The Red-Green Disaster

A couple of news items worth comment caught my attention this morning:

First, the Premier announced the Government's new Green Plan yesterday. Naturally, the left-wing and the environmental lobby are unhappy. They're always unhappy. They'll be unhappy until we shut down industry and send ourselves into a massive economic tailspin.

Well at least they've got an elected advocate, now.

Liberal Environment Critic and Kyoto Crusader David Swann reacted angrily to yesterday's announcement. In interviews, Dr. Swann said that a Liberal government would "slow down the growth of oilsands activity."

Naturally oblivious to the realities of the Alberta economy, Dr. Swann suggests that "it might have some impact."

MIGHT have SOME impact?

And this guy wants to be an Alberta Cabinet Minister?

The Premier got it right when he shot back that the plan would "create enormous economic devastation, massive job losses, and so on."

To add insult to injury, the Liberals would also scrap the natural gas rebate program.

This is important for you to know, Alberta: A Liberal government will put you out of work, then they'll drive up your cost of living.

That's not a risk anyone in their right mind should be signing up for.

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

The second thing I wanted to point out is how ridiculous Don Braid's column is getting lately.

He wrote a while back that the Wildrose Alliance is a serious threat to the PCs and that we obviously recognize that since we're thinking of changing the slogan on the Alberta license plate from "Wild Rose Country". That was an impressive feat of logical gymnastics, but I decided to leave it alone.

But today, Don and U of C windbag David Taras go on about how Premier Stelmach should call off the election because of a bad poll. Except, its not.

The poll isn't a ringing endorsement of the government, of course, but it isn't a ringing endorsement of any other political party in Alberta, either.

Don and David read a lot into these numbers without factoring in the undecideds. That's poor journalism and poor comment from a political scientist.

What I think some Albertans (more than in previous elections, anyway) are saying is that their votes are up for grabs. If this election is to be about a contrast of policies, visions, and abilities to lead Alberta, I think the best thing for Ed Stelmach to do is CALL the election.

And in the spirit of giving advice, Don... stick to City Hall from now on.