FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Jun 24

What Millennials And Generation Z Have In Common

by bcurry

Over the last decade, a lot has been written about today’s younger generation, most notably the so-called millennials and Gen Zers.  As you are aware, millennials are between 28 and 43, and Gen Z generally refers to those ages 12 to 27.  Some observers believe that millennials had it bad financially, but Gen Z may have it even worse.  Millennials did go through two recessions, including the Great Recession of 2008.  Many struggled to get jobs, particularly following the Great Recession, when the nation’s unemployment rate hovered around 10 percent for over a year. Their wages took a massive hit, too.  On average, millennials lost about 13 percent of their earnings between 2007 and 2017.  Gen Z has gone through the recent pandemic, and came out seeing a totally different labour market, especially for recent college graduates.  Both the millennials and Gen Zers have faced tough labour market conditions, making it harder to get good paying jobs, especially among blue-collar workers.  Now, they are facing ever increasing debt loads and tough housing costs, making it difficult to purchase that important first home.  Indeed, Gen Z is the first generation where recent college grads are more likely to be unemployed than the general population.  In addition, both groups left college with significant student loan debts.

Why is this scenario important?   First of all, millennials were the largest generation group in the U.S.
in 2023, with an estimated population of 72.7 million.  Millennials recently surpassed Baby Boomers as the biggest group, and they will continue to be a major part of the population for many years.  Add in Gen Zers, who made up 61.3 million of the American population, these two groups now represent a major, if not the biggest voting block in the U.S. They will play a key role in the upcoming American elections next November, something both the Democrats and Republicans are well aware of.

Can President Biden appeal to the youth vote?  Biden and the Democrats have relied heavily on their vote in the past.  However, with the current inflationary economy and difficult employment situation, I wouldn’t count on it.  Since they may not necessarily favour former President Trump, they may instead simply decide not to vote.  Such an outcome would have a major impact on both political parties.  Among women in both groups, there may be more hope for the Democrats in light of the Republican stance on abortion, particularly in Republican led states.  This has yet to be seen.

Although Trump’s popularity among young adults, aged 18 to 34, plummeted as he tried to overturn the 2020 election, Gallup’s 2023 surveys of U.S. adults indicated that his popularity has rebounded since.  Forty-two percent of young adults saw him favourably in October 2020, but that dropped to 28 percent in January 2021.  His favorability bounced back to 42 percent by December 2023, especially among young Hispanics and Blacks.  Younger voters, under the age of 30, feel worse about the economy than older cohorts.  Not surprisingly, in the latest New York Times/Sienna poll, for example, Black voters feel as bad about the economy as their white counterparts and Latino voters feel even worse.  Will his recent conviction have an impact?

What is also interesting is the fact that following the January 6, 2021 assault on the Hill, Trump’s popularity took a significant dip among younger voters.  However, the improvement in Trump’s favorability now can be partly attributed to the fading memories of January 6 and the tumultuous year that was 2020.  As in the case of the last election, social media will once again play a significant role in influencing the views of younger voters more than any other age group.  The question becomes whether younger voters will believe everything posted on social media or will also look to main stream media sources for their information?

There is little doubt that bread and butter issues will dominate the electoral scene this year more than any other issue.  How millennials and Gen Zers view the economic platforms of both political parties will more than likely determine the final outcome of the election.  With so much in common, both parties will have to take major steps to win over their votes.

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Jun 12

Is Inflation On The Way Down?

by bcurry

This past week, both the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Statistics Canada indicated that the general inflation rate trend is gradually going down.  As a result, the Bank of Canada reduced its central bank rate by a quarter of a point.  However, such an interest rate reduction will not immediately affect mortgage and loan rates offered by the banks and other financial institutions.  Also, for the average American and Canadian, the cost of living is still high as demonstrated by food prices and the costs of homes or rents in urban centers.  These costs do not necessarily have as much to do with inflation as they do with regards to other domestic issues and foreign markets.  For this reason, there is little likelihood that food costs, rents and housing costs will decline in the near future.  There is a general lack of affordable housing across both countries and the impact of climate change is already being felt in the agriculture sector.  We will have to wait to see what the U.S. Federal Reserve will do with respect to the current central bank rate.  With inflation sticking at a level above their 2% target, they’re apparently downgrading their outlook for interest rate cuts.

