Canadians Condemned Bush Jr's America; So Why Do We Want Bush Jr's U.S. Here?

I came across this article in the Globe and Mail a few days ago and surprisingly, this author wrote exactly what I had been noticing as of late: More and more Canadians have swung to the Right. Not just right of Centre: Old progressive Conservative Right; but extreme right. War mongering right. Capitalist Greed Right. Far less compassionate, more self-centered. Also very self-contradictory.


This has been proven over the past decade. I'm not even sure Children are being taught to share  anymore. 


They bitch about paying taxes for social programs and other things to ease poverty either in Canada or internationally, they bitch about paying more tax to help environment, they were happy not to pay taxes for programs like the Court Challenges Program. Yet, they have no problem supporting corporate welfare, that trillions upon trillion dollar war in Afghanistan, Porky Puffy Duffy's expense account which in three months, exceeds that of an annual salary of most Canadians, and of course, the conservative court cases subsidized by the Canadian Constitution Foundation.


Any explanation for this?


Attitudes Toward Poverty


Most no longer care about helping their fellow man, Kathy Shaidle even comes straight out to say that she hates the poor and we should do nothing to help them. Repugnant? Absolutely, but, to her credit, at least she comes out to admit this. No doubt, most conservative Canadians share this attitude towards the poor today but instead of admitting this, they skirt around the issue trying to dismiss the so called looney left. 


One example of Canadians now really wanting to distance themselves from the poor is employment. I have noticed that if an employer finds out a candidate has drawn welfare in their lives, their application is treated like that of an ex-convict and thus never hire such people.


Donations to charities like food banks and others helping poor families  or various shelters have gone down over the years. We can blame the recession all we like, but that trend started before the recession.


I have heard some of the right winged pundits in the blogosphere from both the U.S. and Canada say they know poor families who don't want any help; that they're too proud. This, of course is a cop out and something they tell themselves so they can let themselves off easy without guilt. I don't doubt that these 'proud' families exist, but every one needs a hand up once in awhile to move up somehow.


It would seem that the only thing most Canadians care about now is the free markets and paying way fewer taxes. To have less government, they don't seem to ming the cut backs or all out elimination of government services with perhaps the exception of health care. 


While most still want to maintain our single payer health care system, more Canadians, particularly those where the most health care cut backs took place like Alberta, B.C. and Ontario are bitching more and more about single payer and are starting to long for private for profit even if (and it does, due to NAFTA) means the American Health care system.


War in Afghanistan


Our military had been known as peace keepers who help with rebuilding war torn nations. This, of course, is no longer the case since Afghanistan. Canadians don't seem to mind. In fact, they think we're just not militant enough. 


When Chretien refused to allow Georgie drag us into Iraq, Stevie was disappointed (yah, so was Iggy, but he wasn't even a player at the time, and he is right of centre; even more right leaning than Paul Martin). I remembered the opinion pieces and letters to the editor back then: many were disappointed about us not showing solidarity with our 'friends' the U.S. 


We hear of Afghan prisoners of war being tortured and in some respects, the Geneva Conventions not being respected. Not only do most Canadians not seem to care, but they go in so far as to say they deserve to be tortured.


When  we heard that Afghan prisoners were going to potentially receive the H1N1 vaccines, again, we heard outrage to the point where Agluquack ranted about not knowing how this happened and that they would not get it. Again, breaking the rules of the Geneva Conventions. P.O.W. s are supposed to have health care.


H1N1 Crisis


Speaking of H1N1, this last crisis perfectly illustrated how Canadians were being self-centered. They were queue jumping.  A lot  even went in so far as to whine about the homeless population or the prisoners getting their vaccines earlier than most. A lot even bitched about anyone getting that vaccine before they did. 




Gun Control


The Long Gun Registry is all but scrapped and most are thrilled about it. Nobody seems to care that this is leading down the path to no gun control whatsoever. I was talking with someone recently who flat out told me everybody should be allowed to tote a gun on the streets just like in the U.S. His co workers agreed whole heartedly. I have even seen comment boards on various pages posting about the subject reflect as much.


Immigration and Bigotry


Well, it seems most are in favor of Jason Kenney's new citizenship handbook illustrating basically that a good Canadian citizen is a war mongering, gun loving, WASPy who votes Conservative.


In the past,  we welcomed Vietnam draft dodgers with open arms. We sympathized with their plight. 


Now, we don't want to take in anybody escaping the wars, including the illegal war in Iraq. Most seem to be hell bent on sending Pte Bethany Smith back to the U.S. in spite of knowing what her fate would be should she return. 


Also, let's not forget how many oh so many Canadians were celebrating the victory of Marc Lemire, the holocaust denying, homophobic  white supremacist who won his right to say whatever the hell he liked even though the things he says are just what incites violent acts like defacing synagogues, gay bashing, and other violent acts. I remembered that being a dark day for me. I couldn't believe that Canadians were so festive on those comment boards. I honestly thought I had stumbled into Klu Klux Klan Territory.


Environment


Stevie and Prentice clearly don't care about the environment. Stevie's ol' wait and see if other countries will partake and the fact that he was a no show at U.N. climate talks reflects this much. Stevie has basically said that the Kyoto accord was a socialist scheme to suck money out of wealthy nations. Nowadays, he and Prentice think it's more important to protect the tar sands in Alberta. Another example of how the west, mainly Alberta are all that count for Stevie.


I have observed from most Canadians that they don't believe in Global warming any more the way they used to. They wish to do nothing to help the environment, thus, they don't think our gov't. should neither. Instead, they want to continue driving their big-assed  gas guzzlers, not recycle, not choose more environmentally friendly products. Remember how all whined when a carbon tax was proposed before the 2008 election by Stephane Dion?


As much as this disheartens me, the reason behind the lack of concern for the environment is because of making changes to help the planet are just too much work for most. Al Gore's movie did indeed have the most appropriate title. The truth about the environment is inconvenient due to the work and concessions everyone would have to make.


Media


Most of mainstream media is right leaning and very Harpercon friendly: Asper papers, Globe and Mail, Maclean's magazine, Astral Media Talk/News Radio Stations and their hosts and of course, CTV. It seems the only remotely progressive media outlets in Canada would be the Toronto Star and that's starting to be right leaning with the likes of Chantal Hebert and  a few others. The other would be the CBC but that is struggling due to lack of funds: Cuts by Stevie and the Harpercons. Even the CBC is widely read by the Right: just look at their comment boards.


Self Contradictory Conservative Canadians


As that Globe and Mail article pointed out: most Canadians loathed Georgie and were glad to see him go. Most loved Obama. That may have been true once upon a time, but not as much today.


Do most Canadians dislike Georgie as much as they said they did? I'm not so sure about that.  Why are Stevie's numbers within majority range? Clearly, he aspires to Georgie's America for Canada. His video behind closed doors in front of his Harpercons in Sault Ste Marie last September proved as much. it is a reminder (or at least, it should be) that Stevie has not really centered himself in any which way.

"America, and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world," - a speech Stephen Harper made eight years ago to a conservative American think-tank. 

Here is where a lot of Conservative pundits, journalists and bloggers are self contradictory: they all say that Iggy is American and has no understanding of Canadian values or of Canada as a whole. While this may well be true, most of these same people are failing to discuss or mention Stevie's love for all things Bush era conservative. None even mention Stevie's obvious disdain for Canada (or their own for that matter). This piece from Buckdog illustrates Stevie's feelings of hate for Canada and love for Georgie's America very well.


Why the self contradiction? Is the real reason they criticize Iggy for being Americanized is jealousy? We know Stevie is an American wannabe. How about his supporters? Do they really believe that Stevie represents Canadian values? Or do they know we're going toward a Bush Era American way of doing things and this is exactly what they want but don't talk about it?


Most of these Canadian Conservatives are even cheering for Sawah for Pres in 2012 and criticize everything Obama does or doesn't do.


There are even Canadian Birthers; Followers and supporters of Orly Taitz.  I can introduce you to one of them. I'm ashamed to say I have known such an individual since childhood. 


They even overuse and misuse the the word Socialism the way the Americans neo-cons do. One of my neighbours has those American pictures of that 'socialist clown' in joker make up' in their window. Scares the hell out of me when I pass that house.


Why?


While the U.S. is trying to move forward, somehow trying to claw its' way out of the mess Georgie and Dickie left; that train wreck that pretty much cynched the recession, Stevie seems to be hell bent on driving Canada toward a Georgie and Dickie style of America here in Canada.


Clearly, over time, it has been proven that this type of Capitalist greed, deregulation and Free market system have proven to not work. It didn't work in Margaret Thatcher's Great Britain (especially not in the 80s) neither did Reaganomics.  The deregulation of Wall Street proved to be a failure. Finally, it took Georgie and Dickie to hammer the final nail on the global economic coffin. 


Nevertheless, folks are still hell bent on having that same system here in Canada and somehow think it will work. 


Why would this be? 


