SOTT Focus:

Psychopathology in Canadian Politics: Stephen Harper's Ruthless Drive for Power

Timothy C. Trepanier
Sott.net
Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00 UTC

It seems irrefutable to me after 20 years of analyzing the career of Stephen Harper that he is incapable of providing democratic governance. Harper arguably shows some traits of what psychologists refer to as malignant narcissism, a dangerously heightened sense of self importance. Otto Kernberg, a leader in the study of personality disorders, describes malignant narcissism as "extreme self-absorption and insensitivity that often result in a trail of victims -- emotional wreckage left in the narcissist's wake." The victims Kernberg refers to are, of course, individuals, but in our case the principal victim is the Canadian nation -- its humanist accomplishments, its art and culture, the foundation of its science, its international standing and its democratic governance.

Murray Dobbin, Sept 10th 2009, The Tyee

Canada is in the the middle of another federal election, and this time there is a good chance that Stephen Harper's Conservative Party will win a majority government. This is very bad news for the Canadian people and the country as a whole.

From his beginnings as Chief Policy Officer of the western protest Reform Party and President of the ultra right-wing National Citizens Coalition, Stephen Harper has always espoused staunchly conservative views that mirror those of his ideological heroes in the U.S. A closet fundamentalist zealot, he has been consistently supportive of stronger government control and tax cuts for big corporations. He's anti-union, anti-immigration, pro-privatization of health care, pro-military, tough on crime, in favour of building more prisons, cutting funding for the arts, social services and education, an advocate for free trade and establishing closer political, economic and military ties with the United States.

Canada is on the verge of losing its national sovereignty and being ruled by a dictator with a hidden agenda and an iron fist. Yet a large segment of the Canadian public seems dimly aware of the many possible negative consequences as they continue to be in thrall to this proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing.

Pants on Fire

The Canadian political system functions as a parliamentary democracy, which is derived from the traditions of the United Kingdom's Westminster Parliament. One notable leftover from the British system is the ban on "unparliamentary language", whereby members of the house are not permitted to call each other liars. How ironic that Stephen Harper, the most mendacious of Canada's elected leaders in recent memory, can lie with impunity without fear of reproach or consequences. Laurens Otter sums it up nicely:

Why are Members of Parliament not allowed to call each other liars in the House of Commons? The question answers itself: an MP is not allowed to call another MP a liar because he would thereby be telling the truth, thus contravening parliamentary etiquette.

Canadians vote for their local member of Parliament only. The party that obtains the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government and the party's leader becomes the Prime Minister. Any one party that holds 51% or more seats in the house is said to have a majority government, who can then implement all of its policies without opposition. For the last 5 years, Stephen Harper's Conservative Party has only been able to elect enough MP's to form a minority government in Canada. Its ideologically extreme far right, big corporate business supporting, women, arts and culture hating agenda has so far been held in check by the opposition parties.

It looks as though this scenario is about to change for the worse.

The Devil You Know

In his 1941 book, Mask of Sanity, Hervey Cleckley introduced 16 behavioral characteristics of a psychopath. These traits include; superficial charm and intelligence, untruthfulness, unreliability, insincerity, lack of remorse and shame, pathologic egocentricity, incapacity for love and poverty in major affective reactions (emotions).

Prominent Canadian psychologist and professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Robert Hare is best known for developing the Psychopathy Checklist. Dr. Hare has spent over 35 years researching psychopathy and his checklist is being adopted worldwide as the standard instrument for researchers and clinicians in the identification of psychopaths in society. Some traits listed in his checklist include; glibness, superficial charm, grandiose sense of self worth, pathological lying, cunning, manipulative, lack of remorse or guilt, emotional shallowness, egocentric, callous, and a lack of empathy.

Now consider some of things that have been written about and attributed to Stephen Harper over the years he has been a public figure in Canadian politics...

