Team Advantage talks about the shitheads who are trying to rehabilitate the flat tax, explains why the flat tax is a Bad Idea, and explores the intellectual lineage of this Very Bad Idea. Featuring Jack Mintz, Mark Milke, the Fraser Institute, and Friedrich Hayek.
Author Archives: Alberta Advantage
Reading UCP “Policy” so You Don’t Have To: A Guide to Hellworld
We actually read the giant collection of policy proposals that the United Conservative Party debated (some of) last weekend. Folks, it’s bad. Featuring the New Green McCarthyism, roundabout ways of attacking abortion rights, treating kids like property, Alberta’s constitution (?), pipelines, picking on unions, and much more. Jordan Peterson also drops in to read a sample of UCP policy, which was really nice of him.
LIVE: Briarpatch Prairie Issue Launch
On April 28th, Briarpatch Magazine launched their Prairie Issue at Shelf Life Books in Calgary. We recorded the discussion with authors and community members, who spoke about decolonizing the justice system and fossil fuel industries in the prairies — past, present and future. Featuring @curtislefthand, @kateljacobson, and @dgrdon. NOTE: Around minute 11:00, David Gray-Donald mistakenly says that in 1972 the Saskatchewan oil industry was Alberta-owned, which is not accurate. He meant to say it was American-owned at that time.
The Waffle, the NDP, and Full Breakfast Socialism
Remember that one time the youth tried to make the NDP rad? Team Advantage is joined by Mount Royal University’s Roberta Lexier to discuss the Waffle, the 1969 Waffle Manifesto, James Laxer, Mel Watkins, economic nationalism, and much more.
Budgets: The Government Isn’t a House
Team Advantage assembles to slay myths spewed by deficit-trolls and deficit-hawks. Is the government budget just like a household budget? Why are we spending so much on candles? If businesses leverage themselves all the time, why can’t government? Why is Alberta’s first income-tax bracket set at $128k? Why does Jason Kenney dislike (((bank holders in New York and Zürich)))? Who is this mysterious philosopher whose name rhymes with “Yarl Barx”?
Ralph Klein Sucked, Part 2
If you weren’t convinced by part one … well, here’s part two. It should do the trick.
Team Advantage discusses the last half of Ralph Klein’s reign, which includes deregulating electricity, foot-dragging on LGBTQ rights, drunkenly yelling at unhoused people, dinosaur farts, I HEART ALBERTA BEEF, pie-throwing, “paid in full,” misogynistic jokes, Ralph Bucks, the flat tax, and more!
Some Actual Facts About Pipelines
Team Advantage discusses actual facts and realities about pipelines! Joining the show are Ian Hussey, research manager with the Parkland Institute, and Emma Jackson, research assistant with the Parkland Institute. The gang has a honest conversation about landlocks, tidewater, “energy diversification” and fossil fuel subsidies, climate targets, labour, just transition, and more.
Public Cash for Elite Private Schools (???)
Team Advantage is joined by @duncankinney of Progress Alberta to discuss elite private schools. Elite private schools – those charging more than $10,000 a year in tuition – are raking in more than $27 million a year in public taxpayer subsidies.
Ralph Klein Sucked, Part 1
Team Advantage discusses the subtle pros and cons of blowing up hospitals, delivering 20% cuts, privatizing health care and relying on magical oil & gas money to solve all your problems.
The Regina Dialogues
Team Advantage reads the Regina Manifesto, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation’s (CCF) founding document from 1933. We all get the full text tattooed to our bodies, and decide that any manifesto worth reading should have elaborate plans for milk production. CW: real feelings about the Canada Wheat Board.