Category Archives: Politics and Government

What’s Next…Unmarked Bills in a Plain Brown Envelope?

Posted on June 12, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Queue jumping? “ Go-to- guys” who adjust waiting lists for prominent Albertans?  Are you kidding me? Just when Mr Zwozdesky thought he’d stared down the Alberta Medical Association, the opposition parties and Albertans who were demanding a public inquiry into healthcare, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Keys to the Kingdom

Posted on May 29, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Let me tell you a secret.  The key to Alberta’s future prosperity was discovered 65 years ago—by the Alberta Post-War Reconstruction Committee.  The Committee was created by the Social Credit government in the twilight of the war years in order … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Rapture vs Alberta’s 30 Year Strategic Plan

Posted on May 22, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

4:45 p.m. May 28, 2011.  On the off chance that I am not going to be sucked up into the heavens at 6 p.m. May 28, the Day of the Rapture, and will still be kicking around 30 years from … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged | 4 Comments

Leo Marks and the Indecipherables

Posted on April 10, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Sometimes I feel like Leo Marks, the 22 year old cryptographer who joined the Special Operations Executive in London to support Britain’s war effort.*   Marks was a gifted codemaker.  He became convinced that radio operators working in the Netherlands had … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged | 4 Comments

Dr Y and the Art of Intimidation

Posted on April 3, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

There are 6500 doctors practicing medicine in Alberta;  2000 of them refuse to participate in the Health Quality Council (HQC) review.  These are intelligent, dedicated professionals practicing in ER, internal medicine, paediatrics, anaesthesia, rural practice and addiction-rehabilitation medicine and they … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Apples and Oranges

Posted on March 27, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

The Premier was asked to investigate 330 cases of death or unnecessary suffering due to ER waits, 250 cancer deaths while on the surgical wait list and a culture of intimidation that prevents doctors from advocating on behalf of their … Continue reading →

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Does Your Doctor Drive A Ferarri?

Posted on March 19, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week the need for a public inquiry into the 322 ER cases and 250 deaths on the waiting list boiled over as doctors came forward with proof of the culture of intimidation that stifles patient advocacy.  But it’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The King of the Moon

Posted on March 13, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Dr Raj Sherman is a passionate man.  He’s been an outspoken advocate for healthcare since 2006 when he told the Edmonton Sun that an 11 day wait in ER was unacceptable.  He came to the attention of the PCs who … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The Press Did It

Posted on March 6, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

The MLAs were back in the House for two days and already the Premier was getting feisty.  What set him off?  Legitimate questions from the opposition. Dr Swann started the ball rolling by asking the Premier to explain why the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The Mysterious Wedge

Posted on February 27, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Like the proverbial eagle, the 2011 Budget has landed—with less hoopla than expected.  Yes, the $39 billion budget came with a $3.4 billion shortfall but it left health services intact.  This was a wise decision on the part of the … Continue reading →

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