Category Archives: Politics and Government

Albertans Aren’t Feeling the Love

Posted on November 25, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week Ms Soapbox wrote an article for CBC in which she called out the hypocrisy of the energy industry and various conservatives who want the Alberta government to impose temporary industry-wide production cuts to prop up oil prices. Isn’t … Continue reading →

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

Why Carpay’s Comment About the Rainbow Flag Matters

Posted on November 18, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

“History can familiarize, and it can warn.” – Timothy Snyder On Friday Mr and Ms Soapbox attended Rachel Notley’s Octoberfest in November event.  In her speech, Premier Notley mentioned that Jason Kenney, the leader of the UCP, is still supporting … Continue reading →

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

Hello Ottawa!

Posted on November 4, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Ms Soapbox is on her way to Ottawa.  There’s a good chance she’s in the air right now squashed into a tiny little seat trying to figure out why her WestJet onboard entertainment app isn’t working (luckily, she’s brought along … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Education, Politics and Government, Uncategorized, Vacation | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Razzle Dazzle ‘Em: Part Two

Posted on October 29, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week Jason Kenney unveiled his Fight Back Strategy.  No longer would Alberta be apologetic about the energy industry.  From now on Alberta, the federal government and the industry were going to fight back. Prepare to be razzle dazzled! War … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 34 Comments

Razzle Dazzle ‘Em: Part One

Posted on October 28, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

“Give ‘em the old Razzle Dazzle…how can they see with sequins in their eyes?” —Richard Gere as a corrupt criminal lawyer in the musical Chicago Prepare to be razzle dazzled! Jason Kenney spoke at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Law, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

How a Party’s Nominees Reflect a Party’s Values

Posted on October 21, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Racists, homophobes and xenophobes do not feel at home in the New Democratic Party consequently NDP nomination meetings are not derailed by bozo eruptions and do not attract much media attention. This radio silence means many Albertans are uninformed about … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Political Discourse in Alberta: Seen through Orwell’s Lens

Posted on October 14, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

“Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”—George Orwell It was fascinating to consider Jason Kenney’s comments on two issues that arose this week in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Blinded by the Brand

Posted on September 23, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Why are people loyal to a brand that guarantees austerity today in return for the promise of prosperity tomorrow with no plan setting out how and when austerity will morph into prosperity and despite overwhelming evidence that similar promises failed … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 32 Comments

The Notwithstanding Clause: A Gift from Doug Ford to Jason Kenney

Posted on September 16, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

Sometimes silence speaks louder than words. Last week Doug Ford went straight to the nuclear option when a judge told him no Doug, you can’t downsize Toronto city council in the middle of a municipal election just because you feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

What Albertans Can Learn From Barack Obama

Posted on September 9, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

To paraphrase that old E.F. Hutton commercial, when Barack Obama talks, people listen. Last week Obama spoke at the University of Illinois.  He broke with the tradition of ex-presidents stepping away from the podium to give the new guy a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Education, Lectures, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments