Category Archives: Politics and Government

The Communists are Coming!

Posted on July 16, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Jason Kenney says he has not heard a “single voice of opposition” to the unification of the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties except for “a communist professor from the University of Lethbridge”. Wait, what?  Public political discourse The philosopher Jason … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

Hallelujah

Posted on July 9, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

This was going to be a Ms-Soapbox-is-stampeding-see-you-next-week-blog…then she remembered something. Ms Soapbox’s sister and brother-in-law popped into town just in time for the Calgary Stampede.  We did the fair grounds, the Dog Bowl, the Clydesdales and the llamas, we ate … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Politics and Government, Vacation | Tagged , | 33 Comments

Trudeau forgets Alberta; Alberta flips out

Posted on July 2, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Canada is a special place; but Alberta is a little prickly. The Soapbox family celebrated Canada Day at Olympic Plaza trying to dislodge a Big Red Ball wedged between some girders, admiring children’s art work (our favourite was a mask … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 40 Comments

The Emotional Mr Kenney

Posted on June 25, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

“When it comes to politics, all I can offer is emotion.”  — David Sedaris, author of numerous books including “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” If we didn’t know any better we’d think David Sedaris was talking about Jason Kenney. Mr … Continue reading →

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

Unsolicited Advice from A Conservative Pundit

Posted on June 18, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

This week Preston Manning, former leader of the Reform Party, offered some advice to the yet to be formed United Conservative Party (or whatever it’s going to call itself after the Wildrose and the Progressive Conservatives merge). A vision of … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Employment, Energy & Natural Resources, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

The Wildfire Reports: A political firestorm

Posted on June 11, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Wildrose leader Brian Jean is furious with the NDP government’s response to two reports on the Fort McMurray wildfire. He says the government is attempting to whitewash the reports’ findings and delayed releasing them in a shocking display of arrogance … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Economy, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 33 Comments

Bill 17: A Unicorn or a Chimera?

Posted on May 28, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week the NDP government introduced the Fair and Family-Friendly Workplaces Act (Bill 17).  It’s intended to update workplace legislation that became increasingly outdated under Progressive Conservative rule. Premier Notley describes Bill 17 as a balanced middle of the road … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Meet the “United” Conservative Party

Posted on May 21, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

Say what you will about the Wildrose, they were always grassroots party…that is until Jason Kenney blew them out of the water. Last week Jason Kenney and Brian Jean unveiled the terms under which the Wildrose and Progressive Conservatives will … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

The Conservative Ideology

Posted on May 14, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

“ideology” \ˌī-dē-ˈä-lə-jē, -ˈa-, ˌi-\  a systematic body of concepts, especially those of a particular group or political party—Merriam-Webster   The word “ideology” was coined by the French philosopher Destutt de Tracy.  Originally it meant the science of ideas; but shrewd … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

What Would the Romans Do?

Posted on May 7, 2017 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s a pity Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt hadn’t read Jane Jacobs’ Dark Age Ahead before he launched into his description of how the ancient Romans dealt with governments that were, in his words, “beyond redemption”.   Fildebrandt said the NDP’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments