The pro-separatist e-mails are pouring in.

Dozens upon dozens of them. Most are reluctantly so.

They state that if the federal Liberal party -- saturated as it is with systemic corruption and bald-faced liars -- can win the next election, then clearly the federal system cannot reform itself and Alberta will have no choice but to separate.

"I've had it," says Kyle, "I'm not going to have my kids living in Zimbabwe north."

Peter wrote: "Should the Liberals continue to run things, there is nothing left for Alberta in the Confederation. Why would we continue to foot the bill, have no say and be the whipping boy?"

Another e-mail writer, who wants to be known only as Jeff, is hopeful for a Liberal majority for quite a unique reason.

Referring to my Sunday column: "Separatism fought on two fronts," Jeff wrote this: "If that's what it takes to form an Alberta separation party -- then I'll vote Liberal for the first time in my life!"

And, clearly, should the Liberals win even a minority government this time around, then most Albertans -- who have never felt represented by the Liberals even at the best of times, never mind now when the government is under criminal investigation -- will have reason to wonder when, if ever, their views and values will be reflected in Ottawa.

It's a fair thing for Albertans to wonder. After all, if stories of envelopes stuffed with cash can't bring the Liberals down in Ontario -- the king-maker province -- then nothing will.

But there are some systemic things that can be done to solve the malaise of Albertans without going down the wrenching road of separation.

Ted Morton, a provincial Tory MLA for Foothills-Rockyview and an outspoken former political science professor from U of C, has a much sounder, less-radical plan to give Albertans a stronger voice in their own affairs that includes re-establishing our own provincial police force, collecting our own provincial taxes and instituting an Alberta Pension Plan.

"I'm committed to advancing and exploring a set of new policy initiatives that will enhance Albertans' control of our economy and our society," said Morton, one of the original writers of the so-called "firewall" idea that was also signed by Conservative party Leader Stephen Harper, and has been portrayed as "radical" and "scary" by central Canada's media and politicians, though it's exactly what the province of Quebec has done.

"If the Liberals win under these circumstances of corruption and lies, I would expect that support for the 'more-Alberta, less-Ottawa' approach will grow."

And with that growth, support for Morton's bid to lead Alberta's Progressive Conservative Party, after Ralph Klein steps down from his premiership sometime within the next year, is sure to flourish.

Morton agrees that separatist sentiment is sure to develop in Alberta following a Liberal win in the upcoming -- though yet uncalled -- federal election.

"I think in that context, the policies I've been advocating will appear like the moderate alternative, which I think they are, but they may be too moderate for some people."

People like D. Keele, whose letter appears in the letters-to-the-editor section today, saying that he's hoping the "Liberals win a majority. Then we, in the West, can finally get on with a permanent solution to the morons in the East who insist on supporting thieves and liars. 'Vive L'Alberta Libre.' "

Morton, who was reached at his legislative office in Edmonton, says he's often accused of being a closet separatist, but that's simply not the case. He believes his "more Alberta, less Ottawa" plan will and can save us from separation.

Other ideas include electoral reform that makes the votes of each voter more equal, something that doesn't happen in Canada now. Indeed, yesterday in the House of Commons, NDP leader Jack Layton called on the Prime Minister to reform our archaic first-past-the-post voting system so most voters can feel like they are at least receiving some representation.

Prime Minister Paul Martin didn't even have the courtesy to answer Layton -- his ally in the House.

I expect those pro-separatist letters to keep pouring in.