Bipole III line now more than $4 billion?

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/manitoba/2011/01/31/17099976.html
The NDP haven't been saying much about the cost of this project. Now leaked documents claim this project could cost more than $4.1 billion, much higher than the original $2.2 billion quoted.
The route apparently doesn't have much to do with the increase, but the east side will obviously be cheaper.
One has to wonder why the cost has jumped as high as it has? And when did they plan to tell Manitobans - after the next election?

Health care debate the left doesn't want to have

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/premium/a-healthier-health-care-system-114855039.html?commentConfirmed=y#comments

I just spent the weekend trading blows with NDP apologists Hi There and Brian Oakley regarding health care
they of course resorted to their usual anti-America bashing
I can't think of one person I know who wants Canada to switch to USA style health care. even they don't want it (though it is great if you can afford it, as many rich Canadians do)
no, what we need in this country is a blend of public and private, just like progressive countries in Europe have
Canada is ranked No. 30 in the world for health care, while France is No. 1
why don't we switch?
One word - unions

BrianOakley and Orange Rod LIE

http://justdamnstupid.wordpress.com/2011/01/27/hugh-mcfadyen-to-slash-education-funding-and-fire-teachers/

Brian Oakley, famous poster, claims Hugh McFadyen is going after Manitoba students and teachers, and wants to cut education funding. That's not what he said at all, and I call Brian Oakley a liar.
Hugh said he wants the money spent better. He also said down the road before the next eleciton he plans to reveal how his party would fund education if they formed power.
The current NDP put school divisions between a rock and a hard place - they offer them meager tax incentives to not raise taxes, but usually it's not enough and so they have to take it and cut something, or raise taxes.

Orange Rod (incorrectly) predicting the future again

After (falsely) predicting the NDP would win the recent federal byelection, he is now predicting a massive win by the NDP even though their polling numbers are heading straight down and they are entering a deficit AFTER a recession.
He also goes on to insult rural Manitoba and the people who support the PC Party. Apparently people outside Wpg are "fringe"
Oh, and he's pulling a "Hugh" by claiming he has great inside knowledge on the Jets returning to Wpg. Four years ago that was silly, but now apparently it's a great idea.
The ol' Orange Rod sure looks down his nose at people who don't share his POV on life.
As a "NDP insider", it makes you wonder what Selinger and Co. think...

Iggy still Iffy

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/ignatieff-accuses-harper-of-imposing-conservative-ideology-on-canadians-114596449.html

Iggy plans to run against tax cuts and fighter jets his party previously supported. Talk about flip flop... Iggy wants us to think he's the next coming of the NDP...

MGEU vs. NDP

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/mgeu-workers-nix-austerity-deal-114443124.html
Does anyone really think these two chums are going to go to war in an election year?
Still, the comments section of this story is quite interesting... lots of NDP staffers - I think - and plenty of NDP friendly union types had some interesting posts, as did those who don't think much of unions...
A prelude to the next election I think.

Blue Rod Blog

Hey, if the colour orange blog can have a blog in Manitoba, so can the colour blue. Don't know how often I'll post, but if a provincial issue pops up, I'll sure make an effort to post something.