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Accidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. – Robert Reich writes about the basic economic lessons the U.S. has forgotten since its postwar boom: First, America’s real job creators are consumers, whose rising wages generate jobs and growth. If average people don’t have decent wages there can be no real recovery
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics: Fair Elections Act would introduce Alberta-style partisan elections officials
TweetA proposed amendment to Canada’s Elections Act would introduce handpicked partisan elections officials into the current non-partisan election process. The ‘Fair Elections Act,’ a sweeping act introduced by Conservative minister Pierre Poilievre, includes an amendment to Section 124 of the Elections Act which would give the incumbent candidate, riding association
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Stealing Democracy: Part IV – Marc Mayrand Responds
When it comes to reviewing Bill C-23, as much as I enjoy exploring the labyrinthine language of legalese, I am also interested in what the current head of Elections Canada has to say – after all he’s spent the better part of the last decade in that space. Pierre Poilievre,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Another Nail
As I have expressed in this blog previously, it is my sincere belief that the Harper cabal, indeed, the hard right in general, does not want us exercising our democratic rights, especially as they pertain to voting. The less participation there is, the easier it is for the true believers,
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Bill C-23: The Theft Of Canada’s Democracy Part II
I have not by any means finished my analysis of this bill and what it is setting up. However, a lot of other smart writers have been going over the bill too, and they have much to say which bears summarizing and considering. First, over at the Toronto Star, Chantal
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Outrageous Voter Suppression Scandal
Last night I pointed out something about the Con regime's so-called Fair Elections Act, that to my knowledge the entire MSM somehow managed to miss.And that is that this truly sinister bill is not just about satiating Stephen Harper's deranged hatred for Elections Canada, or increasing the Con fundraising advantage.It's
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Elections Canada and the Revenge of Boss Harper
Well let's be clear, as he likes to say. Forget the smokescreen of fancy words, or the long list of minor changes, or the Orwellian name, the Fair Elections Act.Baby Face Poilievre may have pulled the trigger.But this was Boss Harper's revenge. Read more »
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Insane War on Unions
When I think about what historians will say about the rule of the mad king Harper and the lost years of The Great Darkness, I think it will probably be something like this:Canadians had never seen anything like him, so they didn't recognize the danger, and by the time they
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Why Harper Will Never Reform The Senate
Protestations aside, Harper will never reform Canada’s Senate. Harper’s 45-minute remarks included only a brief reference to the main political headache that has shaken his party since May, the Senate expense scandal. He did not acknowledge the coverup allegation that has kept the controversy in the headlines. The party leader
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics: The ghosts of senate reform haunt the Harper Conservatives
TweetThe ghosts of Senate reform will haunt Prime Minister Stephen Harper as his party establishment gathers in Calgary on Halloween to discuss and debate party policy. After more than seven years in office, Mr. Harper’s Conservatives have accomplished little on the issue of reforming the Canadian Senate. Who would have
Continue readingAlberta Diary: ‘Conservative activist’ seeks Brent Rathgeber’s Edmonton-St. Albert Parliamentary seat
Michael Cooper, left, celebrates after a fashion the May 2, 2011, federal election victory of Edmonton-St. Albert MP Brent Rathgeber, as Mr. Rathgeber celebrates it in a more traditional and energetic way. (St. Albert Gazette photo.) Below: Mr. Cooper’s official campaign website photo; Mr. Rathgeber not long after his break
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Con Klown Show and Mr Dickhead’s Big Moment
Golly. As I wait to watch Stephen Harper lead his almost new/nouveau cabinet into Parliament after a four month holiday, so they can start memorizing his Throne Speech, I can't help thinking of that old H.L. Mencken quote: "Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Even if it could, Senate reform shouldn’t proceed without the provinces – or the people
To the surprise of everyone in the Ottawa bubble, Her Majesty’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform, Pierre Poilievre, held a press availability Wednesday not to slam the Liberals for some alleged sins, but to actually speak to an issue of policy substance: the government’s Supreme Court reference on Senate
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Jim Stanford discusses the OECD’s findings that job protection actually improves better employment outcomes – while “flexible” labour markets serve only to ensure less opportunity for workers. And Sid Ryan makes the case for premiers to reject a low-wage agenda. – Oil spills
Continue readingCalgary Grit: Oh my God – they shuffled Kenney! Those Bastards!
New Title, Same Job The much-hyped Cabinet shuffle was about what you’d expect: retiring Ministers swept aside, talented backbenchers and Pierre Poilievre promoted, and a few big names swapping portfolios to give them a fresh start. The opposition will argue this is very much the same government as before, and
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Harper Loyalty Rewards Program
While I await with less than bated breath for the announcement today of Dear Leader’s cabinet shuffle, the press has been all agog about it, offering rampant specualtion as to who will provide the new and fresh facade over the crumbling and morally bereft regime. If the pattern of past
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Decline of the Fish Regime
Well I can only imagine the scene in the dungeon of the PMO tonight.A desperate Stephen Harper trying to decide which one of his multiple personalities might make Canadians love him again.Only to receive the devastating news eh? An overwhelming number of Canadians don't care whether he plays Nero or Mother
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On tests of character
Dr. Dawg has rightly pointed out the Cons’ attempt to invent a story based on Tom Mulcair’s audiacity in driving to his own parking spot. (Though we can be assured that members of the limo-propelled Con cabinet will never face precisely that same scenario.) But if there is a story
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Senate Scandal and the Madness of Stephen Harper
Golly. I can only imagine how Stephen Harper must be feeling these days as he watches what was left of his tarnished reputation crumbling under the weight of scandal. Although I'd rather not eh? Because it must be a scary thing.The violent rages, the howls of betrayal. The infernal din of all the voices in
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