Political Posts

[Xerxes]

3 hours ago, cubsfan said:

Big Beautiful Bill passed. He keeps winning - promises made, promises kept.

 

Everyday is Christmas with Trump.

 

Happy 4th!

 

I cannot speak intelligently of the big beautiful bill’ content, but it seems to have inspired a Democrat to go on about 8 hours about it. That says something. 
 

In any case, Happy 4th of July 

[cwericb]

9 hours ago, TB said:

Thanks @Parsad but it looks like per capita gdp has contracted? My friends (Canada) think the government made Canada a dump but may be they have TDS as well (Trudeu Derangement Syndrome). 

 

From perplexity again

 

Approximately 43% of young Canadians aged 18 to 34 would like to become Americans—if certain conditions are met. Specifically, this willingness is contingent on guarantees such as full U.S. citizenship and the conversion of their Canadian financial assets into U.S. dollars12345.

This sentiment is especially pronounced among young Canadian men, with polls indicating that nearly half in this demographic would accept U.S. citizenship under these favorable circumstances, largely motivated by perceived economic opportunities and job prospects6.

It is important to note that, despite this significant minority, the majority of Canadians—especially outside the 18-34 age group—remain strongly committed to Canadian national identity and would not support becoming American without such guarantees1645.

 

 

Hi TB,

Canada has been blindsided by our American friends and a period of piss poor leadership from our former prime minister. But we are now in the process of getting back on our feet. I think a lot of people here might find this video very interesting.

Many Americans don't really know much about Canada, what do you think about this?  

 

 

[cwericb]

Couple more things:

 

Canada's last Prime Minister (Trudeau) was a son of a prime minister whose previous job was as a Drama Teacher.

 

On the other hand.................. 

 

Prime Minister (Doctor) Mark Carney, has a:

Bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard.

Master's degree from Oxford in the UK.

Doctorate in economics from Oxford.

 

FYI: Carney's wife is also an economist with degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Oxford and an MA in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

As Governor of the Bank of Canada, Doctor Carney led Canada very successfully through the Great Financial Crises.  

Then Britain then hired him away to be Governor of the Bank of England where he led the UK through Brexit.

Later Carney held a number of roles in the private and public sectors, including being chair of Bloomberg L.P. and chair and head of impact investing at Brookfield Asset Management. 

 

Despite being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, numerous bankruptcies and fraudulent businesses, many believe Trump is well qualified to lead the US economically. 

Prime Minister Carney would also seem to be well qualified to lead Canada, economically at least.

 

Time will tell.

Edited July 4, 2025 by cwericb

[RichardGibbons]

11 hours ago, TB said:

Here is the quiz for the Canada experts - would like to know how much you score.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article-canada-day-quiz-unofficial-canadian-citizenship-test/

 

 

I got 13/20. Most of the answers I didn't get right were silly trivia.  (Like, how many Prime Ministers Canada has had is a silly question, and if someone thinks this is an important question for being considered "Canadian" then I question their judgment.)

[Parsad]

7 hours ago, cubsfan said:

Big Beautiful Bill passed. He keeps winning - promises made, promises kept.

 

Everyday is Christmas with Trump.

 

Happy 4th!

 

It's almost like when the Cubs won in 2016, eh?  Ok, I'll say it...here goes...Bartman!  

 

Cheers!

[Parsad]

4 hours ago, cwericb said:

 

Boy ya certainly have got that right Cubs!  "Everyday is Christmas with Trump."

 

Dude's not Christmas gifting Cubs , He is Grifting, not Gifting. 

 

"A grifter is a person who engages in grifting, often using charm, persuasion, or deceit to manipulate others. Grifting in a Sentence: “The con artist was a skilled grifter, convincing people to invest in a fake business before disappearing with their money.”"

 

Well, the Orange Orangutan grifted his way to billionaire status, then President, then twice-elected President, fixed the illegal immigrant problem, then blew up the Middle East, possibly tamed Putin, buddied up to North Korea, and got more legislation through in his two terms than the Democrats have during Obama/Biden's four terms.  Whatever way the grifter did it...he continues to do it!  

