Zeitgeist

Government in Canada must be drastically shrunk. Bill C-11 is another means by which government can force-feed content on Canadians. This “protecting and supporting Canadian culture” is about top-down control of what people can read/watch. It constitutes government-approved content. The gate-keeping in Canada has to stop. I wonder how many billions could be saved and how much our taxes could be reduced by restricting our government’s powers. What do we need from them? Military, passports, ports, airports, some of Canada Post’s work, and Indigenous health and education (and benefits). Scrap just about everything else our federal government creeps into. These are morally dubious people who want to dictate how Canadians think and live. Defund the CBC and CRTC, and ban government funding of media (a conflict of interest that compromises the idea of a free press).

Good point

One thing I don’t like is when people say that others are racist and expect that this character judgment should be taken on faith by others. I need clear examples of the racist behaviour (with context provided) before I’ll accept such characterizations. Let me judge for myself. What did the German MP do or say that was racist? Not wanting immigration from certain parts of the world isn’t necessarily racist if the prevalent cultural values in such places run counter to liberal-democratic values. We do this all the time when we require visas from certain countries. In an ideal world people are ascertained as individuals, but immigration authorities don’t have the human resources to get that granular. Think about how sanctions against countries are similar blunt instruments that can hurt regular citizens, yet we maintain sanctions against countries like Iran and Russia.

Those categories are basically meaningless now. My main concern is protecting our freedoms and democracy. The Liberals have failed miserably in that. I’m not sure the Conservatives would do much better. They do poorly in Ontario, drinking the same EDI and suspension of rights to “keep us safe” nonsense. Trudeau has taken a sledgehammer to Canada, however. A comatose leader would’ve done less damage than Trudeau.

No. You speak as though the Liberal Party of Canada is currently on the same moral ground as the Conservative Party. It isn’t. It’s not even about liberal versus conservative because the Liberals are no longer truly liberal and the Conservatives are barely conservative. The Liberals are anti-democratic and unaccountable elites. They are the establishment that hides behind woke-green rhetoric. They don’t stand up for workers or the middle class or families. They’re about increasing their own power by using taxpayer money to buy votes. They’re destroying Canada with their overreach and phoney rhetoric. They’re dishonest and unethical. Trudeau has divided the country and sold out our democracy to foreign powers such as China and the UN. Canada is broken mainly because of this current federal government.

No it’s a fact.

“At best”? Very much your opinion inserted there. The use of the Emergencies Act and the treatment of protesters have totally stripped Trudeau of respect and credibility for millions of Canadians. It’s far more significant than you seem to think.

Who are you to decide anything for anyone? Earlier you claimed to speak for the American people. Eat some humble pie, listen more, learn more, and try again.

That’s the main problem: Both Russia and NATO/EU are manipulating Ukraine’s domestic affairs, so it’s disingenuous for us to say Ukrainians must decide Ukraine’s affairs and Russia must bud out when we’re doing similar things. The “Ukraine joining NATO” carrot is provocative of Russia, which might be fine if this was just about keeping Russia out of Ukraine, but NATO membership actually triggers our immediate declaration of war against Russia. Again, let the occupied territories have referendums observed by multiple parties. Keep the matter of joining alliances out of the discussion until the people in the regions of Ukraine decide their fate. We may see new borders as a result of referendums, which is fine as long as the decisions are made democratically by Ukrainians.

I think it depends. If the Canadian federal government allowed or encouraged a foreign takeover of Canada by, for example, China, that wouldn’t be okay with the Canadian public. Wouldn’t it be important for NATO to ensure that such an undermining of the sovereignty of a NATO member be prevented? I find it interesting that Trudeau is so soft on China yet claims to be a defender of democracy in Ukraine. Proxy war in Ukraine seems like a convenient distraction from Canadian domestic issues.

I haven’t lied about what I’ve done. I have nothing to prove. I would worry about your level of debate, however. I’m not sure you’re the sharpest knife in the drawer. It always comes down to your power of argument and ability to support your position with evidence. Right now you’re batting about .200. Now that you’ve pumped yourself up as some kind of political savant, we’ll all be watching your commentary closely and critically. No pressure.

This sad attack on free speech is an attack on democracy itself. Fundamental to democracy is the edict: ”I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire (Arouet)

In the end Canada has to sell itself as British North America, literally Britain in North America. The French are also British. Same group.

