progressive politics

The trouble with 'populist' billionaires is they serve the same old corporate interests

We toss around the word "billionaire" pretty freely these days, as if it's just another word for a rich guy.

And yet, try this little quiz: you are given a dollar every second, 24 hours a day. At that rate, it takes 12 days for you to become a millionaire. But how long does it take for you to become a billionaire?

Answer: 32 years.

Being a billionaire isn't just about being rich; it's about being mind-bogglingly rich -- rich beyond most people's comprehension.

And yet the mega-fortunes being amassed these days by the newly emergent class of billionaires -- and the enormous influence and control this gives them over our economy and politics -- barely registers as a political issue.

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Columnists

Transformative change in 2017 starts with community

As has been pointed out by too many people, 2016 was a devastating year for progressives (a homely term for all those who are want equality, democracy and ecological sanity). There is no need to repeat the list of atrocities, failures and disappointments, as we all have them indelibly marked on our psyches. One result of the annus horribilis is that activists everywhere have pledged to try harder -- at what is clearly not working. There is even a sense of optimism rooted in the old left-wing shibboleth that "the worse things get, the better" -- meaning, of course that if things get really, really bad, people will rise up (and overthrow the 1%).

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activism social justice social change community building progressive politics anti-neoliberalism right-wing ideology transformative change

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Progress is about solutions, not scapegoats

Erika Shaker

| August 11, 2016

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If anything's become clear while watching the star-spangled spectacle unfold south of the border, it's this: nature -- in this case, human nature -- abhors a vacuum.

Brent Patterson

| July 21, 2016

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There is no doubt that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is exceedingly popular.

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Canada needs to find a left-wing alternative to right-wing populism

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This is a populist moment, no doubt of that, and the right has seized it. How? By stoking fears, among those like the former industrial working class and telling them the source of all their troubles is immigrants and racial "others." It worked in the Brexit vote, throughout Europe and for Trump in the U.S. Why mess with success? The question is: will there be a left populist alternative?

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Canadian politics left wing progressive politics Donald Trump Jeremy Corbyn Brexit UK referendum right wing populism

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A new danger descends on Canada

The Leap Manifesto continues to gain support as an alternative to the reckless fossil fuel agenda of premiers like British Columbia's Christy Clark and Saskatchewan's Brad Wall.

As a result, they've taken to attacking the Leap in increasingly strident tones. We say: Bring it on.

Video created by Jesse Freeston

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Climate Change Canadian politics progressive politics Brad Wall christy clark equitable society The Leap Manifesto

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analysis

Pierre Karl Péladeau and the party that can't be saved

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With the abrupt departure of Pierre Karl Péladeau on May 2, the Parti québécois (PQ) has lost its truest self. Many members may rejoice at the opportunity to bring in a less cartoonishly evil leader, but in the end, PKP, as he's know in Québec, at the helm of the PQ epitomized everything that has been desperately irreparably wrong with the party for decades.

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In a bold move, NDP delegates save their party

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Jack Layton social movements progressive politics federal NDP leadership tom mulcair Leap Manifesto ndp convention 2016

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The way ahead for the NDP

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The NDP convention in Edmonton ended with an unexpected decision. The party will hold another convention within two years to choose a new leader.

Candidates to replace Tom Mulcair need to be judged according to their ability to renew the party, and position it as the vehicle for a new direction for Canada.

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Liberal Party progressive politics corporate agenda Federal NDP democratic renewal tom mulcair ndp convention 2016

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Mulcair's out. How did it happen and what's next?

Karl Nerenberg

| April 11, 2016

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Canada's New Democrats are now a party in search of a leader.

Through most of its history, the NDP, and its predecessor, the CCF, focused more on party and program than on the singular magic of leadership.

Leader-obsession was for the old-line parties, concerned about power and nothing but power.

Tommy Douglas is a legendary figure in the New Democratic Party, these days.

progressive politics

The trouble with 'populist' billionaires is they serve the same old corporate interests

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Transformative change in 2017 starts with community

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Do

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Canada needs to find a left-wing alternative to right-wing populism

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Do

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A new danger descends on Canada

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Pierre Karl Péladeau and the party that can't be saved

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In a bold move, NDP delegates save their party

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The way ahead for the NDP

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