Politics Discussions Rants

So... the Alberta petition for a referendum on independence has reached the threshold for signatures... 177,000. That's a pretty low threshold in a province of 4 million. But here's the thing... some people are vehemently opposed to independence. They will undoubtedly do their utmost to thwart Albertans from voting yes to independence. Their reasoning is flawed. CPP? Quebec doesn't contribute, it has it's own pension plan. Why can't Alberta? The monies Alberta gets for infrastructure such as roads, schools, Healthcare... all that money actually comes from the taxes collected in Alberta and sent to Ottawa in the first place. This money doesn't magically appear in Ottawa. Alberta is the net contributer to the transfer payment program. The monies that each province receives from the federal government for these comes from Alberta taxpayers (amongst other contributors). RCMP? Easily replaced with the APP. What about the First Nations peoples?
Here's where it gets fun...
The First Nations peoples who are opposed to Alberta independence are either fools or intent on enjoying federal government gravy train of cash without accountability. The First Nations peoples in Alberta have the opportunity to negotiate new treaties with the independent Alberta government. This could mean better living conditions, including schools and Healthcare, more recognition of indigenous languages, culture, place names and contributions. More oversight on environmental issues surrounding oilfield development and pipelines. All of this is crucial for Alberta independence to succeed and the First Nations peoples here are set to win if they negotiate well and in good faith.

But remember... the vote for independence on the referendum isn't an absolute. It merely triggers talks about confederation and Alberta's place in it. The rest of Canada acts like they don't care, but in reality they are scared sh*tless! Albertans voting to remain in Canada only help to make the province look like a laughing stock. Alberta isn't taken seriously and won't be. Alberta will continue to be taken advantage of and ignored by the rest of Canada. Like an abused partner, we are left crawling back to the abuser. It's time we leave.

So... a woman makes a post online and then gets a visit by the Police. They say they are "concerned about her welfare" but the reality is that they are following up on a complaint someone made about her post.

In the UK, this is already being enforced. Post something that others dislike and you could face a fine or imprisonment. Folks, that is REAL Fascism!

Trump isn't doing that! Check your news feeds. Look at your friends and family members posts. No doubt someone is posting memes or comments online that are derogatory of Trump. But still, no fines, no jail time, no visits by the police or FBI (Barring those who utter credible threats).
But in Canada? The RCMP are called to conduct a "welfare check"...
Surprised this lady wasn't offered MAID.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DrNjg6T7q/

Saw this online. Had to respond. Not sure if Ron actually said this, but I think what's said here deserves poignant reflection...

Ron Howard has summed up what many of us believe. Including me....

“I'm a liberal, but that doesn't mean what a lot of you apparently think it does. Let's break it down, shall we? Because quite frankly, I'm getting a little tired of being told what I believe and what I stand for. Spoiler alert: not every liberal is the same, though the majority of liberals I know think along roughly these same lines:

**Ron, you neglect that those on the hard left have shifted the goal posts. Many on the right used to think like you. Their only difference was how the goals you advocate for were to be achieved.**

1. I believe a country should take care of its weakest members. A country cannot call itself civilized when its children, disabled, sick, and elderly are neglected. PERIOD.

** absolutely. But inviting others in when you struggle to care for those who are already here is a recipe for disaster. The statue of liberty inscription says
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
It doesn't say anything about those in need of medical care, demanding welfare old age security or disability benefits. Those are for the citizens who have paid taxes into a system they voted to establish for their benefit now and in the future.**

2. I believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Somehow that's interpreted as "I believe Obamacare is the end-all, be-all." This is not the case. I'm fully aware that the ACA has problems, that a national healthcare system would require everyone to chip in, and that it's impossible to create one that is devoid of flaws, but I have yet to hear an argument against it that makes "let people die because they can't afford healthcare" a better alternative. I believe healthcare should be far cheaper than it is, and that everyone should have access to it. And no, I'm not opposed to paying higher taxes in the name of making that happen.

**If health-care is a right, we then essentially enslave the healthcare workers. From the admission clerks to the housekeeping workers. From the orderly to the Surgeon. If healthcare is a right, we then must be able to demand the services of these people who are so employed. Healthcare is a privilege. We are privileged to have people who have devoted their lives and livelihoods to safeguarding the lives of others through various means. But more importantly, we have a duty to our fellow human beings to ensure that no one is denied medical care due to a lack of financial resources. The best way to achieve this is through medical insurance that is universally paid for partly through taxation and partly through private coverage based on the needs and priorities of the user. All of which is offset to accommodate those who cannot afford private medical insurance.**

3. I believe education should be affordable. It doesn't necessarily have to be free (though it works in other countries so I'm mystified as to why it can't work in the US), but at the end of the day, there is no excuse for students graduating college saddled with five- or six-figure debt.