Politically, this situation does not bear well for the governing parties in both countries.  The economy, and especially inflation and high interest rates, is still the priority concern for most voters.  Remember the old adage: “It’s the economy stupid”.  In light of the coming American elections next November, the possibility of major economic improvements is increasingly unlikely every day.  The same can be said for the Canada’s federal government and its ruling Liberal Party under Justin Trudeau, which could call an election next year. 

In general, the current economy has also particularly hurt younger voters, such as Generation Z and the Millennials.  They have been especially affected by the lack of affordable housing and the continuing difficulties surrounding the cost of living and failure of wages to keep up with rising costs.  Their votes in coming elections will be very important and may very well determine which parties are successful in their bids to govern.

Both the Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada have admitted that maintaining very low interest rates over the last decade has contributed to the current economic dilemma.  For example, it created a major imbalance in how the mortgage markets operate, encouraging many people to overspend and helping to cause incredible rising costs in housing.  In addition, new housing developments could not keep up with the created demand.  As a result of the pandemic, there was also a substantial increase in construction costs due to the resulting scarcity of materials.  It has taken some time for the markets to rebound and for supply chains to catch up to the subsequent demands.

While the markets did well during the pandemic and continue to do well, this primarily benefited the large corporate sector and shareholders, but not average Americans and Canadians.  Many of them suffered wage and job losses during the pandemic, and many have not recuperated those losses after the pandemic.  The pandemic significantly altered our economies and our lives.  The consequences will be around for years to come.  Just look at subsequent changes to our labour markets.

Yes, it would appear that the inflation rate is slowly on the way down.  However, for the existing political parties it may be too little and too late.  For the average person, the damage has already been done, resulting in a great deal of anger, frustration and increasing division in political views.  There is little doubt that both the Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada will continue to be cautious in how they handle the central bank rates.  Fearing any potential new inflationary pressures on the economy, don’t expect any major changes in the near future.

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Jun 3

American Extremist Right-Wing Groups Have Gone Just Too Far

by bcurry

What do the Catholic Charities, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the Jewish Family Service and Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service (now called Global Refuge) have in common.  They are American charities that have helped new immigrants and refugees in numerous ways, but are now being threatened and under attack by extremist right-wing factions in the U.S.

As noted by the New York Times: “For decades, Catholic Charities and other faith-based organizations have played a crucial role helping federal authorities and local governments manage influxes of migrants. Their work has been funded with bipartisan support in Congress, even through the presidency of Donald J. Trump, who often vilified immigrants.”

These extremist groups have accused non-profit charities of flying migrants all over the country, profiting from illegal operations, trafficking women and children while holding them prisoner in their shelters, and facilitating migrant smuggling.  All ludicrous accusations to say the least! 

Via social media, extremists and their leaders are putting out all kinds of disinformation to their followers.  For his part Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist, called Catholic, Lutheran and Jewish groups that help immigrants “demons” and “anti-American.”  The dangers are clear.  Many charity members are now literally being threatened and harassed, particularly after the names and phone numbers of staff members at shelters are being released via social media and other means.  On occasion, volunteers at the facilities have been sent home, and employees who continued to work were advised to keep a low profile.  Increased costly security measures have had to be provided at the shelters themselves for fear of attacks by extremists.

There is something terribly wrong when such well-known and respected charities are demonized in this way, with numerous Republican politicians jumping on the band-wagon.  They are only trying, as supported by their faith and values, to help people, no matter where they came from, what’s their ethnicity and how they arrived in the country.  It is indeed a sad reflection on the divisive nature of the American people views at this time that some could openly support such vicious actions against employees of charitable groups, who in turn are now being routinely targeted.

