Give the SaskParty a Chance? Ha-ha-haaaa!!!
October 19, 2007 | 06:46 PM
I hear these young ones, the 20- and 30-somethings, along with the die-hard right-wingers, whining about how tired they are of hearing the Devine era stories, urging us to believe that it's time for a change, that we ought to give the SaskParty a chance. It just makes me laugh! Is it that they need to repeat history, to make their own mistakes, or that they're incapable of learning from history?
I am not at all keen to let go of what I learned in and from the Devine years. I lived through them. I remember how awful it was for me. And though it was pure hell for me, it was a helluvalot worse for others.
During the Devine years the rich got richer, the poor got poorer and the middle class started fading away. That's
what happens when political favouritism is extended toward the corporate sector.
(Why, even the NDP, that band of pseudo-socialists, caved in to the business lobby. I mean, look at our child poverty rate, as an example of what happens when business has their way with government. The NDP found money for biz but not for kidz. Some socialists, eh? Why vote for them?)
But I digress. I will never – not ever -- give the SaskParty a chance because the Devine years remain entrenched within the SaskParty. And Brad Wall's connection is deep!
He worked as an assistant to Devine's Minister of Education, Pat Smith, who was later implicated in the Booze Scandal.
In 1985 Wall was appointed by Devine's Gary Lane to serve on a committee to increase youth employment. Within the next five years 14,600 youth left Saskatchewan – including Wall himself – and youth employment figures fell by 15% according to Statistics Canada. Didn't I hear him blaming someone else for that?
Wall did a stint in Ottawa with the Mulroney Conservatives, where he helped organize a pro free-trade organization. (Yes, he supported that Free Trade Agreement and it's followup, NAFTA, both of which have been nothing but bad for Canadians). But he returned to again work for Devine's government, this time as the Ministerial Assistant to the Minister in charge of privatizing the Crowns, Graham Taylor. He was the go-to guy in communications around it. He surely gained some valueable experience in implementing a privatization agenda and, no doubt, took notes towards doing it better next time around.
He was the Senior Ministerial Assistant for Devine's Minister of Economic Development, John Gerich, and was implicated in the Booze Scandal. He appeared for the defence in the trial of a Devine Minister who received a two-year sentence. He says he knows it was wrong, but he turned a blind eye, anyway. Sorry, but not the kind of guy I want as Premier.
Add to that the fact that Wall actually ran for a Conservative nomination in 1991. He lost that time.
His ties to the Devine Conservatives and that era of extreme right wing governance are solid.
And that's just the Leader of the party! Then there are the others. Doreen Eagles worked as an assistant to Grant Devine. Brenda Bakken once ran as a Conservative candidate. Bill Boyd and Don Toth were members of the Devine's Conservative caucus. Dan D'Autremont and Ben Heppner were previously elected as Conservatives. As recently as this fall, D'Autremont assured us that a SaskParty government would privatize government and Crowns. But he was over-ruled by Wall and spin-doctored out of the news cycle.
So, let's see what we've got.
We have a Sask Party Leader and caucus members with strong ties to the Devine Conservatives. We have an NDP leader who's a United Church Minister but seems to have forgotten that Social Gospel. There's that devout Leader of the Liberal Party, a Catholic millionaire. Any guesses where he'd lead us? At least the Green Party is led by a woman—a nice change from the Old Boys. But, it remains to be seen if the Greens can field a full slate of candidates.
So here we are, a week into the campaign, and no one has worked hard enough to woo me. Maybe I'm a write-off. (Pun intended!)
Comments: (30)
Interesting, but I do agree!!!!
Posted June 11, 2008 04:20 PM
The Calvert years have been wasted years.
the80's were marked by high interest rates and low commodity prices; SK and AB ran deficits as a result; in 1991, they both had debts over 10 billion; since then, AB's dedt has disappered, SKs may have grown, while populations have also gone different directions.
recent prosperity is because of tax cuts (thanks SK party) and high resource prices/ commodity prices;
but we ave underperformed; we ahve wasted years with the NDP.
