Give us Canadian DUers advice on how to survive the next 4 years

You guys survived 8 years of shrub. You're the best of the best when it comes to surviving tyrannical, irrational, fundy, right wing governments. Give us some tactics to help survive the hell that is about to engulf us.

Roll back every progressive aspect of Canadian society that Americans (the sane ones, anyway) admire?

(On edit -- my strategy for the Bush years was to get jobs overseas. I occasionally had to lie about my nationality to people in the street. Ironically, I would tell people I was Canadian. I realize this solution won't work for everyone.)

We have no real filibuster in Canada anyways. Anything the conservatives want, they get.

In Canada, we have what is called a "per-vote subsidy." This was brought in back in the early 90's by the Liberals. Back then, our politics were funded very much like American politics, big corporations funded the right, unions funded the left, and the lower class was ignored. The Liberals brought in this subsidy, and outlawed corporate/union donations. Basically every vote a party gets, nets them $2. The opposition parties completely rely on this subsidy to survive (fundraising is hard when there are 4-5 left wing parties. The left might fundraise more than the right, but its impossible to run a campaign when the donations are split). The conservatives have a massive fundraising base, so they do just fine without the subsidy. They tried to eliminate the subsidy back in 2008, and failed... but now with their majority they have already promised to eliminate it.

Why is this scary? Even *with* the subsidy, the opposition parties only had a fraction of the money the conservatives had. A couple of years ago, the Liberal party nearly had to declare bankruptcy. Try to imagine the Democratic party literally going bankrupt, having NO money to fund a campaign. This is a real possibility for these parties, and could mean more majority wins for Harper after his 4 years are up.

Left and center left are 60% of the population. NEVER let them forget it!

Don't give into apathy or hopelessness. It will crush you.

The only way to survive is to stay pissed off. Write letters. Protest. Create a dart board with Harper's face on it.

Just ponder it. It will rise out of the abyss and shatter your sorrow.

As far as things that are the opposite of therapeutic go, it's therapeutic. ;P

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1031659

Maybe it will help? I hope you find the anger.

Thanks!

(I've since upgraded from "depression" to "mild pique." Getting there!)

if it goes down anything like here, they're mostly going to wring their hands, make strong statements, & then try to cut deals that will screw you.

organize at the local level & network. go on the offensive early, often, & aggressively.

the international ruling class is all on the same page; the war is global.

Actually leftists in the USA and Canada would be natural allies to start the new internationally based working class. We should try to work together as much as possible.

a discussion group, something that increases your knowledge of and ability to speak out on issues and then organize and write and talk to people. Stand on a street corner with some brochures and just talk to people.

I wouldn't say we survived because we had no choice. Most of us tried our best to march against the wars and to keep the truth and facts coming. Most of us cried and despaired and ranted and raved against what we say happening. It was very painful to have to admit to what was happening, and that the media were complicit because they had been bought by Republican billionaires and therefore were no longer serving the public good. It was also painful to realize most of our elected officials were also bought and paid for.

You will have to go through the 5 stages of grief like we did. Just remember that it isn't over when they win the leadership. Things change all the time.

without the suggestion that there was massive voter fraud and that the election was obviously stolen. That's what typically happens here at DU.

Living here in Wisconsin and seeing firsthand what the Republicans now do when they take complete power I do feel sorry for you. I never knew that Canada was such a hell-hole that its citizens would choose such a government. Here in Wisconsin we got our reich-wing government because too many Democrats chose not to vote last fall. What has happened here in Wisconsin is just a foreshadowing of what the Republicans will do when/if they get total control over our federal government here.

Looks like escaping to Canada is no longer an option even for Canadians.

the way our stupid system works, he won a majority with less than 40% of the popular vote. He only had 2% more than last time around and it got him enough seats.

So 60% of Canadians who cast votes are basically not represented because Harper can do whatever the hell he pleases. He's already stacked the senate, which in Canada is basically useless anyhow, and I've heard that he's going to concentrate on the supreme court next.

Edit to add that when our polls closed in BC and they started showing the numbers, f***ing assholes in Ontario had already decided it before any votes in BC were even counted. I guess we're just along for the ride.

They ended up taking significant left wing votes away from the Liberal party in districts where they had no chance of winning, allowing the conservative candidate to win it.

Otherwise you may have a Conservative government for much more than four years.

I have to agree that a merger would give them all more power.

But also take heart that when the dust settles, many people who thought that they were for these changes will reconsider and the pendulum will swing again. Not that it is much solace when you have to live through all the destruction.

:think:

Oh wait.

