Author Archives: Amanda Achtman

About Amanda Achtman

Amanda Achtman is a political science student at the University of Calgary.

Cutting Red Tape

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Amanda Achtman

This week the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is hosting its fourth annual Red Tape Awareness Week™ 2013. In the spirit of the “Red Tape Revolution” here is a poem about red tape reduction initiatives. Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta, Calgary, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Immigration, Labour, Local Government, Manitoba, Regulation, Role of Government, Saskatchewan, Taxation, Technology, Trade, Unsorted | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

Tyranny of Student Authority

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Amanda Achtman

The Carleton University Students’ Union is currently holding its General Referenda 2012. The Writ of Referenda has seven questions, and questions four and seven are a direct attack on the fundamental freedoms of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, peaceful assembly, and association… Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Local Government | 2 Comments

Justice Centre Launches 2011 Campus Freedom Index

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Today the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms launched the 2011 Campus Freedom Index! According to the report: “The Campus Freedom Index seeks to measure the commitment of Canada’s public universities, as well as student unions, to upholding the rights of students to … Continue reading →

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Citizenship and Loyalty: Time to Attach Some Strings

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

In western society, citizens have to realize that citizenship and loyalty are inseparable. Citizenship without loyalty is an empty concept. Ayaan Hirsi Ali spoke at the launch event for the Manning Foundation for Democratic Education in Calgary.
Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Immigration, Poverty | Comments Off

Calgary, Occupied Territory!

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Calgarians jumped on the “Occupy” bandwagon on October 15th. Check out this video to hear what they had to say! Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta, Calgary, Education, Energy, Environment, Healthcare, Housing, Labour, Local Government, Poverty, Trade | Comments Off

Dick Cheney Speaks in Calgary

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Former Vice-President of the United States Dick Cheney spoke to an impressive, yet intimate crowd in Calgary. The Bon Mot Book Club, began by Leah Costello, kicked off its first Calgary speaker series on Tuesday evening. Vice-President Cheney spoke briefly reflecting … Continue reading →

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Three Right-Wing Parties in Alberta?!?!

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Even for Alberta, three right-of-centre parties may sound like an impossibility. But not this summer. Continue reading →

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Rising Inflation by Degrees

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Grade inflation follows the same principles as monetary inflation. If the supply of high grades is inordinately and unduly increased, then the value of these grades will go down. Where such honours have traditionally served as legitimate academic currency, this currency is now running the risk of being rendered meaningless. Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Labour | 13 Comments

Free the Post

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Attempts to reconcile tensions between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post are taking place in Ottawa today. Negotiations are ongoing and a compromise seems long overdue. According to a recent Toronto Star article, back-to-work legislation is in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour | 2 Comments

Why Aren’t Students Protesting Against Student Loans Yet?

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Activist students are often protesting tuition hikes and demanding more government funding for their education. This is frightening because it reveals how ignorant most students are about how the student loan system operates. First, student loans drive up tuition. Peter … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Comments Off

Canada Needs a YouCut Program

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Will a Canadian Member of Parliament have the courage to introduce an initiative such as YouCut to encourage Canadians to democratically put a dent in the federal deficit? Continue reading →

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Bylaw Officers Making Noise about New Radar for Noisy Vehicles

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Amanda Achtman

Have you heard about the Noise Snare, a new traffic noise surveillance product? … City of Calgary bylaw officers have recently proposed implementing a new technology to regulate vehicle noise that exceeds a yet-to-be-determined new decibel maximum. Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta, Calgary, Local Government, Regulation | Comments Off