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May 21

Why Is It That Anti-Semitism Has Recently Become Associated With The Left?

by bcurry

Historically, anti-Semitism has been primarily associated with extreme white supremist groups in both Canada and the U.S., some of which are known neo-Nazi organizations.   For example, such groups in both countries include the Aryan Brotherhood, Ku Klux Klan, the White Patriarch Party, the American Front, the Heritage Front, the National Socialist Movement, etc., etc.  The list includes political parties, terrorist cells/networks, radical paramilitary groups, criminal gangs, social clubs, organized crime syndicates, websites, internet forums, football hooligan firms, religious sects, and other organizations alike.  In North America, there are dozens of such organizations.  Some have even claimed that such groups have infiltrated the MAGA movement in the U.S., an accusation that former President Trump has never adequately dealt with and more overtly confronted and condemned.

Today, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has raised the spectre of anti-Semitism once again in both countries.  Only this time, the rise of anti-Semitism is being blamed on the left by conservative groups in both countries, particularly in connection to the student and faculty protests in support of the Palestinians.  Conservatives have conveniently associated these protests with their past general accusations that certain faculties in universities and colleges are spreading liberal or so-called “WOKE” ideologies.  Their arguments push the belief that the protests are anti-Israel and therefore consequently promote anti-Semitism on campus.  The conflict, being such a highly emotive and divisive issue, will no doubt give rise to some slogans and elements that could be construed as anti-Semitism.  On campuses, the protests have understandably made some Jewish students uncomfortable, and in some cases even making them feel somewhat unsafe.  However, most protests have proven to be peaceful in nature and even involve some Jewish bodies opposed to the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.  They are opposed to the policies of the Netanyahu coalition, the most right-wing and religiously conservative administration in Israel’s history.  The opposition of the Jewish community in North American mirrors many of the current protests in Israel itself motivated by a variety of issues — such as the return of the remaining hostages, ending the war, and frustration with military draft rules that allow exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews.  Certainly, one cannot claim that the protests in Israel are anti-Semitic in origin.

Unfortunately, in both countries the student protests have often been met with force, particularly where the police have been brought in to remove encampments on certain campuses.  Ironically, some of the arrested students were of Asian American, Native American and Latino ancestry who simply identified with the plight of Palestinians.  I have argued before that the nature of activism on campuses is nothing particularly new, as evidenced by past student protests against the war in Viet Nam, apartheid in South Africa and universities’ investments in the oil and gas industry.  Most of these protests were peaceful and even supported by some college administrations at the time.

Today, it’s not unusual to have conservative media sources blaming much of the unrest on elements deemed to be leftist, although there is little proof that anti-Semitism is the basis for the protests.  In particular, they downplay the obvious desire of protesters to resolve the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza as a result of the Israeli- Hamas military conflict.  Needless-to-say, the extreme right-wing groups are jumping on an opportunity to promote anti-Semitism where it supports their political aspirations.  The reactions of campus administrations and conservative political leaders lend proof in their views as to the influence of Jewish leaders in North America, especially when it comes to support for Israel.  People conveniently tend to forget the historical foundation for anti-Semitism laid by extreme right-wing, mostly white groups in both countries.  They also forget that such groups promote Islamophobia at the same time, which has led to increasing violence and hate speech against Moslems.  Hopefully, one can better tackle the emerging conspiracy theories surfacing around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and leveller heads will surface among our leaders, including those on our campuses and in mainstream media.

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May 15

U.S. Protectionist Trade Policies Will Drag Canada Into Similar Trade Patterns

by bcurry

By signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2018, the ability of Canada to negotiate a trade deal with China or another “non-market economy” was greatly restricted.  Current or future protectionist policies concerning trade with China or other countries will have a direct effect on Canada’s trade patterns.  Under the USMCA, the U.S. will remain Canada’s biggest trade partner (75.4% of total Canadian exports in 2023), especially in the automotive and energy sectors.  One other result has been that the U.S. bought more goods from Mexico than China in 2023 for the first time in 20 years, evidence of how much global trade patterns have shifted. The U.S. under President Trump and now under President Biden has become the most bilateral-trade-focused government in its history.  Like the U.S., Canada is also looking to conclude deals with the EU, Japan, South Korea, the U.K. and India and other democracies eager to share in the benefits of bilateral trade agreements.  For example, as a result in December 2023, Korean exports to the U.S. surpassed Korean exports to China for the first time in 20 years, driven by shipments of vehicles, electric batteries and other parts.

