Many Albertans went to bed last night terrified the bogeyman will be stalking them and playing havoc with their lives for four abysmal years..They believe the UCP victory means lost pensions and credit card debt racked up to pay health care fees..And that they are now at the mercy of an “unfit” extremist leader who’ll drive Alberta into isolation, ruin, and kill the planet by fighting to keep the energy industry alive..Those needless fears that will linger are the unfortunate fallout from what re-elected Calgary-West UCP Mike Ellis aptly called the “smear and fear” campaign by the NDP..NDP leader Rachel Notley and the green energy, socialist/communist gang relentlessly repeated false claims and did their best to smear Premier Danielle Smith’s ability, credibility, and character..It damaged Smith, but not enough to thwart a UCP win — 49 seats over the NDP’s 38..So, how did Smith respond to having been on the receiving end of those sometimes childish, sometimes nasty attacks?.She took the high road during the entire campaign and generously — even benevolently — stayed the course Monday night in her victory speech,.“We all know about our differences of opinion, but I believe Rachel Notley is a loyal Albertan who loves this province as much as I or anyone else I know, and she is deserving of respect and kindness and gratitude for the thousands of hours she has sacrificed to serve our democracy,” said Smith..She made a promise to non-supporters..“It is time to put partisanship, division, and personal and political attacks in the rear-view mirror. It is time to move forward together as all Albertans, no matter who we voted for.”.Does this sound like someone who’s going to do an about-face and steal your pension? Or let you writhe in agony on the sidewalk outside a medical clinic because your credit card is maxed? Or punish ridings that went full orange NDP?.No pettiness, no ego, no dismissive smirks, no fear mongering..Leadership. Control. Focus. Vision..Smith earned the premier’s chair..And seemingly against all odds. Hammered by the left-loving media, the NDP, the old guard from within her own party, and UCP turncoats, she dodged the barrage of incoming arrows..She forged ahead..While doing so, in her short seven months as premier she made improvements to health care, public safety, and many other areas important to Albertans..Albertans wouldn’t go wrong in being hopeful and excited to see what she’ll accomplish in the next seven months and beyond..The alternative would have been disastrous on so many levels..The NDP, with open communist sympathizers in its fold, isn’t in control..The NDP, with candidates howling to defund the police, isn’t in control..The NDP, that promised to bring in a 38% tax hike on businesses, which would have cost tens of thousands of jobs, isn’t in control..The NDP, obsessed with sexualizing and transitioning children and keeping secrets from parents, isn’t in control..Mercifully, voters rejected NDP Calgary-East candidate Rosman Valencia who once said: “I commit to you that an Alberta NDP government will restore the right of Alberta youth to form and join GSAs and to do so with their privacy protected under the law.”.The NDP that needlessly frightened Albertans all for a coveted win isn’t in control..The NDP, that cozies up to the anti-Alberta policies of socialist besties Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau, isn’t in control..Smith is..Alberta first. Alberta united is the way to fight pending federal polices like Trudeau’s proposed oil and gas emissions cap and clean electricity mandates, she said..“Hopefully the prime minister and his caucus are watching tonight,” said Smith. “As premier I cannot under any circumstances allow these contemplated federal policies to be inflicted upon Albertans.”.Where others have failed to deliver on grand promises to fight for Alberta, Smith will fight to deliver..Her predecessor Jason Kenney was criticized for issuing edicts from his office, refusing to consult with experts..Smith was attacked for changing her mind on issues because she had the confidence — and felt it a duty — to consult with experts and regular Albertans..Those who perceived this as weakness, or some kind of floundering — or as Notley said, “flip-flopping” — underestimate Smith’s respect for other points of view and getting it right..To borrow a couple of Notley’s NDP 2023 campaign slogans, it's Smith who's a “leader you can trust.” And because of a UCP victory, what lies ahead is definitely “a better future for Alberta.”.The right person won..Alberta wins.
