I've been a Red Tory all my life - I am about to turn 58. I worked for the PCs, Reform, Canadian Alliance and the CPC on the Hill for pushing 30 years. Nothing Pierre (a former intern during my time in Manning's office, so I've known him more than half his life) is currently saying speaks to me. Rage farming politicians turn me off. There are a lot of Red Tories out there and Pierre needs some of us to vote for him. Just saying, there, Mr. Woodfinden.
Having been involved in the last leadership on the phone across Canada, believe me there are hundreds of Canadians who without being prompted will not be voting Conservative in the next election with Poilievre at the helm.
My guess is, nobody. Probably a lot people who’d normally vote Liberal will stay home too, tiring of Trudeau. The next election might be decided with the lowest voter turnout yet.
The article at The Hub was a disappointment; I'd heard about that site, that it was considered pretty smart, right-leaning analysis. But Ben Woodfinden was just deep in the unproven assumptions, like "as the natural governing party, they're undoubtedly the party of Canada's elites". No further discussion needed on that obvious fact!
If only they'd stop, just once, to separate out "cultural elites who decide what's a good movie, but live in small apartments" from "economic elites who decide what your cable bill will be", and admit that the party that supports low taxes on wealth, and low regulation on big business, is surely the party for Canada's *economic* elites... we could start having an honest discussion.
But, no, Woodfinden just goes on with the untested assumptions - you just know that the only "gatekeepers" they oppose are government regulators. Most actual "gatekeepers" to advancement by little guys are Canada's rich assortment of oligopolies and monopolies that keep small competitors from even entering their fields; property developers that gatekeep how many affordable units are built, how many empty luxury units, say. They will go unmentioned.
I can't even have a mental conversation with the viewpoint, since it rests on undiscussed assumptions I flatly disagree with.
Often when we're looking for gatekeepers, we need to look in the mirror - not only big city denizens who want to stop airports and high-rises in their neighbourhood, but suburbanites who become concerned about farmland and the environment when Phase 2 of the subdivision spoils their view from Phase 1. Or people who decide that their neighbourhood isn't a "good fit" for subsidized housing.
But Pollievre's gatekeepers are a bunch of mustache-twirling bureaucrats conniving to screw the little guy, never mind who put them there.
Thanks for ALL this, and enjoy your vacation, Paul. And, while I’m sure you’re not looking for a ‘doorstop’ to read en vacances, I am absolutely loving Orhan Pamuk’s 2022 “Nights of Plague”. Highly recommended, for both reading and bicep curls.
Have a wonderful vacation. You’ve contributed to a more reasoned, balanced public square. Thank you for referring readers to Jake Sullivan’s important speech. My biggest worry is mounting hysteria over China. Both US and Canada are approaching a highly polarized election season. The temptation to talk tough will become greater and greater. Sometimes words matter. Canada’s prosperity requires trade diversification not greater dependence on massive subsidy and low interest rates. I look forward to hearing your views when you return . Best wishes and thanks.
I've been a Red Tory all my life - I am about to turn 58. I worked for the PCs, Reform, Canadian Alliance and the CPC on the Hill for pushing 30 years. Nothing Pierre (a former intern during my time in Manning's office, so I've known him more than half his life) is currently saying speaks to me. Rage farming politicians turn me off. There are a lot of Red Tories out there and Pierre needs some of us to vote for him. Just saying, there, Mr. Woodfinden.
Having been involved in the last leadership on the phone across Canada, believe me there are hundreds of Canadians who without being prompted will not be voting Conservative in the next election with Poilievre at the helm.
My guess is, nobody. Probably a lot people who’d normally vote Liberal will stay home too, tiring of Trudeau. The next election might be decided with the lowest voter turnout yet.
The article at The Hub was a disappointment; I'd heard about that site, that it was considered pretty smart, right-leaning analysis. But Ben Woodfinden was just deep in the unproven assumptions, like "as the natural governing party, they're undoubtedly the party of Canada's elites". No further discussion needed on that obvious fact!
If only they'd stop, just once, to separate out "cultural elites who decide what's a good movie, but live in small apartments" from "economic elites who decide what your cable bill will be", and admit that the party that supports low taxes on wealth, and low regulation on big business, is surely the party for Canada's *economic* elites... we could start having an honest discussion.
But, no, Woodfinden just goes on with the untested assumptions - you just know that the only "gatekeepers" they oppose are government regulators. Most actual "gatekeepers" to advancement by little guys are Canada's rich assortment of oligopolies and monopolies that keep small competitors from even entering their fields; property developers that gatekeep how many affordable units are built, how many empty luxury units, say. They will go unmentioned.
I can't even have a mental conversation with the viewpoint, since it rests on undiscussed assumptions I flatly disagree with.
Often when we're looking for gatekeepers, we need to look in the mirror - not only big city denizens who want to stop airports and high-rises in their neighbourhood, but suburbanites who become concerned about farmland and the environment when Phase 2 of the subdivision spoils their view from Phase 1. Or people who decide that their neighbourhood isn't a "good fit" for subsidized housing.
But Pollievre's gatekeepers are a bunch of mustache-twirling bureaucrats conniving to screw the little guy, never mind who put them there.
For your vacation reading I suggest Ted Gioia.
Thanks for the heads up on Caity and your hard work.
Happy to say he's a subscriber, as I am to him. Thanks for reading.
Wishing you a well deserved, restorative break. Thanks for leaving us with things to
take stock of, even as we await
the Johnston report. May your travels bring us some new tales of faraway places.
Would pay good money for Monk/Wells crossover content.
Have a good vacation. My thanks for all your newsletters so far. I'm looking forward to more soon.
Thanks for ALL this, and enjoy your vacation, Paul. And, while I’m sure you’re not looking for a ‘doorstop’ to read en vacances, I am absolutely loving Orhan Pamuk’s 2022 “Nights of Plague”. Highly recommended, for both reading and bicep curls.
Have a nice vacation.
Bonnes vacances !
Enjoy your vacation Paul, and don’t forget your sun screen.
Many thanks for the Bruce Cockburn link. Definitely not mailed in.
Have a wonderful vacation. You’ve contributed to a more reasoned, balanced public square. Thank you for referring readers to Jake Sullivan’s important speech. My biggest worry is mounting hysteria over China. Both US and Canada are approaching a highly polarized election season. The temptation to talk tough will become greater and greater. Sometimes words matter. Canada’s prosperity requires trade diversification not greater dependence on massive subsidy and low interest rates. I look forward to hearing your views when you return . Best wishes and thanks.
Paul, you should know by now that polls outside of the writ period are meaningless. Disappointed to see you engaging in them.
https://images.app.goo.gl/joEMUioY7pzftZCp6