Arrogant: Tories seen as secretive, arrogant (Toronto Star, May 2008)

Deceitful: In Harperland, Hypocrisy, Cynicism and Deceit (Vancouver Observer, Feb 2011)

Ruthless: Harper's Ruthless Streak (Victoria Times Colonist, Jan 2010)

Controlling: New book portrays Stephen Harper's control fixation (Toronto Star, Sept 2010)

Manipulative: Parliamentary prorouge simply manipulative (The Pioneer, Feb 2010)

Pathological: Harper finally gets his comeuppance (Winnipeg Free Press, Dec 2008)

Bullying: Stephen Harper - The Classic Political Bully (Halifax Live, June 2007)

Cunning: Stephen Harper is cunningly brilliant (Ottawa Daily Observer, Apr 2008)

Intimidating: PM Harper´s problem? Stephen Harper is seen as mean, intemperate, intimidating, and imperious (The Hill Times, Feb 2008)

Unconscionable: Tories forced to defend F-35 purchase amid damning report (Globe and Mail, Mar 2011)

Contemptuous: Is Stephen Harper the 'Teflon' man of Canadian politics? (Yahoo News, Apr 2011)

Insensitive: Ed Broadbent describes Harper as insensitive (CTV News, Oct 2008)

Untrustworthy: Yes, contempt of Parliament does matter (Toronto Star, Mar 2011)

Aggressive: Former allies predict 'more aggressive' Harper if Tories snare majority (Montreal Gazette, Jan 2011)

Sneaky: Sneaky Steve, a danger to democracy (Canadian Charger, Jan 2010)

Dishonest: Harper's flyer a dishonest abuse of taxpayers (Victoria Times Colonist, Aug 2008)

Two-faced: Video Shows Two Faces Of Stephen Harper (City TV News, Sept 2009)

Mean-spirited: Harper's mean-spirited priorities grate on critics (Georgia Strait, April 2007)

Dictatorial: Harper acting like an elected dictator (Toronto Star, Dec 2009)

He's also been described as nasty, deceptive, callous, egocentric, power hungry, secretive, megalomaniac, shrewd, brilliant, shameful, overbearing, menacing, amoral, narcissistic, grandiose, insincere, hypocritical, greedy, and unethical.

As the saying goes, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and swims like a duck... it must be a duck.

Bottom line; Stephen Harper shows many, if not all of the traits of a white collar psychopath and he's seeking a majority government to impose his U.S. inspired, neo-con, fascist agenda upon the Canadian people.

Sour Cream Rises to the Top

Modern psychologists are becoming more and more aware of the problem of psychopathy in today's society. Though they may disagree somewhat on the actual percentage in the population, putting the numbers anywhere between 1% and 20%, they do recognize the disastrous and harmful effects of these intra-species predators.

Martha Stout, in her book The Sociopath Next Door describes them this way:

Imagine - if you can - not having a conscience, none at all, no feelings of guilt or remorse no matter what you do, no limiting sense of concern of the well-being of strangers, friends, or even family members. Imagine no struggles with shame, not a single one in your whole life, no matter what kind of selfish, lazy, harmful, or immoral action you had taken. And pretend that the concept of responsibility is unknown to you, except as a burden others seem to accept without question, like gullible fools. Now add to this strange fantasy the ability to conceal from other people that your psychological makeup is radically different from theirs. Since everyone simply assumes that conscience is universal among human beings, hiding the fact that you are conscience-free is nearly effortless. You are not held back from any of your desires by guilt or shame, and you are never confronted by others for your cold-bloodedness. The ice water in your veins is so bizarre, so completely outside of their personal experience that they seldom even guess at your condition.

In other words, you are completely free of internal restraints, and your unhampered liberty to do just as you please, with no pangs of conscience, is conveniently invisible to the world. You can do anything at all, and still your strange advantage over the majority of people, who are kept in line by their consciences, will most likely remain undiscovered.

Since the psychopath has no real emotions, they develop their own personality throughout their life by mimicking those around them, masked by an ability to appear outwardly normal. Psychopaths have a superficial charm, enabled by a willingness to say anything to anyone without concern for accuracy or truth. Shallow affect also describes the psychopath's tendency for genuine emotion to be short-lived, glib and egocentric, with an overall cold demeanor. Some psychopaths can blend in, undetected, in a variety of surroundings, including corporate environments.

In his groundbreaking and seminal work Political Ponerology, Dr. Andrew M. Lobaczewski describes how the modern psychopath, uninhibited by the constraints of normal human conscience, has the tools and the ability to quickly rise to the top of any structured organization. That's why in today's society many psychopaths can be found holding prominent positions in the upper echelons of government, business, military and religious organizations. Whenever power is concentrated and wielded by a small minority of individuals is a sure sign that psychopaths are there pulling the strings.

The situation is no different in Canada. Stephen Harper got to be where he is today because he is ruthless, manipulative, cunning and remorseless.