:crazy:

N/T

Ganbatte kudasai!!!!!!!! がんばってください!!!!

Are Premiers similar to our Governors?

What is the current makeup politically?

Can they resist province by province - or at least in ones not run by the Conservatives?

And yes, they COULD make a difference. Right now, we have only ONE province with Conservatives - Alberta. They're sort of like Texas. Lots of oil, very little common sense.

But our federal government pays very little attention to them since the powers are divided very neatly.

Could they coordinate and fight that or would something, such as the way you noted that power is divided. prevent that?

Good news that only one province has a Conservative Premier.

Are the others predominately one party or a mix?

Wishing you well from Seattle.

Total sidenote: descriptions of Alberta always remind me of Eastern Washington.

:hi:

I'm really no too worried about that. It's the "third rail" of Canadian politics. Even Harper isn't that stupid to screw with it. Our system works.

No, I'm worried about corporate taxes (which was the trigger of this election) and destruction of our social safety net and government jobs. Since I'm a government worker, I'm doubly worried.

I'm not confident that Premiers could make a difference, since they depend on transfer payments from the feds. But a coordinated effort COULD give them some power.

I hope it never comes to that point.

Thanks for your words and support.

:hi:

budgets and workers and services for awhile now, so I understand and share your concern.

Hope you guys don't have to go through the cuts we've been having. I know far too many people who either lost their job or, if still working, are having to shoulder an ever higher work load, to the point of having to reduce their services because so few people just can't do it all.

Through all that, my state representatives are fantastic and I know they, at least, are making every effort to do right by the people.

Hang in there.

Here for ya.



:)

Thank your stars you have "socialized medicine".

bhn

I'm just starting to come around from the devastating loss. Stephen fuckin' Harper. I feel like Martin Sheen waking up in Saigon. And Charlie is squatting in the boardrooms, getting stronger.

I'm ASTOUNDED that Ontario, my own province, is responsible for most of the Conservative gains. Stupid, stupid, stupid. They really fell for the propaganda. "Beware the socialists. They'll take your jobs away"

Now we've go a self-described fan of AYN fuckin RAND now in total control with a majority. FSM help us.

Sorry about the comment above, we're in this together for sure.

If you're American, I could use any advice.

We're in for a shitstorm of hurt.

I remember how I felt in November as I watched with sinking heart and horror as the conservative nuts were voted into power. I actually took to my bed for 2 days! I had a 'knowing' of what they would do, and damned if they haven't fulfilled every one of my fears.

But you know what - look at America. It hasn't taken long for people to begin to wake up from the nightmare and see what they are doing and say "oh no you don't". Take heart and watch Wisconsin and other Americans in other cities as they begin to band together against this assault on the working man.

The wave will happen and perhaps - just perhaps, when it happens in America, Canada will be watching and will catch the wave much like it is being done on the other side of the world.

Support us in our quest for democracy, and we will support you. We are connected by land, we are connected by spirit.

Focus LOCALLY. You can make an impact in your community. Pay attention, get involved, join local community organizing groups. Keep with DU and when you talk to others who feel as you do, lead them to this website so that you can be among those of like minds in like situations.

Take a bit of time to mourn what could have been born, that the Conservatives effectively aborted.

Remember, democrats don't have the assets that conservatives have, but we do have the numbers. When we are organized and VOTE, we win. That is our challenge and we can never EVER take it for granted again.

My very best to you - Shine On!
Annette

Your comments are very much appreciated. I hope we can succeed. And yes, WI IS a good example.

My heart is hurting for my country now. I was really hoping that we would have some respite after the election.

that would help, but I think we still need him until we have real journalism.

:yoiks:

That's what happened when Gore was dogged out of his rightful place....
he would have won, except for the Left didn't like him enough,
and so it ended too close, and we ended up with Bush. Same shit happened
when Reagan got into office.....we had dogged Carter into oblivion.

I have been at this site since 2003, and since 2009, ever since Obama
has been elected, I have attempted to remind folks that only in unity is
there power, and that incremental progress is wayyyy better than regressive
Republican policies...

At least you guys have a much more honest press than we do....
that should be helpful, no? :shrug:

If I were you I would do everything I could to support the NDP and make sure everyone around you is aware of everything the conservatives are trying to do. The next 4 years are gonna suck, but if Layton keeps his cool and is able to keep his caucus together you could end up having a real democratic government in 4 years rather than a weak neo-liberal government.

In my opinion, the death of the liberal party and the rise of the NDP says a lot of good things about what the future holds.

They paved the way for this majority. I will continue working for, and donating to, the Liberal party. Proudly.

is to start drinking heavily.