It's frustrating to see that even some of my readers think that Stephen Harper's crass attempt to fix the party leader's debates might be good for progressives.And are sending me comments like this one, with lots of periods in it:Anonymous 2:29 AM Let.the.other.Parties.Debate.without.him.and.it.will.be.HarperCons.Downfall…Good.for.Canadians!!!!!So that I might read it slowly, and understand
Continue readingTag: election 2015
Susan on the Soapbox: 5-5-15: Small “c” Conservatives Exposed
On May 5, 2015, NDP leader Rachel Notley brought the Progressive Conservative dynasty to its knees. Many Albertans, including Ms Soapbox, are over the moon. Others who voted for one of the two conservative parties are wandering around like Li’l Abner’s Joe Btfsplk. The small “c” conservative brain trust, with
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Real Reason Stephen Harper Wants To Sabotage the Election Debates
A couple of days ago I wrote a post about Stephen Harper's plan to torpedo the party leader debates, or shrink them until he can drown them in a bath tub.And I said how shocked I was to see many in the MSM, and even some progressives, swallow the Con
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Great Con Debate Scam
For almost ten years Stephen Harper has tried to brutalize this country beyond recognition, bludgeon our democracy, and rape our values.But still his bestial lust for destruction isn't satisfied. Because now as you probably know, he's trying to blow up the party leader debates.Read more »
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Everything will be A-OK
“Well, I think we made a little history tonight!”— Rachel Notley’s victory speech Indeed we did! The 99% were jubilant. The 1% hit the panic button. And those who deflected political fearmongering with a healthy dose of hope and optimism found themselves facing a more insidious attack—fearmongering dressed up in
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Great Turkey Budget
Gosh. What a difference a day makes. The other day I was lamenting that an Abacus poll seemed to suggest that enough Canadians had liked the Con's porky budget so much they had given given Stephen Harper a big boost.But now an EKOS poll suggests that while nobody is complaining
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Strange Harperland Spring and the Propaganda Challenge
It's been eerily quiet down by the waterfront where I live. It still doesn't feel like Spring.People seem strangely subdued. And although I am looking forward to all the good things warm weather brings, I can't shake the feeling that something awful is about to happen.And polls like this one
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Leaders Debate: Math is Hard, English is Harder
“I know the math is difficult…” Jim Prentice to Rachel Notley during the Leaders Debate Apr 23, 2015 Ms Soapbox doesn’t like math. As a child she thought numbers had personalities. Eights, sixes and nines were nice numbers; fours, fives and twos were sharp and nasty. Math was “difficult” because
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Turnabout Is Fair Play
Thanks to Ed Tanas for bringing the following to my attention: Taking its cue from the Conservative Party, the Liberals Party is attempting to turn the tables on reckless, unjustified and overtly partisan political ads masquerading simply as useful public information (meted out to the public at taxpayer expense, of
Continue readingMontreal Simon: How Progressives Can Engage Young Canadians in the Election Campaign
When Joe Oliver made his outrageous statement about leaving Harper's granddaughter's generation to pay for the Con's revenue killing tax policies, he only said it because he thought he could get away with it.Because he knows, like we all do, that a lot of young Canadians don't bother to vote.And
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Is the Canada Revenue Agency Now Spreading Con Propaganda?
We know the Canada Revenue Agency was given extra money by Stephen Harper to go after the political activities of registered charities.We know that the agency seems to be targeting groups that have dared to criticize government policies.But not right-wing organizations that support the Harper regime.But is the CRA now helping
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Prentice Campaign: How NOT to Frame the Debate
Frank Luntz, famed political consultant to the Republican Party, said when it comes to political hot buttons “those who define the debate will determine the outcome.* Given the mess Mr Prentice has made of the “Team Prentice” campaign he may want to give Mr Luntz a call. Mr Prentice defined
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Harvesting of Religious Extremism
You had to see it to believe it. Stephen Harper welcoming the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada.Then travelling on the plane with him to a massive rally in Toronto. Even though Modi is a Hindu extremist, and has been accused of enabling mass murder. Read more »
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Return of Joe Oliver and the Latest Con Scam
Well as you may have heard Joe Oliver went missing from the House of Commons for almost a month. And on the few days when he did turn up, he seemed as Ralph Goodale described him, both "puzzled and muzzled." Staring into space while others read his PMO talking points.And while his
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper’s Monstrous and Obscene Day of War
It couldn't have been a more deeply disturbing sight. A pumped up Stephen Harper soaking up the applause of his wildly clapping and cheering Cons.With a weird smile on his face.Even as he prepared to vote to send our troops into a bigger and more dangerous war. Read more »
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Why Young Canadians Can Help Build a Better Canada
As you probably know, I believe that one of the most important things progressives must do is reach out to young Canadians and encourage them to vote.Not just because if they did vote in greater numbers we could crush the ghastly Cons who are destroying our country and torching their
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Other Big Reason Stephen Harper Wants to Bomb Syria
One of the things that horrifies me the most about the living nightmare that is Stephen Harper's Canada, is that so many have lived for so long in his depraved shadow.But yet so few in the MSM seem to understand him or his motives.And today was another good example of
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Night of the Living Dead
As you probably remember, when I saw that Stephen Harper had poured gasoline on the flames of bigotry in Quebec, and I saw how his words had galvanized the Bloc Québécois.I portrayed him as the man who had helped bring the Bloc back from the dead.And I knew that it
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Benjamin Netanyahu and Stephen Harper’s Netanyahu Moment
Benjamin Netanyahu is as any decent person knows, a brutish right-wing demagogue, a racist, and a war criminal.And his victory in yesterday's Israeli election couldn't be more tragic. Or have left the Middle East and his own country more deeply wounded. Read more »
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Justin Trudeau and the Politics of Fear
The other day I wrote a post where I asked, or begged our progressive leaders to elevate their game. To go big or go home.And make the struggle to defeat the Harper Cons a larger struggle to save Canada and its values.And I have to say that last night in
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