As Plain as the Nose on Pinocchio's Face

Even in the run up to this current election, Stephen Harper's true psychopathic personality has shone through numerous times.

During his last stint as minority leader he illegitimately prorogued parliament, not once but twice in three years. He has scrapped a plan for universal daycare and drastically cut funding for the arts and women's groups, saying "ordinary folks don't care about arts".

Stephen Harper is an ego-maniac who sent out a directive to public servants late last year that "Government of Canada" in federal communications should be replaced by the words "Harper Government". It has even been reported that Stephen Harper has replaced portraits of former Prime ministers and covered the walls of government lobby of the House of Commons with numerous pictures of himself in various poses.

Last summer, under his autocratic leadership, Harper funded the largest mass arrests in Canadian history during the June 2010 Toronto G20 Summit. At a cost of over one billion dollars, and the introduction of completely fake draconian arrest law, Harper presided over one of the the greatest violations and abuse of civil liberties in Canadian history.

What triggered this current election was that for the first time in the history of those Commonwealth countries following British parliamentary practice, Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government was found to be in contempt of parliament. This came after his minister for International Co-operation was caught forging a government document on foreign-aid funding.

His focus in the election so far has been his promise to get tough on criminals by pushing through draconian anti-crime legislation and the building of more prisons, even though statistics show that crime in Canada has actually been decreasing, and in 2007 was at its lowest point in the last thirty years. He has promised to spend billions of dollars buying fighter jets from an untendered contract with U.S. company Lockheed Martin. Originally negotiated at a cost of 9 billion dollars, the actual cost is now estimated at over 30 billion dollars. This promise to increase military spending comes at a time when these funds could be put toward much needed infrastructure, health care spending, and social programs for the unemployed, homeless and disenfranchised.

"In terms of the unemployed, I don't feel bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance." - Stephen Harper, Montreal 1997

Taking a page from the neo-con Republican handbook, Mr. Harper's conservative party were the first to use American style attack ads against his political opponents.

During the campaign Stephen Harper has come under fire when one of his former top advisors came under RCMP investigation for lobbying on behalf of his prostitute girlfriend who owned shares in a company that sold water filtration devices to aboriginal communities. Stephen Harper willingly hired this advisor knowing he had been convicted of fraud five times before.

Even during traditional campaign stops, Stephen Harper has been acting like a control freak. He used armed RCMP police officers to forcibly eject people from his rallies for such transgressions as their facebook history, bumper stickers and affiliations with environmental groups. Now some of them are fighting back. And he has recently come under fire from mainstream media reporters for limiting the number of questions they could ask him to a maximum of five per day. Just a week ago he instructed his campaign workers to send out an email to local Muslim groups asking if their members would like to show up at a photo-op dressed in "ethnic costume".

It can't be said that even suffering under the oppression of a pathocrat like Stephen Harper, Canadians don't have a sense of humour.

A Broken Record

It was George Santayana who said "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" and history certainly has a way of repeating itself.

Approximately 70 years ago, after a failed coup against the German government, Adolph Hitler was appointed Chancellor of the Republic. A mere four weeks later, a remarkably fortuitous false flag attack upon the Reichstag by an unemployed Dutch "Communist" allowed Hitler to consolidate his power and was seen as pivotal in the establishment of Nazi Germany. Hitler then used his position to suppress political opposition, build up armaments and target specific racial groups for harassment, intimidation and eventual annihilation. Before invading Poland resulting in the second world war, Hitler's first act of aggressive hegemony was to pressure Austria into unification with Germany, on account of their similar language, culture and economic ties.

In 2001, after a numerous failed attempts at business, George W. Bush was appointed by the Supreme Court to become the 43rd President of the United States. Less than a year later, another remarkably fortuitous false flag attack was carried out on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon by a rag tag band of box-cutter wielding "Terrorists" (many of whom are still alive.) Bush then used his position to suppress political opposition, build up armaments and target specific racial groups for harassment, intimidation and eventual annihilation. After starting two illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the present U.S. administration seems poised to invade Libya, Syria and other middle eastern countries. When the U.S. economy eventually implodes, sparking a global food crisis, Canada will be the first country pressured into unification with the U.S. on account of their similar language, culture and economic ties.