However, in an apparent effort to protect strategic American industries, President Biden’s recent announcement regarding a sharp increase in tariffs on an array of Chinese imports — including electric vehicles, solar cells, semiconductors and advanced batteries — will have an impact on Canada as well.  Initially, the President had pledged to repeal at least some of Trump’s tariffs imposed on China.  However, the upcoming election in 2024 changed all that.  Mr. Biden’s moves, to be phased in over the next three years, now represent the latest trade-war escalation suggesting that the Democrats refuse to cede any ground to their rivals via a tough-on-China appeal to swing voters in the industrial Midwest and beyond.  Politics appears to be overriding economic considerations once again.

Multinationals operating in both the U.S. and Canada are affected by the array of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports, especially when it comes to the need for parts, pharmaceutical ingredients, or rare earth elements essential for many high-tech devices.  However, not everyone in the business community is happy with the most recent tariff increases on these imports.  The National Retail Federation in the U.S., which represents many companies that source or sell Chinese products, called on Mr. Biden to reverse course and lift tariffs.  As consumers continue to battle inflation, the Federation argues that the last thing the administration should be doing is placing additional taxes on imported products that will be paid by U.S. importers and eventually American consumers.  Although the USMCA eliminated tariffs on all Canadian-purchased goods manufactured in the U.S., if a product includes components that were made outside of the U.S. — like China, for example — then the Canadian customer very likely has to pay tariffs on those components.  The same argument can therefore be made with respect to the impact on Canadian consumers and on the inflation rates in both countries.

Mr. Trump has apparently promised to go even further if he wins in November — restricting investment between the two countries and banning some Chinese products from the U.S. entirely.  Back in 2018, with President Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on up to $60 billion (U.S.) of Chinese imports, experts noted that a full-fledged trade war between the world’s two economic superpowers would damage Canada’s economy.  At the time, the Retail Council of Canada declared that such U.S. tariffs that would raise the prices of Chinese consumer goods, such as electronics, sold in the U.S. and while prompting more Canadians to shop at home.  However, such a situation today would very likely lead to a further inflationary increase at a time of already high inflation.

Economists have long argued that trade protectionism leads to a misappropriation of global goods and inefficiencies by interfering with the normal benefits offered by free trade.  Cheaper Chinese imports to the U.S. and Canada led to many more affordable consumer goods which otherwise would not have been available in both countries, while also raising average standards of living in China.  In addition, bilateral trade agreements can be broken at any time by either party to an agreement, unaffected by normal global market considerations and swings in trade patterns.

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May 2

Student Protests in U.S. and Canada More Than Just About Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

by bcurry

As most people know who follow current news and social media, college student protests in both countries have escalated in recent weeks.  Students have now set up encampments on campus grounds and have even occupied university buildings.  In numerous cases, especially in the U.S. to date, the university administrations have called in the police to physically force the protesting students from their encampments on campuses.  Universities are doing so under the guise of protecting the safety of their student population, especially in the case of Jewish students who appear concerned for their safety on campus.  In some cases, faculty members have joined the protesters in objecting to the use of physical force, especially where the protests have been peaceful.

However, the fact of the matter is that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has also galvanized the unrest witnessed among student bodies over the last two to three decades.  As one observer notes, in many students’ eyes, the war in Gaza is linked to other issues, such as policing, mistreatment of Indigenous people, racism and the impact of climate change.  More than likely, protesters have been joined by others who oppose the role of their governments in terms of their global policies and lack of action on tackling climate change viewed by many as the first priority in terms of today’s issues.  There is a lot of pent-up anger among young people over a number of social issues that they are facing on a daily basis.  In addition, many college programs and policies supporting diversity, equality and inclusion have been watered down, particularly in the U.S. as a result of recent Supreme Court decisions.

In addition, there is the apparent lack of transparency among university administrations concerning the allocation of resources and investments in various domestic and foreign industries and businesses.  Students pay a lot of money to attend these universities and are asking for greater transparency and accountability in such transactions at home and abroad, not only with respect to Israel but also other global matters.  One has to ask whether such student demands are indeed reasonable under the circumstances?