Posted November 3, 2007 02:50 PM
What you don;t seem to realize is that the Devine years were marked by hig interest rates and low commodity prices; all governments raan deficits in these years; in 1990, AB and SK has the same deficit: since then, SK's has grown, AB's disappeared, and AB's population grew while ours shrank.
Regina mom, much of the recent prosperity in SK is becquse3 the NDP adopted SK party tax cuts (and commodity proces) ; but overall, the NDP years have been wasted years.
Posted November 3, 2007 11:27 AM
Some one made the comment about how disrespectful David Karwacki was last night. This is not new. Poor David. Six years to "build a team", "develop policy", "grow the liberal organization", "seek credible female candiates", "listen to members". It's all been a very lonely road for David. He may not win his seat if the NDP sneak up the middle because Roger Parent (SaskParty) and David will both split the vote. Even still, I bet you David will press on as leader of a member-less political party that needs to the purge silent hierarchy. Ralph Goodale and the puppet masters in Ottawa. Stephane Dion and Denis Coderre? pleeeeeeeeease.
Anyway, last night was somewhat comical and I think the CBC Moderator should have established clear ground rules and decorum from the beginning. This was not done. A complete joke.
November 8 will be a very different day in Saskatchewan. I just hope the left can get a hold of themselves and behave in a civil manner. If not, THEY'RE FIRED!!!!!!!
Posted October 31, 2007 10:43 PM
Yes...Karwacki's performance was disappointing. Last night he acted so disrespectful on so many levels. Lorne Calvert is Premier. Karwacki turned his back on him a few times , told him he was going to lose and therefore not worthy of his attention a couple of times and interupted many times to prevent the Premier from responding. To be dismissive of someone, to turn your back on them when they are speaking and interupting that same person when they try to respond is what some would call bullying. This behaviour is becoming a problem in workplaces and schools. It certainly doesn't belong in the Legislature nor at the leadership level of a political party seeking to earn our respect.It hardly sounds like a choice that would respect my voice or the voice of citizens before, during or after an election.
Posted October 31, 2007 11:41 AM
I can hardly believe that there are people who still believe that Devine is still running the government. I guess it's like Tommy Douglas being with us today, too.
I liked the comment from earlier in the blog about thinking that Germans must all be bad, too. I mean, they started the second world war - but wait - we can't trust the Japanese either. Let's not stop there - those crazy Russians and communist block - and that must also be what... Ukranians?? Surely they are all bad too, by association.
Wake up. Saskatchewan has had 17 years to make a change. 17 years to pay down the debt - Alberta did it in 7 with those terrible terrible people there.
Look at the roads - if you can while you are bouncing all over the pot holes. Look at healthcare - the worst wait list times in Canada. Look at the export of our youth.
Yup. That's success.
Go ahead, Lorne - cut the tuition that was raised by your lack of funding. Give us all $15 drugs. Take credit for rising oil prices - I'm sure that the NDP sit with OPEC and give them advice.
Don't forget - if it wasn't for those terrible rotten lousy corporations with the filthy rotten millionaires - we wouldn't have an economy. But then I forget - everyone should piggyback and siphon off their success. Why work when the government feeds you?
It's time for a change - and Mr. Karwacki is right - there will be.
Posted October 31, 2007 11:30 AM
Are you all naive children?
FACT:" Uranium is a huge source of income to this province. If it werent for Uranium exploration (Some would call it exploitation) this province would still be using Ox carts. Uranium has been proven as a safe and environmentally friendly source of power. We could build 3 more reactors (there are already some in your back yard - google CANDO in Saskatoon) and sell off the excess power and make this province the wealthiest in Canada. The so called tree-huggers would make this province BROKE inside two years. It is NOT economically viable to blanket everyone in home-made wool sweaters. Cmon, grab a clue. Yes, I am all for the environment, but Im also about keeping our lifestyle and economic status.
As far as the current parties running in this election - a little more direction, and a lot less mud slinging could be energy well spent. Cmon guys, you arent in school anymore. Who cares if you wore brown cords to school today.
Lets all be adults, and act that way. Start thinking with your brain, not your convictions or personal feelings.
