For Whom The Bell Tolls

Rick Bell has a great article raking the provincial PCs over the coals in today's Calgary Sun. Yes, that would be the same Calgary Sun which feels Ted Morton is too much of a pinko commie to run this province.

Among the highlights:

From the party who brought us the problem, they tell us they will now bring us the solution.

Oh yes, indeed. There will be a plan to build schools and expand health care and give cash to cities.

There was no plan for growth, but having no plan was a good plan until about five days ago and voters figured it was a good plan because as long as it is Conservatives who have no plan, having no plan is a plan.

On the other hand, if Conservatives decide having a plan is the plan, and it is now, then Albertans will figure having a plan is the greatest idea since ... well, since not having one.

As long as the Conservatives say it is the right and only thing to do, it is the right and only thing to do. Happened back in '93 when the Tories ran on the Liberal platform of balancing the books and paying off the mess created by the Conservatives. The Tories won, cleaning up their own dirt and taking credit.

Alas, the doublethink of a one-party province is a tough nut to crack. Just remember. Ideas don't matter. Allegiance does.

Funny thing. Here are the platforms.

Opposition: Alberta needs a plan for government spending.
Tories: Alberta NOW needs a plan for government spending.

Yes, the Tories will be the ones to fix what the Tories didn't do. Remarkably, nobody blushes.

Imagine. A party in power 35 years running on its record. Never. Rumoured Tory election slogan under any new leader: "Don't worry, be happy." Sure to win even more seats.

SPEAKING OF WHICH: Here's a good article on Ralph Klein's legacy and of one party rule in Alberta.