Why Canadians are talking about the American Election

I live streamed the latest debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, tweeted a bunch, and followed up with a response to an article I read in the New York Times:

In Democratic Debate, Hillary Clinton Paints Bernie Sanders's Plans as Unrealistic - Amy Chozick and Patrick Healy

My response to this article on Facebook:

"This is a very disappointing article. Yes, Hillary Clinton didn't win New Hampshire, but if you talk about substance rather than flash, at least her answers held some detail in her plans. Bernie Sanders speaks with broad statements and talking points. This is very effective when trying to win over a volume of people with short attention spans. However, Hillary Clinton's responses - while sometimes stilted in delivery - were more detailed and actually told something about her thought process."

As you can imagine, this garnered quite a few responses including +130 likes and +30 comments.

One comment was particularly important, I believe:

"Sorry but, i just looked at your page, and you're Canada (great country by the way)

What's up with all these Canadiens commenting on America's Political Revolution ? I just find it peculiar, because i don't know if they're being sincere in their interest, because some of them are for Bernie and some are HRC.. Is there paid trolls on each side?, or they being sincere in their interest? Like i said, i just find it peculiar is all..Are you sincere in your interest?"

My response:

Yes, I'm a political scientist and writer from Canada - Yes, I'm very sincere when I comment because the relationship between Canada and the US is incredibly important. The US is our largest trade partner [United States: US$363.2 billion (76.8% of total Canadian exports)] and we share the world's longest unprotected border. Whenever we have a disagreement, our lives are effected e.g. Softwood lumber, pipelines, participation in military and peacekeeping efforts. We also work well together e.g. Hurricane Katrina, 1998 Ice Storm. Generally, I don't pay much attention to American elections during the primaries, but in this election, we've already witnessed so much violent rhetoric from Donald Trump and a ton of aggressive comments about Hillary Clinton, that I am paying attention much more than I normally do. During the Barack Obama elections, Americans got swept up in his positive messages and, while I had my doubts, I didn't feel compelled to act because it was at least rhetoric that was going in the right direction - and he has had successes and failures during his terms in office - But Canadians like me are seeing our American friends struggle with racial, censorship, inequality, family planning rights, medical coverage, education, and debt issues that appear to be getting worse instead of better and we are concerned. It's a mix between caring for a friend and self-interest that you'll pull us down with you that compels me to comment since I can't vote in your country. We have Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who is doing his best to help our internal and international trade issues, refugees, and our place on the world stage, and after 100 days in office, there are already changes being made. I look at American news (which is actually easier to get here than some Canadian news since your population is so much larger than ours - 35,985,751 to 322,835,000) I know that whether you elect a Republican or Democrat, we're going to have an interesting next four (or eight) years. My interest is sincere, it is mostly unpartisan, and I am greatly interested in what leader you will choose. It will have a great effect on lives both inside and outside of your country.

Cost of Living, Mental Health, and The West Wing

As we wait for the New Hampshire primary results in the US, Canadians reflect on how our country is doing on helping our citizens do more than live from paycheque to paycheque but to actually thrive.

Even though it's a TV show (that is becoming dated), The West Wing came up with a lot of great ideas - or at least great discussion topics - over its' lifespan.

This is from 5x19 - "Talking Points"

JOSH
Ten years ago, I worked for this Senate candidate. He had this idea that
health care, pensions, even vacation time ought to be portable, that it
should follow you from job to job, 'cause everyone was gonna work 15 jobs
in a lifetime. Might as well fly in the teeth of it. And we talked him out
of it. We told him he was scaring the bejeesus out of people. Who wants to
know about 15 jobs? Maybe we should have done that, I don't know.

***

I would like to start a debate based around this suggestion.  Since I am a writer and not affiliated with any political party, I'm working towards increasing awareness on issues and suggesting possible solutions that are politically unpopular.

For the Americans that read this post - I'm not supporting any of your politicians either, but I think Obama has made a lot of mistakes and I cringe at Donald Trump and the equality problems I read about - and I'm hoping the next president is open to new ideas for your country and the world.

For my fellow Canadians, many of us - The Working Poor and those struggling with Mental Health issues - went through our last election hoping that we might be mentioned by our political leaders and talking heads.  Everyone was championing the "Middle Class" as if most Canadians assume they are part of that group, but no one ever defines what that means.

