Zeitgeist

Trump has more power at his disposal than Trudeau. He can make more of a difference for good or ill in the world. He is squandering opportunities and is less admirable than Trudeau. I'm not a Trudeau admirer. Trump will not be remembered fondly.

As long as the US has our backs should China react harshly. After the Saudi mess this past summer, I’m not sure. We’ve also taken abuse on trade. Let’s see how strong the friendship is.

Do you propose giving up on putting a price on pollution? Do you think technology will save us from climate change or that we might as well give up and focus on adapting? I also oppose a carbon tax the way Trudeau has structured it, but some kind of cap and trade is needed. I think the adaptation route is disastrous.

This is why we need protections, both from corporate pressure to automate and offshore/outsource the middle class on the one hand, and from drastic measures that governments impose on human freedom, including protections from exhorbitant taxation (with and without representation) and wreckless environmental deregulation or over-regulation, uncontrolled immigration, and other policies that destabilize regions and threaten cultures. It’s a tricky mid-path, but inaction is irresponsible. Overemphasizing the importance of one factor or side of the equation is also damaging. It’s not really about fighting globalism, because fair global rules are needed to fix the negatives of globalization. The rules can’t be onerous, whatever level of government implements them. What’s happening in France is a rebellion against harsh national tax policies. We’ll see how Trudeau fares with the carbon tax.

The Crown will proceed carefully here. Following rule of law and due process, including extradition treaties is the answer. That’s it.

International labor rules on wages and conditions would prevent such rampant offshoring. An example is the $16.00 minimum wage on some Mexican auto production in USMCA.

Okay but let me finish my Christmas shopping. Soros loves Rudolph ties.

Okay great. If you have any suggestions for how to set up the One World Government, please let me know. We can hold off on throwing you all into gulags until after Christmas. Rest assured.

Will do...

So where do the ‘globalists’ hang out? Is there a club with memberships? Wouldn’t mind checking it out.

You’re screwing up your own country enough. The US should be more like Canada, not the reverse. My point is that the cost of good policies is higher when a country has to go it alone. Of course business will always chase the most unregulated and socially backward places to do business if it means lower costs. That’s why international rules are important, to avoid the race to the bottom.

This is where I have to get off the Ford train. He screwed up an important Ontario Power Generation acquisition through political interference that will cost Ontarians over $100,000,000. He is letting GM pull up stakes in Oshawa without a fight. Now he's messing with transit and land use planning (taking over the Toronto Transit Commission, weakening the Greenbelt). He could kill the golden goose if he isn't careful. Yes Wynne and the Liberals were too activist, but they were careful planners, adding higher learning infrastructure, scrapping coal generation, preparing Ontario for the new high tech green economy by building a cap and trade partnership with Quebec and California. Ford is being ham fisted. It seems like we've got too many dinosaurs in charge. I'd include Trump in that with his steel and aluminum tariffs that are hurting the auto industry. Trudeau is also wasting what's left of his political capital by grandstanding about leftist values and funding his pet projects on the backs of Canadians. We need smart managers in charge. There's nothing wrong with controlled immigration. I'm not sure Trudeau has thought through the costs or impacts of his policies on immigration. The problem for Canada, as always, is that it's hard for us to maintain progressive policies on climate, refugees, or much else if our southern neighbor isn't willing to pay the same price. The US is accepting far fewer refugees than Canada and it is pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement. When Canada has to bare these costs on its own, the playing field is no longer balanced.

No they’re they’re closely connected. Greenhouse gas regulations shape production.

Yes but your gas prices are less than half of France’s.

I think once governments in North America started abandoning anti-climate change policies, that signalled government support of low tech guzzlers and the old economy. Those aren’t the products advanced economies will be demanding. Why not be ready with the government policies and products when the emission cutting starts? Because it will. The longer we wait the more drastic the cuts.

We love having the latest and greatest tech and being at the cutting edge, as long as we have the wages to buy the tech and feel like we’re participating in the new economy. I think many of us on here are the lucky ones. Sure , call it earned by hard work rather than being born into privilege, whatever makes you feel warm and fuzzy about your place in the world. I still don’t know how we’re going to manage all these underemployed men in the future. I guess they’ll join alt right white supremicist groups, go on opioids, enter prisons, or some combination of the three. This epidemic is breaking states like West Virgina and areas like Vancouver’s Hastings East Side. Yes we love the advantages of automation and the share economy — AirBnb, home swaps, Uber/Lyft, etc. — despite the displacement of old economy taxi drivers, hoteliers, and so forth. It’s the idea of millions of people with low prospects that should concern governments. What real estate will they be able to afford? Who will want to hitch their train to this wreck in the hope of having a “family”? Not much of an American Dream. Also, some of this new tech sounds very gimicky and irritating. Not sure I’ll ever want to be picked up for work by a driverless electric fleet and share the ride with other shlubs. Sounds a bit dystopian and, dare I say, communist?

I don't deny for a second that these capable engineers worked hard to get where they are and have earned their place. My point is that engineers and computer techs represent a small segment of the population. What about everyone else? Basically if you're not highly skilled/educated in this brave new world, good luck.

We have many non-unionized auto workers. We've discussed Canadian auto parts/car maker Magna. Stop being a troll. I could say the same for all of the Magna jobs in the US and all foreign car companies that employ Americans, "Shut it all down if they want." Stop being a troll. You're mean spirited.

Gives you a sense of the scale of the loss: https://goo.gl/images/iDEzeD

It’s a silly game you’re playing. Whether or not you have more plants proportionally than Canada I don’t know. Salvage what you can.

If it happens, the US won’t be left out. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of suffering to go round. You’re gonna luv it!

Our system didn’t exist when the US was formed. We had parliaments, yes, but the system changed a lot under Confederation.

Very true. Borrowed money to pay for tax cuts will create massive deficits that everyone gets to pay off.

Yup, and you’ve got to love their politicized court system where justice can be bought.

That’s nice.