The Crisis of Extreme Capitalism
Our current incarnation of capitalism — variously referred to as savage capitalism, extreme capitalism or euphemistically as the “free market” (free of any constraints) — is in one of its periodic crises. For years many assumed that the smart people who ran the system and benefitted from it would find a practical way to fix...
OPEN LETTER TO THE PM: Leave our British past...in the past
Mr. Harper: I write about your directing our military to revert to the use of British military rank insignias and designations after 45 years of a home-grown Canadian system. I also note that you previously had directed our services to revert to ‘Royal’ services in name, indicating service under the Queen of England. My wife […]
Reinventing progressive politics
We are so accustomed to the connection between political parties and democracy that to question the relationship between the two might seem absurd. But for those who recognize the multiple crises faced by humanity — the destruction of our environment, climate change, the ravages of unfettered finance capital, the undeniable limits to growth — the […]
BC’s Election Stunner: Five Lessons for the Left
The NDP’s stunning loss in B.C. is being deconstructed, dissected, analyzed and mourned over not only here but across the country. Every pundit and political junkie, including me, thought the NDP would win, even after their lead suddenly dropped. But unfortunately, most of the analysis won’t be very helpful for those individuals and organizations hoping […]
COMMENT: Shadowy background to Harper’s war on science revealed
Much has been written in the past year about the Harper government’s war on science. The almost daily drip, drip of abandoned environmental treaties, nobbled scientists and access denied to existing government science is a bit like Chinese water torture for those who believe government policy should be evidence-based,...
COMMENT: Why Justin Trudeau may be more dangerous than Stephen Harper
Justin Trudeau just may be Canada's most dangerous man. He of the throngs of adoring supporters, the pretty new face that promises to resurrect "Canada's party". The key positions he's taken thus far - supporting the sellout of our strategic energy resources to the Chinese Government, giving away our sovereignty through the...
COMMENT: Justin Trudeau, Boy King
There is no accounting for political judgment when it gets caught up in irrational euphoria. The overwhelming victory of Justin Trudeau in the Liberal Party's leadership race demonstrates just how impoverished the state of our political culture has become. Did the polls -- almost completely meaningless at this stage of the ...
WHO REALLY OWNS CITY HALL 5: Citizen representation
Part 3 of the Municipal Act regulates all aspects of elections, from elector and candidate qualifications to the resolution of conflicts and irregularities. The scope of the Act’s election regulations meets all that can reasonably be required to assure fair and open elections in Yukon municipalities. However, elections are to democracy what oxygen is to […]
COMMENT: What democracy might look like
One of the many things that Hugo Chavez, the charismatic and revolutionary president of Venezuela, contributed to the world was his demonstration for people everywhere the difference between democracy and liberal democracy. Chavez’s hyperbolic style, his tweaking the tail of the Imperial tiger and his willingness to be just...
55% of Canadians want change to Canadian head of state instead of continuing with any member of the British royal family
Today, the new national educational foundation Your Canada, Your Constitution (YCYC) released the results of its recent national survey of 2,024 Canadians that shows a majority of Canadians (55%) want to change to a Canadian head of state, while only 34% want to continue with a member of the British royal family as Canada’s...