It’s more complicated than that. There are millions of ethnic Russians in Ukraine. Eastern Ukraine was called NovoRossia from the time of Catherine the Great. The Crimea used to be part of Russia. Would the US be okay with Nova Scotia becoming a Chinese or Russian protectorate? Look, Ukraine for Ukrainians. Let regional referendums decide in the east.

They’re invited now. Imagine how the US would feel about Canada becoming a military and security extension of China. Oh wait…

I disagree and agree. I agree on Saudi Arabia, though it was in our interests in terms of oil prices AND dollarization (since it appears the Saudis are poised to switch over to the Yuan). I disagree on Iran, as Trump kept Iran somewhat in check by cutting off their finances. The reality is that Putin didn’t invade Ukraine on Trump’s watch, nor did this provocation of Russia by inviting Ukraine into NATO happen under Trump. Biden thinks it’s 1980 and he’s going “toe to toe with Putin”. Has Biden met with Putin once since becoming President? The military industrial complex and disaster capitalists are thriving under Biden.

There was much to criticize about Trump and I thought Biden would be better. I was wrong on Biden. Trump kept the West out of wars and made it clear that American values would be protected even if it meant risking the left’s favourite dismissal tactic: “You’re a racist.” Any national leader who attempts to protect domestic cultural values and security from harmful outside influences risks being accused of racism and xenophobia, but basic psychology and biology tells us it’s in our survival interests to be careful about protecting our families, communities, cultures and economic interests. Now Biden is adopting Trump’s border policies. Biden is a professional politician who panders to both his established base and the radical elements in his party. Who knows where he really stands on any issues? At least Trump says what he means and isn’t afraid of the woke mob or taking criticism from his party.

I like your humility.

I disagree. Harper was criticized for being too hard on China and limiting trade opportunities (which of course were far more about importing Chinese goods than exporting Canadian ones). Seriously Hardner, are you on the Liberal payroll? This is a serious question. A simple yes or no please.

Fast forward to the second on drag queen children’s reading hour to see another example of totalitarianism and sexualization of children in Canada:

Well yes and there are deals set up between bands and companies that aren’t shared with the public. Look, there’s money in Indigenous status. There will never be enough payouts and the narrative is that Indigenous got the short end of the stick on treaty deals, which I’m sure happened. The question is, What’s the statute of limitations on such agreements? Are taxpayers simply on the hook for the healthcare, education, and infrastructure for Indigenous forever? It’s not like most Indigenous are living off the land and detached from modern technology. We hear about ground radar and see pylons representing possible graves by residential schools, and though no bodies are exhumed and no epidemiology testing is done to figure out cause of death, the stories are dark and point to injustice. Even if almost every child death was the result of disease, there’s enough abuse and injustice to conclude that things went on that shouldn’t. The story of the Expulsion of the French from Acadia is also quite sad, yet no reparations are sought and most people don’t hold grudges against people alive today who didn’t cause these injuries but have English names. Today’s descendants of Loyalists aren’t trying to reclaim ancestral property in the US. That’s why ultimately the public will move on from old victimhood stories, unless it’s individuals describing specific injustices.

Special status for certain groups locks said groups into 2nd class status (or premium class status depending on what is emphasized). It enshrines favouritism and dependence. It’s apartheid basically. The reality is that you can’t have it both ways: Making your own money, as one should where possible, requires paying one’s own bills and taxes. Depending on others entirely to be taken care of puts someone else in the driver’s seat and makes one feel like a powerless child. Of course. Nevertheless, that’s our reality and Indigenous have to decide to make changes themselves. Many are. If the resources are on reserve territory, it makes sense for Indigenous to work in developing the resources and collecting some of the proceeds from the companies willing to hire and risk investing in those communities, but that also means Indigenous paying taxes for their community upkeep. That’s real self-determination and self-sustainability.

It’s a government that’s been given a free pass on ethics violations and Charter violations because of cronyism on committees and courts yet sicks enforcement on political opponents arbitrarily. The stench is too strong to ignore.

That’s why I’m all about reducing the size and powers of government.

If it’s any consolation, I think Trudeau’s weakness on China is a real and intractable problem for him and his party. Harper was much savvier on China and many issues than I gave home credit for. Intellect and experience matter.