Stephen Harper-Canada's Mini George Bush

Kevin Parkinson of Global Research writes in 2007:

The purpose of the upcoming conference is to ratify the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, which was initiated by Bush, Martin and Fox in 2005 in Waco, Texas. Essentially, this so-called 'partnership' will result in what the politicians refer to as 'continental integration'-newspeak for a North American Union- and basically a harmonization of 100's of regulations, policies and laws.

In layman's terms, it means that once this 'partnership' has been ratified which is a fait accompli, we will be following in the footsteps of the European Union. It will mean that Canada will become part of the North American Union by 2010, and that our resources, agricultural, health and environment issues, to name a few, will be controlled not by Canada, but by the government of the North American Union.

Considering the vast amount of land and natural resources in Canada including oil, natural gas and water, it is not a question of if the U.S. will invade, but when. Rest assured, if Stephen Harper manages to win a majority government in this election, it is only a matter of time.

Tales From the Crypto-Zionists

It is no secret that in the United States, candidates seeking the office of President must loudly and unequivocally voice their overwhelming and unending support for the nation of Israel. At an overall combined cost of more than five billion dollars of foreign aid per year to Israel at the expense of American taxpayers, and over eleven million dollars donated annually to political candidates from the pro-Israel lobby, Presidential hopefuls know full well that to speak otherwise is career suicide.

Nary a hint of criticism or rebuke from any western political leader whenever Israel decides to contravene numerous U.N charters by building illegal settlements on Palestinian land, or viciously attack humanitarian aid missions in international waters and murder some of its passengers. No condemnation allowed of Israel's continued siege in the Gaza Strip, or its illegal bombing of cities and civilian airports of two countries after two Israeli soldiers were "captured" inside Lebanese territory. According to Harper, the bombing of innocent civilians by Israel was a "measured response."

Stephen Harper knows the rules of this game all too well. One of Harper's first acts was to declare that Hamas and Hezbollah were "terrorist" groups, reversing decades of Canadian neutrality. That meant cutting off financial aid to the beleaguered and oppressed people of Gaza. In 2006, the Israelis destroyed a UN observation post killing four UN personnel, including a senior Canadian officer. No problem, a Harper spokesman said. The UN post was "shielding" the Hezbollah. Even Amnesty International has come out recently condemning the Harper government's human rights record on account of their pro-Israeli stance.

Fellow psychopath and extreme right-wing Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman knows Israel has a staunch defender in Stephen Harper...

Canada is definitely an ally. Today it's hard to point out our most loyal ally, but Canada is undoubtedly an exception, in the positive sense. ....It's hard to find a country friendlier to Israel than Canada these days. Members both of the coalition and the opposition are loyal friends to us.. No other country in the world has demonstrated such full understanding of us... I got the impression of a whole, harmonious picture of great support for Israel... We need allies like this in the international arena.

Back in Canada, Stephen Harper has been predictable in his unequivocal support for Israel. Even going so far as to send Rosh Hashanah greeting cards to random Jewish Canadians in order secure their support in upcoming elections. He has been described by the CBC as Canada's most pro-Israel Prime Minister of all time.

Harper's rabid pro-Israeli stance cannot be explained by vote garnering alone as the Jewish population in Canada sits roughly around 1%. A more likely explanation, aside from appeasing influential lobby groups, is to win support from his secret evangelical Christian base of supporters, who are just waiting for a Harper majority government in order to enact his real authoritarian right-wing agenda.

Rather than "Jewish votes" Harper's "Israel no matter what" policy has more to do with mobilizing his rightwing, evangelical base on an issue (unlike abortion) that has limited electoral downside. Zionism is particularly strong among evangelicals who believe Jews need to "return" to the Middle East to hasten the second coming of Jesus and the Apocalypse. ~ Yves Engler, May 2010

Scary indeed what will happen if this man is given a majority mandate to rule.

Birds of a Feather

Regular readers of The Signs of the Times webpage are likely well aware of our views on the political process. We have maintained the position for some time that behind the scenes, there really only exists a one world government. That all leaders of all governments around the world are mere puppets on display, the front stage actors in a grand global chess game. They serve the purpose of distracting regular people from the real controllers, those behind the scenes who pull the strings of war, suffering opposition, and discontent. A simple glance at the state of the world at this moment in history is more than enough information for even the most disinterested observer to know that something is seriously wrong with the direction humanity is traveling.

This telling video, featuring the curiously similar speeches recorded a couple of days apart from two different Prime Ministers halfway around the world should give the reader pause as to who they are taking their direction from.

