The Conservative Party of Canada's (CPC) strategy was to divide the people so that CPC and Steven Harper would win the election with very few votes. One wedge issue was security. Security is an easy card to play. You don't have to be too careful with facts or statistics. People are vulnerable when it comes to crime and security. Canada's crime rate has been slowly going down since 1980. However CPC still claimed crime and terrorism were a problem. Solution: We'll make more jails and throw the bums in jail. They came up with one "fact" that "the rate of unreported crime had gone up." How does the rate go up when it's unreported? When it comes to crime there's only so much that can be done. We'll never be without crime.
Criticize the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the referee when it comes to the legality of certain legislation. Bashing the court works to divide people.
Stoking up insecurity and tensions is an extremely negative thing to do. People are set against one another. People separate from one another. Communication doesn't take place and they are easier prey for security fears. Energy is wasted by conflict. Groups of people begin to dislike each other and fear others. Take any group: refugees, Muslims, colors, languages. They're fair game for the security card.
Thinking leaders should attempt to gain power from a unity standpoint. There is power in uniting. There is positivity in unity. Once elected these parties have a better chance of governing rather than continuing to stoke the security fires. Groups have to be brought together.
We have to learn that we must compromise. It's impossible for the complete accommodation of all points of view. The government has to work at communication to help put policies into effect that will be best for the society
The Government elected in Canada is far from perfect. They will not solve all our problems. They will make mistakes. We have to pick the best of the bunch and run with it.
I dislike conflict. I dislike fighting. I'm ok with good discussion.
So let's look for politicians who will try their best to work for all of us.
Having had brought down the previous government and feeling all the better for it, I hope our American neighbours choose the better angels of their nature than the rantings of a bigoted self absorbed thin skinned egomaniac.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right William. There's no way they should vote for Tony the Kellogs' Frosties tiger.
DeleteAmen to that! True leaders should help people find their common humanity and shared interests, and moderate disputes that arise from differences. Shutting the door on one group of people or another, whether for reasons of security or jobs or whatever, is divisive and discriminatory. (As Sting sang, "The Russians love their children too!")
ReplyDeleteHumanity is basic. we lose sight of that and there's nothing left.
DeleteI like the photo much better then politics Red!!such a nice place :))))
ReplyDeleteIt's a place where kids have been playing in the snow.
DeleteHow's Young Trudeau doing? When I have seen him speaking on TV he seems to weigh every word and has an honest, caring and intelligent demeanour... but he might be fooling me.
ReplyDeleteI think he's for real. He may be overly ambitious and not be able to do what he want.
DeleteA good politician seems hard to find. i have been pushed away too many times by untruths.
ReplyDeletePreying on fears is the way many politicians gain followers. When the fears are magnified, all logic is thrown out the window, which brings about bad decisions, behaviours and knee jerk reactions. I'm so glad Canadians tossed out the previous government that attempted to divide us. Yes, there is no perfect government, but the one we have now is trying to bring us all together as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI like the point you make about logic being thrown out the window.
DeleteOur political system is a mess.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad and yet people are frantically looking for answers.
DeleteThis should be mandatory reading for all campaigners. If only candidates didn't become deaf to their own better instincts in their single-minded efforts to get elected.
ReplyDeleteYour key point is that these people only think of being reelected.
DeleteRight-wingers can be extremely annoying when they're in opposition. Like a whiny little child who got time-out and doesn't understand why.
ReplyDeleteI heard a news interview of the Americans being asked. From a reporter. If Trump gets elected. What will you do. They said move to Canada.
ReplyDeleteI mean we are having immigrants more then enough come. They never thought it out as we have not enough combinations to put them up. Some live in Hotels and that has been hard. Can you imagine coming to a Hotel and see the lobby full of kids running around most of the days. They are welcome the Americans we like them. Job opportunities is nil. They need to watch our news the Americans more carefully. How so many places are letting employees go in Canada. High rise of houses, places to rent. Our dollar is down. A food they are getting second had fruit in as the stores cannot afford the expensive quality.
I am glad I do not have to make a vote for American President's. The way they all hackle in debates. They all use the same edged sword of mouth. Like children in a school yard fighting over something.
Canada and the U.S are two of the best countries in the world. People whine about small things rather than contributing to the good. Americans may say they'd move to Canada but they won't...not even my american daughter would move here because of Trump.
DeleteSomeone once said politics was the art of the possible, yet too many politicians refuse the one tool that makes things possible--compromise.
ReplyDeleteOoh, this is a great comment.
DeleteDid you hear my loud "Amen" all the way into Canada? I hope we will also listen to the angels of our better nature, too. Or I'm a-comin' to Canada. :-)
ReplyDeleteI hear many Americans with your point of view and they are concerned. However , a Trump supporter did comment on this blog and she was not happy with me. It's concerning that some people get things so horribly wrong. The conspiracy theory that Obama was not born here baffles my mind.
DeleteI feel far better about our current government than our previous one. And that doesn't even come close to what might happen in the US.
ReplyDeleteBut on the plus side, it would bring Djan here! ;)
i am truly sick and tired of the backbiting and vulgarity. This school yard bullying behavior is dreadful. And to think we have to hear this right up until the elections. Everyone I talk to is not impressed and ticked off to the point that they are beginning to tune out.
ReplyDeleteWe sure are getting a WHOLE LOT of negativity and nastiness down here in our political campaigning right now. The Republicans are saying they're going to make our country great again since it's been brought down by Obama. Helllloooo... where were they 8 years ago? Haven't they forgotten where the Republicans got us with George Bush?
ReplyDeleteJust caught up reading all the way back to your Trump post, and enjoyed them all. I am terribly afraid for this country and what could happen. I mean, are these all we have to choose from! Sure enjoyed reading about your first year of teaching and seeing the pictures.
ReplyDeleteTerrorism, racial discrimination, scare tactics and power were right up Stephen Harper's category. Finally, the oppressor is gone and young Mr. Trudeau has won and is left to clean up the dirt left behind. I cannot talk politics today. I just got off the beach and I am happy. Nice Post Red.
ReplyDeleteSadly this is an all to familiar subject on this side of the border this election year...:(
ReplyDeleteI have to ditto troutbirders comment (just above). So true!
ReplyDelete