Democracy dies in darkness
There is something seriously wrong with the way the Canadian electorate has been informed this election. It appears people are more undecided than in previous elections. They complain about confusion and party negativity. Social media is spreading disinformation unchecked, people don’t know whom to believe and there isn’t a single issue to wrap this election around — for voters to coalesce on. Media chases all ages and stages of Canadians and asks them to drop their issues into the forum. Clearly the issues I’ve been hearing about over and over again are: getting a leg up to a more affordable life and concerns for the environment. Why were we not able to land on these two issues?
Canadian political pundits claim voters dislike our party leaders and are being forced to vote “holding their respective noses”. If you listen to them, our election vaguely resembles the 2016 election in the United States where Americans were asked to pick between two leaders they also disliked. How did that turn out? I wonder how many Americans would gladly turn the clock back on what they chose?
Why did people discredit Hilary then, and why do people discredit Trudeau now? Bots, bots, bots. For your entertainment, you might want to read: “Dark Money in Conservative Politics: The Shadowy American Nonprofit Bankrolling Canada’s Conservative Movement”. https://north99.org/2018/02/08/dark-money-conservative-politics-shadowy-american-nonprofit-bankrolling-canadas-conservative-movement/
On Tuesday the Globe and Mail released an article: “Manning Centre Won’t Disclose Source of Donations to Third Parties for Attack Ads on Liberals”. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-manning-centre-wont-disclose-source-of-donations-to-third-parties-for/
Democracy Watch plans to file a complaint with the federal elections commissioner in response to The Globe and Mail’s reporting on the Manning Centre donations.
Maybe we should be concerned.
This confusion among the electorate — is it a result of Canada being manipulated and influenced by foreign sources? The chaos and confusion must be a pleasure to watch for those handlers who, with money and cyber know-how, get into the psyche of the unsuspecting populace.
Obama said in his tweet today, “the world needs his (Trudeau’s) progressive leadership now.”
World power and influence needs to be balanced with democratic and progressive leaders. Too many dictators and far left leaning conservatives hold government at the moment. To think there is no money in Canada being thrown at us, and this ideology would be naïve. There is a movement afoot — you can feel it. Turn to your history books to read about politics and the leadership of extremes. We barely managed to stop fascism but stop it we did — only because the world banded together.
It amazes me how nearsighted Canadian voters have been about this world phenomenon. Who we choose on Monday to govern us will have impact: not only for Canada, but for world politics, and the planet. If what I have said resonates with you, then dig deep into your well of wisdom.
Consider what living in a world governed by extremists and altered by climate change will mean to you. An Inconvenient Truth is an easy read. I assure you, you will come away understanding all the key elements you will need to think critically and knowledgably about the environment. There is no planet B. Migration will be a bigger problem than it is today, and depending on where alt-right leadership and strong feelings of populism exist, even more refugees will be sentenced to their deaths.
The next 20 years, I am preparing myself for threats from extreme winds felling trees that could destroy my home, water shortages and drought, wildfires and sudden evacuations, not to mention health problems from viruses/bacteria related to migrating insects. All is possible.
It is time to take history books back into our hands, read and learn.
Don’t let anyone or anything foster your confusion, your frustrations, your isolationism, or your hopelessness. Turn from darkness to the light of your own problem solving and creativity. Engage your empathy, we must all foster empathy and stand together. A common heart beating.
Don’t live to regret your decision — vote with eyes wide open.
Catherine Worthingham
Duncan