Pierre Poilievre and The Con War on Pensions

I have to admit that I have always disliked Pierre Poilievre. Something about him rubs me the wrong way.

He's abrasive, he's yappy, he's arrogant. He looks and acts like a weird old young guy trapped in the Cold War era.

And his recent comment that the "root cause of terrorism is terrorism" only reinforced my belief that he is a brutish right-wing ideologue.

As well as an absolute idiot.

So I wasn't surprised to see him defend the Con assault on the bargaining process of the CBC, and other crown corporations, with one of the most absurd and disturbing speeches I have ever read. 

A deranged ode to the Middle Ages only a union bashing teabagger could have written. But which did at least serve to further reveal the real and very sinister agenda of the Con regime. 

Because while its plan to interfere in the CBC's labour negotiations is a clear attempt to try to turn it into the Conservative Broadcasting Corporation.

Governments do not control the public broadcaster in free and democratic countries. Along with other media outlets, public broadcasters hold governments to account, a role that depends on being completely independent of the government of the day.

If this bill passes it would put ultimate control of the salaries and working conditions of all CBC employees in the hands of the government -- which means the Prime Minister would effectively be sitting on the other side of the bargaining table.

Or force it into a long and damaging strike or lockout.

As Poilievre's deranged speech makes only too clear, it's also another excuse to go after unions.  

And a new and massive offensive in the Con regime's war on pensions.



Every crisis creates an opportunity. The Liberals used the recession of the ’90s to gut welfare and employment insurance. The Conservatives are using this crisis to take apart pensions.

Another monstrous move to try to turn us into a right-wing jungle.

The Harper Conservatives don’t want to take apart pensions because they hate old people. Many Harper Conservatives are old. But their view of the economy is that nothing should be permitted that might protect those without private means from the need to work — at whatever wage is on offer. No employment insurance. No welfare. No pensions. No unions.

Stephen Harper's paradise, our nightmare. Where foreign workers steal our jobs, the young live without hope, the old must work until they drop. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.



And what Poilievre's deranged diatribe also clearly signals, is how the Cons intend to pit Canadians against Canadians; those who don't have unions and pensions against those who do. So they can lead us all in an insane race for the bottom.

Which is why I believe it's so important that while standing up for the CBC. By signing petitions like this one or this one. Or doing whatever we can to mobilize public opinion.

We also remind Canadians that it's all part of a larger struggle. The CBC will never be really safe, neither will we, and neither will Canada, until this foul alien regime is finally defeated.

And those Canadians who still don't get it really need to understand this: 

Today Poilievre and his Con goons might be going after the CBC, or Canada Post, or the pensions of others.

But if they are allowed to get away with it.

Tomorrow they'll come after THEM...



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