 

Are we going to be better off or worse off...only time will tell!  Does Stephen Miller make my skin crawl like Nosferatu creeping into my bedroom...hell yeah!  But these fuckers keep making the left look stupid...Cory Booker talking for 8 hours...fuck me!  The Dems need to be blown up and reassembled and the middle of the road Republicans need to get their shit together.  By hook or crook, Trump has confounded all of us sane people for a decade and keeps building up his cult following of MAGA nutjobs.  We're all fucked!  Cheers!

[Parsad]

2 hours ago, cwericb said:

Couple more things:

 

Canada's last Prime Minister (Trudeau) was a son of a prime minister whose previous job was as a Drama Teacher.

 

On the other hand.................. 

 

Prime Minister (Doctor) Mark Carney, has a:

Bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard.

Master's degree from Oxford in the UK.

Doctorate in economics from Oxford.

 

FYI: Carney's wife is also an economist with degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Oxford and an MA in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

As Governor of the Bank of Canada, Doctor Carney led Canada very successfully through the Great Financial Crises.  

Then Britain then hired him away to be Governor of the Bank of England where he led the UK through Brexit.

Later Carney held a number of roles in the private and public sectors, including being chair of Bloomberg L.P. and chair and head of impact investing at Brookfield Asset Management. 

 

Despite being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, numerous bankruptcies and fraudulent businesses, many believe Trump is well qualified to lead the US economically. 

Prime Minister Carney would also seem to be well qualified to lead Canada, economically at least.

 

Time will tell.

 

The qualification/educational difference between Trudeau and Carney is hilarious!  Finally someone worthy of the position has actually applied and run for it!  He's also completely self-made from small-town Alberta...no daddy's money or reputation unlike Trump and Trudeau.  Cheers!

[Sweet]

1 hour ago, Parsad said:

 

The qualification/educational difference between Trudeau and Carney is hilarious!  Finally someone worthy of the position has actually applied and run for it!  He's also completely self-made from small-town Alberta...no daddy's money or reputation unlike Trump and Trudeau.  Cheers!

I quite like Carney, but I don’t understand the adoration of his prior education or career, partly because I don’t see why it is necessary, and partly because many of these highly educated types still fall prey to group think in silly ideas as easily as anyone else.  
 

You either have the good ideas, ok ideas, or bad ones, and often they have nothing in common with their prior education.  In fact, I’d argue many of the bad ideas in recent times have come from the highly educated career types.

[cwericb]

Simply put, Carney has an impressive education AND the track record to back it up. 

 

I would much rather have a proven, successful businessman as PM than a former drama teacher OR a professional politician, which were our choices. 

 

Personally, I have been a capital "C" Conservative all my life, but I am quite happy to have Carney running the Country at this point in history.

 

 

[Junior R]

the problem with Carney is his green mandate...For Canada to really succeed they need to drop Carbon tax on business, allow resource projects. To unleash houses for the youth they need to implement a 1 year rule where you can sell your Canadian assets and buy some other Canadian assets differing the tax. Right now Canadians hold too much debt as they jumped into the high flying RE assets ...He also needs to manage that...This was all things Carney had to inherit from the old government but without solving these he is set to have issues....Another thing I am not sure he even lived in Canada for last 10 years before the election...For him even if Canada doesn't do good he will still be ok as his assets aren't tied up in Canada (assuming this part based on where he is lived in the past)

 

Condo Market is also a shit show

 

I also think think EU is dropping / lower some of there carbon tax...to really compete this has to be done...

 

 

Also not sure if his track record at UK and Canada was great..I think he caused inflation...His track record in his companies is good... 

 

Edited July 4, 2025 by Junior R

[73 Reds]

5 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Well, the Orange Orangutan grifted his way to billionaire status, then President, then twice-elected President, fixed the illegal immigrant problem, then blew up the Middle East, possibly tamed Putin, buddied up to North Korea, and got more legislation through in his two terms than the Democrats have during Obama/Biden's four terms.  Whatever way the grifter did it...he continues to do it!  

 

Are we going to be better off or worse off...only time will tell!  Does Stephen Miller make my skin crawl like Nosferatu creeping into my bedroom...hell yeah!  But these fuckers keep making the left look stupid...Cory Booker talking for 8 hours...fuck me!  The Dems need to be blown up and reassembled and the middle of the road Republicans need to get their shit together.  By hook or crook, Trump has confounded all of us sane people for a decade and keeps building up his cult following of MAGA nutjobs.  We're all fucked!  Cheers!

