Dud of a Debate

Like this election, the debate wasn't too exciting. There weren't really any explosive moments or revelations. I don't think any party really capitalized on swaying the undecided voters to their side.

Wall did not seem his usual, charming, charismatic self. He was much more serious and methodical in his approach. I think this was probably the safe approach for him, as he prevented himself from getting into trouble and came off as a statesman.

For all the complaining I do about Calvert I must admit that I was impressed by him tonight. He did much better than I thought. He by no means won the debate but he didn't crumble like I thought he might. However, I do think you could tell he knows he has lost this election and he is paining the loss.

Karwacki was aggressive and attention-grabbing. At the same time, he was a little absurd. I guess that pretty much describes an opposition leader though. After all, Karwacki is just hoping he wins a couple of seats to sit in the legislature.

I'd say that Karwacki garnered the most attention, Wall was slightly boring for those of us who have seen him speak on numerous occasions, and Calvert held his ground. That said, no one won the debate.

Contrary to what most people are saying in the Saskatchewan election blogosphere, I liked the debate format. I think it provided the opportunity for exciting and controversial debate. I mean, can you imagine how boring it would have been if the leaders had to be more restrained?

Calvert Delivers?

The Sask Party has put a website together, which gives more than enough reason why voters should vote for anyone but Calvert and his calamitous lot.

www.calvertdelivers.com

Enjoy!

Leader's Debate : Tomorrow at 6:30pm

The leader's debate will be tomorrow at 6:30pm. I'm very anxious to see how this goes. As I've said before, I fully expect Wall to shine tomorrow night. He's young, attractive, well-spoken, and quick on his feet. He will exude the new leadership and direction this province so badly needs. Lorne might be a seasoned political veteran who is no stranger to political debates, but he will represent the tired, old government that he leads. I guess we'll see what happens!

Election Incredibly Boring

I think this is one of the least exciting elections I've ever seen. While some might contend that politics isn't all that interesting to begin with, I am a self-confessed political geek. In particular, I love elections and political behaviour so much that I would as far as to get my MA in it.

Despite my penchant for politics and elections, I have been thoroughly bored in the past few days by this election. By this point, we've heard what the Sask Party will do, we've heard the lame ideas of the NDP, and everyone has ignored whatever the Liberals might have said. We're now at the point where the NDP insists on painting Brad Wall and his team as a threat to the social fabric of the province. Personally I think it is hurting them more than helping them because they're coming off as desperate. One can hope that tomorrow's debate stirs things up and that the items up for debate can carry over into the public discourse. Otherwise, November 7th won't come soon enough.

Nothing Else to Do But Fear Monger?

Does Calvert have nothing else to offer the electorate than to fear monger? It seems that is all he is doing these days. Sure, the NDP released their platform yesterday (don't worry if you missed it - few people paid attention). However, it seems the NDP is placing more effort on fear mongering than on new ideas or running on its record.

Two stories today reveal my accusations. The first is Calvert's blatant attempt to scare university students. I mean really, why would students want to ear up to $20,000 back in tuition tax credits when it can pay $1,000 less per year? The thing is, if someone needs a student loan or line of credit to pay their $5,000 per year tuition bill, they'll likely need one for a $4,000 per year bill. How many people do you really think WON'T need a loan because tuition is lower by $1,000. Really, if you can earn $20,000 back at the end, what will it matter that the tuition rate was $1,000 less per year? But Calvert would have you believe that the Saskatchewan Party is "a risk" for students. Nice try, Lorne.

The second story was on the CTV evening news showing Calvert lambaste Wall for preventing the Crowns from sponsoring community activities. Does Lorne actually catch on that it's getting old to fear monger about the Sask Party selling the crowns when they've repeatedly committed not to? Is that why he's putting a different spin on it? It won't work this time Lorne. Sorry to say, but the people of Saskatchewan know better than to trust a party with a record like your own.

Too bad all the NDP can do is run down the Sask Party. For Calvert and company, this campaign has turned into one against the NDP rather than one fought on the merit of their own ideas. That doesn't hold much promise for them.

Calvert is Kaput!

