Today's News: Grievances on parade

In a post about Poilieve's Shack of Seclusion, Evan Scrimshaw writes about why some people seem to absolutely HATE! Trudeau:

...It’s a movement of people who have been radicalized for various reasons – the importation of American culture wars, the general fact that the right has been losing the war for hearts and mind in recent decades, and COVID, which was a deeply traumatic event for a lot of people. We’ve never reckoned with the damage done, and even if you think draconian measures were required, there was a price for it. And it’s a movement that Poilievre has gone to great lengths to endure himself to.

It's an angry movement because for a lot of people, the world makes less sense now than it ever has before....

Poilievre has positioned himself as the leader of this movement, a movement that has overinflated the responsibility that the Prime Minister has on this country and therefore has pinned all their grievances, real or imagined, on him. It’s a movement that’s diffuse on specific grievances but united on their contempt for the one man...

More of that grievance was on display when Trudeau made a brief stop in Belleville, Ontario this week:

This is frightening & sickening. People with Trump signs shouting antisemitic slurs at the Prime Minister. This is what happens when antisemitism & hate become normalized and it can happen anywhere. In Canada too. Every political leader needs to speak out against this. https://t.co/grOG7Yj9Oy

— Anthony Housefather (@AHousefather) July 21, 2023

Obnoxious, yelling man attempting to threaten our PM.

What does Trudeau do? Notices the child in the crush and squats down to talk to them, face to face.

THAT is a leader. https://t.co/O7dDbTo3on

— Wendy Jackman (@WenJackwoman) July 21, 2023

Here's the clip that Jackman was referring to:

WATCH: An event for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was cut short in Belleville, Ont., today after nearly 100 protesters surrounded him and his motorcade.

READ: https://t.co/ncEVhJHcqI pic.twitter.com/TrgoZHaHDR

— Mickey Djuric (@MickeyDjuric) July 21, 2023

The anti-Trudeau hate is going to backfire on them, isn't it:

Rebel News and Canada Proud bussed in a bunch of Trump supporters from the US for that “protest”. Appears they went too far and now the Cons are panicking because it back fired. It makes this analysis a little more likely and that worries them🧐……. pic.twitter.com/P9obGrN2g8

— Coco (@PugslyT) July 22, 2023

What a week for #PierrePoilievreIsBroken:
*Says a Niagara Falls woman's home is a "shack".
*His #QAnon #freedumbKKKonvoy goobers are rabid racists at #Trudeau Belleville stop.
*2006 #CPC MP candidate charged w 🇨🇳 election interference.
*The Star says PP sabotaged Patrick Brown.😲

— (((Social Democrat))) 🇨🇦🇪🇺🇳🇱 (@IsabellaBardoel) July 22, 2023

I thought this was an interesting observation too -- David Coletto at Abacus Data says what Canadians are really looking for now is a sense of security. 

In his substack Will "security" be what voters seek in the next federal election? he says the idea that Canadians are looking for change is an over-simplification. What we want is less chaos and more reassurance:

...As political discourse evolves, the concept of "security" is increasingly influencing Canadian politics.

..."Security" encompasses more than just physical safety—it's becoming an ideological umbrella covering financial stability, job security, and healthcare accessibility, among others.

I think the concept resonates with voters on a profound, personal level as they grapple with uncertain times marked by economic upheaval and global crises - think Permacrisis!

After battling the Covid-19 pandemic, witnessing the invasion of Ukraine, wildfires caused by extreme heat and droughts, and facing stubborn inflation and surging mortgage rates, people are seeking a "safety blanket" for their future.

The focus on security also carries a sense of empowerment. It allows individuals greater agency in discussions about their financial and personal well-being without invoking the condescending overtones of phrases like "poverty," "inequality," and "fairness."

Certainly, the Liberal government's "we have your back" messaging during and post-pandemic falls squarely within this concept of security....

The public mood is one looking for change but afraid of too much change.

That’s leaving the door open for the Liberals, and is a liability for the Conservatives.

Voters are looking for security, safety, and predictability. The party and leader that best projects that while also acknowledging that folks want some change- change from permacrisis and anxiety - will win the next election.

I don't think Poilievre's hysterical and anxious "crisis!" rage farming is going to reassure anybody.