Um, it was Hakim Jeffries, not Cory Booker who talked for 8 hours.  But to your point, all democrats do look and sound alike.

[Whensthepaintdry?]

Is this a nice little Mars project for Musk?

[Sweet]

2 hours ago, cwericb said:

Simply put, Carney has an impressive education AND the track record to back it up. 

 

I would much rather have a proven, successful businessman as PM than a former drama teacher OR a professional politician, which were our choices. 

 

Personally, I have been a capital "C" Conservative all my life, but I am quite happy to have Carney running the Country at this point in history.

 

 

This is the exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about.  There isn’t a mention of policies / ideas.

 

A good career and good education count for little if the are bad ideas.  And if they are competent at executing, and have bad ideas, that’s a terrible combination.

Who cares if someone was a drama teacher of career politician - do they get the issues or not.

 

As it relates to Carney.  Are there actually any of his ideas which you like?

 

Edited July 4, 2025 by Sweet

[Sweet]

2 hours ago, Junior R said:

the problem with Carney is his green mandate...For Canada to really succeed they need to drop Carbon tax on business, allow resource projects. To unleash houses for the youth they need to implement a 1 year rule where you can sell your Canadian assets and buy some other Canadian assets differing the tax. Right now Canadians hold too much debt as they jumped into the high flying RE assets ...He also needs to manage that...This was all things Carney had to inherit from the old government but without solving these he is set to have issues....Another thing I am not sure he even lived in Canada for last 10 years before the election...For him even if Canada doesn't do good he will still be ok as his assets aren't tied up in Canada (assuming this part based on where he is lived in the past)

 

Condo Market is also a shit show

 

I also think think EU is dropping / lower some of there carbon tax...to really compete this has to be done...

 

 

Also not sure if his track record at UK and Canada was great..I think he caused inflation...His track record in his companies is good... 

 

Did OK at the Bank of England, the biggest criticism was that he made what seemed like political interventions.

 

But yeh, many of the people who seem to have voted for him never mention policy, which is very odd to me.

[cwericb]

30 minutes ago, Sweet said:

This is the exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about.  There isn’t a mention of policies / ideas.

 

A good career and good education count for little if the are bad ideas.  And if they are competent at executing, and have bad ideas, that’s a terrible combination.

Who cares if someone was a drama teacher of career politician - do they get the issues or not.

 

As it relates to Carney.  Are there actually any of his ideas which you like?

 

 

You seem to ignore Carney's business experience, resume and past very successful history.

 

I don't have time to get into details, but do you think the Brits would come all the way to Canada to hire just anyone to lead the Bank of England through Brexit? Do you realize Canada weathered the financial crises far better than the US and most other countries in the 2008-10 financial difficulties? Would BAM appoint some loser to help lead the Company?

 

Prior to his time heading the BOC, here is some background: 

"Carney spent thirteen years at Goldman Sachs and worked in their Boston, London, New York City, Tokyo, and Toronto offices. His progressively more senior positions included co-head of sovereign risk, executive director for emerging debt capital markets, and managing director for investment banking. He worked on South Africa's post-apartmheid venture into international bond markets, and was involved in Goldman's work with the 1998 Russian financial crisis. 

 

Who would you suggest has a better proven successful track record? I find Poilievre to be a very good speaker, however he is a career politician with little or no actual business experience who was somewhat of a one trick pony who was caught completely off guard when Carney committed to dropping the Carbon Tax. 

 

Given Carny's track record I am quite happy with him running the country until or if he proves otherwise. JMHO

 

 

 

Edited July 4, 2025 by cwericb

[cubsfan]

6 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

You seem to ignore Carney's business experience, resume and past very successful history.

 

I don't have time to get into details, but do you think the Brits would come all the way to Canada to hire just anyone to lead the Bank of England through Brexit? Do you realize Canada weathered the financial crises far better than the US and most other countries in the 2008-10 financial difficulties? Would BAM appoint some loser to help lead the Company?

 

Prior to his time heading the BOC, here is some background: 

"Carney spent thirteen years at Goldman Sachs and worked in their Boston, London, New York City, Tokyo, and Toronto offices. His progressively more senior positions included co-head of sovereign risk, executive director for emerging debt capital markets, and managing director for investment banking. He worked on South Africa's post-apartmheid venture into international bond markets, and was involved in Goldman's work with the 1998 Russian financial crisis. 

