Laurie Blakeman today has attacked the government over the handling of the AON report.
While I might agree with how she characterized the numbers as flawed, when they are based on assumptions which can be wrong. Such as the fact that Health care costs will continue to rise by 10% a year when they are more like 7% if you take out the bump from 1997-2002 when money was flooding back into the system.
But you cannot have it both ways. She then goes on to argue that somehow this proves that private insurance is always fatally flawed because these same numbers proved that private insurance would not decrease health costs.
If the numbers are wrong then the assumptions are wrong. If the report is flawed it is flawed, you cannot have it both ways.
More than that the framework shows that with some basic planning by the government they could actually avoid the age bump.
According to AON our costs would rise from 29% of the budget to 50% by 2025. What they do not say is following that model to its logical conclusion the numbers would level out and after 2035 start a downward trend as, to put it harshly, people died off.
If the baby boom bump is what we fear, then there are steps we can take to make the system sustainable in the long term. We just have to teach people the realities and come to grips with the fact that we have options in the system.
It is called planning, if you plan to retire in 2025 you dont say hey in 2024 lets start a pension fund... it is too late.
Now is the time to save for the cycle, lets all sit down and honestly talk about all sides of health care reform. Lets honestly present all the options, lets have debates and lets really discuss it. Lets put aside the Friends of Medicare sky is falling mentality and really honestly say to Albertans. Do you want higher taxes or more private insurance or mixed systems which will protect us from the rising health care costs until such time as they start to come back to earth.
That is the discussion that gets lost in labels like third way, two tiered and credit card scaremongering.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
MLA for a day program
Today, we have a visitor in the office.
With the Governor General visiting today we are hopping. Fun stuff. Our visitor is a young grade ten student who is learning about the various activities of his MLA.
It is a good program. It will help these students to understand the workings of the Legislature and hopefully give them an appreciation for government. Which all citizens would benefit from.
With the Governor General visiting today we are hopping. Fun stuff. Our visitor is a young grade ten student who is learning about the various activities of his MLA.
It is a good program. It will help these students to understand the workings of the Legislature and hopefully give them an appreciation for government. Which all citizens would benefit from.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
All even going to Edmonton
Oilers even up the Series 1-1 big game!!
Why does the thought, "Your disssspicable," come to mind seeing this picture.Ducks mug Flames to tie their series.
Oilers even up the Series 1-1 big game!!Why does the thought, "Your disssspicable," come to mind seeing this picture.Ducks mug Flames to tie their series.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Ding dong third way is dead...
Personally I think there are some things they can do to create a better health system within the private and market driven forces... but the two most controversial parts of the Third Way are officially gone.
As most expected they would be.
So we are now eight sitting days away from the end of the Legislature this session I think.
Oh and hey guess what else, Ralphbucks are back.
As most expected they would be.
So we are now eight sitting days away from the end of the Legislature this session I think.
Oh and hey guess what else, Ralphbucks are back.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Ok a break in the action
so now we pause for the week as we all wait to see what will happen at the Tory Caucus meeting a week from today when the Third Way is decided.
Meanwhile...
Go Oilers Go...
A bit of partisanship for you!!
Meanwhile...
Go Oilers Go...
A bit of partisanship for you!!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
the big brother of Confederation
"It's disappointing that Ontario, the big brother of Confederation, would take this kind of a position." Pat Binns Premier of PEI.
So now Ontario is playing the Alberta role... selfish and self asorbed (according to others).
Now I am never one to agree with my birth province but you do have to wonder about the nerve of some provinces and their inability to pull up their own socks from time to time.
Meanwhile McGuinty says pretty much what most Albertans have thought for a number of years.
"We won't support a solution that helps half the population at the expense of the other half," he said.
Meanwhile Premier Campbell said he also did not like the way the panel decided the equalization payment revision.
Now interestingly this report did not included a single point from our Premier. So are you telling me we had nothing to say? The worst part of this is that the LIBERAL premiers are the ones disagreeing with provincial welfare while the so-called Conservatives have their hands out wanting more.
It is enough to make you roll your eyes.
So now Ontario is playing the Alberta role... selfish and self asorbed (according to others).
Now I am never one to agree with my birth province but you do have to wonder about the nerve of some provinces and their inability to pull up their own socks from time to time.
Meanwhile McGuinty says pretty much what most Albertans have thought for a number of years.
"We won't support a solution that helps half the population at the expense of the other half," he said.
Meanwhile Premier Campbell said he also did not like the way the panel decided the equalization payment revision.
