Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

5-5-15: Small “c” Conservatives Exposed

Posted on May 17, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

On May 5, 2015, NDP leader Rachel Notley brought the Progressive Conservative dynasty to its knees. Many Albertans, including Ms Soapbox, are over the moon. Others who voted for one of the two conservative parties are wandering around like Li’l … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Everything will be A-OK

Posted on May 10, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“Well, I think we made a little history tonight!”— Rachel Notley’s victory speech   Indeed we did! The 99% were jubilant. The 1% hit the panic button. And those who deflected political fearmongering with a healthy dose of hope and optimism … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 38 Comments

Fearmongering or Hopemongering? It’s Your Call Alberta

Posted on May 3, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“I think it has deteriorated into groundless name-calling, and it’s certainly not the strategy that I would take.”—Rachel Notley reflecting on comments made by Jim Prentice and Brian Jean To hear Jim Prentice and Brian Jean tell it, Rachel Notley’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

The Leaders Debate: Math is Hard, English is Harder

Posted on April 26, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“I know the math is difficult…” Jim Prentice to Rachel Notley during the Leaders Debate Apr 23, 2015 Ms Soapbox doesn’t like math. As a child she thought numbers had personalities. Eights, sixes and nines were nice numbers; fours, fives … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments

The Prentice Campaign: How NOT to Frame the Debate

Posted on April 19, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Frank Luntz, famed political consultant to the Republican Party, said when it comes to political hot buttons “those who define the debate will determine the outcome.* Given the mess Mr Prentice has made of the “Team Prentice” campaign he may … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 25 Comments

Prentice Drops the “E” Word on Day One

Posted on April 12, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Extremist: /ɛkˈstriːmɪst/ noun, chiefly derogatory: A person who holds extreme political or religious views, especially one who advocates illegal, violent or other extreme action—Oxford dictionary Hysterical rhetoric Of all the bonehead things Premier Prentice could have said in his campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Jim Prentice’s Budget: The Not-So-Subtle Language of Money

Posted on April 5, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“There is no fortress so strong that money cannot take it.” — Cicero On Mar 24, 2015 Jim Prentice sent Albertans a message of such heartless cynicism that only the most naïve amongst us would fail to understand. Money talks. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economics, Education, Energy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

The Interview We Wish We Had With Premier Prentice on Budget 2015

Posted on March 29, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“I believe we show who we are, and how much we care, by what we do.”—Stephen Harper, Canada’s prime minister In his March 24 “State of the Province Address” Mr Prentice urged Albertans to receive his new budget in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Education, Energy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 33 Comments

How to Stay Under the Radar When Bill C-51 Becomes Law

Posted on March 22, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Bill C-51 is an omnibus anti-terrorism bill that grants CSIS new information sharing powers and converts CSIS from a covert intelligence gathering organization to a covert enforcement agency. No wonder Canadians don’t know what the heck is going on!   … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Laurie Blakeman Takes a Symbolic Step…in the Wrong Direction

Posted on March 15, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Crikey! On Friday Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman announced that she’ll be running as a candidate for the Liberals, the Alberta Party and the Greens in the upcoming election… …and on Sunday Ms Soapbox announced to her dad that she’d joined … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Energy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 75 Comments