Globe and Mail Article Possible Explanations for Trend


The article does suggest a reason among others for Stevie's popularity is that while the Right winged parties merged, there are too many parties left of Center (article included the Green party, although, I would hardly call Elizabeth May Left winged). The left is too fractured. Even this author of a right leaning newspaper remotely hints at a merger of the parties left of center. I always thought that was a good idea and I still do. Strength in numbers.


However, I don't believe that's the main reason for Stevie's numbers remaining within grasp at a majority in the next general election. 


A lot of the Progressive bloggers might disagree with me on this, but I really do think Canadians are more ultra right winged conservative, just like our Tea-bagging neighbours.


I guess the only way to really find out if more Canadians are neo-cons than not would be to merge the parties left of center before the next general election.


Can this trend end? Can we go back to being Canadians? The type of society that distinguished us from the American Neo-cons once upon a time?

 

Iggy Not Only Needs to Take Risks: He Needs to Play the Hero

Well, it seems that Stevie and Iggy are listening to their advisors and image consultants by actually letting loose and getting more contact with the Canadian voters. Granted, their actions as of late are nothing more than photo-ops to make them seem more human.


Stevie lip synchs and plays a mechanical piano and jams with Yo Yo Ma and spent Sunday, the day before Thanksgiving playing cribbage with residents of a seniors' home in his riding of Calgary (where else would he be? Quebec??). Hell, Thanksgiving even made ol' Stevie say something charitable: 
"He suggested volunteering to serve meals, donating to a food bank or visiting with people who might otherwise spend the holiday alone." 


Yikes! Even Maclean's is also feeling charitable: I'm surprised they would even publish such a thing. Or maybe, they all got their hands on some ganja.


Iggy and his wife outdo ol' Stevie and go slumming at a soup kitchen in Ottawa. Like Stevie, his motives were probably not that altruistic neither.  Something to help him debunk the myths that he is too high on his pedestal; not in touch with ordinary Canadians. That said, I have to hand it him: ol' Stevie would never be caught dead on the wrong side of town. Iggy at least showed that he was not afraid to spend Thanksgiving with the downtrodden and disenfranchised. I honestly hope to see him having more community involvement.


However, if Iggy really wants to play the hero, there's a very easy way for him to do so. I have said this before in my posting, Harper: Time to Fess Up..... I urge you to read this posting if you  haven't already. It proves how much ol' Stevie hates our health care system and therefore won't stand up to the U.S. and help debunk some myths. There are also plenty of links to where those quotes came from. It also serves as a warning. Iggy can score big points if he comes up with a real plan to help improve our existing health care system and protect it from any further privatization.


Our universal health care system is at risk. Do not be fooled. Shona Holmes with the help of CCF, is trying to dismantle it; she has never made a secret of envying the U.S. health care system, neither has John Carpay, the executive director of CCF. He is also a former member of Reform; Stevie's old party.


There is a law suit before arbitrators at NAFTA brought forth in the summer of 2008. Alison of The Galloping Beaver wrote about the Melvin J Howard and Centurion v The Government of Canada last year. In short, Howard wanted to build a private for profit super hospital in B.C. in 2003. B.C. basically said no, due to (very weak) protections of our universal health care. Except, in recent years, more and more private for profit facilities are popping up across Canada and as Canada flirts with two-tiered health care, Howard claims that in preventing him from building his super hospital, we were infringing on Chapter 11 of NAFTA. Read The Galloping Beaver posting for more details.


The last three presidents, including the present one, of the Canadian Medical Association are fighting for privatized health care. They claim we can't do anything about our universal health care. What B.S.! They're viewing the aging baby boomer population as a potential cash cow.


I have only illustrated a few threats to our health care system. Of course, there are conservative nay-sayers who are going to use the health care scandals in Ontario to lobby for privatized health care.


As I mentioned in  Harper: Time to Fess Up...., one thing most Canadians, be they on the left, Center and yes, the right; agree on is the need to keep universal health care; that health care is something every human should have access to. A system which bases its' priorities on urgency and not socio-economic class or pre-existing condition like in the U.S.


All this to say that Iggy could score those big points if he fights for our health care; even speak up for it state side. Attempt to improve upon it without more private for profit services than there already are. 


More importantly, when debating ol' Stevie, corner him into admitting what he really thinks about our health care system. Remind him of his good ol' days of Reform, as Pres of National Citizens' Coalition and in Canadian Alliance Party.


C'mon Iggy, are you game?

Iggy Sinking the Ship: Harpercons Winning Without Much Effort: What are Canadians willing to Sacrifice to Avoid going to Polls?

Let's revisit a question I asked in Canadian Political Parties-One Unhappy Disfunctional Family shall we?

