One unspoken idea is likely shared by the leaders of a “free” Alberta: The nation they wish to create couldn’t operate as a real democracy.
In fact, from the viewpoint of the many would-be architects of De-confederation (and that of Premier Danielle Smith among their few female counterparts), this new country must not be genuinely democratic.
How could it be? Like all utopian thinkers, the separatist fringe now steering Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) and leading various separatist factions in the province does not, will not, and really cannot recognize or accept the legitimacy of different political beliefs that are often found in any healthy democracy.
Similar to followers of the One True Church you might choose, all evidence suggests that proponents of Alberta separation share a common dystopian mindset linked to the Make America Great Again movement just south of Canada’s longest undefended border. Any differing perspective is dismissed as invalid, and anyone holding such views has no right to power, regardless of how many votes they may receive.
So, how can a state maintain a functioning democracy when every political ideology outside this MAGA circle must be banned for the dominant official belief system to stay in control?
In the U. S., anything that’s not MAGA holds no political value according to Trump’s administration. This is evident from their actions. It explains why there are ICE operations in Minnesota, why administration officials show disdain for Congress, and why President Donald Trump threatens prison and death against Democrat politicians opposing his unconstitutional policies.
This is also the same administration with which an unelected trio from Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) claims they’re negotiating Alberta’s removal from Confederation against what most Albertans want. Presumably, they’re promising easy access to oil, water, and rare earth minerals that President Trump could desire through their unnamed contacts in Washington.
The very same administration that plans to eliminate over 20 million American citizens from state voter rolls-this includes many married women who took their husbands’ last names-to prepare for stealing November’s mid-term Congressional elections.
Clearly, there’s little regard for democracy or rule of law within MAGA circles on either side of the 49th Parallel.
In Alberta, we’ve seen during Rachel Notley’s moderate government from 2015 to 2019 that emerging MAGA supporters argued absurdly that the NDP had no right to follow through on its election promises.
Derek Fildebrandt, finance critic for Wildrose Party in 2015 claimed that the NDP had “hoodwinked voters into believing it would lean only slightly left.” (As it turned out, that’s exactly what they did-leaned just slightly left.)
Fildebrandt now runs an online news site which APP calls an affiliate: “While APP builds the movement on the ground, the Western Standard delivers the hard-hitting journalism that fuels it,” according to APP’s website. The Western Standard describes itself as “an independent source of news and commentary” fighting for a strong and free Western Canada.
Back in 2016, Chris Alexander led Conservative Party leadership candidates in protesting against NDP’s carbon tax while chanting “lock her up”-the target being Notley for attempting something about climate change. When Jason Kenney’s UCP gained power in 2019 promising a “summer of repeal,” they set out to undo all NDP legislation-good or bad-mirroring Mr. Trump’s efforts to erase Barack Obama’s legislative achievements.
This was long before MAGA reached its current level of chaos south of Medicine Line and extended its influence into Alberta.
Todays’ minority advocating for separation see progressive conservatives and socially liberal democratic conservatives along with other right-leaning groups as having just as little right to power as New Democrats or social democrats!
From MAGA’s viewpoint-and remember this cause is rooted deep within MAGA-not one political camp where most Albertans feel comfortable fits into this idealized vision they want to create. Even so, they were outraged when pollsters suggested large numbers might leave if their project went ahead.
Why do you think those at APP say an independent Alberta would immediately need an army?
It’s not meant for defending against Canada; Canada has foolishly committed itself through constitutional processes allowing any province to separate if there’s a fair referendum result that’s decisive alongside negotiations regarding asset division with remaining provinces.
Of course! Many separatists openly aim at declaring independence unilaterally despite what most Albertans want while disregarding both constitutionality and legal norms-with support from Trump’s administration behind them! Indeed-that might be their only path toward success!
So then-the purpose behind forming this supposed army must be about protecting their new government from Albertans themselves.
Can you imagine what could happen if after claiming independence Albertans elected back NDP again? Or even any progressive conservative party seeking re-entry into Canada? Well-those work camps aren’t going manage themselves now are they?
Look here; if leaders within APP respected democracy or lawful processes even slightly-they wouldn’t have crossed borders trying negotiate our country’s breakup while chasing loans needed financing takeover!
Just based on such behavior alone-it shows how feasible functional democratic governance might actually turn out being post-separation! And without considering whom else they’re associating with Stateside!
So sure-you’ve got every legal right supporting separation but please don’t pretend it’ll become some kind true democracy afterward!
The separatist crowd reacted strongly when one pollster suggested significant portions might evacuate if successful-their bots moaned endlessly about nobody making positive cases favoring Canada anymore-which was nonsense like much separatist messaging tends towards yet still-in response both University Calgary’s Lisa Young along with Mount Royal University’s Duane Bratt thoughts advocating reasons valuing Canadian unity-including Dr. Yeung linking Senator Paula Simons’ excellent piece The Case for Sticking Around containing worthwhile arguments too!
An optimistic approach won’t suffice though when those disagreeing abandon logic along facts choosing stupidity corruption deception-and perhaps outright treason too!
Source link
Happy Family Day!
Today marks Family Day here in Alberta-but amidst bigger matters at hand readers can check past reflections regarding February long weekends here.Support rabble today!
We’re really glad you dropped by! Thanks immensely engaging rabble content throughout year.
rabble. ca remains entirely funded by reader donations; thus we hope avid fans consider gifting us during summer fundraiser today.
Nick Seebruch editor
Whether providing one-time contributions or small monthly donations-your help proves vital keeping dedicated writers delivering works you count upon part healthy media consumption diet.
Become engaged donate rabble. ca today!
Nick Seebruch editor
Source link
