Justin Trudeau Op-Ed continues LPC tradition of shameless opportunism

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Last edited Sat Nov 24, 2012, 12:50 AM - Edit history (1)

In a bid to pander to the Calgary riding up for bye-election grabs, Justin Trudeau attempted to outflank the conservatives and openly support China’s CNOOC-Nexen takeover bid. (But oddly doesn't support the Northern Gateway pipeline through more LPC friendly territory)

Though it doesn’t matter much anyhow, since natural resources critic David McGuinty likely torpedoed any chance of a Liberal win, by re-alienating Albertans. Trudeau's endorsement of the CNOOC-Nexen takeover also has had the unintended benefit of making the Cons appear to be thoughtful and cautious on the subject, while the majority of Canadians are still in agreement with the NDP in opposing it.
Bravo Justin.

Full Trudeau’s fluff piece at:
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/OpEd+CNOOC+Nexen+deal+good+Canada+says+Justin+Trudeau/7572765/story.html

“Why is the CNOOC-Nexen deal good for Canada? Because Chinese and other foreign investors will create middle-class Canadian jobs” and “foreign investment raises productivity, and hence the living standards of Canadian families”

Yawn, because the globalization that the LPC was briefly against, before it was for it, has worked out so well.

"What if our goal was to become Asia's designers and builders of livable cities? What if we got our world-class financial institutions and pension funds together with our world-class engineering and construction industries to secure a leadership role for Canada in Asia's growth?"

Did Thomas Friedman write this?

"China, for one, sets its own rules and will continue to do so because it can."

Trudeau Solution: Since its inevitable; lets just accept our vassal status.

********************
Seriously? Is that the best Trudeau can do to explain the net national benefit of this deal?
How is the oil going to flow to the world market without pipelines? Care to endorse them while you're at it Justin?
Is China realistically going to pick up the bill for the environmental catastrophe left behind in Canada? (since China makes its own rules, and its not exactly like the WTO has shown any love for the nation of Canada)
Does he really think that if China is unconcerned about their own human rights abuses, they'll respect traditional Canadian organized Labour?
Does he really think China will stop devaluing its currency and cozy up to Canadian banking standards?
Does he really think China cant wait to hire Canadian engineers?


The Trudeau legacy is a Myth. Make no mistake: The youthful rock star is all about the money and the power; no different than Harper and the Cons. Social wedge issues such as Marijuana, religious beliefs vs. secular government, long gun registries, etc are distractions from the decades of the rotted state of ‘good governance' masking globalized corporate profit.

Like his predecessors Trudeau states that increasing productivity (through globalization, and resource depletion) magically trickles down to us common folk, despite history starkly proving otherwise. The LPC tradition of shamelessly hawking positions such as re-negotiating NAFTA’, axing the GST, and decriminalizing marijuana (which naturally evaporated once elected) continues. Hopefully Canadians will realize the insult, and wont fall for it again.

[teddy51]

1. He's really not his daddy huh?

[Joe Shlabotnik]

2. His dad was much brighter.

But even so, people forget that many of PET's best policies came from Pearson, and the NDP.

[CHIMO]

3. Make

Sure you tell voters to vote for the Conservative candidate! You seem to have left out any positive piece. Oh. Forgot. It's divide and conquer.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

4. I didn't force Trudeau to write that fuzzy piece.

He didn't even have to take a stand on it. His op-ed was tired neo-liberal rhetoric that promises vague benefit to the working class while handing over the resources to the global business elite. The only thing that he made clear was his support for a Chinese company.

There is nothing refreshing or principled about this guy, or his party; pandering to the mushy middle on cultural issues but governing from the right when it comes to big business. 2011 already showed that an increasing number of voters are disillusioned with the LPC message, or lack thereof.

[Ken Burch]

6. Voting Liberal isn't the only way to vote against the Cons in Calgary Center

There's also an NDP candidate...and the Greens, of all people, are running strongly there.

Given that the Liberals are no longer the Official Opposition, why should any progressives still bother voting for them? The only case they'd had for decades now was that they were either the government or had the best chance of becoming the government when the Cons were in. That situation no longer exists(and won't exist even if the Bieber of politics does win the LPC leadership) so why keep repeating an obsolete argument?

The Liberals had their kick at the can already...it's time for you to join progressives in going somewhere else with your vote.

[CanSocDem]

5. Good analysis.

I could only scan the "fluff piece" and was almost tempted to not read it at all. The OP says it succinctly.


.

[Ken Burch]

7. I take your general point, but..."bravo Justine"?

[Joe Shlabotnik]

8. thats a fair criticism

I should try to rise above Toronto Sun name calling, although its tough with the media treating him like such a darling starlet. Good point though.

[Ken Burch]

9. Thanks.

n/t.