Eight years ago, Premier Klein promised Albertans taxpayer protection legislation, that would subject proposed new taxes or tax increases to the approval of Albertans in a referendum. But last week, Albertans heard yet another Throne Speech which makes no mention of this law.

Predictably, the Throne Speech announced the spending of even more tax dollars on government programs, on top of the 90% spending increase that has already occurred in the past eight years.

But the Throne Speech - like Premier Klein's televised address last month - said nothing about making government more accountable, or getting more "bang" for the taxpayers' "buck."

The Throne Speech mentioned a "Third Way" in health care, but said nothing about introducing real accountability or real choice. Spending on the government's health care monopoly has more than doubled in recent years, from $3.8 billion in 1995 to $8.4 billion today. And yet Albertans continue to suffer on waiting lists. This should come as no surprise, because neither patients nor doctors nor nurses nor anyone else has a direct, personal incentive to use resources wisely and efficiently. It's no wonder that results remain mediocre even when spending doubles. Will the "Third Way" solve these problems

Education is another area where the government has no plans, other than spending more tax dollars. The seniority system will make sure that excellent, dedicated, effective and caring teachers are paid exactly the same as mediocre ones who do the minimum to get by. Rather than empowering all parents with education vouchers to be used at the school of their choice, the entire education system will remain largely controlled by teachers' unions.

Many taxpayers would have like a Throne Speech along these lines:

"This government will introduce taxpayer protection legislation, making it mandatory for all proposed new taxes and tax increases to be put to referendum for approval by Albertans. No longer will politicians be able to raise any tax at any time for any reason, as they are now.

This government will also introduce legislation giving Albertans the right to initiate and vote in referendums on issues important to them. No longer will politicians have complete, absolute and total control of the political process, but citizens will be able to participate actively and directly in democracy themselves.

We are going to introduce spending control legislation. Program spending is up by 90% in eight years, in contrast to Alberta's 15% population growth and 23% inflation during the same time period. This is unacceptable and unsustainable.

We are going to introduce real accountability and real choice into our health care and education systems, to ensure Albertans receive good value for the billions of tax dollars which are spent.

We will abolish the health care premium tax, as well as the 3% hidden sales tax on insurance.

Last but not least, in this Centennial year, we are going to use the surplus to refund Albertans the $4.8 billion they paid in provincial income tax in 2004. It's your money - not the government's.

God bless Alberta."