It's good to be Albertan

phobiaphobe · 09-22-2005, 4:15 PM

http://www.canada.com/calgary/global...8-eb9e35809bb5

We have the lowest taxes in the nation and our debt-free provincial government is giving back a third of its 3.6 billion dollar budget surplus, while investing the other 2 thirds.

Later this year, every man, woman and child in Alberta (except prisoners) will recieve a cheque for $400.00. Ah, the virtue of selfishness.

jetbdude · 09-22-2005, 4:45 PM

phobiaphobe · 09-22-2005, 4:47 PM

You can always move here...

sheepofblue · 09-22-2005, 4:56 PM

So they over tax everyone and then give it all back even. Sounds like a vote buying scheme, bet y'all didn't pay in even.

jetbdude · 09-22-2005, 5:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

You can always move here...

Been there...... nice, but not sure about moving there though....

luvtolean · 09-22-2005, 5:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

So they over tax everyone and then give it all back even. Sounds like a vote buying scheme, bet y'all didn't pay in even.

You mean like Bush's tax cuts?

I think this is very equitable. Invest part of the surplus, send the rest back.

sheepofblue · 09-22-2005, 5:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

You mean like Bush's tax cuts?

I think this is very equitable. Invest part of the surplus, send the rest back.

Agree on the invest part but on the tax cuts more went to those that pay less on a percentage basis (not a dollar basis). Besides a tax cut means that the government never stole your money therefore it was not in thier possession ever.

phobiaphobe · 09-22-2005, 5:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

So they over tax everyone and then give it all back even. Sounds like a vote buying scheme, bet y'all didn't pay in even.

That was my first reaction. Our provincial income tax is a flat 10%. Another 23% of my income goes to the federal government for income tax, unemployment insurance, and pension. That plus 7% federal goods and services tax. The provincial government's surplus revenue comes from oil and gas royalties. So technically, it is everyone's money.

Our conservative legislature has reduced government substantially, paid off all of the debt from the previous administration, and made a very visible effort to give taxpayers more of a say in how the province is run. They're still politicians, and there's still a lot waste, but they're going in the right direction.

We love our premier. The rest of the country hates him; he is crude, vulgar, drinks too much, and is extremely outspoken. He doesn't behave at all like a typical politician... more like an average Albertan. He comes from the working class.

I'll share a quote from Ralph, but I have to set it up. We have a program here called AISH. Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. If you're so crippled that you can't work, the government pays you a basic living allowance. Klein's government found that too many able-bodied people were abusing the system and collecting the $850 a month; they introduced some changes in the form of stricter application requirements. He was instantly attacked in the media for "preying" on these poor individuals. At a public event, 2 women accosted him about their AISH payments, to which he replied: "you don't look severely handicapped" Good one.

edit: more to the quote: Asked whether he was worried about offending anyone, he replied: "I'll offend people abusing the system and I don't mind that."

luvtolean · 09-22-2005, 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Agree on the invest part but on the tax cuts more went to those that pay less on a percentage basis (not a dollar basis). Besides a tax cut means that the government never stole your money therefore it was not in thier possession ever.

Understood. It's not perfect. But it's better than nothing.

phobiaphobe · 09-22-2005, 6:09 PM

As for the vote buying comment, he is retiring, so if anything it would be more of a "legacy buying" move.

oldfogey · 09-23-2005, 6:41 AM

So now, when we complain about petrol prices, we know who to blame, eh? C$400 per Albertan. You mean not everybody loses from higher oil prices?

phobiaphobe · 09-23-2005, 11:18 AM

Bring on the hunnerd dollar barrels baby.

CBR929RE · 09-23-2005, 11:27 AM

$400 but its still 400 canadian

phobiaphobe · 09-23-2005, 11:28 AM

Which today is about $340 real dollars.

CBR929RE · 09-23-2005, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Which today is about $340 real dollars.

thats not too bad, what are you gonna buy?

phobiaphobe · 09-23-2005, 1:02 PM

A VISA payment, or maybe natural gas, if I'm feeling saucy.

CBR929RE · 09-23-2005, 2:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

or maybe natural gas, if I'm feeling saucy.

you're gonna spend $400 on Taco Bell?

phobiaphobe · 03-21-2006, 4:32 PM

They are talking about doing this rebate program again next year... Why don't they just lower taxes? With these multi-billion dollar surpluses obviously they are collecting way too much. They have done a good job of shrinking the government here, the province has zero debt and yes the taxes have come down a bit but clearly not enough.

Lower the taxes before Ottawa starts helping themselves to our surplus, like good old ****face Trudeau.

nhfirefighter13 · 03-21-2006, 6:09 PM

Cuz they want to collect the interest they're making off of your money.

tignanello · 03-21-2006, 6:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

They are talking about doing this rebate program again next year... Why don't they just lower taxes? With these multi-billion dollar surpluses obviously they are collecting way too much. They have done a good job of shrinking the government here, the province has zero debt and yes the taxes have come down a bit but clearly not enough.

Lower the taxes before Ottawa starts helping themselves to our surplus, like good old ****face Trudeau.

Is Alberta really doing so good?
http://www.canadiancontent.net/forums/about10906.html

phobiaphobe · 03-21-2006, 6:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tignanello

Is Alberta really doing so good?
http://www.canadiancontent.net/forums/about10906.html

Oh man, it would take me a really long post to rip that article all to pieces, but suffice it to say it was written by a Liberal who has NO idea what he's talking about.

I suppose Andrew Nikiforuk must not drive an automobile or heat his home. Oh and of course if a Liberal government were elected they would suddenly halt all drilling.

Northern Alberta is absolutely pristine. Yes there is drilling and yes there are a few gravel roads... And the environmental control and regulation is MASSIVE. I have worked up there, this guy hasn't.

edit: oh and I like this part: "property devaluation is par for the course in Alberta"... That's hilarious, especially for someone who's about to profit 60 grand from a condo he's made 3 mortgage payments on. **** that's funny.