**basic education is free. The problem is that we have convinced students that they must attend expensive post secondary schools and study niche programs in order to be successful. Thus students are graduating college/ university saddled with burgeoning debt while seeking employment with an education that has little value in the workplace. If more students were compelled to go into the trades, or to study engineering, or even pursue educational options within healthcare, they would be less likely to be saddled with five or six figure debt. Another aspect of this would be to have post-secondary institutions get rid of tenure. Professors who aren't capable of actually teaching students can be dismissed allowing these high-payed lecturers to seek an audience at their own will. This would help to reduce the operating costs of the schools.**

4. I don't believe your money should be taken from you and given to people who don't want to work. I have literally never encountered anyone who believes this. Ever. I just have a massive moral problem with a society where a handful of people can possess the majority of the wealth while there are people literally starving to death, freezing to death, or dying because they can't afford to go to the doctor. Fair wages, lower housing costs, universal healthcare, affordable education, and the wealthy actually paying their share would go a long way toward alleviating this. Somehow believing that makes me a communist.

**maybe instead of asking people to pay more in taxes (how much did you earn last year Rob? What's your net worth? $200 million plus? Nothing stopping you from ensuring that the have-nots have their fair share of your worth!) we should be asking where did our money go. Everyone got angry with the Trump administration for instituting the department of governmental efficiency. The goal was to find out where America's taxdollars were going. We found out that they were being washed through democrat friendly NGO's and donated to the democrat party. It's called corruption. And people like you (who could have easily donated your own money to your favorite NGO) never said a word except to complain about DOGE.**

5. I don't throw around "I'm willing to pay higher taxes" lightly. If I'm suggesting something that involves paying more, well, it's because I'm fine with paying my share as long as it's actually going to something besides lining corporate pockets or bombing other countries while Americans die without healthcare.

** YOU ARE WORTH OVER $200 MILLION!!! You can donate your money to any hospital or clinic and ensure Healthcare for those in need! No one is stopping you from paying more taxes or donating to worthy causes. (Oh, don't forget, the hero of Liberal/ Democrats everywhere, Obama, bombed various countries without anyone's approval and without regard to the people who lacked proper Healthcare. Look at the people at the VA and ask how his policies helped them.**

6. I believe companies should be required to pay their employees a decent, livable wage. Somehow this is always interpreted as me wanting burger flippers to be able to afford a penthouse apartment and a Mercedes. What it actually means is that no one should have to work three full-time jobs just to keep their head above water. Restaurant servers should not have to rely on tips, multibillion-dollar companies should not have employees on food stamps, workers shouldn't have to work themselves into the ground just to barely make ends meet, and minimum wage should be enough for someone to work 40 hours and live.

** Maybe. Just maybe. If we weren't taxed up our arses to pay for niche causes that Democrats want us to support, if we weren't having to carry the load financially for freeloading NATO countries or donating billions to the UN and other countries, people would be able to afford a decent living. But instead, they are charged a small fortune to go and see a movie you produced/ directed so that you and your Hollywood pals can earn seven digits. You complain about the kid working the popcorn stand not making a living wage, but yet you earn how much per movie? Maybe you should donate your money to help offset their wages?**

7. I am not anti-Christian. I have no desire to stop Christians from being Christians, to close churches, to ban the Bible, to forbid prayer in school, etc. (BTW, prayer in school is NOT illegal; *compulsory* prayer in school is - and should be - illegal). All I ask is that Christians recognize *my* right to live according to *my* beliefs. When I get pi**ed off that a politician is trying to legislate Scripture into law, I'm not "offended by Christianity" -- I'm offended that you're trying to force me to live by your religion's rules. You know how you get really upset at the thought of Muslims imposing Sharia law on you? That's how I feel about Christians trying to impose biblical law on me. Be a Christian. Do your thing. Just don't force it on me or mine.

**Biblical law. You mean the ten commandments? You know, though shall not steal, though shall not kill, thou shall not commit adultery, though shall not covet thy neighbors wife, that sort of thing? Biblical law that says that "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me"? Or "let he who is without sin cast the first stone"? You seem to be confusing the perversion of Christianity with the true meaning of being a Christian. To love one another. That's the law that is being imposed. Maybe instead of sneering at Christianity and Christians, you ought to spend more time around real church goers and believers.**

8. I don't believe LGBT people should have more rights than you. I just believe they should have the *same* rights as you.

