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You know that state when you just wake up, before your morning pandiculation and daily ablutions, where your consciousness is really neither here nor there?  Just floating, mildly cognizant of your surroundings in a happy grey state?

The people of Alberta are exactly like that, wandering about in a comforting political miasma, becoming activated only when the government decides to make further cuts to education, healthcare or privatize a lucrative public utility.  Like dessicated Zombies we moan louder for awhile then fall back into our happy conservative haze knowing that we really cannot change anything and as long as business is happy, we are happy.

On to the vibrant political stage in Alberta ( a whopping 41% turnout last election coronation) we have new contender, new blood, a new vision for the province, we have Danielle Smith and the jack booted fascist Frasier institute stormtroopers Wild Rose Party.  Alberta has been in the throes of right wing lunacy since before I was born (38 years and counting) and the prospect of going even further right (with a libertarian outlook to boot, ooooh how I love their batshite-craziness) is about appealing as a warm bowl of cockroaches and milk for breakfast.

For some idea of what Danielle Smith brings to the table lets look at what Keith Brownsey, political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary says:

“With vague policies of less government, less taxes, more individual rights and freedoms, the party can have broad appeal, he said. But that changes with Smith because supporters and critics can now point to her track record.

On the campaign trail, Smith challenged provincial changes to oil royalties that she said have sent investment dollars elsewhere.

‘Elsewhere’ being the multi-nationals and assorted corporations that want it *all* instead of just  most of the profits from Alberta’s natural resources.

She promises to push individual property rights to the top of the agenda – no land expropriated without due consultation and compensation.

Oh look a meaningless bout of  populist hand-waving to con persuade rural voters that the Wild Rose Party really cares about them.

She wants to revamp health care to match models where health providers are paid per job done rather than in a lump sum.

The Americans, currently mired in a pay per job done system are saying that a lump sum payment is the solution. – “Dean also argued that passing some sort of healthcare reform is crucial for Democrats politically if they want to hold onto their majority. He closed the event by arguing for increased compensation for primary care physicians, perhaps even through a salary structure that would allow them to spend more time with patients. “If physicians were paid in a lump sum, rather than by the procedures and tests they perform, we could deliver extraordinary care,” he said.”

Way to go Ms.Smith, already bucking for shiny-awesome Maverick status.  *headdesk*

She wants to dump Alberta’s multibillion-dollar carbon capture and storage project as a political boondoggle. Carbon capture, still in its infancy, would see greenhouse gases stored underground but at a hefty cost.

Carbon capture and storage is an amazing lead balloon and energy industry masquerade.  We need to update our energy infrastructure.  If you have not heard of hydricity  find out what we should be doing if we want to live comfortably past the fossil fuel era.

On abortion, Smith said that she is pro-choice and that it should be publicly paid for, but only under hardship or special circumstances – not when it’s used as birth control.

Ah yes, a libertarian that panders to her religious hard right constituency.  Squaring libertarian ideals with traditional hard right support is a tough one isn’t it Ms.Smith?

“She’s a leader with a very right-wing track record,” said Brownsey.”

I caught a National Post Blogger’s take on the WRP and Ms.Smith.

“Ms. Smith’s is plainly to the Tories’ right: she looks to the Fraser Institute for health care reform (though vows to respect the Health Act); is skeptical of carbon-curbing efforts since she thinks many Albertans, like her, aren’t totally buying the manmade climate change theory; and promises laws protecting property rights.”

It is a rare day indeed that I agree with anything that comes slithering from the National Post’s direction, but they appropriately framed Ms.Smith as a hard right ideologue who has a marginal grip on reality.  Case in point; Ms. Smith’s endorsement of the policies of the Fraser Institute: privatizing health care (CUPE has another take on what our dear neoliberals have to say) and denying climate change are some of the low-lights for your enjoyment.

Progressive politics here we come!

This is just what we need in Alberta to fix our political malaise… gasoline anyone?