Ten anti-union resolutions were passed at the Conservative convention in Calgary. They are aimed at making Canada a "right to work" nation. It's wise, therefore, to examine what has happened in the nation which pioneered right to work legislation. Right to work is the brain child of the Republican Party -- the source of inspiration for Harper Conservatives.
On Friday, in The New York Times, Paul Krugman wrote that Republicans have declared war on the poor:
Republicans in leadership positions try to modulate their language a bit, but it’s a matter more of tone than substance. They’re still clearly passionate about making sure that the poor and unlucky get as little help as possible, that — as Representative Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, put it — the safety net is becoming “a hammock that lulls able-bodied people to lives of dependency and complacency.” And Mr. Ryan’s budget proposals involve savage cuts in safety-net programs such as food stamps and Medicaid.All of this hostility to the poor has culminated in the truly astonishing refusal of many states to participate in the Medicaid expansion. Bear in mind that the federal government would pay for this expansion, and that the money thus spent would benefit hospitals and the local economy as well as the direct recipients. But a majority of Republican-controlled state governments are, it turns out, willing to pay a large economic and fiscal price in order to ensure that aid doesn’t reach the poor.
Modern conservatives have come to view poverty as a moral failure -- a sin which must be punished. And market ideology provides the rationale for their insanity:
So what’s this all about? One reason, the sociologist Daniel Little suggested in a recent essay, is market ideology: If the market is always right, then people who end up poor must deserve to be poor. I’d add that some leading Republicans are, in their minds, acting out adolescent libertarian fantasies. “It’s as if we’re living in an Ayn Rand novel right now,” declared Paul Ryan in 2009.
Mr. Harper said that the next election should not be about choosing among candidates for Canadian Idol. But, of course, everything he says is laced with unintended irony. It's obvious that the Conservative Party of Canada sees itself as a contestant on American Idol.
And, like their Republican mentors, they stand firmly by the wealthy.
4 comments:
If you read of? Harper gives a speech in New York, at the Council of Foreign Relations. This was Sept 25/2007.
Harper and Obama announce NAU border deal.
July 20/2013
northamericaninitiave.com
PM Harper officially endorses the NAU.
Oct 3/2005
www.princegeorgecitizen.com
We have American Police operating in Canada. Harper made mention of, having Canada's cost of living as the U.S. Obama wants a Health Care plan in line with Canada's. However, we do know, Harper is going to slash our Health Care down to the bare bones.
This NAU deal, has been kicking around for years.
We can only expect the worst from Harper. He fouls everything he touches.
Your last sentence is a pretty good summary of Harper's record, Anon.
He befouls everything he touches.
Harper and his Cons are simply teabaggers north. they are 10 yrs behind what the republicans have done and are continuing to do.
What is truly amazing about these republicans and their race to the bottom for all except themselves is they don't have a solution. They continue to want to cut Food Stamps. There, however, is no solution to the lack of food then for citizens, especially children.
The last time they had a picture of an American child dying of starvation was in 1951. Will I live long enough to see it again. What is even more frightening is harper is taking Canada the same way.
The Cons are making great strides in eliminating freedom of the press and opposition groups--defunding of women's groups. The Americans are way ahead of canada on this one. They have a number of journalists who have been "raided". Their only crime being they opposed the republicans or some government entity. The latest victim is a blogger in Alabama, Legal Schnauzer, Roger Shuler. He has been beaten, arrest, and jailed indefintely. His crime, reporting on the republicans. They found a retired republican judge to order an injunction to stop him from publishing. He failed to do so.
With the tories continued objection to other opinions, can Canada be far behind? Mulroney gave us the NAFTA. Harper is giving the U.S.A the ability to have their cops come into Canada.
It is no surprise the Cons want to do away with Unions. the greater problem for the Cons is the role Unions play in politics, communities, and social advancement. Many unions fund local groups which organize people to fight for their rights and social programs. The Cons most likely believe, if they eliminate Unions, there will be less organizers out there looking to improve the lot of the majority of Canadians.
Certainly the Harperites know that unions fund their opposition, e.a.f.
And, for them, it's not enough to defeat their opposition. They must eliminate it.
They really have no other plan. Like the Tea Party, the only thing they do is shout, "No!"
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