Category Archives: Politics

If Not Harper, Then Who?

Posted on October 12, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“I’ve seen issues come up before that get a lot of press attention, and sometimes a photograph or sometimes a side issue can move votes, but I always believe that the big votes are moved on the big issues. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Politics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 70 Comments

Six Political Personalities: Which One is Jim Prentice?

Posted on February 8, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

The only thing worse than a political strategist spouting theories on how to beat the competition is a blogger discussing a political strategist’s theories on how to beat the competition. But Ms Soapbox is going to do it anyway because … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

Top Ten Reasons Why Jim Prentice’s “Term Limited” Government is a Bad Idea

Posted on August 24, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Politicians are not tins of spork. The good ones don’t go bad just because they’ve been sitting around for a while. Of all of the things that PC party leadership candidate Jim Prentice could have done to restore Albertans’ trust … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Breakfast with Hillary Clinton

Posted on March 9, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Calgary last week to give the keynote address at a breakfast meeting of 2500 Calgarians who paid about $500 to hear her speak.  Luckily my friend, the Zen Banker, invited me to attend as her … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics, Politics and Government, Rich and/or Famous, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

“I Am A Canadian” (Reader Discretion is Advised)

Posted on February 9, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

The Soapbox does not publish rants that appear uninvited in one’s inbox but this one raises some interesting questions for the 2015 federal election.  Here it is: I AM A CANADIAN I am in the minority in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto … Continue reading →

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

Dinner with Justin Trudeau: Gimmick or Doing Politics Differently?

Posted on September 29, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

“Have dinner with me, Susan.”  What a charming invitation.  Too bad it’s part of a fundraising campaign directed at 300,000 supporters of the federal Liberal party. But wait…let’s think about this for a moment.  For a $5.00 donation, Ms Soapbox … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Rich and/or Famous | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Zen and the Art of Political Corruption

Posted on February 3, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Aurelio Zen is a Venetian policeman headquartered in Rome.  His reputation for integrity is a serious handicap to promotion within a treacherous political environment.  His creator, Michael Dibdin, uses the Zen series to illustrate the inequity of a corrupt society … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

There’s something about Justin…

Posted on October 7, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Justin Trudeau is like litmus paper.  Mention his name at a dinner party and the conversation erupts as people declare themselves to be in the “pro” and “anti” camps.  The “anti” camp (usually men) roll their eyes and complain that … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | 10 Comments

A Distant View

Posted on September 29, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Gold mining and politics have one thing in common.  Sometimes it’s best to take a distant view of the field and look for patterns that might indicate a rich vein.  We’re down to the final days of the PC leadership … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Frankenstein’s Monster…Or Why Privatization of Healthcare is a Bad Idea

Posted on September 18, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

In the late 1800s, the US government tinkered with a relatively benign creature and created a monster.  Like Dr Frankenstein, the US government acted with the best of intentions.  It wanted to allow corporations to raise capital to finance the … Continue reading →

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