Carbon capture

The Conservatives are planning to spend $2 billion over the next 15 years to keep on polluting and store it underground. Everyone knows this is ridiculous and expensive, but the Conservatives keep ploughing ahead on this one. Is it possible to capture Alberta Conservatives and store them underground? I am guessing this would be quite popular. Unfortunately the equal amount that was to be spent on mass transit in the province, something that actually would be practical and also decrease emissions, was axed like Jerry from the movie Fargo. The Conservatives have proven they will do anything to not only protect the tarsands, but will go to great lengths to keep subsidizing them too. In a time when the world needs action on climate change, this is really sad.

Deficit

The projected deficit for this fiscal year is $4.3 billion. This was a marked turnaround from the projected $12 billion surplus Alberta was cruising to in 2008 before the financial collapse. The Alberta Conservative cruise control and hands off the market attitude has punted the party off a cliff and are still in a freefall. It is hard to believe that the Conservatives are now tied for second place with the Alberta Liberals in support. Who would have thought this a year ago?

Steady Eddie in a year has gone from Ralph Klein-like election supremacy to the Harry Strom of Alberta politics. This party is so devoid of ideas. The only thing that has been propping up this Conservative government is high natural gas and oil prices. Without these windfalls that nature blessed our province with, these clowns would have been dead 20 years ago.

The easy solution as recently pointed out by the Parkland Institute is to eliminate the flat tax that was implemented in 2001 and reinstate a progressive tax. The flat tax is costing Albertans $5.5 billion a year. Incredibly according to the report, “Lower middle-income Albertans pay higher income tax rates than they would in many other provinces and territories. In contrast Albertans in the top income bracket pay by far the lowest income tax rate in Canada.” Despicable.

Cuts to those with developmental disabilities

Instead of taxing wealthy Albertans who can most afford it, the Conservative government is planning on taking, like the Grinch, from those who are the most vulnerable, the disabled. The Conservative’s are planning to cut $12 million from people with developmental disabilities. About 10,000 people will be affected. Even the Wildrose Alliance says that this is wrong. Can someone cut the cord on the Conservatives, soon?

Bill 50

The worst move of the year though is the Alberta Conservative support for $14.5 billion in power lines to be built throughout the province. The government spied on people who were protesting the power line proposal that will go between Calgary and Edmonton at a cost of $3.1 billion. The government has not been transparent, has not held public forums, and have not even given sufficient evidence that the transmission lines are even needed. The result will be $175 added to everyone’s electricity bills, all for the benefit of Trans-Canada Energy, TransAlta, ATCO Power and Capital Power. This is classic crony capitalism. Clearly the government is out of touch with people and obviously in touch with those corporations who donate large cheques to them. Bill 50 is the perfect example of the Conservatives complete ineptitude, yet they pigheadedly march on. This march will definitely be ending in the next election. Unfortunately it looks like voters are going to vote in an even worse party.