to me your likeness of the two governments falls flat when one actually looks at fact as opposed to partisan banter. Just because lobbyists don't feel like Klien is listening to them (because he's not) doesn't mean there is no accountability.

FTA.

[tml12]

Ralph said that in an answer to those who complained about him giving $400 to each man woman and child in the province.

Should he have asked the people if he can give it to them?

Atually it was not specifically relating to the RalphBucks Bonus, but the surplus spending as a whole. It's a question of accountability. Currently, the government is spending the extra dough however it pleases with no oversight whatsoever. Sounds a lot like the bunch in Ottawa.

I can't for the life of me understand why Albertans whinge about Ontario's voting habits. "Why oh why do those stupid easterners keep voting for a corrupt government that throws away heir tax dollars?" is the cry.

Talk about yer pot calling the kettle black.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

First of all, I never called Ralph a genius...I said he had conviction and behaved according to principle...has nothing to do with intelligence (or lack thereof).

No matter how much money has flowed into Alberta, if Klien had not closed schools and hospitals and cut back spending drastically as he promised, and then did, Alberta would not be where it is today financially. Doesn't mean we'd be Newfoundland, but we'd be far worse off.

As far as the surplus spending, I've had three different surveys sent to me (as have all Albertans) by the government asking my opinions on how surplus dollars should be allocated. Poor Ralph got criticized for wasting taxpayer money through these public consultations...and now you want to criticize him for not doing it...when he did...

I asked for increased funding of Legal Aid programs and higher salaries for Crown Prosecutors, amongst other initiatives.

In fact, just yesterday a huge fold-out glossy pamphlet found its way to the homes of Albertans which was the Alberta government's detailed description of what it is doing with surplus funds.

I cannot remember ever being asked as a taxpayer and citizen what I wanted to do with the several successive multiple billion dollar federal surpluses...and I have not yet seen any instances of Ralph's ministers falsifying invoices and well...you know the rest.

So let's see, they asked every citizen for input on how to spend the surplus and then sent out a report on what they are doing...perhaps I'm wrong but I'd call that the definition of government accountability.

It seems to me your likeness of the two governments falls flat when one actually looks at fact as opposed to partisan banter. Just because lobbyists don't feel like Klien is listening to them (because he's not) doesn't mean there is no accountability.

FTA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I admit I have not heard those initiatives being practised anywhere else in Canada.

[shoop]

Thank you, thank you very much.

HAHAHA

Ah when he's on a roll...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Guest eureka]

I would rather call it cynical vote buying and a flight from responsibility.

It is government's job to determine needs. It is not its job to appeal to the population with something that says "what can I do to make you like me better and ensure your vote next time."

[PocketRocket]

Part of the problem, he says, is that Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is perceived to be too far to the right.

I'd say this comment is bang on the money.

Earlier in this thread someone joked about how Klein may be using reverse psychology.

I'm not sure I'd call it that, but this simple little comment may be enough to make non-Con voters sit back and think a bit.

Then again, it may not.

Either way, three weeks from now no one will even remember it.

[Leader Circle]

I say Ralph's Red roots are showing, when he makes dumbass comments like that.

McKay was right, the way to fix this is DUCT TAPE!

Ralph needs to be gone, this was the nail in the coffin!

[PocketRocket]

Sorry, but I think Ralph will probably still be around long after we've forgotten the names McKay and what's-his-name, you know, the leader of the CPC.

Honest-to-God. Call it a Freudian moment, but I've honestly just blanked out on his name

Harper. Yeah. Harper.

Wierd.

[shoop]

Ralphie is around as long as he wants to be, but is leaving early.

I honestly think this shows how sad a state the Liberals are in. Klein spoke honestly, but wasn't trying to sandbag Harper. If this is all they are pinning their hopes on, hello PM Harper!

Sorry, but I think Ralph will probably still be around long after we've forgotten the names McKay and what's-his-name, you know, the leader of the CPC.

Honest-to-God. Call it a Freudian moment, but I've honestly just blanked out on his name 

Harper. Yeah. Harper.

Wierd.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[kimmy]

I suspect that Klein is right, and I suspect that most analysts believe the same.

Does what Klein said make Ontario voters less likely to vote CPC? I don't see why it would.