Now interestingly this report did not included a single point from our Premier. So are you telling me we had nothing to say? The worst part of this is that the LIBERAL premiers are the ones disagreeing with provincial welfare while the so-called Conservatives have their hands out wanting more.
It is enough to make you roll your eyes.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Manning – back to the future?
From my column appearing in a few weekly papers this week
On April fools day Preston Manning was asked to speak to the Alberta PC convention delegates. It was another masterful speech by someone who has always been good at giving voice to ideas. He knocked them dead.
If they were excited about his comments well they did not hear anything yet. In a media scrum thereafter Manning made some comments that he might be interested in running for the leadership.
To say this caused a firestorm might be a bit much. However, within political circles the shock was evident. Lets be honest, who thinks that Preston ever ruminates about something in public?
No neither do I.
Anyone who knows Mr. Manning knows he is a clear thinker. While he may not always be with the majority he has a pretty good ear on what maybe important now and in the future.
So what does his decision, should he make it, do to the leadership race? The Preston effect has been a big one so far if our phones and email are anything to go by and we are in the opposition offices.
Most still remember the work Ernest Manning did creating the wealth of this province. His hand was a steady one on a tiller of our province. His son may be of a similar nature. Certainly looking back 15 years ago the Reform party were well ahead of the game when it came to deficit fighting. It was ahead with its desire for accountability in government and it certainly was ahead in dealing with federal-provincial relations.
His views on democracy and accountability were ones that many, including yours truly, grabbed onto and believed in. If he can bring most of these forward I would certainly respect and support his leadership candidacy over the rest.
Of the rest of the contenders there is little they could do to stop the momentum if Mr. Manning is able to gain the type of overwhelming support he had during the first few years of Reform.
But is he the yesterday’s man? This is what Mark Norris, and to a lesser extent Ted Morton, want to get across to the PC voters. "Thanks for your leadership of years ago please keep a chair open for us at your think tank but please do not get involved do not wreck your legacy," as Norris would like you to believe.
Preston has a good chance to win this thing, going away in my opinion. Many in the media are coming to that conclusion. His cross over democracy ideas and fiscal conservatism will appeal to many on all sides.
So he returns to the fold of Alberta politics set to light a fire which will burn the stubble of the party aside. It could be a very interesting coincidence if Preston, who lit the fires of fiscal responsibility for Ralph Klein, who has been on the outside of the Progressive Conservatives could inherit the mantle of leadership which his father held in Social Credit.
Back to the future Alberta… better get ready.
On April fools day Preston Manning was asked to speak to the Alberta PC convention delegates. It was another masterful speech by someone who has always been good at giving voice to ideas. He knocked them dead.
If they were excited about his comments well they did not hear anything yet. In a media scrum thereafter Manning made some comments that he might be interested in running for the leadership.
To say this caused a firestorm might be a bit much. However, within political circles the shock was evident. Lets be honest, who thinks that Preston ever ruminates about something in public?
No neither do I.
Anyone who knows Mr. Manning knows he is a clear thinker. While he may not always be with the majority he has a pretty good ear on what maybe important now and in the future.
So what does his decision, should he make it, do to the leadership race? The Preston effect has been a big one so far if our phones and email are anything to go by and we are in the opposition offices.
Most still remember the work Ernest Manning did creating the wealth of this province. His hand was a steady one on a tiller of our province. His son may be of a similar nature. Certainly looking back 15 years ago the Reform party were well ahead of the game when it came to deficit fighting. It was ahead with its desire for accountability in government and it certainly was ahead in dealing with federal-provincial relations.
His views on democracy and accountability were ones that many, including yours truly, grabbed onto and believed in. If he can bring most of these forward I would certainly respect and support his leadership candidacy over the rest.
Of the rest of the contenders there is little they could do to stop the momentum if Mr. Manning is able to gain the type of overwhelming support he had during the first few years of Reform.
But is he the yesterday’s man? This is what Mark Norris, and to a lesser extent Ted Morton, want to get across to the PC voters. "Thanks for your leadership of years ago please keep a chair open for us at your think tank but please do not get involved do not wreck your legacy," as Norris would like you to believe.
Preston has a good chance to win this thing, going away in my opinion. Many in the media are coming to that conclusion. His cross over democracy ideas and fiscal conservatism will appeal to many on all sides.
So he returns to the fold of Alberta politics set to light a fire which will burn the stubble of the party aside. It could be a very interesting coincidence if Preston, who lit the fires of fiscal responsibility for Ralph Klein, who has been on the outside of the Progressive Conservatives could inherit the mantle of leadership which his father held in Social Credit.