Posted October 31, 2007 11:10 AM
I think that, if we consider the past, we will notice that platforms of the NDP have also changed dramatically, over the past several years. From a position of not supporting the further development of the uranium industry, to our present situation of increasing this industry, since uranium prices are at record highs. It is hard to recognize this polar shift in the NDP position. As literally billions of dollars worth of our resources are sold annually, from our sparsely populated north, I cannot understand why we have not redirected more of these monies into community economic development, of northern people. The NDP also promised to deal with Metis land claims and our need for an economic base. We have not seen meaningful progress in this either. The continued subsidies to multinational corporations, such as the "roads to prosperity" for the uranium, deforestation and oil and gas industries have allowed many of the companies involved to record record profits, in the last year. Are the NDP really the party that arose from the needs of the marginalized and unrepresented residents of Saskatchewan? I wonder.....
Posted October 31, 2007 11:09 AM
You are right on.
The connections between the Sask Party and the Devine Conservatatives are still there.
Conserative ministerial assistants (such as Wall) and constituency party officials from the Devine years are positions of power within the Sask Party.
The massive provincial debt, rural/urban split and foodbanks are the Conserative legacy.
I hope we keep learning from the past.
Posted October 30, 2007 10:54 PM
After tonight debate I think David Karwacki dropped himself out of the race when kept refering to Wall as the winner. How can he expect to be a leader when he quits in the middle of a race? He affarimed that voting Liberals is the same as wasting vote. The Liberals could have formed government by now had not they revolt on Linda Harvstock. Brad Wall scare me with his Saskatchewan Enterprise hidden agenda. I would rather him sale the crowns while they worth something than killing them and sell them or before he enrich his conservative friends. His main funders are big business from Alberta (the party does fundraising in Alberta…I do not know why?) Mr. Karwacki’s act made me narrow down my chose tonight.
Posted October 30, 2007 10:04 PM
History can be and should be part of our perspective when making a choice about who governs us the next four or five years. Experience has more value to me than rhetoric or election 'goodies'.For me, the issue is trust and who will encourage citizen involvement in critical decisions that affect my life and my kids future. I do not generally like to be asked who to give all my power to politicians once every four years. Which party has a history and a political vision that will encourage we, the citizens, having a say in between elections. The idea that 'profit' ( business)should be a major decison maker on issues like health care, the environment, education, social services, the rights and protections afforded workers and and utility rates does not appeal to me. Having publicly funded, owned and operated systems gives me greater comfort. Particularly on the environment. The market has failed. I prefer that we, the citizens, have a say on what to do with any surplus from our crowns and definetly support distributing our tax dollars to ensure that all benefit. I am not interested in making millionaires richer at the expense of those who need our help. My choice will always be to prefer the notion that our voice matters, as citizens...before, during and AFTER an election. Which party is most likely to value public consultation and public control over those things that matter most.And why wouldn't I make that my choice?
Posted October 30, 2007 06:45 PM
While I am running for the Green Party in Regina Elphinstone Centre, because the NDP is not only supporting a toxic future with expanding uranium mining, a refinery and nuclear power (because, like the Sask Party, they focus on the economic gain and not the quality of life), my big problem is that, the Sask Party will destroy our quality of life even more. The NDP has shifted to the right over the last 10 years. Romanow was flirting with the Liberals, and he made sure the NDP became pro-nuclear again. None of the main line parties have a clear plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; none of the main -line parties have a clear renewable energy plan. The Green Party does support a non-toxic future, with renewable energies, lots of jobs, meaningful work and supports a healthy quality of life for all citizens, regardless of race, colour, income level or gender. We need a healthy, not a toxic future. The Sask Party will undermine our ability to have a sustainable, locally controlled culture and economy. They are made up of friends of the rich who want to swallow more for themselves and do not care about the average person.
Ingrid
Posted October 30, 2007 06:24 PM
Sue, only the NDP can solve the P.C Party-created debt crisis. They've reduced the debt 4 billion since 1995. Still 11 billion of the rightwing debt to go. Only the NDP can do it. STOP LIVING IN SK'S PAST, SUE. Debt is the past, NDP's debt solutions are the future. Crowns recirculate capital through the province, private industry sends it out of province. Crowns work and the NDP solves debt. You have no water left in your lakes--we're sorry about that. Deal with your own crisis' first.