"Harpercons are poised to  gain a majority government if an election were held today. What's funnier is I'm not really sure why. Is it because Canadians are really becoming more Libertarian; more attracted to the GOP way of life? Or is it because the Liberals are soooo disfunctional with an unsuitable leader?  Or perhaps whiny Canadian voters are just soooo tired of going to the polls that they would jump in with both feet first & vote Harpercons in because they have the best shot at a majority, which is something most Canadians seem to want; nothing to do with what Harpercons would do or not do"

I also invite you to answer the poll question on the side bar. I, for one, would be very interested in this result. 

Montreal Simon is frustrated with this week's developments in politics & his frustrations are shared by most & rightfully so. Click on the link to read his posting. Between the Harpercon numbers going up, jeers for Layton & the N.D.P. for supporting the Harpercons & the temper tantrum of Denis Coderre, the situation is indeed a frightening one. 

Furthermore, the ads of Iggy in the woods & everything else he has tried is failing miserably. The fact that he distanced himself from that Christmas Coalition failed as well. 

The only good strategic decision he made was overriding Denis Coderre earlier this week about the riding of Outremont & we owe a thanks to the latest candidate to throw her hat into the Quebec Federal Liberal ring by telling Iggy she would prefer to run in Jeanne Le Ber & to allow the Outremont nomination to go to Martin Cauchon who held Outremont for eleven years before resigning. However, that seemed to also backfire given the hissy-fit Coderre had, resigning his post in a huff. While I don't agree with how Coderre handled himself, I think Iggy threatening sanctions like throwing him out of caucus would be a huge blunder. However, it looks like Coderre & Iggy may reach some kind of understanding.

Harper's MIA from the UN climate talks & UN speeches proved what Iggy said about Canada losing its' place on the world stage, but that doesn't seem to work neither.

Montreal Simon seems to believe that Iggy is just plugging way too fast instead of stepping back to correct some of the problems within the Liberals. Here his a cartoon by André-Philippe Coté of Le Soleil which was posted on Montreal Simon today.  Simon  translated the caption to English: 

Besides the fact that Iggy is the biggest problem with the Liberal party is Iggy himself, why are his efforts failing so miserably? This is two leaders in a row who will never ever be prime-minister. The fact that Dion, being from the Chretien faction & a French speaking Quebecer, usually a winner failed. This is where I wonder if any leader of the Liberal Party can win. If so, they'd better return with someone from the old Chretien/Trudeau Camp. 

Also, Jack Layton should be thanked for saving us from a Harpercon majority & not chastised. Let's appreciate this for now because we don't know how much longer Layton & the N.D.P. can keep propping ol' Stevie up.

It's about time the Liberals & the N.D.P.  merged. I think that this is the only way to keep Harpercons out. After all, it is thanks to the CA & PC merge that Ol' Stevie is in power today. A merger would also avoid the problem of a coalition which a lot of Canadians seem to whine about.

A Creative Revolution has done more than a good job of reminding Canadians who the Harpercon clan really is and answer the question some Canadians have: What more Harper can do if had a majority? Below is a video produced  by A Creative Revolution summarizing what Harpercons have done & who his merry band of disciples are. Really worth a view & the music so fitting especially with that Halloween-ish tone.

What is really frustrating is Ol' Stevie is fairing quite well in the polls these days. Apparently, recent events have not moved Canadian voters.  His video behind closed doors & his No-show at the UN climate talks in favour of lunch with Mayor Bloomberg & skipping the UN speeches in favour of donuts at Timmy's doesn't seem to appall Canadians. 

Then there are commentators from various newspages who actually suggest that we suck up a Harper con majority for four years, thus giving the Liberals ample time to get their shit together to win the next election. Well, read the following links & list below: Take a good look at what Ol' Stevie & his Harpercons can accomplish in four years:  Is this what we really want?

Read more extensively what a Harpercon majority would accomplish here.
If anyone needs a refresher course of ol' Stevie's fantasies; here are some quotes from & about him.  Want to know how many "friends" he dumped? A long-due trip down memory lane, perhaps?  How his true blue colours come creeping out? Read all about that here.


Canadians who would vote in Harpercons: I suggest strongly that you read the above links & view the above video before signing Canada away to this neo-con. Especially to Centrists, I'm sure you would really not like  what a Harpercon majority would do. 


