Tag Archives: Horner

The Redford Government’s Descent into 1984

Posted on December 16, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

On Nov 21, 2012* the Redford government took Albertans to the threshold that divides the world of reason and accountability from Orwell’s 1984.  We’re teetering on the brink, trying to hack our way through the double-think, newspeak and historic revisionism … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Through the Looking Glass

Posted on November 25, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

On Apr 23, 2012, the day that Alison Redford’s PC government was re-elected, Albertans fell down a rabbit hole.   On Nov 24, 2012, they crashed through the Looking Glass and their rate of descent is rapidly approaching terminal velocity. What’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Transparency…it’s all in the eyes of the beholder

Posted on September 9, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Transparency—it’s a wonderful concept.  But in order to be meaningful it must be applied across the board. Sorry, I got ahead of myself.  I’m talking about Premier Redford’s decision to implement the “toughest and most transparent”* expenditure rules in all … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Alluadin Merali: Your guide to the Twilight Zone

Posted on August 5, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

The day that Alluadin Merali left his post as CFO of Alberta Health Services (AHS) was the day Albertans entered the Twilight Zone.  Like the ordinary folk in Rod Sterling’s TV show who find themselves thrust into a surreal alternate … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Mustard Bean Pickle is NOT Tough to Swallow

Posted on July 1, 2012 by susanonthesoapbox

Before we talk about what is tough to swallow (hint:  21 day standardized menu for seniors in LTC facilities) let me tell you about mustard bean pickle. My friend Kirsten unleashed an animated facebook exchange when she said she’d spent … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Alison’s Cabinet

Posted on October 16, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison what were you thinking?!!!  Oops sorry, that was my inside voice, let me try that again.  *Ahem*.  Premier Redford I have a question (quite a few actually) about your recently announced Cabinet appointments. Let’s start with your promise that … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

With All Due Respect

Posted on October 9, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

“With all due respect” is a phrase used by courtroom lawyers to signal to opposing counsel that he’s just said something that is utterly daft.  It is used sparingly because it invariably gets everyone’s back up and will backfire unless … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | 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