I’m convinced that Smith is auditioning for a position as a radio host/podcaster in the US right wing media sphere. It’s got to more fun, less work, and more lucrative than actually governing.
I’ll write her a glowing reference! “From her early days pushing a local school board into utter dysfunction, to her current term undermining the entire health care system of Canada’s wealthiest province while shifting vast sums of tax money to donors, and simultaneously undermining Canada's foreign trade efforts, Danielle has exhibited remarkable prowess in gaslighting populations all while appearing rational & reasonable. She would be an unparalleled addition to your team!”
I think Ms. Smith has designs on becoming an MP, then running for Prime Minister. God knows enough of her voter base tell her to run for PM. That pads her already overblown ego.
As far as the 2 major contenders for the position of Prime Minister, I too was so disappointed when I saw reports that Carney planned to lower taxes, but mentioned only middle class. It wouldn't have mattered if Poilievre promised to tax exempt the lower class. I wouldn't vote for him anyway. I dont like his politics. I dont trust Poilievre either. But Mark Carney? That was the 1 and only disappointment so far.
When will our least advantaged, poorest people get some breaks? Do they not pay taxes too? Do they not vote? It must be so disappointing that with every election they have choose the candidate who is least likely to completely ignore them. Why am I saying "they"? I'm a senior. I'm one of them.
'Useful idiot', 'Dupe', 'Fellow traveler', 'Quisling' she's a whole host of cross-referenced thesaurus entries.
I knew people like Smith when I was an undergraduate, people who thought they were smarter than you because they read an Ayn Rand or Milton Friedman book that told them some powerful secret, usually libertarianism or just selfishness. That's part of the problem here, she thinks she's smarter than everyone who disagrees with her, so if you do, you're not only wrong, you're dumb. Even if you point out that she's wrong on facts.
Good grief, what an embarrassment she is. "Roll me off on a a stretcher?" LMAO! Stretchers are carried by people. It's gurnies have wheels.
It appears she was so rattled she was mixing metaphors, firing off blindly into the night, blaming Ottawa (again) for her problems, while waving her invented and phony flag of "Alberta against the rest of Canada" patriotism. Probably left over from illegally defending the rogue and outlaw truckers at Coutts.
Anyway, it's now possible Danielle's ironic legacy will be that she was largely responsible for returning the Liberals even after the widely-loathed Trudeau vacated the throne. Will she forever wear this albatross after her pro-Trumpian antics (kissing his dairy air down at Merry Lardo; now embracing PragerU, Shapiro, Bannon, Carlson); her shameless and scandalous issuing of an invitation to Trump to interfere (read: an illegal act) in a Canadian federal election?
Totally agree with your article. I was also disappointed to see that the campaign is now a low-tax competition. To begin with, taxes were not even the problem or the root of the problem! It also worries me that they promise to scrape without mentioning the impact of this scraping.
Thanks for bringing the discussion back to what matters.
I can understand why the non-government parties aren't (until yesterday) focusing on how they would handle the President Trump tariff threat because there responses would be theory.
The present PM has responses ready and has now called a meeting of the sub-cabinet to plan their realization.
But, what's the point of trying to influence the US administration. It's like trying to predict the exact path of a tornado. We all know it's devastating but there is no way to know how. A good example is the present situation where President Trump pulled out his "glorious tariffs" to distract from the incompetence of a defence planning group inadvertently inviting a reporter into a meeting …
And as much as the threats from South are existential to Canada, microeconomics feels just as threatening to individual voters. The campaign needs to speak to both. I give them a B.
Apparently, Mussolini claimed that autarky should be one of the primary goals of his government's economic policy. Thus, the fascists of that time began to impose significant tariffs and other trade barriers. I have heard it repeated of late that tariffs may be one of the first signs of fascism rising. Unfortunately, there have been many signals from our southern neighbours. And here in Alberta, there are still people who don't understand transfer payments; who believe taxes are theft; and who think that perhaps Alberta should join the U.S. because THEY WOULD HAVE MORE MONEY. And that is the only bottom line...
They do it because it works, and that says as much about the electorate as it does about the politicians catering to them. Sure those of us who read blogs on politics can see through it, but the vast majority of the electorate is stunningly ignorant of just about every aspect of government and has no idea how badly our institutions have been allowed to rot over the past several decades, and will simply vote for whoever promises enough shiny baubles while tickling their ideological priors.
Democracy doesn't work when there isn't an informed electorate. And in this age of misinformation and ever-shortening attention spans, we absolutely do not have an informed electorate on the whole.
Have to respectfully disagree that Carney has “not met the moment”. He’s demonstrating intelligent, nimble, and capable governance on every front. His press conference yesterday was historic and should give our country incredible confidence as we navigate forward. In under two weeks as PM he’s unquestionably demonstrated that he’s the leader for the moment in way that’s far more convincing than bus decals, rallies, and yard signs.
A failing grade to the Federal Conservatives. You had an opportunity to stand up this week and strongly state that Smith is wrong. When you are arguing that I should vote for you because you will stand up to Trump, you should be able to stand up to the Alberta premier.
There is 10-15% of voters who are moved by these podcasters, it’s what got Smith and Polivere elected as leaders, she has to look after the base. Normally sane people who live in your house actually believe this stuff, guessing the weather was the same when Rome burnt. It won’t be boring.
I’m convinced that Smith is auditioning for a position as a radio host/podcaster in the US right wing media sphere. It’s got to more fun, less work, and more lucrative than actually governing.