-k

[newbie]

First of all, I never called Ralph a genius...I said he had conviction and behaved according to principle...has nothing to do with intelligence (or lack thereof).

FTA.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, you kind of made my point don't ya think: A principle, convicted moron runs our province, oops I mean a moron with conviction. Yeah, the sick keep getting sicker, the students are ignored, the streets and foodbanks are flooding with homeless, crime is way up, gambling and drug abuse hitting the roof - a great legacy Ralph. And the crème de la crème, the $400 for each man, woman and child. Oh, and let's not forget his former government (of which he was a part of) and their terrific investment ideas:

Electricity Deregulation

NovAtel Communications Ltd.

Swan Hills Waste Treatment Centre

Lloydminister Bi-provincial Upgrader

Millar Western Pulp Mill

Gainers

Magnesium Company of Canada

Alberta Pacific (Al-Pac) Pulp Mill

West Edmonton Mall

Northern Lite Canola

[August1991]

I suspect that Klein is right, and I suspect that most analysts believe the same.

Does what Klein said make Ontario voters less likely to vote CPC?  I don't see why it would.

-k

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sorry to say this, but what Ralph Klein says is essentially irrelevant to people in Ontario and Quebec. Most don't even know who he is.

I noted above in this thread that I heard him on local Montreal radio last week. He was talking about health care. The way he delivered his message may work in Alberta where apparently he has a reputation for calling it as he sees it. To my ear, he just came off as a buffoon.

I think George Burns said: "The most important thing in life is sincerity and if you can fake that, you've got it made." I guess I'm just innately suspicious of the folksy, Honest-John politician. Chretien used that schtick too. The world of politics is anything but simple black and white, right and wrong. It is more often a world of choices.

[BHS]

I suspect that Klein is right, and I suspect that most analysts believe the same.

Does what Klein said make Ontario voters less likely to vote CPC?  I don't see why it would.

-k

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sorry to say this, but what Ralph Klein says is essentially irrelevant to people in Ontario and Quebec. Most don't even know who he is.

I noted above in this thread that I heard him on local Montreal radio last week. He was talking about health care. The way he delivered his message may work in Alberta where apparently he has a reputation for calling it as he sees it. To my ear, he just came off as a buffoon.

I think George Burns said: "The most important thing in life is sincerity and if you can fake that, you've got it made." I guess I'm just innately suspicious of the folksy, Honest-John politician. Chretien used that schtick too. The world of politics is anything but simple black and white, right and wrong. It is more often a world of choices.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hate to disagree, chum, but anyone who follows politics in Ontario at all knows who Ralph Klein is, due to his association by reputation with Mike Harris. For the record, though, most people don't follow politics in Ontario, and couldn't even name our current Premier. Old whats-his-name. Sad looking fellow.

Yeah, I've always thought that Klein comes across better in print than he does in person. He does have a sort of goofiness to him that doesn't fit with his reputation.

I have to disagree with your last statement though: democratic politics is entirely about breaking everything down to simple black/white yes/no distinctions. House of Commons members don't get to vote "Qualified Maybe". What you're thinking of, maybe, is how politicians use the media to spin and manipulate and offer shades of nuance to every situation. Which not necessarily a bad thing, and helps to mold public opinion, but is more or less superficial and inconsequential when the actual decisions get made.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear August1991,

I think George Burns said: "The most important thing in life is sincerity and if you can fake that, you've got it made." I guess I'm just innately suspicious of the folksy, Honest-John politician

I do not like Ralph Klein, but I can tell you that if you he says something, he means it. I remember when he was the Mayor of Calgary, and it was there that he earned his reputation as the most honest and well liked mayor in recent history (anywhere in Canada). He used to drink beer at a shabby hotel called the St. Louis, 1 block from city hall (there was actually some joking about him having a 'private tunnel') and he was seen as 'one of the common folk' (and to hear him speak, no wonder).

So, again, if I was asked "Do you like him?" I would say 'No'. If I was asked "Is he honest?", I would have to admit "Yes".

[Guest eureka]

Thanks for the name St. Loius," Tfb. I have been trying to remember it for years. One of the first drinking spots I was taken to in Calgary was Klein's home from home when he was mayor.

Sure enough he was there at the time. I think that one goes down a flight of steps from the street - at least I remember it that way. But perhaps I was not moving too well.