Here are just some highlights of what would be sure to happen: 

1. A two-tiered American Health care system mirroring exactly that of the American nightmare of a system.
2. Abortion will be criminalized.
3. Deep cuts in Gov't. services
4. That new temporary EI bill will go out the window & I venture to say we will no longer have EI
5. Fewer transfers to the Provinces (except for Alberta of course)
6. Our same-sex marriage legislation reversed
7. More Corporate Tax cuts on the backs of the Canadian working class.
8. No more Canada Pension Plan & Old Age Pension
9. The war in Afghanistan will probably be prolonged. 

Harper chastises Quebec 'separatists'. Perhaps we all need reminding about a letter he wrote during his hay day as President of the National Citizens' Coalition, suggesting Alberta build a firewall around itself.  If ol' Stevie gets that majority, he will no doubt revisit this issue.


You can also read my previous postings about Ol' Stevie to get some quotes.


Many of us probably wish there was a way for the Liberals to oust Iggy now, without a federal election & there probably is a way, but that has problems: 

1. If Iggy is ousted, this would be a perfect time for ol' Stevie to trigger an election & a Harpercon majority would be certain.
2. Who would & could lead the Liberals this time? And not another care-taker; someone who can actually win a Liberal Majority? Not Bob Rae: Gilles  Duceppe, as well as Harpercons would capitalize on his transgressions in Ontario way back when. Also, has Ontario, a battleground province, forgiven Rae? 

Unfortunately, we'll have to stick with Iggy for awhile longer & hopefully he can get some new PR people to sell his package better. Best case scenario: "I will say it again! Iggy & Jack: stop fighting &amp start playing nicely! Merge already!"


Is it really worth living living in a Canada we no longer recognize to save a little trip to the polling station on the way home from work??

Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Harper

In recent years, many talk show hosts on the radio & on tv as well as regular Canadians haven't been able to tell the difference between the Liberals & the Conservatives. Many seem to forget the real Stephen Harper in his hay day of  Reform Party, the National Citizens' Coalition & the Canadian Alliance party. The video below is a reminder of who this fat cat really is. it also refreshes our memory as to the difference between the Liberals & Conservatives. Am I glad this came down when it did!!


Granted, there appears to be some censoring here but given that this speech was given behind closed doors to other Conservatives, my guess is there is more interesting stuff. Hey, Mr. Ezra "Free-Speech" Levant! How about working for the voters & getting out that complete video??






This is the Stephen Harper I know & fear!


He criticizes Iggy for living in the U.S. for so long that he was out of touch with Canada & its' values?


"Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it. Canadians make no connection between the fact that they are a Northern European welfare state and the fact that we have very low economic growth, a standard of living substantially lower than yours, a massive brain drain of young professionals to your country, and double the unemployment rate of the United States." 

And how about this one? 

"[Y]our country [the USA], and particularly your conservative movement, is a light and an inspiration to people in this country and across the world."

No, this is not Iggy talkin' that American talk; this is Georgie's little buddy, Stevie. He even talks of finally scrapping the National Gun Registry & I venture to guess he envies the American Town Hall meetings with gun toters. 


Talk about hypocrisy! He instills fear about appointing left-winged idealogues to the Supreme Court. How about filling those senate seats with Conservatives, including a functionally illiterate hockey coach no less? He is so proud of scrapping the Court Challenges Program because the tax payers shouldn't pay for these legal costs? No, but we should pay taxes for the Canadian Constitution Foundation, shouldn't we, Stevie?

Here are more reminders of Harper's Republican style ideals.  He even uses the word 'socialism' as if it were such a dirty little word. Given a majority, I wouldn't be surprised if he had Canada become the 51st state of the union.


In my previous blog, ....And let the Insanity Begin!, where I asked if Harper really didn't want a fall election or if he was just playing up to the Canadian voters, I think that video pretty much answers my question; he looks & sounds like he is salivating at the idea of a fall election & I even venture to say that he's probably relieved Iggy took off the gloves.


In spite of this video reincarnating the true Stephen Harper of days' past, I'm wonder if it will be enough for him to lose? Are there enough so-called moderate conservatives & centrists in Canada, namely in Ontario or anywhere else to be turned off by his GOP ideologies? 


As for Iggy, well, we may not know what his policies are regarding the environment, health care, the economy, job creation & other issues important to Canadians, but we do know where Stevie's policies are. I think we can all agree Iggy wouldn't implement any of that Republican type conservatism. I will vote for Iggy for the same reason I voted for Paul Martin when he ran against Harper; he's the lesser of the two evils & unfortunately, the New Democrats will never get into power. I only hope that those voters straddling the fence will use the same reasoning as myself.


I do agree with Harper on one thing though: if he don't get that majority, he's out the door! And please, DO let the door hit him on the way out!!

 "Twins"