The song goes “the weather is delightful” and it is. The weather could be slightly warmer, but it is what it is. One day of light drizzle and the rest were sun. Guys are spraying, guys are seeding, calves have been born and are now practicing drag races, as only the young and bulletproof can. Things are moving out here in rural Saskatchewan. Fields are getting seeded, the crop is quickly getting in the ground. Not like the old days where you could see your neighbour working away across the fence for a couple of days. Now the rigs are so big that if you go to town for coffee by the time you get back the field is done, they have moved in, finished the field and moved away and you missed it.
On my hoar frost calendar, I have marked May 14 and 17 as possible rain. We will see. It always amazes me, we just started into May and now we are looking at middle of the month. Time sure flies when you are not watching.
On the home front, Jaco and Quinny have been on the Texas gate retrieval and repair detail for the last couple of days. One Texas gate is done and one to go. Next week will be the delivery to the new sites and burial. The fence in the pasture has changed and the Texas gates need to be put on the quarter line where the new fence is going. Earlier in the week, they have repaired the springs in the shop door. The lag screws pulled out and that caused big kerfuffle. The lag screws have been replaced with bolts that go right through the wall. This caused a bit of work as the facia had to be removed to put in the bolts and then put back. Then the springs had to be re-tensioned. A lot of “hard on the arms” work. I have new door panels bought and paid for and we are waiting for delivery. These new door panels can’t come soon enough.
All the country is atwitter about the NDP gaining power in Alberta. They not only gained power, but did so with an overwhelming majority of 53 seats out of 87. Last week I said there would be consequences for the politicians in Alberta and there was big time. People are angry with the mismanagement of the finances. Plus, when you elect a person from one party and they cross the floor and sit with the people you voted against the last time, there are consequences. The downturn in oil prices has made financial stress for many Albertans. Some losing their jobs and they have struck out at what is a most unfair situation with these politicians who thought they had immunity from the day-to-day struggles of those who have to work for a living. Unfortunately, these defeated politicians still will not find out, as many will get monstrous severance packages. Now that the head of the snake has been removed, maybe it is time to remove some of those high-priced civil servants whose sense of entitlement has fostered the financial mess Alberta finds itself in.
Jim Prentice did the honorable thing and fell on his sword. He resigned as leader of the Conservatives and also as a member of the Legislature. No one could blame him. He didn’t cause the financial mess and his party was punished for past misdeeds and as party leader he was punished, too, as the party went down to third party status. There is no future for Jim Prentice as leader. Conservatives will have to elect a new leader, go back to their grassroots and reorganize. They maybe should have some restrictions on the quality of candidates they allow to represent them in the next election. The Albertan voter, justly so, has punished every candidate who crossed the floor – either by not winning the nomination in their own riding or by being defeated in the election. Should we call that justice? There are good people out there, honest people; people who would truly represent the people who elected them. How do you find them and get them elected?
Socialism taken to the extreme does not work as Russia has demonstrated. Most people live in poverty. Only a small few at the top have money, privilege and power. Capitalism taken to the extreme does not work either. We are in a world order at the moment where large international companies are amalgamating and buying out others. There is no benefit for the working man here. Again only a small few at the top have money, privilege and power. The two systems are virtually the same. They have the exact same end result, but the capitalist system allows middle class people an opportunity to have some wealth.
What will the Alberta NDP under Rachel Notley look like? Will it be a government that tries to own all or will it be more middle of the road government where smaller business can thrive? Will it be business friendly or will it impose higher taxes and more government red tape on business? We wish Rachel Notley well as she will struggle with all the wants and desires of the 53 newly elected members of the Alberta legislature while trying to solve the financial mess she has inherited.
The “not” Jokes of the week: There are reports on Facebook of a huge refugee type camp south of Macklin where Albertans fleeing the province because of the change in the political landscape. Their credit cards are maxed out and they have gone as far as they can. They are having to live off the land. They are waiting for their Saskatchewan driver’s licences and Roughrider jerseys. This, of course, is not true.
Ad: Seen on Kijiji: For Sale: Gently used oilfield life, comes with family, overpriced Ram Dodge, uncontrolled credit cards, $380,000 house valued at $250,000, all the useless toys (i.e. quads, boats, motorbikes), which are all financed on minimum payment. This, of course, is not a joke either!!
