There's two things that really gall me in reviewing what happened in the leader's debate:
1. His complete disregard for the electoral process and what it means:
"My vision for health care is to have the best health-care system in Canada. How we achieve this is up to Albertans. My plan is to ask the people," Klein, seeking a fourth term, said. "Our plan is to continue the course we have set for the province.
Think on this phrase for a moment - "My plan is to ask the people". Isn't that part of the purpose of an election? I'm sorry, an election is not a symbolic coronation Mr. Klein. An election is all about telling the people what you intend to do as a government, and let the polls speak.
Your "public consultation" process is at best superficial, at worst, it is a way to exclude your opponents from public debate. I notice that the "what should we do with the surplus" results came out as a lovely set of statistics. Of course, there was no opportunity to debate the merits of each path, come to think of it the questions themselves were so badly loaded that I couldn't even find my position and beliefs represented at all! (My, some debate)
2. "I didn't mean to be insensitive"
Klein said he didn't mean to be insensitve, but stood by his promise to weed out anyone abusing the system, which pays those unable to work because of a disability a maximum of $850 a month.Errm - Ralph - you were insensitive, and so far all the public has received from you are mealy-mouthed half apologies. Are you so cock-sure of yourself and your "perfect image" as a "man of the people" that you think you don't owe the public at large an apology?
I know it's standard neo-conservative dogma that everyone who accesses a government program must be abusing the system somehow or another.
The only thing that the Klein government appears to understand is numbers (it sure as heck isn't people):
He said his government used the royalties to pay off the $23-billion debt he inherited when he became premier, as well as invest in the infrastructure and sustainability funds.Again, think on this - and consider the reality of governance includes a lot more than just paying bills. The "other side" of governance includes looking after the social balance sheet as well - making sure that the public is healthy, educated and safe.
Why do I say that ensuring the public health, education and safety is part of the government's job? Simple - the government depends on its population (ultimately) for its revenue stream. It isn't exactly difficult to get the notion that a healthy, educated population that feels safe is going to ultimately be more productive.
This isn't to say that the government has to own all aspects of those domains, but it is incumbent upon the government to make sure that these things are kept in balance. As the current furor over health care should make abundantly clear, throwing money at things is not always the correct answer. Investments need to be made (e.g. like replacing hospitals that have been demolished...), but also day to day issues in delivering and cost managing these areas need to also be undertaken. Health care must be readily accessible to the citizens, without a sudden illness driving the family into bankruptcy.
All of this requires planning and vision. What kind of vision is Ralph proposing? "Re-elect me on blind faith and I'll deign to consult with you" seems to be his platform. Can Alberta afford another 2-4 years of this buffoon?
1 comment:
My, my, my... It sounds as if the debate was awfully one-sided; you review the Debate in terms of Ralph, but not in terms of what Kevin Taft and Brian Mason have to say at all.
Perhaps it is a political strategy... my strategy is I have no strategy... my position is I have no position. Perhaps he has learned that voicing an unpopular opinion (i.e. insulting the disabled) is not the right way to handle people, so if he can slide under the radar by NOT having an opinion, and by saying nothing, then he can keep his handlers happy.
Or perhaps he is trying to exhibit the "humility" that he has heard bandied about so often; and is thinking that being seen bowing to the wishes of others is the way to go about getting them to continue to bow to him on bended knee.
It is nicer to think this, then to conclude that the Premier of our province is totally clueless as to the direction that Albertans want to take - after all, hasn't he been listening to the 'voice of the people' for the past 11 years?
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