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Cliff Morham's avatar

Great conversation with Julius who has one of the most evolved viewpoints on the current tarriff wars and 51s state issue. The problem of Canadian governance, our neo colonial system with power concentrated in the Montreal Toronto Ottawa triangle has been discussed for decades as you say all the way back to Preston Manning. Nothing has or will change, the system is structured to consolidate power in the eastern oligarchy. But revolutions start with ever more egregious actions by an out of touch ruling elite which is what we are living under in Canada. The rise of Carny was the definition of Canadian autocracy. The US administration has possibly opened yet another door for Canada but it's evident the elite will burn the country to the ground before ceding anything to US "republicanism". Our rulers have completely adopted the ideology of their British imperialist mentors. But as in all empires internal depravity and corruption eats away at their foundations until the entire structure craters. The Canadian cathedral is cracking. Look out below!

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Abner Knight's avatar

This conversation has been happening since the 70s, under Trudeau The Elder.

A completely helpless people being looted in real time. Banana republics are fascinating.

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Vicki's avatar

I love your 'solution based ' thinking. I agree that politicians are not good at coming up with new innovative ideas. Trump being an exception but then, he is not a politician ). Martin Armstrong always says something to the effect of ' Election promises are always I will Not Do What the Previous Government Did '

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John's avatar

Interesting conversation.

I am all for localization of business & government. However, there is a competency gap that exists. Just expecting local government to be competent, will not just happen, which will bring back the centralists as they get to point out the incompetence of local officials.

Looking to solutions, I am suggesting going back to Jane Jacobs, I would like to suggest that a simple way to rebuild our local business & industry is to put a 100 % tax on single use products, while simultaneously, taking all tax off of products that can be repaired. So, that throwaway dishwasher you have would now be more expensive than a dishwasher that can be repaired.

What am I proposing? Import replacement. You develop competency by doing. It is by repairing things that you learn how they are made. Then you start to make parts for the repairs, then you start manufacturing components, and soon you have an industry.... You also have local people with experience in trade and good management you can call on as leaders.

This is a strategy that would have real environmental impact, while also developing local industry. When you have local industry, you have leverage so when the guys in Ottawa, Brussels, etc. come calling you have grounds on which to negotiate. With out this, you take the deal no matter how bad.

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Lorraine Webber's avatar

Interesting exchange. It was good to have Steve with an alternate point on view on some topics. However I lost all respect for Steve when he used the word “retard”. It was more of a glimpse into his souls than he realizes.

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