Calvert released his party's platform today to little fanfare, minus the NDP hacks who would have you believe that Calvert might still be the premier after November 7th. Despite all of their spin and wishful thinking, it is becoming more and more evident that Calvert and company will have to start cleaning out their offices on November 8th (although I've heard rumblings that there is already a lot of paper shredding going on at the Marble Palace. Indeed, one must just ask a member of the cleaning staff how great the increase in shredded paper disposal has been in the past week).

Evidently the members of Calvert's government know that the Saskatchewan Party will form a resounding majority government in two weeks' time; they just don't want you, the voter, to know about it. It makes sense why they wouldn't; as soon as people start to realize, en mass, that the Calvert government is kaput, they will be taking their votes elsewhere or simply not voting for the losing team. Indeed, no one wants to be on the losing side and it is clearer each day which side that will be.

Online Ruckus

The NDP candidate in Swift Current, Jeff Potts, was asked to resign by Calvert today. Apparently Potts was posting on Babble, a socialist sounding board, under the pseudonym "famous pipeliner". "Famous pipeliner" accused John Wall, Swift Current city councilor and father of Brad Wall, of renting out crack houses and forcing those residents to put up Sask Party signs. He also accuses Brad Wall of using $15,000 of taxpayer's money on alcohol at his wedding. As it turns out, neither of these accusation are founded. In fact, John Wall doesn't even own any rental properties.

This finding just goes to show the lows that the NDP lot will stoop to in order to defame their opponents. They have gotten so desperate that they are resorting to all time lows. Is this really the type of candidate the NDP wants to be running? Apparently not, since Calvert asked Potts to step aside. However, if they have nominated candidates like Potts, who's to say that the other candidates running in this election for that party aren't of the same character? Perhaps the NDP are just so desperate to have someone run for them that they'll take anyone.

The Douglas Legacy: Just Imagine How Great Saskatchewan COULD Be

With Tommy Douglas Day coming up on October 20th, the NDP will surely attempt to capitalize on the supposed legacy of the NDP's Patron Saint of Socialism.

However, what they'll fail to reveal is the damage that Douglas has done to this province, the fact that him and his government actually advocated for eugenics in the province, that his medicare is, today, unsustainable, and that largely because of him the oil and gas reserves somehow stop right at the Alberta-Saskatchewan border (see photo).

Indeed, if it wasn't for Tommy Douglas, who fought off the oil industry and prevented drilling, Regina would have been the oil capital of Canada. Imagine what could have been?

If it wasn't for Douglas, we may have a health care system like that of most Western nations, such as Germany, France, and others. These systems ensure that patients are given care without having to pay for it yet have sustainable systems where wait times aren't atrociously long!

If it wasn't for Douglas, we might not have such a strong labour movement in the province, which discourages business investment and is breaking the health care system and other industries.

Before you buy into the propaganda that the NDP will undoubtedly spread this Saturday, please realize all that ails this province and where the roots lie. Please realize that Tommy Douglas wasn't the saint that the NDP make him out to be.

Calvert in Trouble

Randy Burton's article in the Star Phoenix highlights the problems that Calvert is facing. He has a high-profile former NDP cabinet minister (Janice MacKinnon) working against him, panning his universal drug plan. He has another former cabinet minister running in this election who could face charges (Glenn Hagel).

Add to that the fact that he is finding it difficult to criticize the plans of the Saskatchewan Party. Take his quote as an example: "They would say to the family of a 15-year-old diabetic child that there is no help for you, unless of course, you want to buy a $74,000 used Mercedes and we'll take the tax off it."

First of all, few people buy used $74,000 car. The people who most often purchase used vehicles are the less well off in society. Secondly, the less well-off in society usually ALREADY receive relief from the government for prescription drugs. This information was given to me from a friend who is a pharmacy student at the U of S: "Special Support is an voluntary drug plan that is available to anyone in the province. Total family drug costs are compared to the total net family income. If drug costs exceed 3.4%, they only pay a percentage co-payment, determined to bring their overall drug cost to 3.4%. This percent discount is automatically applied to all benefit(Formulary)drugs purchased in any Saskatchewan pharmacy, and the government is the first payer. Insurance is then applied, and then if any cost remains,it is out-of-pocket. If they do not currently spend greater than 3.4%, a semi-annual deductible is given and in the event that this cost is reached, a percentage discount is applied (I believe they pay 33% of drug costs until the deductible period renews). This plan has been in place in this province for years."