If I were to define "Middle Class", I would say that it would include individuals that were able to live and work full time and be able to afford not only the necessities of life and the ability to save for a proper retirement but also any sudden expense (like replacing a broken refrigerator or time off for a medical emergency) without worrying about not being able to afford it; education and caring for family members will not bankrupt them; and being able to enjoy life with things like celebrating an achievement, heading out to local community events, participating in hobbies and organized sports, and the occasional vacation.  I would add to this that a middle class family would be comfortable having the children they choose to have with the knowledge that they can be tested for any health issues that may come up; successful pregnancy including pre/post natal care; early education; school fees that won't cripple their family budget; the ability to have the kids participate in arts and sports; the nightmare of post-secondary student loans will not hobble them and their soon-to-be-adult children; the ability to participate in community events for the whole family and individuals; and everyday joys like birthday parties and competitions can be participated in without first checking the bank account.  This is a very low bar, I believe - as the saying goes, we should work to live not live to work.  The people who can afford more than this aren't automatically "rich" - this should apply to everyone in Canada.  We should all be able to enjoy some comforts of life and be able to answer the phone without worrying about creditors.  No one should fall through the cracks, have to go to a Food Bank, receive welfare, or cringe at the phone ringing because they are ducking creditors.  Everyone should be able to enjoy life.

Juno Nominations are out, including Justin Bieber...

I love this song so much that I rewrote the lyrics for our troubled and strange pop sensation, Justin Bieber and his love of illegal street racing and other oddities: You know, I never listened to you on the radio, I wasn’t in your target group for your records or your shows, But I thought “Just let him be. He’s a Canadian kid like me” And I turned the channel anytime I heard “The Beabs” Because I’ll say that… Every rose has it’s thorn, Just like every night has it’s dawn, Every cowboy sings a sad, sad song, Every rose has its’ thorn. I went along with my business and I left you to the tweens, To worry about your millions wasn’t worth a hill of beans, I thought it was a little much when they boo’d you at The Cup It’s just you’re all jealous of his growing means, Because I’ll say that… Every rose has it’s thorn, Just like every night has it’s dawn, Every cowboy sings a sad, sad song, Every rose has its’ thorn. So now you’ve gone and gotten yourself in trouble, And you seem to think it’s all a little game, Buzzing down the street could turn you to mincemeat, So I sigh and turn the page for the boy of 19 Because I’ll say that… Every rose has it’s thorn, Just like every night has it’s dawn, Every cowboy sings a sad, sad song, Every rose has its’ thorn.

Our Government Wants Our Opinion!

1. In your opinion, how can we better support our middle class?

First, we need to define what "The Middle Class" is... it sounds great on the hustings and a lot of people consider themselves to be in the middle class, it discounts the working poor and those like me that balance between a middle class family and being under-employed like so many Canadians.  While it is politically unpopular, we need to define what the poverty line actually is and ascribe our EI, federal funding, welfare, and all other government assistance systems with a calculation on what an actual working wage is in Canada - from sea to sea to sea.

2. What infrastructure needs can best help grow the economy, protect our environment, and meet your priorities locally?

We need to create a much more effective system to get proper supplies in the Northern territories, green technologies like solar/wind power, and we need to embrace the coming of driverless cars in both legislature and infrastructure.  France, Switzerland, and the UK are writing policies that will allow driverless cars and we need to do so, as well.  Also, the University of Calgary is working on making solar panels by 3D Printing technology - this is the type of thinking we need for the future.  Infrastructure is expensive and takes years - politics ends up being a lot about "What have you done for me lately?" and can be too short-sighted because of it.  We need to aim higher.

3. How can we create economic growth, protect the environment, and meet local priorities while ensuring that the most vulnerable don’t get left behind? 

