Oct. 7/2008

This election is being fought on two fronts. The first is economic 
policy, which I discussed last week. In economic policy, we are 
concerned about the crisis in the US and how that affects things at 
home. We most likely won’t face a crisis, but face an economic 
slowdown here in Edmonton Centre. The last post gave reasons why a 
Liberal voice is needed for Edmonton Centre, that is, Conservatives 
have been cutting programs that might be needed in the tough times 
ahead.

The second issue (and the topic of this post) is the environment. In a 
way the two issues are very similar. The economy issue looks to our 
immediate needs for us to survive. We go out, work, get paid to buy 
food, heat, whatever your mix of goods is. The environment is the same 
issue, but it is much more forward looking. Instead of choosing to 
breathe emissions, we can make a choice to consume cleaner air. We can 
choose to drink unpolluted water rather than water filled with 
chemicals. We can choose to recycle and not dump our old TV’s (mine is 
thankfully being replaced) into a landfill. These are choices that we 
make on a day to day basis, knowingly or unknowingly. We may not be 
affected by these choices today, but we still need these things to 
survive in the long term. Right now, we may not die from the polluted 
air, but is it shortening how long we have to live? We only get one 
shot at this.

You wouldn’t jump into a rollercoaster without a harness would you? 
Really? I didn’t think so.

We won’t eat rotten food, so why breathe rotten air, or drink rotten 
water? Why give it to the next generation, or the one after? I don’t 
want to go into long stories that are off topic. I will point out that 
our city has a river that you need to get a shot for canoeing or 
boating. Now, call me crazy, but I don’t think we would have built a 
large city on a river that was polluted when we got here. But here we 
are, and there it is.

The point that I’m driving home is that the environment that we live 
in is a result of choices that we make. We make that choice on 
Election Day when we pick a group of people that will determine the 
environment that we will live in for the next 4 years.

By choosing Liberal representation in Edmonton Centre, we will be 
choosing a sustainable future. Next post will break down the Liberal 
plan for the Environment, and I will argue that it provides the best 
plan for Edmonton Centre.

CR

Oct 2/2008

I haven’t written a post in the last couple weeks, but with the 
leadership debate this evening, I wanted to get something in before 
the papers. Tonight’s debate seemed to focus on the economy, and with 
the financial crisis in the US it’s no wonder why. Alberta’s largest 
trading partner is the United States, and for Alberta in particular, 
consumed nearly 76% of our exports last year, and exports are 
Alberta’s lifeblood. This is a key issue for all Canadians, but 
Alberta is where the impact will be felt the most. For residents of 
Edmonton Centre, we need leadership that is prepared, and has a plan 
to guide us through the rocky road ahead.

Ok, so I know it’s really borderline, considering the strength of my 
first post, but in any election we need to talk about the alternative. 
The Conservative plan this election is the one it has always touted; 
lowering taxes will create economic growth and sustainability, that 
the fundamentals of our economy are strong. There are two reasons why 
this is the wrong attitude to take.

First, is that the Conservatives have been cutting programs and not in 
a small number. With economic trouble looming on the horizon, there 
have been cuts on the social safety net, healthcare, and programs for 
the arts. This has restricted the access to those who need actually 
them. As Edmonton Centre residents, having funding for these programs 
is crucial to our survival.

Secondly, doing nothing isn’t really a strategy or a plan. It’s like 
standing in front of a freight train, and that deciding that doing 
nothing is somehow going to prevent you being hit by it. It’s right 
there, blowing its whistle. And not just any freight train, I mean a 
really big freight train that is just full of all the other ideas that 
have ever blew up in someone’s face.

That’s a big train.

Essentially, the issue is that the Conservatives are ill prepared to 
deal with what we, Edmonton Centre residents need in times of crisis. 
But! There may be hope. We see these leaders in the Liberal party. 
Already, they are developing plans that will ensure we move into a 
sustainable future. The lowest bracket income tax rate will be lowered 
to 13.5%. There are plans for the management of our natural resources, 
plans to increase the funding of schools and job training programs so 
that we can remain competitive in a changing international 
marketplace. It is these reasons why Edmonton Central needs Liberal 
representation in the House of Commons.

My next post will be probably be up by Sunday, so stay tuned. Topic: 
the environment.

CR

September 28, 2008

Here’s an idea for the site: why don’t you paste up all the noise the eight sitting local MPs have made in Ottawa regarding the underfunding of our boomtown (you, know the “Economic-Engine” stuff). Oh wait, there hasn’t been any. . . .not to get all cynical here but what sort of record do these individuals have with regard to wrestling funding from the Feds? (I heard one insightful Edmontonian refer to them as the ’silent eight’. . . .great, that’s what we need). Anyway, why not throw up the quote that was in the Edmonton Journal today from the NDP supporter who was all over the idea of voting strategically for Wachowich even if he had to “hold his nose”. That is so perfect and really that is what were up against: a juggernaut of elected do-nothings that are really forcing our hand and making us compromise in an effort to progress.

WW

September 21, 2008

Let’s get one thing straight; the purpose of this blog is not to knock
the other guy. There will be no low blows, no talking down to the
other candidates. It’s a common thing to see candidates talking smack
about each other in any election. I’ll leave that to them. This blog
is about Liberal Policy, how it applies to Edmonton Centre, and why
Edmonton Centre needs Liberal representation in the House of Commons.
This blog will then be divided into posts on key policy issues and the
implications for Edmonton Centre. These issues will include
Transportation, Environment, Social Assistance, Economy and Taxes.
There are no cheap tricks here, no trash, but I want everyone who
reads this blog to be better informed about what Liberal
representation will do for you, the voter in Edmonton Centre.

CR