Posted October 30, 2007 04:25 PM
Sue, live like Alberta and end up with bone-dry lakes and people coming to blows over gets to sail their yacht that day, right?? No thanks, take your phony lifestyle and shove it. SK is leaving AB in the dust in terms of quality of life, have you not heard the news? We'll pay off our PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY debt once we discover the oil Alberta has. If you don't want to live in SK's past, then don't bring up the debt, which was created by free-market cavaliers without the brains to run a lemonade stand, you dig?
Posted October 30, 2007 04:21 PM
Does the provincial government really need 85 crown corporations?
Why did Lorne Culvert's ndp sell our portion of the Lloydminister upgrader?
Sounds like a hidden agenda to me.
Wall will not touch the five major crowns, he knows that it would be political suicide to do so.
Reviewing our money losing investments in movie companies and out of province insurance companies is a good idea.
If I want to invest my money in a movie company in Saskatchewan, I'll do so, I don't need the government to do that for me.
I guess you could say I'm pro-choice when it comes to my investments.
Posted October 30, 2007 01:29 PM
"I hear these young ones, the 20- and 30-somethings, along with the die-hard right-wingers, whining about how tired they are of hearing the Devine era stories, urging us to believe that it's time for a change, that we ought to give the SaskParty a chance. It just makes me laugh! Is it that they need to repeat history, to make their own mistakes, or that they're incapable of learning from history?"
Someday I hope to be as old and close minded as this. Anything that happened with the conservatives was 20 years ago under a different leader. You probably think anyone German is still out to get you too.
Posted October 30, 2007 09:48 AM
It's depressing to see Lorne calvert lie and try to scare people with the crowns. In September of this year the NDP sold of the remaining equity they had in the Lloydminister Upgrader.
Isn't that like selling a crown corporation?
Lorne can't run on his record, so he has to resort to lies and scare tactics.
He has no chance in a battle of ideas and cannot run a positive campaign.
Posted October 30, 2007 09:14 AM
Boy you guy's sure like to live in the past,
your province will go no where with NDP in power.What's wrong with selling crown corps this creates more jobs and competion in the market place.Brad walls is trying to work for the people in saskatchewan to be free of debt
to have a future for the young so they stay in your province.Look at Alberta Ralph Klein
did exactly what Brad Walls is willing to do,and now we are debt free.Please don't be afraid of change do it for the youth in your province!!!!!!!!!
Posted October 29, 2007 11:54 PM
I don't know why anyone would "fear" for their job working in a crown. If you're good at your job you should be able to get employment elsewhere if the inevitable happens. You could get fired tomorrow (oh wait SGEU probably has your back). The main thing the fear shows is that most of our government workers are underskilled and overpaid.
Posted October 29, 2007 04:32 PM
Rob Morrison, all you do is smear. Are you in Grade 9? There are only 15,000 or so government employees in the province and far less on welfare. Considering many don't vote and many vote for other parties, you probably have less than one constituency's worth of people to prop up the NDP, as you like to put it. NDP supporters come from business, banking, law, academics, farmers, medicine, you name it.
Posted October 29, 2007 08:44 AM
typical comment i can always tell a N.D.P. voter cause they are either on welfare like yourself or else they work for the government which i guess being on welfare you are both!
Posted October 27, 2007 05:05 PM
Hmm, The Sask Party, a party with the vision, wanting to invest IN Saskatchewan? That's the biggest load of bull I have ever heard. I'm an employee of one of the Crown Corps and I fear for my job and my co-workers jobs if the Sask Party ever become elected. I mean come on they've said they wanted to sell part of the crowns! I know for a fact that selling of these Crowns would not be fiscally responsible. Sure for the first few years the government would be rolling in money but what happens down the road when we now longer have SaskTel and SGI Canada paying dividends to CIC? How much will the taxes go up? What about money into health care and the roads? Oh wait my bad, health care what health care. So really how can the Sask Party being investing in Saskatchewan? Thousands of crown employees are employeed in Saskatchewan and after privatizing what would happen to these jobs?
