We awake this morning to a Trump world. This, despite his lies, his racism, his hatred, his divisiveness and complete disregard for democratic ways and institutions. He has already declared his intention to become a dictator, stating there will be no need for further democratic votes. Americans voted by the hundreds of millions, all for the love of the dollar, voluntarily inflicting a tyrant on themselves and the rest of the world. Ukraine, the Middle East, NATO, Russia, North Korea, China – the entire world will be shaped by a man fundamentally lacking in knowledge, history and above all human decency and empathy. Make no mistake. He will deconstruct the Department of Justice and attempt to use the military to exact vengeance on American citizens. The future will be warped by him and a crew equally lacking in morals and hungry for personal power. The pathetic truth is that the extreme right has been welcomed in by the American people because they want to pay less for groceries. Women’s rights, the climate crisis, renewable energy, all be damned.

Not that Canadians should feel smug. The right has made its way quite handily into our politics. Pierre Poilievre has perfected the political art of the three-word slogan, attracting unreasonable support. Despite his own refusal to undergo security clearance, he feels entitled to attack Justin Trudeau for every petty and imagined sin.

And here in BC, we’re no better. Forty-five percent of the population just voted in the NDP government of status quo, the same one that has inflicted so many hardships on citizens, everything from inaccessible health care and homelessness to an opioid crisis and a disastrous forestry policy. The other forty-five percent voted in a Conservative party that finally offered a platform four days before the election and a questionable slate of candidates, some of whom were elected. The Conservatives won on the promise of plastic straws, oil and gas expansion and the repeal of hard-won Indigenous rights and freedoms, careening between ideas that are ludicrous and harmful.

The sole bright spot is the election of two BC Green Party members who hold the balance of power and who will shine a spotlight on what the NDP and the Conservatives are up to.

Integrity, well-thought policy, social justice, a climate crisis plan, a solid economic plan – none of these matter to voters. At least right now. But the time will come when you need us. Character matters; morality matters; integrity matters. If you’re ever in need of a party dedicated to the economic, physical and mental well-being of humans and the responsible stewardship of nature, the Greens, federal and provincial, will be right here. Give us a call. Now.

Kathy Code
CEO
Cowichan Malahat Langford EDA