Editorial

Familiar 'ka-ching' in the air: rebates

It’s a tune with a familiar ring. And even the timing isn’t that far off. Or at least it won’t be when the all-too-predictable tale unfolds.
Suddenly there seems to be the faint odour of an election in the air. You know, the smell of a con-job, er, magic in the making.
First it was a hint –materializing out of nowhere and from no one in particular. Then last week – or perhaps the week before – the provincial caucus (pronounced ‘Ralph’s mouthpiece’) announced that since the province will very likely have a surplus this year, and since winter’s on its way, the Tories will spend that excess on Albertans, and what’s sure to be a very heavy burden this winter, their gas bills.
Well hit us with a 2x4 and call us surprised. The province is going to hand out some rebates. And coincidence of all coincidences, they just might be arriving very close to the next time we head to the polls.
Forget the fact that classrooms are bulging with an overload of students. And forget the fact that hospitals across the province are strapped for cash and chronically short-staffed. And don’t give a second thought to the many seniors’ lodges and long-term care units that are short dozens of beds to satisfy their ever-growing waiting lists. And forget the companies who won’t make it through another winter unless the province finds a solution to the problem that continues to wreak havoc on Crown lands.
We have a rebate coming. All must surely be right with the world – or at least that part of it that’s within Alberta’s borders. Even if it’s with our own money, Ralph and crew are buying our votes. (Did we say that out loud?)
It’s not like this has never happened before. But at the same time, it always seems such a surprise to so many very appreciative Albertans that the province is going to spend its surplus on its electorate. But unfortunately, they’re just as quick to forget just where that ‘surplus’ is coming from, and all the places it could be spent.
And if we look deep into our crystal ball, we’ll see that it’s those same Albertans who’ll vote for that very generous Tory team once again – as one small way of saying ‘Thanks for thinking of us when times could have been tough.’ Klein insists there won’t be an election until 2005 – or thereabouts – so surely rebates in 2004 wouldn’t be buying votes. But that’s also the time when the rebates will be in full bloom – and will come as a gentle monthly reminder of how really caring and concerned the Tories are about Albertans.
The tune is almost nauseatingly familiar – get ready for an election, the cash is headed your way. And like the beholding and obedient sheep they are, Albertans will vote for those wonderful Tories who never forget them when times are tough – or so it would seem.
The only reprieve we might notice this time around, however, it the possibility of a little in-fighting as electoral officers polish up the ballot boxes.
There appears to be a little excess interest out there – and it’s not from the Liberals or the NDs.
Rumour has it that there are certain ministers within Klein’s caucus who are quietly testing the waters for support – for whenever the preem decides he’s had enough of the game called politics.
They might be well advised to keep it under wraps, at least for the time being. We recall how quickly Gary Mar fell from Klein’s good graces –and the provincial limelight — when he began thinking out loud about his eventual run for the brass ring.
Maybe Ralph has already decided that a little pre-electioneering isn’t all bad. Maybe it’s a good way to ease the election machinery into gear without actually dropping the writ.