So, if it's true that all top level politicians are in the pockets of the corporate financial military industrial complex, one might wonder if there is any point in voting at all? Why even bother participating in the political process if the new boss is going to be exactly like the old boss. Sadly, considering the big picture, the truth is there probably is no point in going to the polls on May 2nd in Canada. However, one positive aspect of the British parliamentary system is that minority governments can function quite well in the day to day running of a country. As long as no psychopathic leader of any one party can impose their will uninhibited upon the citizens in a so-called democracy, it can be seen in a positive way. As long as these white collar criminals are kept occupied arguing with each other, perhaps it will give the regular people a chance to breathe, come to their senses, see the reality of the world they live in and hopefully work together to solve the problems facing them. Networking as a community, as this is what real human beings are wont to do.

We'll let the always insightful and often irreverent Mr. Rick Mercer have the last word...

Further Reading:

Stephen Harper the moderate psychopath

Stephen Harper: A Psychopath In Power?

Does PM Harper have Narcissistic personality disorder?

The Singular Face of Megalomania

Canadians Completely Unaware of Looming North American Union

PM Stephen Harper: Canadian Traitor and Israel's "anti-semitic" Drummer Boy

Adolf Hitler. Stephen Harper. The Big Lie.

Stephen Harper: Control Freak - New Media and Politics

The Politics of Conceit: "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better"

Timothy C. Trepanier

A longtime contributor to Sott.net, Timothy C. Trepanier received his degree in Pharmacy from the University of Alberta and is a former owner of the Rabbit Hole bookstore in Grande Prairie, Canada. He's retired and living on an acreage with his beautiful wife, Miss Pearls the cat, Banjo the dog, and five suspicious chickens.

Reader Comments

Badger The Wise · 2011-04-22T12:48:56Z

Thanks

Very much for this, I will be watching the election results with anticipation of his removal.

redrock12 · 2011-04-22T13:06:12Z

To Pamela Wallin

Why are you supporting this right-wing fascist evangelical nut job? Do you have some skeletons in your closet? Did you get religion?
Yeah, having a minority government can present some inconveniences, but it sure beats having a government when, even in minority, fires upon its own citizens, is in contempt of parliament, witholds information, lies, supports the slaughter of innocent Palestinians, and wants to gut social programs and funding for the arts
What the hell are you thinking of, saying we should vote for this psychopathic goon and his henchmen? It seems you prefer authoritarianism over freedom, democracy and open government.
Give your head a shake!

Woodsman · 2011-04-22T13:07:47Z

Oh Canada. . !

I've talked to enough Canadians to realize that they actually might need to see this dangerous creep elected and suffer accordingly in order to really learn the lesson.

I just wish the sane Canadians could somehow side-step the inevitable catastrophe which they don't actually require since they've already figured why you don't elect crazy monster people.

Blood and damnation.

Raebo · 2011-04-26T08:05:55Z

This Canadian agrees with you - we sure are in need of lessons and probably the kind only hard times can bring about. However, it isn't entirely the people's fault - all of the leaders represent the same agenda - the fine details may differ and they sure spend a lot of time arguing about meaningless things to distract us from the reality of their position....but, it seems pretty clear that the role of the Federal Gov't - in Canada, anyhow - is to support and push the agenda of the globalists. Both Harper of the CONServatives and Martin of the LIEbrals have said nations are the enemy of economy and that Canadians will have to give up their sovereignty whether they like it or not. (Martin helped start the SPP and Harper is taking us to the NAU) And all 3 leaders have come out to show their support of Israel and the war in Afghanistan despite what Canadian citizens actually want.

It doesn't matter which psycho puppet you vote for because the gov't always wins and the gov't appears to be on the same side and it sure doesn't seem to be the side of regular citizens.

redrock12 · 2011-04-22T13:13:05Z

Also, Get Out and Vote..

for either the NDP or the LIberals so we can have a minority government, thus stop this creep from doing any more damage.

danbe69 · 2011-04-22T13:25:41Z

HARPER's global governance Agenda

Prime Minister Stephen Harper global economic system promising that we will chart new beginnings for humanity worldwide, but my fear is that the destruction of national sovereignty and global economic governance will lead to even worse ends than the numerous attempts to implement Communism.

