This is a continuation of the conversation/discussion I was having with my friend about our beliefs. As before, their comments begin with F: and mine begin with X:
F: About why I'm a nationalist: Canadian nationalism vs American nationalism (basically why I'm not afraid to say I'm a nationalist): https://globalnews.ca/news/4745341/canada-nationalism-surveys/ Here's the definition of nationalism: "nationalism is a political, social, and economic ideology characterized by the promotion of the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty over its homeland." Basically, I advocate for putting the needs of my nation and my people first. However, not in such a way that would encourage hatred for others or bring down other nations. I simply want my government to fight for the interests of my people on a global scale so long as it doesn't harm others. I want the government to ensure we get treated well but also cares that others get treated well too. As I said, they should first fight for the people of my country, but support and care for others too. Putting Canada first (for our government) doesn't mean everyone else should have to fail. X: I see what you mean, but I do think that there are certain responsibilities that a capable nation and government have that supersede that individual nation's "best interest." If a country has the ability to help other nations, groups, and individuals that are in dire need, they have a human, moral obligation to do so. Even if it means that 10,000 citizens of that nation have things a little harder, it is absolutely worth it if 100 individuals are removed from a situation where they will likely end up with shrapnel in their hears and gas in their lungs. We are all humans on this planet and artificial, manmade borders can't take priority over that fact. I think the philosophy of putting your country first is very dangerous and can lead to a violent, racist, xenophobic ideology that destroys peace, justice, and democracy. F: My thoughts on Trudeau: I don't like him. I can agree that he's attractive and charming, but that's about it for me. I'm a liberal but I dislike him. From my perspective as an Albertan, he doesn't give a shit about us. Alberta is in the middle of an oil crisis yet he refuses to do anything about it. Alberta wants to build a pipeline so we can transport oil faster and more efficiently so it sells better. Again, this isn't some half-assed desire being thrown around, this is to fix an oil crisis. My province, Alberta, adds millions to the economy every year from our oil, and we supply oil for the rest of Canada and even the US and other countries. This is a huge industry and a crisis like this will have drastic negative effects on Canada's economy next year, the one we just got up and running again (Canada has a reputation for having a lousy economy). Trudeau doesn't listen to what we want in the west. So far he hasn't said anything about the pipeline the Premier of Alberta keeps asking for. He also claimed not too long ago that we don't have the money to pay for veterans, then he pledges 50 million USD to a charity on Twitter. He told the country that our tax money is being given to a charity over fucking social media. Yes, it's for a good cause, I'm not against giving money to charity. However, we need to understand the context of this announcement. He tweeted this to Trevor Noah, saying he was sad he wasn't able to attend a party celebrating Nelson Mandela and pledged the money to charity. This comes off as doing this for maintaining a good image in the press, which is something he does regularly. Our country is still deep in debt and this is not what he should be putting tax money towards. Trudeau also says there is no core identity in Canada and doesn't believe in (Canadian) nationalism. I don't know what drugs he's on but there is very much a sense of Canadian identity in our country. This isn't all the beef I have with him, but you get the idea. X: I'm going to start off seemingly off-topic, but it will circle around, I swear. I definitely see where you come from and Alberta is definitely going to be one of the hardest hit economic zones in the coming century. What we are seeing happen now is only going to get worse, which is tragic, but I would argue that it is a necessary evil. And don't get the wrong idea and consider me an outsider looking on the situation from outside. I am from a town in LA backed up against the hills and less than 100 miles from the San Andreas fault. LA is a beautiful city, but it is eventually going to die. Forest fires will decimate the vast suburbs that have been built in areas that are meant to burn. Ocean levels will rise, submerging the areas that weren't consumed by the fire. Over the next couple centuries, and perhaps sooner, we are going to see (relatively) large areas of the planet that become uninhabitable as a result of climate change. Some of these areas are going to be victims of the direct consequences of climate change. Others are going to be economic victims, mainly communities whose wealth rose with the harvest of fossil fuels and became ghost towns as the world abandons fossil fuels. We are already seeing this, most notably in the coal mines of the Appalachians. Alberta is sadly one of those victims. However, it is useless to argue whether this will happen. Instead, the human race needs to focus on how it happens. There are two paths. The first path is the path of fire. We are already seeing the effects of it. The devastating wildfires in California are just the beginning. The world will suffer from irreversible damage as climate change occurs. This will be near-apocalyptic as the global economy is shaken by housing crises, energy crises, and most importantly, agricultural failure en masse. The second option is the choice. So far, this is the path we are turning towards. Within this choice, the aforementioned communities will shrink and eventually become ghosts of what they once were as the human race makes a conscious choice to support a sustainable future. It is tragic that this path requires the sacrifice of those communities that fueled the world in the previous couple centuries, but the way I see it, if that is what it takes the ensure the security of the human race from environmental devastation for the next millennium, so be it. If we don't resolve the issue of climate change and global warming, we won't have a future to affect. That second option is what leaders like Macron and Trudeau are fighting for. I realize that he may have broken promises that got him where he is, but if any politician were to run, saying what I have said, they would be instantly be rejected by that too ignorant, short-sighted and selfish to understand the need for the measures he has created. And it isn't those people's fault. I totally understand. The prospect of economic and communal ruin is terrifying, but it is in some places, a necessary evil in order to ensure the security of the planet. In regard to what he says about finance delegation, I would look and compare what he says against what actually happens and how it happens. I think that for Trudeau, it is extremely important to maintain the image of being progressive, charitable, and internationally engaged. Canada is a sleeping giant within the world economy and has the standing as a reliable and friendly player on that part of the global stage. He is working to maintain that image as well as capitalize on it in a time when major global players are experiencing significant disruption. While he might make some choices that aren't domestically popular, he needs to keep maintaining Canada'sposition within the global economy, the fight for sustainability, and Canada's place within the G20. In addition, he needs to communicate this agenda to his nation. I think that that is where he is failing. He, like other world leaders such as Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron, is failing to communicate his vision and agenda to his base, arguably the most important group for a world leader. Overall, I think that it is important for global leaders, Trudeau, in particular, to work towards a more sustainable future in regards to the environment and human conditions, under the umbrella of international cooperation.
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Lorie Shaull