Burn it down

Weird John Rustad came out of the weeds to tank BC’s socialists.

In case you missed it, voters spanked the NDP and handed close to a majority of seats to a guy and a party that had, well, nothing of a track record. As of writing this, the Dippers and the Cons have about exactly the same share of the popular vote and an equal seat count. Two lonely, suddenly-important Greens hold the balance of power. For now. Some late vote-counting might change that and push one of these main parties over the majority line.

But here’s the thing. It’s shocking. Premier David Eby was likely the most pro-housing leader in the country, unable to keep his fingers off any aspect of real estate in a province obsessed with it. The party won a handsome majority four years ago, with Eby a popular minister who took over after leader John Horgan stepped down (he’s now ambassador to Germany).

The loss of a dozen seats this weekend is consequential. Especially losing to Rustad.

The politician was elected two terms ago as a Liberal. Last year he jumped ship and became a Conservative – when there were no others elected. Now he’s a whisker or two from the premier’s chair.

Also remarkable is that a traditionally pink province would throw support behind a guy who tolerates controversial candidates and has been a rabid anti-vaxer. Rustad even declared he would support a ‘Nuremburg 2.0’ trial to prosecute people responsible for Covid public health actions during the pandemic. Of course, the Nuremburg trials were held post-WW2 to punish war crimes. Rustad later said it was probably a mistake to compare BC Health measures to Nazi Germany atrocities.

Ya think?

Well, it doesn’t stop there. Lots of Con candidates turned out to be dodgy (and now elected) who have espoused conspiracy theories, denigrated Indigenous folks, defended January 6, denied mass shootings and trashed Palestinians. Not the stuff of normal provincial politics.

Eby and the socialists said this was dangerous and extreme. They told BC the Cons would cut spending and programs while favouring the wealthy to the detriment of the many. But voters did what they did anyway.

Is this unique?

Hardly. It’s now the political norm. We’re in unchartered territory, kids. Anything can happen.

Look at our federal situation, where polls indicate a Poilievre majority is in the offing as the Cons keep a 20-point lead over the Trudeau Libs. That’s despite PP saying some really dumb stuff, like suggesting our dollar be replaced by crypto, jumping aboard the anti-vaccine Freedom Convoy, blaming global inflation on the prime minister and insisting he’d fire the Bank of Canada boss and take over monetary policy while gutting the CBC.

Do voters even care? Nah, seems not. Just punish the fools in power.

This is also consistent with the historically strange American election, now just days away.

The Republican guy is a convicted felon, also found guilty of sex abuse and fraud by jury while facing dozens of other indictments. He is crass, crude, vulgar, racist and misogynistic. He calls his opponent ‘mentally disabled’ and joyfully repeats things he knows are untrue. (“They’re eating the dogs in Springfield.” “I won the 2020 election.”) He calls economic refugees and migrants ‘animals’ while suggesting they’re genetically disposed to criminality. We have not heard such words since the late 1930s. And his policies of tariffs, protectionism, trade wars, isolationism, tax cuts and mass deportations scare the pants off economists. He’s vowed revenge and retribution on political opponents, suggesting the military could be used. These are the aspirations of dictators.

Ans do voters care? Nah, he’s got an even chance of winning.

So what’s going on?

A seismic shift. Not necessarily to the right, but punishing incumbents. People are eager to vote against, not for. Burn-it-all-down, stick-in-their-eye candidates are doing well globally, right down to the legislative buildings in Victoria. Despite robust conditions, over 60% of Canadians and 65% of Americans think the economy sucks. Misinformation and bold lies become facts and beliefs, especially now that professional media sources have been discredited and labelled ‘fake’. When the CBC is defunded by Poilievre, for example, it will be that much easier to control the news narrative. When Kamala Harries does well on 60 Minutes, the program is attacked as corrupted. Unfiltered social media is now the weapon of choice.

Well, it’s all (sadly) unstoppable. Expect a mess of sketchy people to assume leadership positions. And expect the consequences. Ready?

About the picture: “I’m a sucker for cute dogs doing unusual things, and witty, informative financial blogs written by anyone with chiselled abs,” writes Heather, from south Surrey, BC. “I recently stumbled across this handsome border collie begging for Euros on the Greek island of Crete. I sure hope this talented fella is eating premium dog chow, as tourists were lined up to donate to his cause. Keep up the good words, Garth. Your free blog is a must-read in our home, and we’ve told countless others about it.”

To be in touch or send a picture of your beast, email to ‘garth@garth’ca’.

Source: https://www.greaterfool.ca/2024/10/20/burn-it-down-3/