 

Who would you suggest has a better proven successful track record? I find Poilievre to be a very good speaker, however he is a career politician with little or no actual business experience who was somewhat of a one trick pony who was caught completely off guard when Carney committed to dropping the Carbon Tax. 

 

Given Carny's track record I am quite happy with him running the country until or if he proves otherwise. JMHO

 

Just become the 51st state and your problems are solved...

[Sweet]

10 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

You seem to ignore Carney's business experience, resume and past very successful history.

 

I don't have time to get into details, but do you think the Brits would come all the way to Canada to hire just anyone to lead the Bank of England through Brexit? Do you realize Canada weathered the financial crises far better than the US and most other countries in the 2008-10 financial difficulties? Would BAM appoint some loser to help lead the Company?

 

Prior to his time heading the BOC, here is some background: 

"Carney spent thirteen years at Goldman Sachs and worked in their Boston, London, New York City, Tokyo, and Toronto offices. His progressively more senior positions included co-head of sovereign risk, executive director for emerging debt capital markets, and managing director for investment banking. He worked on South Africa's post-apartmheid venture into international bond markets, and was involved in Goldman's work with the 1998 Russian financial crisis. 

 

Who would you suggest has a better proven successful track record? I find Poilievre to be a very good speaker, however he is a career politician with little or no actual business experience who was somewhat of a one trick pony who was caught completely off guard when Carney committed to dropping the Carbon Tax. 

 

Given Carny's track record I am quite happy with him running the country until or if he proves otherwise. JMHO

 

 

 

 

I’m not ignoring it, I’m saying I don’t think it’s all that relevant.

 

The Brits went and got him to be the head of their central bank.

 

Why did you vote him to lead the country?  What ideas specifically attracted you to him?

 

Because all I’m hearing is that he was good at X, so he’s going to be a good PM, which doesn’t make sense.

 

A politician is not a businessman, you can be good at the latter and terrible at the former.  Many of the same people fawning over Carney’s career at the exact same people quick to deride Trump as being awful and unqualified.

 

 

[Blugolds]

11 minutes ago, Sweet said:

 

 Many of the same people fawning over Carney’s career at the exact same people quick to deride Trump as being awful and unqualified.

 

 

 

I dont know much about Carney, but from what I have read in the last few posts re his CV, it sounds like Carney is everything that Trump wants people to think HE is, shrewd businessmen, the guy everyone comes to, dealmaker, negotiator, globally recognized for business acumen etc. Sounds like he can walk the walk. Despite any flaws in Trump, nobody can ever say there has or probably ever will be, a character who is the absolute best I have ever seen in identifying a subset of the population that responds to X behavior (that he happens to have in spades) and then finding various ways to capitalize on that for his own financial benefit. There just has never been anything like it that Im aware of. So in that regard, Trump is the MIchael Jordan, Tom Brady of (IMO) grifting. Carney seems like the facade that Trump tries to present. 

 

The idea of businessmen being good politicians and vs versa can be a benefit/liability for the avg joe. I think it all depends on how interests are aligned and who they want to benefit from decisions. Unfortunately it seems as though it’s always an extreme. Frankly, I always find myself (At least in my country) to be stuck in the middle, too much $$ to benefit from the democratic policies, and not enough or a business owner to benefit from the republican policies, so I end up feeling like Im taking it up the shorts by Uncle Sam no matter what. 

[cwericb]

1 hour ago, Sweet said:

 

I’m not ignoring it, I’m saying I don’t think it’s all that relevant.

 

The Brits went and got him to be the head of their central bank.

 

Why did you vote him to lead the country?  What ideas specifically attracted you to him?

 

Because all I’m hearing is that he was good at X, so he’s going to be a good PM, which doesn’t make sense.

 

A politician is not a businessman, you can be good at the latter and terrible at the former.  Many of the same people fawning over Carney’s career at the exact same people quick to deride Trump as being awful and unqualified.

 

 

 

It would seem that you are a staunch Trudeau fan and I see Trudeau as one of the worst things to happen to the country in decades.