What is most surprising about Prime Minister Harper’s statements and actions is the fact that he has been a lifelong opponent of Keynesian economics. Harper used to be well known for opposing deficit spending and he wrote his Master’s thesis against political manipulation of the economy.
Earlier this year 2011 the new global economy at the G-20 summit, Harper went on to speak as an avowed Keynesian committed to a one world global economy, creating a world we have been trying to build since 1945.

Nations whose interests have been often at odds, nations with different traditions of governance rivals, even former enemies found themselves addressing common problems with a common will. In this globalized economy, they recognized that a flood engulfing one would soon swamp them all.

avatarian · 2011-04-22T16:04:02Z

I guess

that if Harper gets a majority its because that is what Canadians voted fo and are of the same psychpathic mentality - which could mean that there are considerably more psychopaths than previously estimated - after all with all the blatant injustice and police state brutality thats going on these days it would seem that the so called civilized world has gone berserk.

gdpetti · 2011-04-22T16:52:12Z

Another Dr Strangelove?

Mr H seems like Mr B in Italy and all the rest of his kin around the world. So why be surprised? The bottom line seems to be the ignorance of the masses more than the usual con job by these puppets.

Why does the audience continue paying good money for this farce? The puppet show won't stop until the theatre is empty.

JME · 2011-04-22T16:54:47Z

Confused.

I am somewhat confused as to the overall "participation" message being delivered here. the article states..

"Why even bother participating in the political process if the new boss is going to be exactly like the old boss. Sadly, considering the big picture, the truth is there probably is no point in going to the polls on May 2nd in Canada. However, one positive aspect of the British parliamentary system is that minority governments can function quite well in the day to day running of a country"

So, is it ultimately, sadly pointless to involve yourself in the Canadian political process? or is there an inherent benefit in our Parliamentary system to using your vote to keep the wolves at bay?
If everyone in our wonderful country bothered to vote would the government not represent the real interests of Canadian's better, even if just a little bit.? If the rich, educated, business and lobbyist members of our society are left to control the polls then what more can we expect from our leadership?. Of course, assuming that we do still have some control outside of the string pullers behind the curtain. Most everybody that I know, even those politically involved or informed are reserved to not even bother to cast a vote at all, but then insist on complaining about those in charge..
I believe that it is somewhat possible to elect a human leader one with a conscious and a true interest in improving the system. After all good and evil must be in harmony, in constant balance, so if it is possible for a single leader to send a country into the hands of evil, is it not possible for another to one day lift us out?

As well, just to note, I don't believe he will achieve his majority. And I will vote to make sure that I play my tiny part in making that statement true.

redrock12 · 2011-04-22T18:05:21Z

Re: Confused

"..so if it is possible for a single leader to send a country into the hands of evil, is it not possible for another to one day lift us out?"
Possible, yes, but how much bloodletting must occur before the right leader lifts us out of the quicksand?
Imo, being proactive, ie keeping their feet to the fire and refusing to be cowed via threats and/or coercion, gaining knowledge, being wise as serpents and gentle as doves.
Each and everyone of us needs to be awake and aware, and a leader.

JME · 2011-04-22T18:36:00Z

to redrock12

I absolutely agree, but the point to my comment was simply in regard to weather or not we should bother being part of the political process via voting.
If we follow your lead as you said by being proactive and doing all of those things hopefully a lot less bloodletting will have to occur, or we could ignore the vote and be proactive leaders in our own individual lives and the bloodletting will continue as per usual anyway.
Why is it so difficult for those as wise as serpents and gentle as doves to become our countries leaders, are their really so few out there? Or is it just the natural balance for the vicious to have higher aspirations?

BDB inc · 2011-04-22T18:52:04Z

JME how much do you think an election campaign costs?
Forget aspirations,"viciousness", ambition and the will to power, just the cost and the electorial system( with mainstram media) prevents the success of any 'good' candidates .
The imbalances, political dictators and a lower order have been carfully maintained by the PTB for control purposes.
The political system is corrupt and imbalanced.

redrock12 · 2011-04-22T20:53:03Z

Re: Reader Comment

Dead on Right BDB inc. The political system is corrupt and imbalanced. Therefore, I would think that the best we can hope for, in Canada anyway, at the present time, is a minority government.
Anything but a majority Conservative government.
So all of you folks who are eligible to vote in the next federal election, vote for one of the other parties.
A minority government seems to be the only viable option to keep the fascist thugs at bay.

marc-0009 · 2011-04-22T21:08:08Z

Harper Demonization

Psychopaths are usually charming - Not sure anyone could say this dude has an ounce of charm, not to mention his supporters in fact don't find him charming in the least!! - He comes of as a plain folks guy who is fiscally conservative.

