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The problem is both a huge amount of money going to useless managers, $8.1 million for the office of the president and her executive offices, and extraneous departments (such as Talent Management), and cuts to post-secondary education. The University of Calgary is run like a huge corporation where the student seems to be given the last thought.
That's certainly a problem, but equally a problem are the huge pay raises the public employees get. Note, I was wrong about there not being any cuts since this year has planned cuts (though they only happen if the PCs win the election). I had thought it was like here in BC where the NDP cries about "government cuts" when there are no government cuts to education and health.
The reason why cuts are needed to balance the books in Alberta even though 2015 is projected to produce the 4th largest government revenue in Alberta history is that the government was spending like drunken sailors before now. Both managers and employees were given far too generous compensation packages to be sustainable long term.
That's certainly a problem, but equally a problem are the huge pay raises the public employees get. Note, I was wrong about there not being any cuts since this year has planned cuts (though they only happen if the PCs win the election). I had thought it was like here in BC where the NDP cries about "government cuts" when there are no government cuts to education and health.
The reason why cuts are needed to balance the books in Alberta even though 2015 is projected to produce the 4th largest government revenue in Alberta history is that the government was spending like drunken sailors before now. Both managers and employees were given far too generous compensation packages to be sustainable long term.
Spending like "drunken sailors" is the problem that has many Albertans upset. PC decisions over the last couple of years have been bizarre, such as borrowing money when there was no need to borrow money, but the rational was that it was cheaper to borrow and pay interest than to use existing funds. Many people are fed up with the PC arrogance.
This will seem trivial after a few years of socialist governance. Unfortunately, sometimes when people get all outraged about something they react by acting impulsively and recklessly, and as a result they create a much worse situation. This seems to be what Albertans are about to do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lieneke
Spending like "drunken sailors" is the problem that has many Albertans upset. PC decisions over the last couple of years have been bizarre, such as borrowing money when there was no need to borrow money, but the rational was that it was cheaper to borrow and pay interest than to use existing funds. Many people are fed up with the PC arrogance.
This will seem trivial after a few years of socialist governance. Unfortunately, sometimes when people get all outraged about something they react by acting impulsively and recklessly, and as a result they create a much worse situation. This seems to be what Albertans are about to do.
Last night on the news there was a strong message from Ontario telling Albertans that Alberta oil supports the country, that the country's stability and economic future depends on Alberta, and that Albertans should do the right thing - meaning continue to vote PC (I'm paraphrasing, but that was the message). It would be easier to do the right thing if the PC leader had not called an election a year early, and at a time when he knew that the three other parties were too weak to present a good alternative. Prentice decided to call the election when he though everyone else was down. He seems to be about dirty politics, just like the Allison Redford.
Politics is always dirty, and it would be naive to think that any of the alternatives will be less inclined to behave so. The sad thing is that Canada is a democratic country and fought for these values -- even if "dirty" at times -- yet there's always this undercurrent of discontent in support for socialists and other non-democratic philosophies. The people of Alberta are really going to improve things by electing a party that borrows from the Communist playbook, the same one that has inspired some of the most brutal totalitarian regimes in the world? Good luck with that...
Hope the people of Alberta are enjoying their last few hours of normalcy (for the next couple of years at least)...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lieneke
Last night on the news there was a strong message from Ontario telling Albertans that Alberta oil supports the country, that the country's stability and economic future depends on Alberta, and that Albertans should do the right thing - meaning continue to vote PC (I'm paraphrasing, but that was the message). It would be easier to do the right thing if the PC leader had not called an election a year early, and at a time when he knew that the three other parties were too weak to present a good alternative. Prentice decided to call the election when he though everyone else was down. He seems to be about dirty politics, just like the Allison Redford.
I expected a minority but am happy with the majority. It is obvious Albertans voted for change. Get ready for better health care and education. Happy with Wildrose as opposition. This is definitely horrible for the Conservatives.
Funny the groaners and moaners on the left have long complained about how Harper got a majority with c. 40% of the popular vote.... oh, and how badly do they want as PR system -- until FPTP works for them and suddenly PR is at the bottom of the list again.
I expected a minority but am happy with the majority. It is obvious Albertans voted for change. Get ready for better health care and education. Happy with Wildrose as opposition. This is definitely horrible for the Conservatives.
I expected a minority but am happy with the majority. It is obvious Albertans voted for change. Get ready for better health care and education. Happy with Wildrose as opposition. This is definitely horrible for the Conservatives.
Higher taxes ... that's a given.
I'm afraid of what this means. The NDP perceive the Prime Minister as a bad guy (that was clear when they booed long and loud when Notley mentioned his name). That does not bode well.
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