Most would agree that violence on campus, including hate mongering, is not the answer.  Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail over the course of the coming weeks.  However, with pro-Israel students ratcheting up their counter protests on a number of campuses, the climate could grow even more strained in the coming days.  The current disproportionate involvement of an increasingly militarized police force is a major concern, and can only exacerbate the situation on many campuses.

Young people have a right to peacefully protest, which is part of the freedom of expression normally supported in universities and colleges across Canada and the U.S.  Unfortunately, college faculties in many states have come under attack by governments over what is being referred to inappropriately as the “woke” effect.  Critical thinking has come under attack by conservative elements in both countries.  Some faculties are being told not only what they can teach but also how they go about teaching certain subjects.  We must all agree that this is a major affront on the fundamental rights and obligations of universities to offer open and considered dialogue on today’s important issues.  These attacks have once again frustrated many students in light of the increasingly apparent lack of respect for these institutions of “higher learning”.

Universities have often served as one of society’s important settings for activism, given the very nature of examining and questioning many of our daily issues; whether political, economic, environmental or technological.  Activism can often lead to open peaceful protests in a democratic society and must be supported, especially on our campuses.

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Apr 25

Worsening Air Pollution Leads To Worsening Health

by bcurry

The findings in a new report from the American Lung Association (ALA) show the worst toxic particle pollution in the 25 years since the Association released its first annual “State of the Air” report.  More than 131 million Americans live in areas that indicated unhealthy levels of air pollution.  Higher pollution rates have been found to lead to higher rates of chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.  In the long term, researchers have even found that pollution very likely is linked to brain damage that puts people at higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. 

The ALA report used only data from 2020 to 2022.  It did not include the impact of the historic wildfires across Canada in 2023 that choked many eastern U.S. and Canadian cities, often turning skies orange.  Air quality across American and Canadian cities is once again expected to deteriorate due to an early start to the wildfire season already underway this spring, notably in Alberta and British Columbia.

The costs of health impacts due to pollution, especially on the health care system, are enormous.  A University of B.C. study in 2007 claimed that pollution is killing 25,000 Canadians a year and costing the health care system more than $9 billion (Can) annually.  A recent analysis by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggested that further lowering the level of allowable particulate matter in the air would save lives and health costs.  By 2032, the EPA estimates that it would amount to $46 billion (U.S.) in cost savings and help the U.S. avoid 4,500 premature deaths, 800,000 cases of asthma and 290,000 lost workdays.

Paul Billings, ALA’s senior vice president of public policy, told USA TODAY that, despite a lot of progress on air pollution cleanup, we’re seeing the impacts of climate change, particularly wildfires.  The impact is overwhelming a lot of cleanup, particularly with respect to these daily spikes of particle pollution.  There is little doubt that much more needs to be done in both the U.S. and Canada to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.  Both countries have managed to do this with respect to ozone levels which have declined in some places due to governments acting on implementing regulated restrictions and encouraging new greener technologies.

So when you go out for your daily run or bicycling in urban locations, don’t forget that you may be breathing in air that very likely will not be overly healthy for you physically.  If you must, do so in the early morning hours when pollution levels are at their lowest.  Take the appropriate precautions, especially during the wildfire season by wearing an appropriate mask and limiting your outdoor activities when applicable.  Fortunately, most municipalities have good air quality monitoring on a continuing basis which can be accessed daily via the Internet.  I know that I’ll be using these information sources once again this coming summer.  Good luck and good health!

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Apr 9

Gag Orders by Judges Against Trump Just Par for the Course

by bcurry

The latest gag order on April 4th against Donald Trump was issued by State Justice Juan Merchan, who will preside over his trial in New York state court in Manhattan.  The trial is over criminal charges of covering up a $130,000 payment before the 2016 election to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence about an alleged sexual encounter.  The trial is now set to begin on April 15th.  The judge expanded an existing gag order that had barred Trump from publicly commenting about witnesses and court staff to make clear that it also applies to family members.  He did so after Trump disparaged Merchan’s daughter who worked as president of Authentic Campaigns, a firm Vice President Kamala Harris used for digital fundraising and advertising during her presidential campaign.  Judge Merchan asserted that “It is no longer just a mere possibility or a reasonable likelihood that there exists a threat to the integrity of the judicial proceedings. The threat is very real.”