Psychopaths are usually smart - Harper does not come off as overly smart and in fact I believe that may be why he is so secretive... The psychopaths in the Canadian Liberal party ( known to be the MOST manipulative, and "charming" party ) have been trying to lay booby traps for Harper for the last 6 years... Harper has shut them down by keeping his party from engaging in anything that would become foder for the liberal party to manipulate its way back to power!

In my view, Harper is not Psychopath, but simply awkward and dim witted... Harper did not get power because he was manipulative, charming, or by relying on campaign contributions from his corporate buddies. Harper being in power has more to say about the sad and pathetic state of affairs in Canadian Democracy.

There is simply nothing on the menu in Canada that would make most of us ( the non voting majority ) get up and vote and besides who would care about voting when an astroid is on its way that is going to wipe us all out anyways!!

marc-0009 · 2011-04-22T22:07:24Z

Regarding the G20 Summit in Toronto...

I believe Torontonians who's rights were stripped by at the G20 - although not helped by the federal conservative government - were consciously SOLD OUT by the provincial LIBERAL Government who "secretly" declared war measures in order to justify the police brutality!

Seems to me that no matter who we vote for we are going to beaten and pillaged and treated as subjects. All government control systems have proven to be or become psychopathic... Don't be fooled into thinking one brand of pathology is better than another!

Congratulations to Belgium, who is celebrating it's 1st birthday free from the rule of psychopath

JME · 2011-04-22T22:35:07Z

to redrock12 and BDB inc

My initial point was weather or not to vote. Under the present circumstances, I agree that a minority government is the best we can hope for. Which is why I am encouraging voting even in a system that is corrupt because we can still make a difference, even a small one. Like I said, to keep the wolves at bay.
But as for BDB inc's comment I don't believe that even in an astronomically unfair, rigged system that there aren't good candidates with the means to gain control and affect change. Maybe not one of us, "average folks" but to say that all people with the means to be involved in our present corrupt imbalanced system.are not informed or "good" enough to succeed at change seems defeatist.
Maybe I'm an idealist.
When it comes down to it I agree with both of you, and more than anything i appreciate the back and forth. I know that I will vote and I hope as many as possible will heed the advice of redrock to vote for anything but a conservative majority.

BDB inc · 2011-04-23T01:06:36Z

JME So how do you stop a fruadulent voting system, when you vote for the "other"party how can you know under current voting system?
He who counts the votes counts(and there is a move to get more aggressive and strike all non preferred party voters off the roll pre election).

[Link]
I would start a boycott of the electorial system until its safe to vote in Canada. Under the current electorial system I don't believe that best case " the minority govt" can succeed.
Ther is no integrity of the voting system.

BDB inc · 2011-04-23T01:11:19Z

And that was a very old link, new problems are highlighted with programmers claiming its too easy to rig elections with the system.

BDB inc · 2011-04-23T01:13:58Z

[Link]

redrock12 · 2011-04-23T01:48:36Z

As Far As I Know..

Canada does not yet have an electronic voting system. It's still the old printed ballot.
But there is a concern about WHO counts the vote. Some years ago I worked as a polling clerk (I counted votes after the polls closed) in a provincial election. One of my functions was to decide, and have the final say, which ballots were "spoiled ballots." If I was unethical, I could have arbitrarily declared a large number of ballots spoiled for the party I did not want to win. When I showed the other polling clerks the small number of spoiled ballots, they looked at me as if I had some loose screws.
For this election I applied to work as a poll clerk again, but notwithstanding my previous experience, I was not selected. Perhaps it was because I was #9 on the list, so they had already made their decision before they made it to my name. But one would assume they would pick someone with experience over someone with none. But maybe I'm just being paranoid.
I hope!
Not bragging, but the reaction of the other poll clerks said volumes about the integrity of our voting system.

Gonzo · 2011-04-23T11:13:06Z

Voter apathy

First off, I believe Harper is a political genius. He knows what works and how to avoid pitfalls. Too bad he won't use his powers for good and not evil. He has successfully driven a wedge in our nation and ensured logical dialogue is replaced with partisan rhetoric and vitriol. His divide and conquer strategy has worked to his advantage and may help him win a majority, as terrifying as that may be.