Employment and ingenuity will help us with all of these priorities and that means jobs and proper communication - a partnership between private and public - I grew up knowing that there were many businesses that would offer an internship opportunity and life-long employment followed by a pension and, partnered with retirement savings, this would sustain a person in their golden years.  Unfortunately, those have been peeled back slowly, we're living much longer, and the NDP is pushing for the retirement age back to 65, yet a majority of us live well over 80 years in this country.  Many internships that do exist are unpaid or low-paid positions.  Also, many of them require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and the cost of post-secondary education and the debt that follows prevents a lot of our younger Canadians to get a full start in life for years.  On the other side of things, at age 35, I am quite convinced that I'll never retire - certainly not in the way it used to be seen - and I fear removal of society.  There are many seniors who retire as vibrant, healthy individuals with dreams of travelling and reaching new heights.  Unfortunately, many Canadian's golden years are spent in nursing homes and seniors centres losing contact with "the outside world" and eventually succumbing to health issues.  Perhaps a form of semi-retirement and more opportunities for our valued and experienced citizens to mentor students and new graduates could be created so all Canadians can benefit from their expertise?  We also need to truly acknowledge our mental health crisis and improve services as well as fighting the stigma so people can come forward with their issues without fear of being condemned by our society.

4. Finally, is the implementation of these new priorities and initiatives realistic?  Will it help grow our economy?

Yes - If we are no longer preventing Canadian ingenuity and energy to be stifled by a more effective management of their gifts, we will grow stronger.

5. This question is a priority list that isn’t particularly useful because priorities help other priorities develop - they are not a check list.

We need to kill the barriers of trade in between provinces and territories - This isn’t even on the list.

Gladly, the Liberals are trying to create a more open forum for discussions.

India's Daughter and World Rape Statistics

I have just watched the un-edited version of India's Daughter currently available on Netflix Canada - This isn't the first time Netflix has stood up and shared a movie that is banned or edited in other parts of the world and they have my utmost respect for that.

India's Daughter is a documentary about Jyoti Singh who was just about to begin an internship to become a doctor when she was brutally gang raped on a stolen school bus as her and a friend were coming home from the movies.  It interviews her family but also the criminals and their families, as well as the lawyers involved in the case.  It is incredibly disturbing to watch - I have seen it twice: Once on YouTube when it was first released and banned by the Indian government and edited by multiple places and once tonight.  At the very end of the film, right before the credits, there is a list of worldwide rape statistics that I have read are not shown in all versions of the film - so I have copied them here so that more people will read them and do something about this heinous crime that is committed and covered up EVERYWHERE!

Please keep in mind that, since rape is one of the least reported crimes in the world, these numbers are probably low:

- Since the rape of India's Daughter, reporting has increased by 35%
- Australia - 35% of women have been sexually assaulted.  Only 15% reported to the police
- Canada - Over 1 in 3 women has been sexually assaulted.  Only 6% reported to the police.
- Democratic Republic of Congo - More than 400,000 women are raped each year.
- Denmark - Only 1 in 5 reported rapes results in a conviction.
- Egypt - 96% of women have suffered genital mutilation
- Ethiopia - 60% of women have been subjected to sexual violence
- France - 1 in 10 women are victims of domestic violence.
- Nigeria - 10 out of 36 states have laws that allow husbands to use physical force against their wives.
- South Africa - A woman is raped every 26 seconds.
- Sri Lanka - An average rape case takes 6 to 12 years to be resolved.
- United Kingdom - 33% of girls between 13-17 have experienced sexual violence
- USA - 17.7 million women have been raped.
- 1 in 3 women GLOBALLY is beaten, forced into sex or abused.
- 1 in 5 will become a victim of rape or attempted rape.

India's Daughter -


Filmmaker Leslee Udwin examines the society and values of India after a 23-year-old medical student is raped and murdered on a bus.
Initial release: March 9, 2015 (New York City)
Director: Leslee Udwin
Running time: 1h 3m
Music composed by: Krsna
Screenplay: Leslee Udwin
Cast: Badri Singh, Mukesh Singh, Jyoti's Mother Asha Devi

Greedy Cancer

Why are the Cancer Societies/foundations so unbelievably greedy? This was my response to one of these groups asking me to walk or run for Cancer and to raise over a thousand dollars for the privilege: 

This is why I don't donate or run for cancer organizations and why there are (arguable but plausible) conspiracy theories that cancer has been cured for years - "Registered Walkers raise a minimum of CA$1500 for Alberta Cancer Foundation in order to be eligible to participate in the 25 kilometre walk June 25, 2016" - This is ABSOLUTELY INSANE! That you would demand individuals to get this much money in order to participate (not to mention the current state of the economy) is just simply RUDE! Most people fundraise by asking friends and relatives and most people have more than one cause they would like to help. You are completely tone deaf to people's needs and the needs of this world. Stop insulting people that want to fight cancer and those of use who have lost family and friends to this horrible disease - You ABSOLUTELY DISGUST ME!!!