Back to the future Alberta… better get ready.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Pre-easter Malaise?
So after a busy week last week is this the let down week? Until Mr. Manning says what he is doing it looks like very little happening at the Legislature. The media in particular seem a bit lost without Premier Klein around.
I have to say there seems to be a sense that people are waiting for the week off. It is strange... or maybe it is just spring fever.
Meanwhile, the theory in some parts of the media is if the Alberta Liberals would just change their names they would be the next "movement" in Alberta.
Of course if one looks at the actual vote the Liberals got in percentage and total number over the past four elections they would notice that there has been a serious decline in support. The reality is being a Liberal in this province has not given them anything.
On the otherhand... changing their name does not do enough to make a difference for them. While they did claim some scalps they are still hovering about 27-29% support. None of their leaders since Laurence Decore has consistantly failed to gain public interest.
The media seem to hold up hope that these Liberals can make ground, kind of like the Toronto Maple Leaf fans, who wait every year for a return to the Stanely Cup to Hogtown. Wait all you like but do not expect me to believe it.
Not with the Liberal masthead... not when the Federal Conservatives took almost a Million votes in this province smashing the Federal Liberals. Small c conservatives still rule this province... and will do for the short term (probably even the long term).
I have to say there seems to be a sense that people are waiting for the week off. It is strange... or maybe it is just spring fever.
Meanwhile, the theory in some parts of the media is if the Alberta Liberals would just change their names they would be the next "movement" in Alberta.
Of course if one looks at the actual vote the Liberals got in percentage and total number over the past four elections they would notice that there has been a serious decline in support. The reality is being a Liberal in this province has not given them anything.
On the otherhand... changing their name does not do enough to make a difference for them. While they did claim some scalps they are still hovering about 27-29% support. None of their leaders since Laurence Decore has consistantly failed to gain public interest.
The media seem to hold up hope that these Liberals can make ground, kind of like the Toronto Maple Leaf fans, who wait every year for a return to the Stanely Cup to Hogtown. Wait all you like but do not expect me to believe it.
Not with the Liberal masthead... not when the Federal Conservatives took almost a Million votes in this province smashing the Federal Liberals. Small c conservatives still rule this province... and will do for the short term (probably even the long term).
Saturday, April 08, 2006
I am being watched... apparently
Hey it is good to see we have some interesting readership.
http://albertaalliancewatch.blogspot.com/
Welcome to the parade. Somehow I am whining about our lack of press?
People seem to want to know our opinion on Preston Manning.
For those of you Tories who read this blog, let me be very clear on a few things that seem to be going around on the web.
1. we did not beg or plead or even ask Lyle Oberg to join the caucus. We simply have left an olive branch open if he wanted to talk. So far he seems to be consistant on his desire to win the Tory leadership. I am ok with that...
2. Preston. I personally think it might be really interesting to see what Preston might bring to the table. I will watch and wait to see what he brings forward as ideas before passing judgement on him.
3. If Preston joins this race I would say that Ted Morton's chances take a serious, maybe fatal, blow. So we are not the only ones effected by this move.
Finally let me just add without the Tories hard work at isolating people, acting arrogant and believing they could only solve all the problems in the province is the reason Paul Hinman was elected. Believe me I had a front row seat.
So talk to the hand. ;o)
http://albertaalliancewatch.blogspot.com/
Welcome to the parade. Somehow I am whining about our lack of press?
People seem to want to know our opinion on Preston Manning.
For those of you Tories who read this blog, let me be very clear on a few things that seem to be going around on the web.
1. we did not beg or plead or even ask Lyle Oberg to join the caucus. We simply have left an olive branch open if he wanted to talk. So far he seems to be consistant on his desire to win the Tory leadership. I am ok with that...
2. Preston. I personally think it might be really interesting to see what Preston might bring to the table. I will watch and wait to see what he brings forward as ideas before passing judgement on him.
3. If Preston joins this race I would say that Ted Morton's chances take a serious, maybe fatal, blow. So we are not the only ones effected by this move.
Finally let me just add without the Tories hard work at isolating people, acting arrogant and believing they could only solve all the problems in the province is the reason Paul Hinman was elected. Believe me I had a front row seat.
So talk to the hand. ;o)
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Dinning seeks the front of the parade?
I know I should probably not be so obsessed about another party's leadership but....
Jim Dinning appears to have put the last shovel on the Third Way. So if Dinning does not like it does that mean it is once and for all dead?