At this time, the looming hush-money trial, one of four criminal cases Trump is confronting ahead of the U.S. election, is the most important one.  It could be the only one to reach trial before the election.  Trump has pleaded not guilty to all and has called them politically motivated.  Furthermore, given the charges against him, Trump will have to be present during this trial.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that it would be a great honor to go to jail for violating the gag order imposed by the judge.  What is more ridiculous, he has compared himself to a modern day Nelson Mandela, the South African leader and anti-apartheid activist who spent 27 years in prison for his opposition to apartheid.  Unbelievable!  Mandela passed away in 2013, partly as a result of his poor health condition attributed to his time in prison.  Globally, Mandela was given over 250 awards, accolades, prizes, honorary degrees and citizenships in recognition of his political achievements, including the Nobel Peace Prize.  Trump’s mere comparison to Nelson Mandela is an insult to his very memory and legacy!

While in office and now as part of his campaigning, Donald Trump has disparaged the traditional Republican support for law and order matters.  Attacking the judicial system and those responsible for carrying out their judicial responsibilities is an affront to all Americans.  This is nothing more than a political stunt which unfortunately few Republicans appear to discredit.  In particular, attacks of any kind upon jurists undermine our respect for our courts and our legal processes.

I’m certain the Trump’s lawyers are not happy with his public outbursts against judges as it may affect the general mood of the courts in their deliberations.  Not a good idea!  If there are any improper actions by judges or court officials, including prosecutors, then the system provides for the applicable investigation and appropriate responses.  Trump is also separately calling on Justice Merchan to recuse himself from the case, similar to his first recusal motion more than 10 months ago.  The court previously considered and rejected that motion and is likely to do so once again.

In the past week, in another unorthodox move, Trump’s lawyers indicated that they plan to file a type of lawsuit against the Justice Merchan.  Such an unusual move is essentially an appeal in the form of a suit, and is unlikely to succeed, particularly so close to trial date.  Legal experts note that actions against judges are unusual.  However, this is not Trump’s first attempt to use that tactic to try to delay a trial.  Last year, he sued the New York judge presiding over his civil fraud trial — an effort the appeals court ultimately rejected.

It is obvious that the former president, who unfortunately is again the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is aiming to push all four of his criminal cases past Election Day next November.  In light of his continuing desperate and unethical conduct, Trump is not doing himself or the Republican Party any favours. 

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Mar 31

Trump’s Appeal to American Christians is Hypocritical to Say the Least

by bcurry

Issues over the separation of state and church have never been so evident as today if one is to follow Donald Trump’s most recent campaign scheme.  It is blatantly obvious that Trump is attempting to win the support of American’s estimated 90 million evangelists.  In Christianity, evangelism or witnessing is the act of preaching the gospel with the intention of sharing the message and teachings of Jesus Christ.  Now one has Trump selling “God Bless America Bibles” for $59.99 as he himself faces mounting legal bills.   But what of the other millions of Americans who worship according to the teachings of the Koran or Torah?

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) reportedly said former President Trump selling the branded Bibles is “risky business” given the sins of his life, adding to criticism against the former president over the deal.  Warnock, a reverend who on Sunday gave an Easter sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.’s church in Atlanta, said selling the Bibles goes against the tenets of the religion.  He also noted that the Bible sales were ironic given Trump’s history of lying.  Moreover, the sale of the Bibles has been widely criticized on line and mocked since their announcement, including by numerous well known Christian leaders. 

What is of greater concern is the fact that this campaign strategy is increasingly blurring the separation of church and state, a major premise in the governance in most modern democracies.  Unfortunately, there are a number of Christian-based writers who are attacking what they refer to as the impact of so-called “secularization” and “paganization” on American society, especially on family values.  They point to the resulting demise of the traditional family whereby an estimated one-fifth of American households now conform to the “nuclear family” model of mother, father and children.  In 1960, that number was reported as 45 percent, and some 40 percent of all children lack a biological father in the home.  They perceive this as a result of the decline in the number of Christian homes, and in turn Christian-based values.  However, based on recent social science studies, researchers today would definitely argue that this assertion represents an over simplification and generalization.