In Honour of our Fallen Reporters - Why I will No Longer Hesitate to Write Articles on Any Topic I Want

This is an article I wrote during the pre-election discussions in 2015 when people were debating whether it's right or wrong for a woman to wear a face covering.  While that issue is thankfully dead, I believe we need a fully open discussion about the threats in this world. 

I hesitated discussing it and writing about this topic given the climate we live in these days.  However, it has been brought to my attention with a violent strike of lightening, that this will not work.  This article that outlines how many journalists have DIED trying to report the ugly truths of this world makes me ashamed that I even hesitated writing any article on any subject.  2015 Deadly Year in Journalism Put to Daily Sword 

I will no longer hesitate to write what I want to write.  

Why I fear the Niqab

By Melissa R. Knive

This is my attempt to begin a conversation about the Islamic faith in an era hijacked by terrorism and the lack of understanding in the Western media I follow.

I’m a born Canadian which means that, while I’ve spent some time in church and attended a high school in the separate (Catholic) system, I grew up in a largely secular society.  I have had many discussions about religion, but I’ve never truly believed in an all-knowing, omnipotent “God”.  I’ve lived with the comfortable, privileged ability to say that life has mysteries that I don’t understand but not being committed to a devotion to faith since birth.

Since this is my reality, I am part of the world’s population that doesn’t understand the Muslim faith.  I’ve read that people who follow Islam live life according to and fully encompassed by their religion.  As I live in a free society where my rights are guaranteed, I can appreciate that this could give a person a certain level of comfort in this often unfair world.  I may not understand dedication to organized religion, and I may use casual expressions like “God damn it” when I’m frustrated in a way that would offend some people, but I can surmise that Islam provides a sort of tapestry that people can weave their lives on.  However, as much as I can appreciate the value this faith adds to many people’s lives, I don’t understand it.  Typically to humans, what I don’t understand, I automatically fear as part of an innate reaction.  

Since it is such an all encompassing subject, I can’t simply Google Islam and understand what it means to follow this faith; it’s way too complex.  

Even asking questions have put people at risk in this time of ISIS and Boko Haram.  

My lack of knowledge is regularly highlighted as I watch the nightly news and I have many questions, specifically in regard to women.  In an originally peaceful religion, how has Islam been misappropriated by so many criminals? Why are there so many restrictions on women’s lives in certain populations and yet many women here choose to practice the religion?  How is it that the veil, burqua, and niqab are required clothing with some practitioners, and yet other people say that these are more cultural than religious?  The news tells us about women who are harmed for leaving the house without a male relative; kept from education, travel, and driving; have little access to proper sanitation and medical care (even during their menses); Sharia Law punishments like lashes and stoning; and modesty laws that many of us in the West don’t understand - often in the name of Islam.

On the other side of things, the news talks about women who live a “regular” life as I see it - living, working, driving, and travelling freely and choosing to wear a simple veil.  Like turbans, yarmulkes, and tiecls, they simply cover the hair and you get used to seeing them.  The Niqab and Burqua, on the other hand, cover way more, stick out in a crowd, and disallows you to see the woman’s full face.  To those like me who have minimal exposure to this clothing choice, it makes no sense and stirs up that same, innate distrust of the unfamiliar I mentioned earlier.  Whether it is the woman’s desire to cover herself this much, or a man’s decision, we don’t know… and feel it’s rude to ask… so our minds trigger a fear response.  Is she trying to hide?  Is she regularly beaten?  Is she a terrorist?  Does she need to be rescued?

What about when an immigrant wants to wear this full covering when taking a citizenship oath or doing other business with the government?  Is there something she’s hiding?  Or is there a lack of sincerity in the vow because she (or her family) wants to have more women cover themselves and practice this version of Islam?  

This is the opener of a dialogue I would like to begin with those open to discuss these things.  I’ve purposely refrained from mentioning specific regions and the few terms I do know because I’d rather someone else tell me exactly how they are supposed to be used, rather than accidentally using the term incorrectly because I read the wrong internet source.

Thank you for being open minded.