While Evan is focusing on the left, the level of uselessness is even greater on the right in Canada. Right now the CPC is completely addicted to empty and impractical slogans and memes that makes a good portion of the base feel good, but is entirely meaningless. Axing the carbon tax without any plan to reduce emissions, balancing the budget without saying what you would cut (or which tax you would increase), defending imaginary parental rights against imaginary attacks by Trudeau, etc. etc.
And there is probably an even stronger purity test on the right, typically determined by the level of hate thrown in the direction of Trudeau. Just ask John Baird about his introduction of Trudeau at a non partisan conference.
There is right now a wide space in Canada for a political party to occupy the sensible and competent centre. And there is only one party that is able to claim it.
People who think neoliberals are left wing make me laugh. Honestly. Maybe I've lived for too long but there hasn't been a genuinely left wing party since the 1980s.
I disagree. You’re correct that the right is completely addicted to empty slogans and misinformed anger.
But what sets them apart from the left is that they’re serious about it, and expect their officials to be equally serious about it. With tangible, if often terrible, results. Or else. Just look at the fate of the last few Alberta premieres and CPC leaders.
If Trudeau and Singh were as day-to-day afraid for their jobs as Smith and Poilievre are, both of them would have delivered a lot more. And Singh at least would almost certainly have gotten the boot long ago
I guess the difference is between the NDP and CPC is that in the NDP the people with unrealistic demands have not been able to take control of the party. And in the CPC they came close with Bernier, were locked out with O’Toole and took revenge with a complete take-over with Poilievre.
To be successful in politics in this country, you have to be pragmatic, The Liberals are the party of pragmatism, not ideology. That is why they have been so successful at the Federal level. Same with Doug Ford here in Ontario, NDP in BC, etc.
Saying PRIDE has no usefulness and is now a glorified party ignores the very real backlash by the right against LGBTQ rights. If you're not interested in PRIDE, that's perfectly fine but let's not ignore the reality that the right here and in the United States wants gay people suppressed.
Your framing - "Is there anything inherently wrong with a protest movement designed to make people feel better?" - giving the example of the women's movement - completely ignores and trivializes the purpose, the work and the achievements. Feeling better through being unified is a benefit but it's not the reason. Good grief, I can't believe you're this obtuse.
Here in Edmonton PRIDE had such a weak sense of what it was or wanted to be, that when they ran into conflict a few years ago they permanently canceled the event rather than grapple with it.
I don’t think it’s wrong that it’s an event/movement that is struggling with an identity crisis in many places.
While Evan is focusing on the left, the level of uselessness is even greater on the right in Canada. Right now the CPC is completely addicted to empty and impractical slogans and memes that makes a good portion of the base feel good, but is entirely meaningless. Axing the carbon tax without any plan to reduce emissions, balancing the budget without saying what you would cut (or which tax you would increase), defending imaginary parental rights against imaginary attacks by Trudeau, etc. etc.
And there is probably an even stronger purity test on the right, typically determined by the level of hate thrown in the direction of Trudeau. Just ask John Baird about his introduction of Trudeau at a non partisan conference.
There is right now a wide space in Canada for a political party to occupy the sensible and competent centre. And there is only one party that is able to claim it.
People who think neoliberals are left wing make me laugh. Honestly. Maybe I've lived for too long but there hasn't been a genuinely left wing party since the 1980s.
The CPC doesn't have to appeal to everybody to win an election.
I disagree. You’re correct that the right is completely addicted to empty slogans and misinformed anger.
But what sets them apart from the left is that they’re serious about it, and expect their officials to be equally serious about it. With tangible, if often terrible, results. Or else. Just look at the fate of the last few Alberta premieres and CPC leaders.
If Trudeau and Singh were as day-to-day afraid for their jobs as Smith and Poilievre are, both of them would have delivered a lot more. And Singh at least would almost certainly have gotten the boot long ago
I guess the difference is between the NDP and CPC is that in the NDP the people with unrealistic demands have not been able to take control of the party. And in the CPC they came close with Bernier, were locked out with O’Toole and took revenge with a complete take-over with Poilievre.
Evan, a variation on your Steps of Uselessness
1) Be an activist for a cause roughly 15% of the country cares about. Or is even aware of.
2) Run a campaign on only that issue and declare that focusing on any other policies is the same as betraying your cause.
3) Get your 15% of the vote and declare that this is a clear sign that society is actively oppressing your cause.
Ask me if I’ve seen a few progressive campaigns close-up haha
This is excellent. And useful.
To be successful in politics in this country, you have to be pragmatic, The Liberals are the party of pragmatism, not ideology. That is why they have been so successful at the Federal level. Same with Doug Ford here in Ontario, NDP in BC, etc.
Saying PRIDE has no usefulness and is now a glorified party ignores the very real backlash by the right against LGBTQ rights. If you're not interested in PRIDE, that's perfectly fine but let's not ignore the reality that the right here and in the United States wants gay people suppressed.
Your framing - "Is there anything inherently wrong with a protest movement designed to make people feel better?" - giving the example of the women's movement - completely ignores and trivializes the purpose, the work and the achievements. Feeling better through being unified is a benefit but it's not the reason. Good grief, I can't believe you're this obtuse.
Here in Edmonton PRIDE had such a weak sense of what it was or wanted to be, that when they ran into conflict a few years ago they permanently canceled the event rather than grapple with it.
I don’t think it’s wrong that it’s an event/movement that is struggling with an identity crisis in many places.