Come on Lorne, can't you do better? I thought the NDP were master campaigners!

More Reason for Change

On the news today that Saskatchewan has the highest crime rate in Canada for the ninth straight year and that Saskatchewan's two major cities have the highest (Regina) and third highest (Saskatoon) murder rates in Canada, I'm reminded that it is time for a change in provincial leadership. This is on the heels of yesterday's release that we have the longest surgical wait lists in Canada!

What else is it going to take for people to realize we need to change our government?

Lest We Forget...

It seems with so many people deciding to vote NDP in this province that they have forgotten the fraud and wrong-doings of Calvert and his lot of incompetent socialists.

We're reminded today of Glenn Hagel and the fraud that occurred in the NDP's caucus office in the early 1990's. Apparently the RCMP has wrapped up its investigation.

God help us if enough people in this province have such short memories of what the NDP has done in recent years that we have to face four more years of socialist rule.

If that doesn't trigger a memory, how about:

- Spudco
- Murdoch Carriere
- Channel Lake
- Minds Eye Entertainment

Lorne Calvert and his crew continue to lambaste the Saskatchewan Party for the actions of some of Grant Devine's Progressive Conservative MLAs in the 1980s. They like to scare the Saskatchewan public that this will surely happen again if a right-of-centre government is elected in the province. However, people must realize that they aren't getting a scandal-free government with the NDP.

Indeed, the corruption in the Devine government wasn't revealed until they were defeated. I wonder what ELSE we'll find out when Calvert vacates the premier's office and Brad Wall moves in.

For a list of the NDP's scandalous record, visit:

http://www.saskparty.com/ndprecord.html

Calvert and Burns

I've posted this before but thought I'd put it up for anyone who hasn't seen it, since it is timely. Do we really want Mr. Burns as our Premier?

Revealing the Lies of the NDP and its Union Workers

I came across this blog, It is interesting how it depicts the deceitful tactics that the NDP and its union supporters will utilize to win this campaign.

http://ndpboogeyman.blogspot.com/

Wall's Prescription Drug Plan Makes Sense

I was relieved to see Brad Wall's announcement that under a Saskatchewan Party government the Senior's drug Plan would only be available to those seniors that really need it rather than everyone in the entire province. It is also nice to see that young children will be covered.

What a change to see a policy on this file that makes good financial sense. As I've said before, drug costs are only going to increase. While that burden shouldn't be placed on those that can't afford it, it is irresponsible to extend coverage to every man, woman, and child in the province regardless of need.

I think the Saskatchewn Party's plan contrasts nicely with Calvert's poorly thought out alternative introduced yesterday. That contrast points out the difference we would see in a Brad Wall government - one that thinks through its policies before introducing them rather than promising popular items that are simply not feasible like Calvert's tired, old regime.

Calvert's Mixed Up Prescription

Calvert and crew seem to think that the biggest issue facing our ailing health care system is the fact that not everyone in the province can get prescription drugs for $15 a pop. How out of touch is this tired, old Calvert regime? We need to be recruiting more health professionals, training more physicians, and improving working conditions for these people, not handing out cheap drugs to everyone whether they can afford the full cost or not.

I don't have the statistic for Saskatchewan specifically, but for Canada only 10-12% of people do not have their prescription drug costs covered because it is covered through one form or another. People are usually covered because they receive health benefits through work, but the federal government provides insurance to aboriginal peoples through the Non-insured Benefits Program, to war veterans through Veteran Affairs Canada, to the Canadians Forces and to the RCMP (and of course any dependents of these people). People on social assistance also receive prescription drug coverage. And, thanks to Lorne our seniors are already receiving $15 prescriptions whether they are multimillionaires or not.

Given these facts, wouldn't a plan that directly targets those that do not have prescription drug coverage be more of a feasible option? No, Calvert will just give everyone $15 drugs. After all, I've learned from talking to physicians that most of the drugs that Calvert will cover for seniors at only $15 a piece are those that can be received rather cheaply because they are on the provincial formulary.