I am a believer that there is no appetite for these reforms from the Rural caucus of the PC party. So the question is with no mandate does that mean the Third Way has gone the way of the dodo?
Considering how little real thought there was done on this considering that the Doctors, nurses, government MLAs, leadership candidates, and the bureaucrats are against it I would say DOA.
So another way will be left to another leader to try and bell this cat.
Just remember that slow innovation seems to work better with the third rail of politics. Personally given the amount of research we did I could not see how their plan would add any value to the Alberta tax payer or make the health consumer feel confidence in the system.
Jim Dinning appears to have put the last shovel on the Third Way. So if Dinning does not like it does that mean it is once and for all dead?
I am a believer that there is no appetite for these reforms from the Rural caucus of the PC party. So the question is with no mandate does that mean the Third Way has gone the way of the dodo?
Considering how little real thought there was done on this considering that the Doctors, nurses, government MLAs, leadership candidates, and the bureaucrats are against it I would say DOA.
So another way will be left to another leader to try and bell this cat.
Just remember that slow innovation seems to work better with the third rail of politics. Personally given the amount of research we did I could not see how their plan would add any value to the Alberta tax payer or make the health consumer feel confidence in the system.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Back to the old saw
Well as of last week. I am a columnist for my former paper in Cardston again. It is nice to have a chance to air my views weekly once more.
As well I am going to be cross posted in the Westwind Weekly News out of Raymond and Magrath.
So what does that all mean, well not a lot to most people but it is nice to get a little exposure once in a while. Either that or I just cannot keep my opinions to myself ;).
As well I am going to be cross posted in the Westwind Weekly News out of Raymond and Magrath.
So what does that all mean, well not a lot to most people but it is nice to get a little exposure once in a while. Either that or I just cannot keep my opinions to myself ;).
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
The end of the Line
Shocking, upsetting, surprising. That was the collection of phrases bandied about by media and other MLAs in the Legislature Monday. No one saw it coming.
As you can imagine the leadership vote combined with Preston Manning’s coy “I am in if you want me” shocked many including me. Next week I will go further on Manning but for now let us focus on the Premier.
Some still say that the Premier can continue but being realistic how could he? He received the lowest measure of support of any sitting Premier or Prime Minister.
The Premier has always enjoyed large popular support inside and outside his party. I would say he has been one of the most popular politicians in the history of Alberta.
Now though I would say that has come to an end. Not because Ralph has changed but because the time has become his enemy.
The most difficult thing to realize is when it is time to move on. Most people feel comfort in doing the same things, in having the same types of things, even eating the same food year after year. So it is difficult to put down that job when it becomes untenable because the fear of the unknown.
Ralph Klein has been a political leader for almost 26 years. That in this day and age is an impressive amount of time to spend in one type of job. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to let that go.
Yet for the sake of his own party he now has to do just that. Politics can at times lead to odd sympathies to develop. In this case I almost feel bad for the Premier because as much as I think he has been wrong on some major issues for this province I think he did a lot right.
Also as someone who attends his daily press conferences at the Legislature I appreciate the fact that he is charming, and blunt. I think he has a sense of humour which allows for him to say and do things which for other politicians would lead to front page misery.
So now I sit back and take stock, I will miss that nasal voice whenever he said Pr-ah-vince or Cah-cus. Or the way he could just read his public affairs bureau notes to the media whenever they wanted specifics that he did not know. Or how about the time when some one asks him what is in the third way health reforms and he cannot remember the three or four major changes, so that the media has to remind him.
In the end it was only a year but it certainly an entertaining year for me and I have to say I learned a great deal watching our Premier. Even though Ralph will be around another few months let me take the moment to say so long and good luck.
As you can imagine the leadership vote combined with Preston Manning’s coy “I am in if you want me” shocked many including me. Next week I will go further on Manning but for now let us focus on the Premier.
Some still say that the Premier can continue but being realistic how could he? He received the lowest measure of support of any sitting Premier or Prime Minister.
The Premier has always enjoyed large popular support inside and outside his party. I would say he has been one of the most popular politicians in the history of Alberta.
Now though I would say that has come to an end. Not because Ralph has changed but because the time has become his enemy.
The most difficult thing to realize is when it is time to move on. Most people feel comfort in doing the same things, in having the same types of things, even eating the same food year after year. So it is difficult to put down that job when it becomes untenable because the fear of the unknown.
Ralph Klein has been a political leader for almost 26 years. That in this day and age is an impressive amount of time to spend in one type of job. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to let that go.
