Canada’s democracy is under pressure. Here’s how every citizen can stand up to disinformation, defend institutions, and shape a stronger future together.
Have you got a map? Look at the population density and scale of Russia...rural households, especially those in the north above the frost line are not going to have indoor plumbing. It's really weird to imagine that the specific number of people with running water is somehow a measure of...what, exactly? Are you saying their government doesn't provide? Are you saying they're primitive savages? What, exactly? I replied as I did because pointless statistics are just that, absent context.
As a Bahamian activist (Christian also) who benefited from a part of my education and my parent’s being in private or Bible college in Canada, I feel a driving ambition to help fight disinformation throughout especially my close contact with the church community. It is so prevalent to hear sweeping statements in the church that I know based on my own private research to be patently FALSE! And it takes humility and patience to push back without beating back when the church space is supposed to be about ‘love’. But the old, famous Bible story of Jesus reacting to the money changers is sometimes relevant. Melissa K. Xoxo Nassau, Bahamas
Mutual aid networks that span grievance and division is what I am working on in the USA. Sooner Canadians start, the better! If you can do it while you still have institutions to save: all that much moreso! We here need a strong and truly patriotic Canada!
We do have existing community centres, but they are under severe strain due to mass immigration and a faltering economy. Being proactive and holding governments to account is the first step we need to take. The voter apathy shown in the recent Ontario election, including assumptions it is similar to how US elections work, is already a sign of where we need to start
Reinforcing existing supports with explicitly pro-democracy volunteerism and holding the politicians to account are not mutually exclusive - and I see lots of room for "synergy" (speaking of cringe US from a decade plus ago).
Jimmy Carter's approach to fighting oligarchy. There is a reason this regime is going after Habitat for Humanity. They know it is things like that which topple dictators. Dissidents need to learn how mutual aid ended slavery and then Jim Crow. And how the French resistence used mutual aid networks. How Lech Welesa helped bring down the USSR. Look to the past for how to fight fascists!!!
Everything you warn against, we are seeing now, in the U.S.A. Every bit of it. And make no mistake: none of what is happening to your south will make America “great again”. It will make America into a new Russia: a nation of, by, and for the wealthy and powerful, with everyone else gagged, bound, and poor.
Buddy, one in five Russians don’t have running water. St. Petersburg and Moscow are the exceptions, not the rule. Imperial capitals have always had money, no matter how impoverished the rest of the empire is.
UPDATE: a quick review of your profile shows that you despise “the West.” Okay. Explain to me in small words why that makes Russia “good.”
In the United States, millions of people lack access to clean water. DIGDEEP reports that 2.2 million Americans lack running water and basic indoor plumbing, and many more lack proper sanitation. Additionally, over 44 million Americans are served by water systems that have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Idexx Currents estimates that 80 million Americans live in counties where more than 1% of community water systems are significant violators.
2.2 million amounts to less than 1% of Americans. Now, if you’re arguing that the U.S. is speedrunning towards that one in five figure, well, thanks for agreeing with me, I guess? We’re not there yet, but give us some time. I fail to see how that makes it a goal to aspire to, though.
As for “water systems that have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act”, well, despite official statistics, 30% of Muscovites do not trust their tap water.
The US was already in decline when I moved out a decade ago. I wrote about it in paid posts due to the personal nature. I am based in Canada at this time.
Be under no illusion: we have allot of hard work to do if we are to survive what is coming. But we are strong, and will become stronger.
The upcoming election is just the start. Our economy has already suffered, but we must invest in communities and then the country. Our diversity is at the core of our strength, and that diversity can open doors we didn’t even know existed.
Talk to neighbours, which is best done over morning coffee, lunch or over a fence while cleaning up the yard. We all have stories to share, and often a conversation will birth a good idea. And then can figure out how to use that idea. One conversation about cooking could lead to never before considered business opportunities in an unrelated field.
There is much work to be done after the election, and the new government must be held accountable for the loose ends left from the previous Trudeau and Harper governments.
The major issues that need focus are national security, the economy, the job market, healthcare, and immigration, as they have been neglected.
Most of all, we need to rebuild a sense of civility to figure out the facts on the ground and get a common understanding. Otherwise, we will remain in echo chambers and learn nothing while those who benefit from a culture of complacency keep steering the country into decline.
Have you got a map? Look at the population density and scale of Russia...rural households, especially those in the north above the frost line are not going to have indoor plumbing. It's really weird to imagine that the specific number of people with running water is somehow a measure of...what, exactly? Are you saying their government doesn't provide? Are you saying they're primitive savages? What, exactly? I replied as I did because pointless statistics are just that, absent context.