To add to the mix, we have been seeing a steady decline in voter turnout over the last couple of decades. Below are the stats:

Year, Voter Turnout Rates (Federal Elections)
1988, 75.3%
1993, 69.6%
1997, 67.0%
2000, 61.2%
2004, 60.5%
2006, 64.7%
2008, 58.8%

My concern is that voter apathy is growing in those who are more sensitive and humanistic. Such attributes would probably lead to experiencing an increasing sense of helplessness in response to the horrors of the world around them. These people would probably be more inclined to vote for a centrist or left of centre political party.

However, those more aligned with conservative values operate from a position of fear. A recent study at University College London has discovered that conservatives tend to have more brain matter and activity in the area of the amygdala, the area responsible for fear and other base emotions. (read SOTT article: Study: Conservatives have larger 'fear center' in brain - http://www.sott.net/article/220612-Study-Conservatives-have-larger-fear-center-in-brain).

With the increasing use of fear being used in conservative campaign ads, one can assume those behind such ads already know the best way to motivate their constituents is through inciting fear of what will happen if a non-conservative wins.

So, we have conservatives highly motivated to vote for conservative candidates to abate their fear and the rest of the country assuming the apathy they are experiencing is universal to all political persuasions.

The sad irony is that those who care more about their fellow countrymen, including the weakest members of society, are the very ones who are pondering the pointlessness of voting and therefore run the risk of granting the fox entry to the hen house by abdicating their democratic responsibility. If the sensitive members of Canadian society continue to succumb to depression and lethargy, then only the insensitive will vote, and you can bet they will vote for one of their own.

That is why it is not pointless. To not vote is worse than voting. To not choose is akin to giving permission to others unlike you to choose for you.

Gonzo

Noise · 2011-04-23T12:58:18Z

Thanks..

From my perspective it really gives a broader perspective of what's going on in the world. I have little historic knowledge of Canadian politics, other than the thought that Canada is one of the last bastions of hope (Democracy) in the world. I wish you well in the up coming (s)elections and hope that the sane parties are still able to stop/slow down the pathological leaders.

redrock12 · 2011-04-23T13:57:53Z

Forward This Article..

to everyone who cares. This morning I went to the NDP campaign office and gave them a heads-up on this article (a lot of politically prgressive people don't realize that sott even exists). He is going to forward it to the other campaign offices across the country. My inner predatory self-calmer must have been working overtime to convince me that Harper wasn't really that bad. Until this article, I decided that I wasn't going to soil myself by votingl. Talk about hubris!
Thank you Trepanier, for the wake-up call.
And to all of those involved in the WORK, remember the LAW OF THREE. If it ever applies anywhere, it applies here.

BDB inc · 2011-04-23T15:15:25Z

Redrock I am still concerned.
[Link]

redrock12 · 2011-04-23T16:15:09Z

Re: Electronic Voting

What I got from the above link is there is currently no electronic voting in federal elections. Municipal elections, yes, but not federal.

JME · 2011-04-23T18:35:11Z

Thank you Gonzo, if only my original point had been that clear.

System · 2011-04-26T07:18:15Z

book out on Harper...

Stephen Harper linked to Nazi intellectuals and Christian fundamentalists suggests Trevor Harrison's book:
[Link]

Raebo · 2011-04-26T07:57:26Z

what choice?

All of the 3 main leaders have come out in support of Israel; none of them will bring our troops home from Afghanistan and they all support the method of using bank issued debt instead of utilizing the Bank of Canada - the bank the people own and could use if only there was a politician that worked on behalf of the people they claim to govern instead of international psychopaths.

The Canadian Action Party is the only party with a stance that resembles what Canadians actually want but they don't have any candidates - no corporate funding, I guess.

A minority gov't is the only option the people have - keep these ego-driven fools arguing amongst themselves and keep parliament static - a distracted gov't that can't accomplish anything is much better for the people than a gov't that can roll out the global agenda unfettered by opposition.

Of course, they will call it cow covid 2024

uniduo

Burn the Pedos down. [Link]

VooDoo6

The Robot Dog With A Flamethrower | Thermonator [Link] 🤡💩🎪

VooDoo6

I no longer care about the Olympics...they ruined it themselves.

JTF Truth

Wars and rumors of wars.

JTF Truth

SOTT Focus:

Psychopathology in Canadian Politics: Stephen Harper's Ruthless Drive for Power

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