Yet for the sake of his own party he now has to do just that. Politics can at times lead to odd sympathies to develop. In this case I almost feel bad for the Premier because as much as I think he has been wrong on some major issues for this province I think he did a lot right.
Also as someone who attends his daily press conferences at the Legislature I appreciate the fact that he is charming, and blunt. I think he has a sense of humour which allows for him to say and do things which for other politicians would lead to front page misery.
So now I sit back and take stock, I will miss that nasal voice whenever he said Pr-ah-vince or Cah-cus. Or the way he could just read his public affairs bureau notes to the media whenever they wanted specifics that he did not know. Or how about the time when some one asks him what is in the third way health reforms and he cannot remember the three or four major changes, so that the media has to remind him.
In the end it was only a year but it certainly an entertaining year for me and I have to say I learned a great deal watching our Premier. Even though Ralph will be around another few months let me take the moment to say so long and good luck.
Will he or won't he?
The premier is 30 minutes away from announcing his intentions to the world... catch it on CTV Newsnet Live.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Don't talk to a Tory day.
Well our new next door neighbour is quite popular with the Media types. I come out of our office only to find CTV hovering at Dr. Oberg's door. I made sure to point out that they never come by before, and hey our office was nicer...
Needless to say it did not work.
While the reporters were giddy over the de-Klein I got the impression all was not right in the Tory universe. The Tory Caucus MLAs were slightly miffed... as Dennis Ducharme amongst others made a straight beeline around reporters... Ted Morton did the old no comment and Shirley McClelland was fairly hostile when questioned.
As Liberal Hugh MacDonald said to me today, "who would have thought this would have happened in such a short time."
Ah leadership races... fun fun fun.
Needless to say it did not work.
While the reporters were giddy over the de-Klein I got the impression all was not right in the Tory universe. The Tory Caucus MLAs were slightly miffed... as Dennis Ducharme amongst others made a straight beeline around reporters... Ted Morton did the old no comment and Shirley McClelland was fairly hostile when questioned.
As Liberal Hugh MacDonald said to me today, "who would have thought this would have happened in such a short time."
Ah leadership races... fun fun fun.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
55.4% shock heard round the province
It was certainly a shocking end for the Premier last night. What does this all mean? Well I would say we are still a year away before we see another election but I suspect a year is all we get.
The Premier’s shocking exit was coming even before the Lyle Oberg event. I think most people even with the Tory party are frustrated with what has occurred to date. The reality was no matter what the economy was like that Ralph Klein over stayed his welcome. The Tories were not going to put up with another two years of this stagnation and lack of renewal.
All the things I hear make me believe that this uprising will mean the leadership race will take over and we may never see the Third Way legislation come forward because its biggest backer is completely crippled. That was a shocking end to a relatively unharmed political career.
Now that the gloves are off I wonder just how bloody this leadership election will be.
The Premier’s shocking exit was coming even before the Lyle Oberg event. I think most people even with the Tory party are frustrated with what has occurred to date. The reality was no matter what the economy was like that Ralph Klein over stayed his welcome. The Tories were not going to put up with another two years of this stagnation and lack of renewal.
All the things I hear make me believe that this uprising will mean the leadership race will take over and we may never see the Third Way legislation come forward because its biggest backer is completely crippled. That was a shocking end to a relatively unharmed political career.
Now that the gloves are off I wonder just how bloody this leadership election will be.
It was certainly a shocking end for the Premier last night. What does this all mean? Well I would say we are still a year away before we see another election but I suspect a year is all we get.
The Premier’s shocking exit was coming even before the Lyle Oberg event. I think most people even with the Tory party are frustrated with what has occurred to date. The reality was no matter what the economy was like that Ralph Klein over stayed his welcome. The Tories were not going to put up with another two years of this stagnation and lack of renewal.
All the things I hear make me believe that this uprising will mean the leadership race will take over and we may never see the Third Way legislation come forward because its biggest backer is completely crippled. That was a shocking end to a relatively unharmed political career.
Now that the gloves are off I wonder just how bloody this leadership election will be.
The Premier’s shocking exit was coming even before the Lyle Oberg event. I think most people even with the Tory party are frustrated with what has occurred to date. The reality was no matter what the economy was like that Ralph Klein over stayed his welcome. The Tories were not going to put up with another two years of this stagnation and lack of renewal.
All the things I hear make me believe that this uprising will mean the leadership race will take over and we may never see the Third Way legislation come forward because its biggest backer is completely crippled. That was a shocking end to a relatively unharmed political career.
Now that the gloves are off I wonder just how bloody this leadership election will be.
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