**What rights do I have that they don't? If I dress up like a clown, people will laugh at me. If I dress up in S*M gear and parade myself down the street in front of children, I will be arrested. If I put on a dress and demand to read to children in a local library and throw a tantrum when they refuse, I will be arrested and removed from the premises. None of that happens to LGBT activists. That's not equality. That's a fringe group getting preferential treatment.**

9. I don't believe illegal immigrants should come to America and have the world at their feet, especially since THIS ISN'T WHAT THEY DO (spoiler: undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all those programs they're supposed to be abusing, and if they're "stealing" your job it's because your employer is hiring illegally). I believe there are far more humane ways to handle undocumented immigration than our current practices (i.e., detaining children, splitting up families, ending DACA, etc).

**Newsflash Ron! Various states have already confirmed that they have taxpayer funded programs aimed at helping "undocumented immigrants" find housing, medical care and education. As for jobs, many of your fellow celebrities and Liberal elites are known for hiring undocumented laborers. This way they can pay them a paltry wage and not have to worry about those pesky things called taxes. Yes, there are some unscrupulous companies out there that do this. Sadly, thanks to the DEI policies your fellow liberals advocate for, they feel compelled to hire these undocumented workers or be labeled racists. Your fellow liberals helped create this mess, don't throw it back on the rest of us.**

10. I don't believe the government should regulate everything, but since greed is such a driving force in our country, we NEED regulations to prevent cut corners, environmental destruction, tainted food/water, unsafe materials in consumable goods or medical equipment, etc. It's not that I want the government's hands in everything -- I just don't trust people trying to make money to ensure that their products/practices/etc. are actually SAFE. Is the government devoid of shadiness? Of course not. But with those regulations in place, consumers have recourse if they're harmed and companies are liable for medical bills, environmental cleanup, etc. Just kind of seems like common sense when the alternative to government regulation is letting companies bring their bottom line into the equation.

**odd. We were saying the same thing when you and your Liberal friends forced an experimental vaccine on us. We agree with regulations, just not over regulations. We are being sadled with this as people do stupid things and then sue because of their own actions. A company has an electric fence to keep trespassers out. Suing them because you got burns on your hands while trying to trespass is ridiculous. But welcome to lawfare in America. Billie Eilish stated that no one was illegal on stolen land. Then promptly had someone arrested for being on her property... which American Indians have long claimed as theirs. This is the garbage that you and your liberal friends have wrought on our country. No one is responsible unless they're a conservative/ republican. That's why we have over regulate. Liberal/ Democrats refuse to take responsibility.**

11. I believe our current administration is fascist. Not because I dislike them or because I can’t get over an election, but because I've spent too many years reading and learning about the Third Reich to miss the similarities. Not because any administration I dislike must be N***s, but because things are actually mirroring authoritarian and fascist regimes of the past.

**except you can't point out any examples. Authoritarianism is a trademark of the left. Every communist regime has instituted it. Maybe you should see how people in China or Cuba are treated. Talk to Venezuelans about life under Maduro. The only reason the Trump administration seems authoritarian is because of the lies and misinformation being spread by our liberal controlled media and academia. Wanting to look out for the American taxpayer shouldn't be considered fascist... unless you're a communist.**

12. I believe the systemic racism and misogyny in our society is much worse than many people think, and desperately needs to be addressed. Which means those with privilege -- white, straight, male, economic, etc. -- need to start listening, even if you don't like what you're hearing, so we can start dismantling everything that's causing people to be marginalized.

**what privileges do white, heterosexual, Christian males have that other Americans don't have? If you feel that you are privileged for being a wealthy white male, I'm sure no person of colour will turn down your money. The only thing that marginalizes people is the elites and hustlers who convince people that they can't succeed in life because of someone else who is different from them. That essentially means that we are not the masters of our own destiny, but are at the fate of others. **

13. I am not interested in coming after your blessed guns, nor is anyone serving in government. What I am interested in is the enforcement of present laws and enacting new, common sense gun regulations. Got another opinion? Put it on your page, not mine.

