Zeitgeist

Brain drain was a short lived phenomenon during Canada’s early 90’s recession. We’re still attracting international talent in the wake of Trump’s partial Muslim ban.

That’s why people fled nanny police states like the Soviet Union and why they flock to free market democracies, including Canada. Don’t forget that the biggest “nanny” government bailout of private business came from the US post-2008 meltdown. They had no choice. There are times when governments have to ensure economic stability. That’s also why we have central banks.

Are you telling me that under US law there’s no assurance that these workers will be paid?

Okay I’m afraid you need to go back to school or try educating yourself.

Is America more democratic than the UK? No way. We’re less of a monarchy than the UK, with no House of Lords. There is no confiscation of property in Canada, unlike in America where your property can be confiscated for the possession of weed under federal law. If you are found carrying large amounts of money in the US, it can be taken.

Absolute bullshit. Have you traveled? Canada is one of the freest countries and stands up for freedom abroad. We can’t do it alone. We always hope allies will fight too, but that’s not always certain.

Interesting that you say that when Canada helped more Syrian refugees than many countries, including America.

No it does not. China is 30 times the size of Canada. Of course China has more economic impact internationally than Canada, and what is that impact? Developed countries import cheap goods, which makes items cheaper but also lowers wages and sends jobs to China. Some of this has been good. We hope China becomes a market for exports, but we don’t see much of that so far. There are many countries like China with low wages and fewer workers’ rights that can and do make items that we buy The bigger issue for China is the weak democracy, lower freedom, less rule of law, and citizens’ rights overall. China is a totalitarian regime where free speech and political opposition is limited, punishments are harsh, and there is tremendous pollution. The international community understands that China is in transition and has cut China slack on trade and the environment. China has to come across better with fairness on trade. In terms of Canada’s value to the world, I do think that Canada is one of a small group of countries that continues to fight for greater freedoms and rights for people internationally, including for your country, Russia. Be careful what you wish for. You may end up with more leadership like China’s and other dictatorships. It would empower existing dictators to go further in limiting rights and freedoms.

This is in the context of Canada offering asylum to an 18 year old Saudi woman afraid for her safety in Saudi society after she renounced Islam.

Not always. Actually I’m going to go further and say that you can’t cherry pick human rights. That’s called particularism. Either you support human rights everywhere or nowhere. It’s fine to debate what should be counted as a human right, but I can assure you that it’s better to have them than not to have them. Otherwise we’re at the mercy of the arbitrary biases of the people in power. No thanks.

I think Putin would agree.

No, Trump will equivocate on human rights for financial gain. I mean, what’s a few poisoned or sawed up corpses among friends. Have a good time.

Good to hear.

What protection?

Worry about real threats because they do exist. Also worry about how Trump is representing America to the world. It ain’t pretty. Is Trudeau’s image so bad?

Ha ha. We’re your biggest export market. China is your biggest import market. The trade deficit is immense, but sure, spin it like that if it makes the pill easier to swallow.

Call it for what it is: America doesn’t have the political will (strength) right now to stand up to China. Where’s the red line?

No he has not. China is still making your smartphones. American companies are helping China do its dirty work, censoring Chinese search engines, handing the blueprints of technology to the “regulator”.

Not so much. China is taking liberties on America’s doorstep, since by your own definition Canada is inside the hegemon’s territory. Russia has also flexed muscle and has essentially been placated. I guess that’s our new multi-polar reality. The trick is to stick to the script on free market democracy and human rights. Everyone wants that. It’s apple pie. China and Russia will get there eventually at the people’s behest, but in the meantime, this nonsense...

It would be wise for the US to take advantage of this situation as China reveals its kangaroo courts and political detentions and the US launches its trade war. I actually don’t think Trump will do much for a while. He’s mired in domestic opposition. Canada can only win any political war with China because our courts are independent and human rights are respected. Trump is playing a petty political game with foreign governments that don’t share his amoral strong arm form of populism. He’d prefer if we were fascist rather than progressive.

It’s political theatre. Trump has to look the part and those sanctions aren’t really from the POTUS. He couldn’t very well oppose them.

That for me was Trump’s finest hour, but it was a brief hour and was inconsistent with his other messaging.

I agree that the Russian people suffered greatly, first in battle, then returning home from the war where they were then accused of being spies and thrown in gulags. Stalin literally made war on his own people through the NKVD. We’re talking over 20000000 people. Some estimates are as high as 70 million by the time of Stalin’s death. Yet the people of Russia respect the strong man and propaganda pics of Stalin still abound. I really like the Russian people, but what they have is not democracy. Putin is a dangerous and smart leader with ambition. I’m not sure Trump directly reports to Putin and carries out his orders, but I’m quite certain that Trump was groomed to trust and buy into the Russian government’s narratives. It’s looking more like he was financed and assured of political support leading up to the election.

Canada is one of the freest, most democratic countries. It’s in everyone’s interests to support these kinds of places. Political interference with the courts, using military/economic pressure to take unfair advantage of people, hurling insults, that’s the thuggish might is right kind of approach that has caused conflict and oppression for thousands of years. Instead of trying to build consensus and progress for everyone, Trump is trying to lead America and the world back to jingoistic, Mercantilist nationalism. It’s bad news and overshadows efforts to level the playing field with fair rules on trade, labour, etc. It’s back to war and winners and losers. Look at all the discord. We could be building partnerships with traditional and non-traditional allies. Instead it’s a fearful rush for resources before the “Global carbon police” come your way. Such paranoid nonsense...

You’re right. Let’s not pretend to care about liberal snowflake ideas like “values.” Human rights? Please. More fake morality from the effete Globalist Elite. Hitler was way more important on the world stage than any Canadian Prime Ministers. I mean these weaklings are a joke. I bet Trump and Putin could broker a non-aggression pact better than the one Slalin and Hitler cooked up. Russia gets Eastern Europe. America gets Western Europe and Canada. It’s a cake walk. Germany was able to use Poles on their farms as slaves. Canada would be too easy. Think of the land and resources right down to the gold fillings in their teeth. Yeah there might be an underground resistance, but you just do false flags and charge people with political crimes, murder the opposition in the name of security. The masses will settle down out of fear. The educated elites, Globalists and commie snowflakes are easily disempowered once you take control of the courts, declare a state of emergency and impose martial law. Yeah China might make inroads protecting the people, but at least these Chicoms understand hard power We can work with them. Just make sure to keep the Dear Leader happy. He’s unpredictable, egotistical and jealous. The courts are of course under his control, so no recourse. The trick is to always carry cyanide. You don’t want death by torture.