Jagmeet Singh Issues Statement On Venezuela

Not focusing on 'foreign affairs' is what the NDP already does which in effect ends up meaning they instead 'go with the flow' and sign on to outrageously wrong things like the NATO destruction of Libya, the US coup in Ukraine, regime change in Syria or Venezuela, toxic Russophrenia and supporting Apartheid Israel. It's a huge embarrassment with little truly progressive about it foreign or domestic.

Unionist wrote:

NDPP wrote:

Not focusing on 'foreign affairs' is what the NDP already does which in effect ends up meaning they instead 'go with the flow' and sign on to outrageously wrong things like the NATO destruction of Libya, the US coup in Ukraine, regime change in Syria or Venezuela, toxic Russophrenia and supporting Apartheid Israel. It's a huge embarrassment with little truly progressive about it foreign or domestic.

Exactly.

I agree completely.

Unionist wrote:

Pondering wrote:

 Short of saying rah rah Maduro I don't see what you expect him to say. 

I know it won't make much difference, but I'll try to spell it out more simply.

The NDP should say: [size=25]"Canada opposes any interference of any kind whatsoever in the internal affairs of Venezuela."[/size]

How are we doing?

I like the opposing all interference. That would work in a lot of instances, the invasion of Libya for example, but I don't think it would be particularly effective in changing minds. 

I think there are public conversations to be had on the reality of Canada's relationship with the rest of the world and hypocrisy with regards to how trade is leaving us vulnerable to and supporting evil regimes that commit torture and genocide. 

I think we need a debate on the necessity of goods created by slave-labour and the impact of such on our economy. 

I think we need to highlight the massive tax cuts enjoyed by corporations over the past decades but not with an eye to raising them in the moment. Better that we acknowledge corporate tax rates can't be raised because our system of trade deals has been structured to reduce corporate taxation and increase their rights against local populations. 

We need to talk about how natural competition used to keep the marketplace honest but no longer works with corporations so large they are almost monopolies or shared monopolies in the sense that a handful of companies control the market. 

Amost every topic is more important than Venezuela not because I don't care about the suffering of the people there or the principle of non-interference but because it will have no impact. The problem is not Venezuela it is the way we approach our relationship with the world on trade, weaponry, diplomacy, aid and miltary engagement. 

One of the right wing arguments for trade is that it makes countries less likely to go to war with one another. It also leaves us supporting dangerous repressive regimes. It doesn't have to be either or. We need to redefine the meaning of homeland security. Our economies should not be hostage to countries like Saudi Arabia. 

We need to talk about superbugs and 9/11 and the possibility of borders suddenly closed to trade for a time, in particular the impact on food security and energy. 

We need to examine the industries we rely on with a special focus on our internal economy. Horgan has made a recent announcement on mandating treated pressured wood for government buildings up to 12 stories in order to support the BC forestry industry. The intention is to make it more resilient through being less dependent on foreign buyers. 

I haven't even touched on climate change and the environment in general or the weapons industry or why there are so many refugees. 

I see all these big conversations that need to be had that are fundamental to Canada's future. We have entered a new century and are undergoing a transformation bigger than the printing press and the industrial revolution. 

I think you see the NDP position on Venezuela as a reflection of the NDP's lack of progressiveness. I am disappointed they didn't stand with the unions. I guess never having been a member I have a different perspective.

"On April 18, 2019, please join Yves Engler and me at Concordia University in Montreal for a frank discussion about the Canadian government's nefarious role in Venezuela's crisis."

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