I’ll write her a glowing reference! “From her early days pushing a local school board into utter dysfunction, to her current term undermining the entire health care system of Canada’s wealthiest province while shifting vast sums of tax money to donors, and simultaneously undermining Canada's foreign trade efforts, Danielle has exhibited remarkable prowess in gaslighting populations all while appearing rational & reasonable. She would be an unparalleled addition to your team!”
Please! Somebody offer her a job in Florida so we don't have to suffer another 2+ years of Smith Scandals.
You may be on to something. She loves hearing herself talk.
Of course she would have to try to “actually govern” to make it a valid comparison. 🤷🏽♂️
I think Ms. Smith has designs on becoming an MP, then running for Prime Minister. God knows enough of her voter base tell her to run for PM. That pads her already overblown ego.
As far as the 2 major contenders for the position of Prime Minister, I too was so disappointed when I saw reports that Carney planned to lower taxes, but mentioned only middle class. It wouldn't have mattered if Poilievre promised to tax exempt the lower class. I wouldn't vote for him anyway. I dont like his politics. I dont trust Poilievre either. But Mark Carney? That was the 1 and only disappointment so far.
When will our least advantaged, poorest people get some breaks? Do they not pay taxes too? Do they not vote? It must be so disappointing that with every election they have choose the candidate who is least likely to completely ignore them. Why am I saying "they"? I'm a senior. I'm one of them.
Sharon Siba: Danielle Smith will not become PM. Her days as premier are numbered, because of her excessive gaffes and scandals.
Sounds like you could look up the term "useful idiot" in the dictionary and find a picture of Danielle Smith.
'Useful idiot', 'Dupe', 'Fellow traveler', 'Quisling' she's a whole host of cross-referenced thesaurus entries.
I knew people like Smith when I was an undergraduate, people who thought they were smarter than you because they read an Ayn Rand or Milton Friedman book that told them some powerful secret, usually libertarianism or just selfishness. That's part of the problem here, she thinks she's smarter than everyone who disagrees with her, so if you do, you're not only wrong, you're dumb. Even if you point out that she's wrong on facts.
Good grief, what an embarrassment she is. "Roll me off on a a stretcher?" LMAO! Stretchers are carried by people. It's gurnies have wheels.
It appears she was so rattled she was mixing metaphors, firing off blindly into the night, blaming Ottawa (again) for her problems, while waving her invented and phony flag of "Alberta against the rest of Canada" patriotism. Probably left over from illegally defending the rogue and outlaw truckers at Coutts.
Anyway, it's now possible Danielle's ironic legacy will be that she was largely responsible for returning the Liberals even after the widely-loathed Trudeau vacated the throne. Will she forever wear this albatross after her pro-Trumpian antics (kissing his dairy air down at Merry Lardo; now embracing PragerU, Shapiro, Bannon, Carlson); her shameless and scandalous issuing of an invitation to Trump to interfere (read: an illegal act) in a Canadian federal election?
Alberta needs her to be gone.
Totally agree with your article. I was also disappointed to see that the campaign is now a low-tax competition. To begin with, taxes were not even the problem or the root of the problem! It also worries me that they promise to scrape without mentioning the impact of this scraping.
Thanks for bringing the discussion back to what matters.
I can understand why the non-government parties aren't (until yesterday) focusing on how they would handle the President Trump tariff threat because there responses would be theory.
The present PM has responses ready and has now called a meeting of the sub-cabinet to plan their realization.
But, what's the point of trying to influence the US administration. It's like trying to predict the exact path of a tornado. We all know it's devastating but there is no way to know how. A good example is the present situation where President Trump pulled out his "glorious tariffs" to distract from the incompetence of a defence planning group inadvertently inviting a reporter into a meeting …
And as much as the threats from South are existential to Canada, microeconomics feels just as threatening to individual voters. The campaign needs to speak to both. I give them a B.
The assumption that those Florida Trumpistes even know anything about Canada is a real stretch of credulity.
Apparently, Mussolini claimed that autarky should be one of the primary goals of his government's economic policy. Thus, the fascists of that time began to impose significant tariffs and other trade barriers. I have heard it repeated of late that tariffs may be one of the first signs of fascism rising. Unfortunately, there have been many signals from our southern neighbours. And here in Alberta, there are still people who don't understand transfer payments; who believe taxes are theft; and who think that perhaps Alberta should join the U.S. because THEY WOULD HAVE MORE MONEY. And that is the only bottom line...
They do it because it works, and that says as much about the electorate as it does about the politicians catering to them. Sure those of us who read blogs on politics can see through it, but the vast majority of the electorate is stunningly ignorant of just about every aspect of government and has no idea how badly our institutions have been allowed to rot over the past several decades, and will simply vote for whoever promises enough shiny baubles while tickling their ideological priors.
Democracy doesn't work when there isn't an informed electorate. And in this age of misinformation and ever-shortening attention spans, we absolutely do not have an informed electorate on the whole.
Have to respectfully disagree that Carney has “not met the moment”. He’s demonstrating intelligent, nimble, and capable governance on every front. His press conference yesterday was historic and should give our country incredible confidence as we navigate forward. In under two weeks as PM he’s unquestionably demonstrated that he’s the leader for the moment in way that’s far more convincing than bus decals, rallies, and yard signs.
A failing grade to the Federal Conservatives. You had an opportunity to stand up this week and strongly state that Smith is wrong. When you are arguing that I should vote for you because you will stand up to Trump, you should be able to stand up to the Alberta premier.
I have no charity to lend to Smith. I loathe Shapiro yet I perversely wish he pants her!
There is 10-15% of voters who are moved by these podcasters, it’s what got Smith and Polivere elected as leaders, she has to look after the base. Normally sane people who live in your house actually believe this stuff, guessing the weather was the same when Rome burnt. It won’t be boring.