As a Bahamian activist (Christian also) who benefited from a part of my education and my parent’s being in private or Bible college in Canada, I feel a driving ambition to help fight disinformation throughout especially my close contact with the church community. It is so prevalent to hear sweeping statements in the church that I know based on my own private research to be patently FALSE! And it takes humility and patience to push back without beating back when the church space is supposed to be about ‘love’. But the old, famous Bible story of Jesus reacting to the money changers is sometimes relevant. Melissa K. Xoxo Nassau, Bahamas
Thank you for sharing your story and please keep up the fight. Elbows up.
Great article ... and good advice by commenters as well.
Thanks and please share and get the vote out. It's closer than what people think
Mutual aid networks that span grievance and division is what I am working on in the USA. Sooner Canadians start, the better! If you can do it while you still have institutions to save: all that much moreso! We here need a strong and truly patriotic Canada!
We do have existing community centres, but they are under severe strain due to mass immigration and a faltering economy. Being proactive and holding governments to account is the first step we need to take. The voter apathy shown in the recent Ontario election, including assumptions it is similar to how US elections work, is already a sign of where we need to start
Reinforcing existing supports with explicitly pro-democracy volunteerism and holding the politicians to account are not mutually exclusive - and I see lots of room for "synergy" (speaking of cringe US from a decade plus ago).
Yes Canada has much to learn as it slowly gets off its culture of complacency and stops depending on both China and the USA for its future.
Worth looking at how Finland has prepared against potential Russian invasion as well. Fascists love kinetic wars.
Yes we need that in Canada.
Dissidents here have a lot to learn as well. Part of why we need a strong Canada!
Jimmy Carter's approach to fighting oligarchy. There is a reason this regime is going after Habitat for Humanity. They know it is things like that which topple dictators. Dissidents need to learn how mutual aid ended slavery and then Jim Crow. And how the French resistence used mutual aid networks. How Lech Welesa helped bring down the USSR. Look to the past for how to fight fascists!!!
helped* end slavery and Jim Crow.
Everything you warn against, we are seeing now, in the U.S.A. Every bit of it. And make no mistake: none of what is happening to your south will make America “great again”. It will make America into a new Russia: a nation of, by, and for the wealthy and powerful, with everyone else gagged, bound, and poor.
You don't seem to know much about Russia 🤔 Maybe you meant to say DPRK?
Buddy, one in five Russians don’t have running water. St. Petersburg and Moscow are the exceptions, not the rule. Imperial capitals have always had money, no matter how impoverished the rest of the empire is.
UPDATE: a quick review of your profile shows that you despise “the West.” Okay. Explain to me in small words why that makes Russia “good.”
In the United States, millions of people lack access to clean water. DIGDEEP reports that 2.2 million Americans lack running water and basic indoor plumbing, and many more lack proper sanitation. Additionally, over 44 million Americans are served by water systems that have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Idexx Currents estimates that 80 million Americans live in counties where more than 1% of community water systems are significant violators.
What was that about Russians and water?
🤔
2.2 million amounts to less than 1% of Americans. Now, if you’re arguing that the U.S. is speedrunning towards that one in five figure, well, thanks for agreeing with me, I guess? We’re not there yet, but give us some time. I fail to see how that makes it a goal to aspire to, though.
As for “water systems that have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act”, well, despite official statistics, 30% of Muscovites do not trust their tap water.
The US was already in decline when I moved out a decade ago. I wrote about it in paid posts due to the personal nature. I am based in Canada at this time.
Everything the author describes: we saw a decade ago.
Be under no illusion: we have allot of hard work to do if we are to survive what is coming. But we are strong, and will become stronger.
The upcoming election is just the start. Our economy has already suffered, but we must invest in communities and then the country. Our diversity is at the core of our strength, and that diversity can open doors we didn’t even know existed.
Talk to neighbours, which is best done over morning coffee, lunch or over a fence while cleaning up the yard. We all have stories to share, and often a conversation will birth a good idea. And then can figure out how to use that idea. One conversation about cooking could lead to never before considered business opportunities in an unrelated field.
Nous nous souviendrons.
We are Canadian.
There is much work to be done after the election, and the new government must be held accountable for the loose ends left from the previous Trudeau and Harper governments.
The major issues that need focus are national security, the economy, the job market, healthcare, and immigration, as they have been neglected.
Most of all, we need to rebuild a sense of civility to figure out the facts on the ground and get a common understanding. Otherwise, we will remain in echo chambers and learn nothing while those who benefit from a culture of complacency keep steering the country into decline.