Another thing that bothers me about the Sask Party is what will they do for me? I'm not a student, don't have kids, and am not a senior. So let's see I don't get the refund from school, don't get money to go towards child care and the $15 rx wouldn't affect me either. So what's in it for me? I shudder to think about it.
A party wanting to invest in Saskatchewan hey... haven't seen a very convincing show of it.
Posted October 26, 2007 12:24 AM
I totally agree with your comments about Brad Wall and the Sask/Conservative party's link to the past. We cant and shouldnt forget that Mr. Wall suckled at the Conservative nipple so to speak when he first appeared on the scene oh so long ago and has had his eye on the throne ever since. People want change? The only change you will get is privatization of crowns (ooops did you say that would be $3000 to insure my Jeep), user fees for health care, and a province that will slowly but surely slip into debt once again. Time for change. Is that all you can come up with Brad?
Posted October 24, 2007 06:24 PM
Yes, I agree.
don't give the Sask Party, the party with vision, the party wanting to invest IN Saskatchewan, to make positive people changes, govern Saskatchewan and make it better. Lets instead go for another 4 years of Health Care increasing waiting lists...don't worry though... we won't remember because morphine is only 15 dollars...that's only if you can get into see a family doctor to write the prescription. Only if you can get to the doctor's office if your not waiting years for your hip/knee replacement, or cataract surgery. Lets sit back and spend every dollar we have from our oil riches, not invest it in our people, but use it in areas of government, even start NEW businesses to compete against our struggling young entrepreneurs. It is ok if the NDP makes mistakes, just pump a bit more tax payers money in the floudering crown offshoot company to offset it, the private business owner will gladly bow out. Lets watch other provinces and countries organize and strategize. We can just sit in the back room and watch the prosperity and growth around us(of course there has to be a bit of spill over)
Come on, open your eyes. If water is stagnant for too long, life will go elsewhere, remainers will flounder. We need a future. We need vision.
Posted October 23, 2007 11:03 PM
Wow. I'm dumbfounded.
Someone could have had such an impact at 19 years of age - I never knew.
Brad Wall most certainly was responsible for what Grant Devine did - obviously. He, at 41, surely was a key player in his late teens, and early 20s.
Why not stick to the facts? Talk about what the NDP is NOT doing or convince me and other voters that they are doing something other than taxing us to death and helping all the other 'key players' of our future out of the province!
Posted October 23, 2007 02:42 PM
I didn't say anything about guilt. I wrote what I found in my research process. Brad Wall worked for the Devine Conservatives; the connection is clear. Calvert loves the uranium revenues and woos business; the connection is clear. Karwacki posted his trip to a Catholic church service as a public event; the connection is clear.
If you're reading guilt into any of these, then that says more about you than about me. It's your issue, not mine.
Posted October 23, 2007 02:31 PM
Bizarre arguments - especially re: free trade being bad. I won't argue with you here, however, as it is clear that you have made up your mind and it would be futile to try and change it.
Posted October 23, 2007 12:23 PM
So it's guilt by association; who wrote that rubbish anyways? There's just no stopping the lengths the left-wingers go to.
Posted October 22, 2007 08:15 PM
While I agree with your suggestion that all politicians have "issues" I resent the innuendo you cast toward Romanow. He was as right wing a leader as the NDP has ever seen, yes, and that's atrocious enough, but I don't recall that he or any member of his Cabinet were ever charged with anything, let alone served time.
Posted October 21, 2007 11:14 PM
Excellent article Bernadette.
John Gerich was sentenced to 2 years in jail. Funnily enough, before hooking up with Grant and the boys, Gerich served as an RCMP officer. What does that say?
It was an ugly affair, but I don't think we will ever stoop that low, again. Is it really possible? Only in Saskatchewan.
Mind you, Romanow got away with a lot, diverting focus on his misgivings by bringing up the "DEVINE years". Ironic in a Baptist state. Hilarious even still.
Posted October 19, 2007 11:18 PM