I’m trying to get a feel for how I can best participate in our current political world. I’m an outsider to the US mess. I keep an eye on the war in Ukraine, on the horrific destruction in Gaza, watchful of China’s moves on Taiwan and the suppression of liberty in Hong Kong. There’s chaos everywhere.

It takes me back to a Kingston Trio song from the early 60s:

Details different, situation the same (SNAFU)!

I realized recently I can no longer fight on the palisades; but I’m still good at reading stuff from all over the map and building a bigger picture. That’s what I’m finding myself doing at the moment.

Today, I’ll share a few things I’ve read you might find helpful / interesting, too.

Alex Himelfarb’s recent contribution to Pledge For Canada is a must-read, I think. He’s explaining the historical connections we have as a federation and the role taxes play in keeping a nation together. He ends with:

To build a more resilient, less dependent – democratic – Canada, we will need to rebuild our collective toolkit, find a new solidarity across our differences, and rediscover the common good. We will need government strong enough to harness the market and democracy strong enough to harness government. 

What We Owe Each Other describes Canada’s equalization policy and how it operates. It’s a good refresher for all of us, including Albertans. There’s also this tidbit that clarifies provincial contribution to the national economy (in case you think Alberta contributes the most – it doesn’t).

Corey Hogan has written a useful piece about three myths underpinning the Alberta separation movement: Three Alberta Separation Myths.

The next several months could be a dangerous time for Alberta. It does not take a majority of Albertans voting to separate to severely damage our home – serious talk alone will be sufficient.

Consider the example of Quebec in the 1970s: companies moved from Montreal to Toronto to escape political uncertainty. This was despite the fact that corporate taxes were lower in Quebec than Ontario at that time.

Putting so much political risk into the equation will more than undo any other Alberta Advantage we create. It’s incumbent on all of us to tread carefully. Now is a time for cool heads and facts.

There are also the Treaties which govern much of the land in Alberta! It could be argued most of the province is controlled by those treaties and the First Nations Peoples will determines what happens there. (Tried tracking down the source, unsuccessful.)

One other quick link to “The Truth About 51st State Supporters“:

when a Canadian proudly declares they support Trump over any Canadian leader, what they’re really saying is:

✔️ They would rather see this country controlled by a foreign dictator than governed by Canadians.

✔️ They support the rise of authoritarianism over the principles of democracy.

✔️ They would rather burn this country to the ground than see a government they don’t like in power.

That’s not patriotism. That’s treasonous thinking.

I’ll end today with an incredibly moving piece by Victor Kravchuk – a “Ukrainian living through war”.

Let me ask you something:

If tomorrow you woke up and your country was being erased, not just by missiles, but by hate. If you saw strangers online spreading that your story no longer mattered, that your pain was inconvenient, that your survival was a political annoyance…

Wouldn’t you want someone to write you back?

Wouldn’t you want someone, somewhere, to care enough to keep your voice alive?

That’s why I’m still here. 

And that’s why you, reading this right now, are part of something I’ll never be able to measure.

Gotta step away from my computer and get on with life.

It’s a gorgeous warm, sunny day here in NS. Dandelions everywhere. Magnolias and azaleas in bloom. You can see the leaves growing on a day like this.

I have to head out for a walk – to feel connected to it all.