 

You question Carney's abilities, but on one hand we had Trudeau, a rich kid who probably never entered a grocery store, hell bent on giving away our tax dollars and who had no training, experience nor even a smattering of understanding economics. While Carney has a long history of running very successful large corporations. I think it is pretty obvious which one is better qualified to run a Country.

 

And just FYI I actually voted Conservative in the last election. The reason was twofold.

1) Canadians don't get to vote for their Prime Minister, as you would be aware, and I have no use for the Liberal running in  my district.

2) I wanted to see a minority liberal government as things were so unsettled and hoped the country wouldn't be locked into one government for a full four years.

 

[cwericb]

1 hour ago, Sweet said:

 

I’m not ignoring it, I’m saying I don’t think it’s all that relevant.

 

The Brits went and got him to be the head of their central bank.

 

Why did you vote him to lead the country?  What ideas specifically attracted you to him?

 

Because all I’m hearing is that he was good at X, so he’s going to be a good PM, which doesn’t make sense.

 

A politician is not a businessman, you can be good at the latter and terrible at the former.  Many of the same people fawning over Carney’s career at the exact same people quick to deride Trump as being awful and unqualified.

 

 

 

If you think education and experience are irrelevant in selecting someone for a highly responsible position, I would suggest that you never apply for a position in HR nor run attempt to run a business with employees. 

 

 

 

 

[Sweet]

3 hours ago, cwericb said:

 

It would seem that you are a staunch Trudeau fan and I see Trudeau as one of the worst things to happen to the country in decades.

 

You question Carney's abilities, but on one hand we had Trudeau, a rich kid who probably never entered a grocery store, hell bent on giving away our tax dollars and who had no training, experience nor even a smattering of understanding economics. While Carney has a long history of running very successful large corporations. I think it is pretty obvious which one is better qualified to run a Country.

 

And just FYI I actually voted Conservative in the last election. The reason was twofold.

1) Canadians don't get to vote for their Prime Minister, as you would be aware, and I have no use for the Liberal running in  my district.

2) I wanted to see a minority liberal government as things were so unsettled and hoped the country wouldn't be locked into one government for a full four years.

 

No, I’m not even Canadian, nevermind a Trudeau fan.

 

And just like the UK (where I am from) we vote for a party and we get that leadership, so when you vote for that party you are voting for that person to be PM.

 

[Parsad]

10 hours ago, Junior R said:

 

Also not sure if his track record at UK and Canada was great..I think he caused inflation...His track record in his companies is good... 

 

 

Got Canada through the GFC with nary an issue.  UK was going through Brexit.  Cheers!

[Parsad]

9 hours ago, 73 Reds said:

Um, it was Hakim Jeffries, not Cory Booker who talked for 8 hours.  But to your point, all democrats do look and sound alike.

 

Jeffries did 8 hours in the House...Booker did 25 hours in the Senate a few months ago...what's the difference and what did it achieve?  Nothing!  Same dumb show that MTG, etc do in other ways...but Dems are not making any progress...they're regressing.  Dems are looking for another Obama...whether you like him or not...he's one of one.  They need to think outside the box and move in another direction.  Cheers!

[73 Reds]

15 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Jeffries did 8 hours in the House...Booker did 25 hours in the Senate a few months ago...what's the difference and what did it achieve?  Nothing!  Same dumb show that MTG, etc do in other ways...but Dems are not making any progress...they're regressing.  Dems are looking for another Obama...whether you like him or not...he's one of one.  They need to think outside the box and move in another direction.  Cheers!

Agreed, though I'd argue that Obama began the divisiveness that plagues politics today.  Nothing will change with the present cast of characters.  Who would have thunk that a communist would ever be in the conversation for mayor of NYC?  That is how far they have digressed.  They believe that the answer is a change of how they present their message.  What they don't understand is the problem is the very substance of their message.

[cubsfan]

On 7/3/2025 at 8:39 PM, changegonnacome said:

I was skeptical - but he did it, it’s a massive achievement in the exercise of power and influence that he herded and whipped a tiny majority across both houses to deliver a consequential piece of legislation….I disagree with much of its contents and intent but that’s a different topic ….but agree @cubsfan it’s a huge win and political achievement for Trump. Hats off to him. 

 

You're coming around @changegonnacome - I'm sending you my MAGA hat!

Happy 4th!