**except that the Democrats washed money through various NGOs aimed at reducing gun violence by restricting fi****ms. In every Democrat controlled state where "no-gun zones" were created, crime skyrocketed. The ability to obtain a firearm is actually quite regulated and legal fi****ms owners are screened. Sadly, this isn't the same for those coming across our border as "undocumented immigrants" as they often bring weapons that were left behind from previous administrations incursions into Latin America. These find their way onto our streets and are used in the commission of crimes. But you and your Liberal friends keep advocating for less border control that would help prevent this.**

14. I believe in so-called political correctness. I prefer to think it’s social politeness. If I call you Chuck and you say you prefer to be called Charles I’ll call you Charles. It’s the polite thing to do. Not because everyone is a delicate snowflake, but because as Maya Angelou put it, when we know better, we do better. When someone tells you that a term or phrase is more accurate/less hurtful than the one you're using, you now know better. So why not do better? How does it hurt you to NOT hurt another person?

**The problem with political correctness is that the left keeps moving the goal posts. They play word games and change the definition of words. Somehow, someone who opposes drag queens reading to children in a library is racist (I didn't know that 'drag queen' was a race) but meanwhile job postings asking for minorities or people of color isn't racist? People who oppose increased immigration from countries that chant "death to America" are called racist. Somehow not wanting people who's ideology is destroy the American way of life is somehow racist (and Islam/ Muslim is a religion not a race). When Republicans and their supporters opposed Obama administration policies, they were racist. Apparently it had nothing to do with the policy, but the Presidents Race. That's political correctness. Then there's the alphabet soup crowd. Every week their identity alphabet changes and so does their flag. People are tired of keeping up.
But your example is garbage. If someone is introduced as "Charles" I will address them as such, and so will most people I know. The problem comes with those who "identify" by "pronouns." Do we really want to be known by our sexual proclivities? It is only natural to identify others by their presented gender not by their assumed genitalia. There was a time when people were addressed by "ma'am" or "sir." We called people "Mister, Miss, or Misses" followed by their last name as a sign of respect. We got away from that. We used first names, nicknames and "preferred names" and we wonder why people are disrespectful and need to use "political correctness" to establish a line of communication?**

15. I believe in funding sustainable energy, including offering education to people currently working in coal or oil so they can change jobs. There are too many sustainable options available for us to continue with coal and oil. Sorry, billionaires. Maybe try investing in something else.

**um... if there was money to be made in renewables, don't you think investors would be all over it? As you have already pointed out, greed fuels society. If big corporations could make millions off of sustainable energy, they would be in there. The problem is reality. The investment is too high for very little return. The best we can hope for is the ability to power our own homes through renewable technology. Unfortunately, the track record shows us that "sustainable energy" isn't sustainable. In the extreme heat of the south, air conditioning kills the batteries on renewables in big hurry. In the north, snow storms have rendered wind and solar useless for days at a time. People are constantly having to revert to fossil fuel powered generators.
But hey, you've got millions. Feel free to invest in renewables. You can use these on your movie lots. See how long it lasts when some celebrity loses their air conditioning.**

16. I believe that women should not be treated as a separate class of human. They should be paid the same as men who do the same work, should have the same rights as men and should be free from abuse. Why on earth shouldn’t they be?

**Have you heard of the Equal pay act? It is actually illegal to pay a woman (or any minority actually) less to do a job than a white male. The only countenance to this is if the white male has more education or experience. Time on the job plays a role. I trust in your industry that a female lead is paid the same as the male lead? Or is it based on star (audience drawing) power? Do you pay a seasoned stuntman the same as stuntwoman with limited experience? If corporations could get away with paying women less, they would be more employed than men. The unfortunate reality is that men are often the ones doing dirty jobs in horrible working conditions, sometimes far from home, putting in long hours. Women tend to take jobs that allow them to be home for family. There's nothing wrong with that. But the paycheck reflects that. That's not misogyny or discrimination. That's just reality.**

I think that about covers it. Bottom line is that I'm a liberal because I think we should take care of each other. That doesn't mean you should work 80 hours a week so your lazy neighbor can get all your money. It just means I don't believe there is any scenario in which preventable suffering is an acceptable outcome as long as money is saved.”

Ron Howard

**Ron, that's where we can agree. The problem is that you are in a better position to actuate change than most Americans. You can invest your money, donate your money or give away your money. Most of us don't have that kind of money. Then of course comes the lazy neighbor. We have too many of them. People who think welfare and food stamps are a lifestyle. People who have been brainwashed into believing that they can't get ahead because of someone else's success. These people are Democrat voters and your preferred political party does their utmost to ensure they stay that way. They say "you reap what you sow" and Democrats have sown the seeds of dependency. It's a fruitful crop for them as they have plenty of voters. Just look around at the protesters. How many hard working Americans have the time to show up day after day at the protest du jour? Most are working so that these democrat supporters can collect their welfare checks.**