What is most interesting is that even among the various different Christian churches, there are numerous disparities over how they deal with today’s societal changes.  The more conservative churches have been leading the charge against issues surrounding abortion, same-sex marriage, homosexuality and transgender identity.  However, other churches have been taking a more moderate view of how to approach such issues, given that the majority of their followers accept greater tolerance and understanding in terms of such issues.  As a result, similar to what we see in American political circles, there is just as much division among American clerics.  This phenomenon has also affected rulings within the judicial system, which should fundamentally to be impartial and secular in its deliberations.

One has to question the belief that adherence to any one particular religion would help to resolve the challenges facing today’s issues in modern Western society.  For example, the battle between science and religion is on-going, as evidenced during the pandemic.  In addition, one has to conclude that right-wing organizers will unfortunately continue to incorporate Christian arguments and positions whenever they appear to benefit their causes. 

For the most part, people, including agnostics, are tolerant of religious beliefs, as long as they are not forced upon them.  America is a society that has always promoted and attempted to protect the rights of individuals, including freedom of religion and expression.  What Donald Trump is doing is an affront to those very rights in his hypocritical move to obtain the political support of a fraction of American society.  He is the last person that I would imagine trying to purvey Christian values!

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Mar 25

Electorate in Both U.S. and Canada Appears to be Very Disgruntled. I Wonder Why?

by bcurry

George H. W. Bush Senior, going into his bid for a second term, was frequently told that it’s all about the economy stupid!  The U.S. economy went into a recession in 1990; the unemployment rate rose from 5.9% in 1989 to a high of 7.8% in mid-1991; and the debt percentage of total gross domestic product (GDP) rose from 39.4% in 1989 to almost 46.8% in 1992.  By the presidential election in1992, many conservative Republicans’ support of Bush had waned for a variety of reasons, including raising taxes and cutting defense spending.  Americans were less concerned with his foreign policy successes (e.g. Persian Gulf War victory over Iraq) than with the nation’s deteriorating economic situation.  Thus, despite having once been a relatively popular president, he lost to Bill Clinton.

Today, the primary issue among voters continues to be the economy, and especially the high rate of inflation and high interest rates affecting people’s mortgages and the cost of loans in general.  Yes, there is low unemployment and more people are employed today than anytime since the pandemic.  However, unfortunately for Joe Biden, the average American is struggling on a daily basis to make ends meet, especially since average wages have not kept up with increasing inflation over the last few years.  Many people and businesses are still recovering from the pandemic, which has created a real sense of insecurity and a general malaise within the population.

Taking all of this into account, and that people are not happen with another Trump vs. Biden election, there is a general mistrust with governance.  The same can be said for in Canada where you have a Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and a party that has been in power for over nine years.  The opposition is continuously harpooning about the high cost of inflation and high interest rates that average Canadians are facing.  There is also a good amount of discord over the government’s intention to raise the national carbon tax this coming April, despite it being only one element of several policies aimed at tackling climate change.  However, right now, climate change has taken a back seat to the economy.  A federal election will very likely be called next year in Canada, and all the government can hope for is that the economy will improve and inflation will come down.

Overall, these are tough times for governing parties.  There appear to be no win-win situations.  Government deficits have been climbing steadily, partly in earlier response to the pandemic, with no end in sight.  Wars overseas in the Ukraine and Middle East are not helping.  Funds are being allocated to support the Ukraine against Russia, Israel’s military and the plight of Palestinian refugees in Gaza.  The situation has placed both the U.S. and Canada in a difficult situation given the evolving humanitarian crisis in both conflicts.  In terms of foreign policy, domestically it is a no-win and highly emotive situation for both governments in terms of supporting one side or the other particularly in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In addition, stability in the energy markets is constantly under threat as a result of the sanctions against Russian oil and natural gas exports and the general unstable situation in the Middle East.  As a result, there has been a measurable direct or indirect impact in the form of rising costs for gas and heating fuel in North America.

There is little doubt that we live uncertain times.  There is also little doubt that voters are concerned with the cost of living and continuing hard economic times.  This bleak outlook does not bode well for President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau.  The question then becomes whether their political opponents can take advantage of the situation?  I guess time will tell.

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