So Ralph Klein is going to send out "truth squads" to demolish the misinformation that terrible groups like the Friends of Medicare, the Alberta Federation of Labour, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees are spreading about his government’s plans for health care in Alberta.

There are all kinds of problems with the appearance of these government ‘truth police’.

First, even the most zealous supporter of for-profit health care must admit that the evidence is against them. Studies from around the world all show that for-profit health care is less efficient, more expensive, and produces inferior health results. So, unless the government’s truth squads are prepared to ignore or contradict the truth – they will have to at least admit that the government’s growing number of critics are actually in the stronger position. If that is the case, why bother to send these little ‘truth teams’ out?

If, however, the government truth squads are not here to talk about evidence or proof or logic – but are simply another Klein government attempt to smear opponents and repeat their own unfounded opinions – then they will be playing a far more sinister role.

Consider that the ‘truth squads’ are not even going to have actual public meetings, but are instead going to try to beat up on Klein’s opponents from behind the safety of ‘by-invitation-only’ propaganda sessions.

This is a classic bully’s tactic – never facing your opponent in a fair public debate, but instead trying to attack them from ambush.

Word has it that the government will soon start illegitimately paying some public relations firm huge amounts of taxpayers’ dollars to try to sell Albertans on their plans. That fits with their tactics so far. Klein doesn’t talk to us about health care. He doesn’t reason with us. He tries to snow us.

Luckily, this time, the people of Alberta are showing no sign of being fooled.