Civiltech your so subtle....I predict the people of Alberta will rise up and throw the Conservative out of power just as they did Mulroney when they woke up to the sell out policies of his government! I predict that people will realize that living in Ralph's World is synonomous with living in a kingdom, we the people being the servants and they the government of out of touch policy makers, favoring the corporate agenda and sacrificing the people in the process. <br /> <br />I predict the seniors who can't see, because they can't afford eye glasses, and those who suffer from malnutrition because they have no dental care, will vote for a candidate that cares about them. The seniors built this province and country and they are rewarded by self-serving politicians who care not for their elders. Those who need homecare and can't get it, in the richest province in the country may not be able to get out to vote, but their families will; and those who bought the b.s. on deregulation but now are paying twice as much for power in a power rich province, will not be saying, Thanks Ralph! <br /> <br />Those who are paying sky high auto insurance, except of course the insurance companies, will be rejecting Ralph's World! <br /> <br />Those familes who have seen the healthcare system cause too many errors, due to shortage of staff, overworked staff, hospital closures will be looking for visionaries and people committed to people. That used to be the point of government and the people will remember that this election. <br /> <br />Corporate led policy serves corporations and I don't think the people of Alberta are as blind as they once were, they have been loyal to the Conservative party, but the party has changed, so now it is time for them to rethink their commitment! <br /> <br />I predict that Ralph & co are going to get a big surprise this election, people will vote for the candidate, and you will see many more colours in Edmonton next session and hopefully they will sit for more than 10 days and the premier will show up for more than 4. <br /> <br />The people want a premier who doesn't insult the disabled, the teachers, those in need of welfare, the homeless and the elderly! The people want a premier who can represent them with dignity and respect in Ottawa, without running from important policy meetings to attend a casino engagement or cow-towing to the oil barons. The people want a party and a premier that puts people first. <br /> <br />A society is judged not by it's oil wealth, but by how it treats it's poor, sick, elderly and youth...Alberta is not doing very well at this point in history, we can do better! There is a better choice and a stronger voice this election and it's the Alberta New Democrats! <br /> <br />That's my opinion. Yahoo Democracy is on it's way! <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/biggrin.gif' alt='Big Grin'>

   

"Yahoo Democracy" is right! <br /> <br />Good luck Whelan. <br /> <br />Your not gonna win, but I admire the fact your willing to fight for something you believe in (misplaced or not....) and still lose. <br /> <br />

   

Being just one of the obviously numerous "ignorant Albertans" myself, I must say that I've been quite satisfied with the Conservatives, and I'm not sure why other people aren't... Obviously there are always going to be problems in society, but not all of them can be blamed on government figures who happen to be in the "wrong" party, according to each person's preference. Even I will concede that the Liberals haven't been too bad while in Ottawa, although I would prefer the Conservatives. <br /> <br />And by the way, I would appreciate not being called names... I am neither ignorant nor have I been duped, thank you, just a Conservative. I don't support Klein because I don't pay attention to his policies, but because I don't believe that our government is broken, and therefore does not need to be fixed. Klein is, in my opinion, doing a fine job as Premier. <br /> <br />By the way, Whelan, I'd like to wish you good luck also! I think it's good to have many voices in parliament, not just that of one party.

   

I too am one of the poor, ailing blue-eyed -Arabs <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/wink.gif' alt='Wink'> <br /> <br />I think the PC's have been doing a decent job. But then again, it's easy to do with windfall Oil profits and no political opposition. <br /> <br />King Ralph has been doing a fair job, but I feel he's slipped on a few things. Oil revenues is one. Alaska charges 12.5% for the first 5 years of a new oil project, and 15% thereafter. Alberta charges 1% and 5% respectively. We'd have more than enough for the health system, education system and infrastructure then. <br /> <br />Yea, the oil companies would bitch, but so what? Other countries (Sweden, Velezuela) charge far more, and the Oil companies are still making a killing. <br /> <br />And companies that own refineries should be barred from retail sales. That would create a true 'free' market for fuel. <br />

   

I'd like to suggest only a couple of ways,without going into very much detail, that questions Mr. Klien's reign. <br />1. Why does Alberta have the lowest minimum wage in the country if it is the richest Province? Especially since a city like Calgary is one of the most expensive places in the country to live. It is impossible for single parents to live on minimum wage (and don't fool yourself, there are single parents out there trying on $5.90/hr.) <br />2. Why in the richest Province in Canada are we pushing to privitize Health Care? I could understand if the Nova Scotian government wanted to let go of the fiscal responsibilty, but why Alberta? Surely we could afford it? Surely if we put some money into health care, instead of beefing up MLA pensions, Albertans would be more happy with their health care. <br />3. In the last 10 years (once Ralph got going) tuition has gone up by 400%. Why is tuition at an Alberta University (again the richest province) $4500, when at a B.C. university it's around $3000? And two years ago when B.C. had an NDP government, tuition was around $2500. <br /> <br />These are only three issues, and I tried to be brief. <br />The province may not seem to be falling apart, but it is.

   

All good questions, and as you say there are many more, the only answer that makes sense to me is, they have forgotten who they work for, or should I say who they are supposed to work for and it isn't corporations, but they don't know that because who is funding their election campaign? He who pays the piper calls the tune. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mad.gif' alt='Angry'>

   

hermanator, your numbers are outdated. BC's been working hard to make our tuition as outrageous as possible. Mine was $6000 at UBC this year.