Klein gets just 55% approval from Tory delegates

[idealisttotheend]

Education and Health are good spending priorities as they eventually will return dividends to the economy.

I'm glad you realize this, we will make a proper 'lefty' out of you yet.

It's not rampant social welfare, thats why we have 3.1% unemployment and have always had a participation rate above 70%. Those on welfare are looked down upon in Alberta, and are heavily pressured and forced back into the workforce immediately. As it should be.

According to StatsCan, Alberta pretty much pays as much for "social services" with her 3 million people as BC did with her 7 million. The Assured Income for the Severely Handicaped program is one of the most progressive pieces of welfare legislation in the country.

Statscan survey of provincial expendiatures

I would agree that there is a hardworking attitude in Alberta as there is across the praries IMV but would have to disagree that the unemployment rate has as much to do with the efficiency of social workers in getting people "off the Welfare" as it does with the good opportunites caused by the oil boom getting people to work.

[geoffrey]

Agreed with unemployment, disagree with participation rate.

AISH is what welfare should be. Helping those truly disadvantaged. Try getting long-term support in Alberta as an able bodied single person. Not happening. That's the difference.

I used to be a lefty, until I got involved in economics at university. I've realised the errors in most socialist and welfarist methods. I haven't been removed of my social conscience yet though, hence my support of things like AISH.

[idealisttotheend]

Agreed with unemployment, disagree with participation rate.

AISH is what welfare should be. Helping those truly disadvantaged. Try getting long-term support in Alberta as an able bodied single person. Not happening. That's the difference.

I used to be a lefty, until I got involved in economics at university. I've realised the errors in most socialist and welfarist methods. I haven't been removed of my social conscience yet though, hence my support of things like AISH.

Alright we will refer to you as a centerist then, Red Tory perhaps? Not so many around federally any more but I think people would be very suprised as to how many of them are in Alberta.

And that, I suppose, is what the thread is all about.

[geoffrey]

Agreed with unemployment, disagree with participation rate.

AISH is what welfare should be. Helping those truly disadvantaged. Try getting long-term support in Alberta as an able bodied single person. Not happening. That's the difference.

I used to be a lefty, until I got involved in economics at university. I've realised the errors in most socialist and welfarist methods. I haven't been removed of my social conscience yet though, hence my support of things like AISH.

Alright we will refer to you as a centerist then, Red Tory perhaps? Not so many around federally any more but I think people would be very suprised as to how many of them are in Alberta.

And that, I suppose, is what the thread is all about.

Red Tory indeed, not in the Scott Brison/Belinda sense of the term though. I'm right of most reformers economically, but never bit the populist steak that was presented by them.

None the less, I have a great amount of respect for the integrity and passion of Preston Manning (I've met him a few times and he's the only politican thats ever seemed honest to me) and not only would I expect him to win the race if he enters, but I would say he might be the best person to stand up for us in Ottawa.

EDIT: There are lots of us in Alberta, most identify with the Liberals. You'd be hard pressed to find any real federal type Liberals in Alberta, outside of E-town anyways.

[Biblio Bibuli]

I have a great amount of respect for the integrity and passion of Preston Manning I expect him to win the race if he enters ...

I just had breakfast with my friend Ezra this morning, and we both agree that Preston Manning could be the next premier if he wants it.

The ONLY question we both, Ezra & I, are still mulling over is:

Will he take over the Tories - or crush them with a new party?

[Biblio Bibuli]

I have a great amount of respect for the integrity and passion of Preston Manning I expect him to win the race if he enters ...

I just had breakfast with my friend Ezra this morning, and we both agree that Preston Manning could be the next premier if he wants it.

The ONLY question we both, Ezra & I, are still mulling over is:

Will he take over the Tories - or crush them with a new party?

After breakfast with Levant I had lunch with Don Martin. He went on about how:

"The bad blood from having Klein's guts spilled all over the convention floor will hemorrhage further as the party hacks itself apart into various leadership camps. What Paul Martin found out when he inherited a divided mess from his Chretien takedown will be rediscovered by the next leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives. They'll find out Humpty Dumpty really is a toughie to put together again."

That got me thinking that Preston Manning should "crush them with a new party."

Don't you think?

[geoffrey]

The Alberta Alliance did win one seat last election.

I don't think you could find enough non-PC candidates with winning abilities to make another party in Alberta. Your stuck with the PC's for many years to come, with either Dinning or Manning at the helm.