The May 5 provincial election in Alberta is unfolding as anticipated. With pundits panicking, reporters rebelling, it will only be the final poll next Tuesday that will tell the real story. And in this cautionary tale of political progress there are entrails to be read that can foretell the political future of other provinces if not the country.
The funniest stories of the current campaign are the ones that have editors’ lower jaws hitting their desks as they read of the possibility of a New Democrat majority in the Alberta Legislature. Before there is a serious up-tic in heart failure in Alberta, it is important to remember that when reporters are unable to report, they speculate. The only good stories these days from the province are of all the fun New Democrat Leader Rachel Notley is having at the other parties’ expense.
And, you have to face the fact that Jim Prentice’s campaign style is like dull piled on dull. The guy tries to act suave without necessarily being able to pronounce the word. Rachel Notley is dancing rings around him. Could you imagine what Ontario New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath could do to Premier Kathleen Wynne if Horwath just had a sense of humour?
If you have any serious concerns about the continuing dynasty of the Alberta Conservatives, you might take heed to the recent Alberta Conservative budget. Prentice let ideology supplant good sense when he left Alberta with the lowest business tax in Canada. He is being seriously criticized for that in Alberta of all places. It goes to show you how times are changing.
There are some salutary thoughts in this criticism. The only cheerleaders for Joe Oliver’s recent federal budget are the advertisements that use taxpayer money to promote the Conservative Party. What those ads are buying is a great deal of cynicism. The blowback is hurting Conservatives first and all politicians second.
It is far too early to forecast anything other than the Alberta election at this time but all parties need to pay heed.
The Alberta Liberals could easily be cleared entirely from the provincial slate. That is a poor start on this fall’s federal election.
Wildrose has no justification other than to embarrass the Conservatives. They are losers.
It will be good to have Rachel Notley as Leader of the Opposition in the Alberta Legislature. It is like choosing a life-mate. If you have to have someone to nag you, it can be a better experience if the person is good looking and smart.
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Copyright 2015 © Peter Lowry
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