The NDP says this will cost about $150 million a year, not because they've priced it out in detail but because they guess it's about in that ballpark. What they've failed to mention is that drug costs in Canada are soaring out of control. In the past decade, prescription drug costs per capita in Canada have increased by more than 50%. Indeed, pharmaceuticals are currently the most rapidly growing component of health care costs. Given THESE statistics, shouldn't there be a more coordinated approach to making sure that particular facets of society don't fall vulnerable rather than providing blanket coverage that will surely break the province as the baby boomers age? Why didn't Lorne look to BC where the deductible that patients must pay is a progressive cost based on three to four percent of a family's income?

It just really makes me wonder how much thought and research Calvert and crew put into their policies. Why haven't they thought to learn from best practices? If this is the best they can do to address the issues facing our health care system, the people of Saskatchewan should be very worried about the future of health care in this province.

Day 1: Analysis of Political Realm in Saskatchewan

The long wait amongst political junkies like myself has ended. The proverbial bell has tolled, the writ’s been dropped, and Saskatchewanians are heading to the polls on November 7th. Indeed, this is an exciting time not just for political gurus but for all people of this fine province.

Saskatchewan is in the peculiar position of having a 16-year government that appears to be in its last days of office, while at the same time experiencing an unprecedented economic boom. In most cases, a government should feel extremely confident running a campaign when the economic times are positive, prosperity abounds, and life is generally good for its citizens. However, that is not the case for Lorne Calvert’s regime. Rather, instead of being happy that times are good, the people of Saskatchewan can’t help but feel that things could be better and a change in government might be just the ticket to achieve that.

In comes Brad Wall and the ideologically revamped Saskatchewan Party, which has appeared to much of the populace as the province’s government in waiting since Wall became leader. The scary right wing ideologues that ran against Calvert in 2003 have had their image softened, policies adjusted, and with Wall at the helm have taken on a more friendly, likeable, and dare I say sophisticated aura. It is no longer the party of rural Saskatchewan that it was in 1999 and 2003. It had to adjust if it ever wished to break into Saskatoon and Regina and adjust it has.

Meanwhile, the provincial Liberals sit at the sidelines, wondering which of the other parties will take office. David Karwacki has stated that he intends to keep the Saskatchewan Party and NDP accountable. Perhaps he has already resigned his party to that of an opposition. The people of Saskatchewan will likely have similar sentiment, resigning Karwacki and the Liberals to irrelevant status in the whole scheme of things.

As a voter, I am bringing to this campaign a hope that change will result and the Saskatchewan Party will emerge victorious. Truth be told, I am unabashedly partisan and an ardent supporter of the Saskatchewan Party. As a partisan supporter, my expectations for the upcoming election might be different than the average voter’s.

I expect that the shortage of health care professionals, managing the recent economic boom, growing our province, creating opportunities for young people, the environment and rural revitalization will dominate the campaign discourse in the weeks to come. As to where the parties will stand on each of these items is to be seen.

At the same time, it has been pointed out that the three parties running in this election all hug the centre. With its personal and corporate tax cuts, the NDP is perhaps not the socialist party that has been previously. And, with its assurances that it will not sell off Saskatchewan’s crown corporations or implement any private health care measures, the Saskatchewan Party is more centrist that its opponents would like you to believe. And the Liberals, who have always been more centrist / centre-right appear to have retained that placement on the spectrum.

Because of this, it is likely that the parties’ platforms will differ little on the main issues. Instead, I predict that the parties will resort to personal and emotional measures to differentiate themselves from one another. This will inevitably mean a dirty and messy campaign full of all the mud-slinging, fear mongering, and personal attacks one can hope for. And, while people often complain they are turned off by this, I for one cannot wait.

Indeed, while many people keeping a close on this election are wondering for whom that bell will be tolling when all is said and done, the answer might lie in who escapes with the least mud on his face. Meanwhile, I intend to revel in watching that mud being flung.

Let the Games Begin

Well he finally mustered up enough gumption to call the election. It looks like we'll be heading to the polls on November 7th. I for one am excited to see the mud-slinging start. Let the games begin!