To the Editor,
I recently met an Albertan who helped me to understand Trumpism in the U.S. and radical Conservatism here in Canada.
This gentleman absolutely insisted that all of Alberta’s problems, economic and otherwise, were a direct result of Rachel Notley and the NDP government before Jason Kenney’s dis-united conservatives took over. In his words, low oil prices, higher utility costs, massive unemployment and probably old age and athritis were all the fault of the NDP in Alberta.
When I suggested to him that record-low crude oil prices resulted in a dramatic drop in provincial revenue, he dismissed that as only a small factor in Alberta’s declining economy.
Slowish adherance to doctrine and a cleverly concocted web of outright lies diverts to many people in American and Canadian society to ignore the real challenges in our societies, wasting our collective energy, shadow-boxing with strawmen made up of half-truths, lies, falsehoods and distortions of the truth.
Democracy can only survive if members of society take the time to inform themselves of the issues and get involved by simply voting or some greater involvement in the political process. This is the best defence against Trumpism in all its self-serving forms.
Thank you Mr. Albertan for helping me to understand the problem and here is hoping your move to B.C. will help you see the world as it really is.
Wes Morden
Blackpool, B.C.