TORONTO – The debt referenced above is not merely an economic one, despite the drop in interest rates announced (ordered) by the Bank of Canada. That is the same organization that, over the last three years has been raising the prime rate; the Left wing in society might call that execise a quasi-larceneous transfer of wealth to an ever-shrinking number of people who may be in a position to access the fabled top “1%” of society. 

It might be appropriate to what may happen in the Liberal Party this week, and to the leadership of Justin Trudeau in particular. (You load sixteen tons, what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt

Saint Peter don’t you call me, ’cause I can’t go

I owe my soul to the company store

(see the full text below)

On Wednesday, Canada’s PM appeared to have survived the threat to his leadership by his own caucus. However, before the end of the day political storm clouds disrupted the sunny skies of Justin Trudeau’s “sunny ways”.

For the media, there is not enough time to thank the Oracle of Delhi for the ‘bankable news’. Consider the following: (1) the caucus allegedly issued a letter indicating that by end of day today, October 28, it may… [engage in action to destabilize the government]. (2) On October 29, the Bloc Quebecois has promised that it will categorically withdraw any support for the government unless the PM presents a program to “top up” old age benefits for the elderly. (3) The government announced a “new Immigration plan” to reduce immigration by 25% over the next three years, starting with 21% reduction in total numbers as of today.

Add these to the demands by the NDP to raise subsidies for day-care, Conservative calls for actions on carbon tax, arresting rising criminality, building the supply of housing and one begins to appreciate the Press delight in the cornucopia of [potentially] bad news for Mr. Trudeau.

The ‘cherry on the cake’ seems to be the alienation of usually reliable Liberal support among the ethnocultural communities [particularly] outside Quebec. The on-going war in the Middle East has turned-off both the pro-Israel (Jewish) and the pro-Palestinian (Muslim) voters. Allegations of Foreign intervention by State operatives from China, India and now Russia further erode confidence and breed discontent where it matters most, politically and organizationally: in caucus.

Hearsay, anecdotal evidence insists that dissenting members of caucus are motivated by purely personal ambition. They counter with the claim that the discontent is widespread, and that The Party is at risk, unless it can rebrand itself.

On a personal note, I have returned to watching the guests on Ken Cocharne’s, Power and Politics, and have noted that the usual cheerleaders (of all genders) “plugging the company line” appear resigned to the inevitable. MPs have been promised an aggressive Ad Campaign that [hopefully] will change the public’s view.

In almost the same breath they repeat that the Presidential election in the USA will go a long way to determining what will happen in Canada. How, exactly? Are we no longer in Canada?

“Sixteen tons”, Tennessee Ernie Ford

The singer Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1956 made famous “Sixteen tons”, a song written by Merle Travis and recorded by the latter for the first time in 1946.

Some people say a man is made out of mud

A poor man’s made out of muscle and blood

Muscle and blood and skin and bones

A mind that’s a-weak and a back that’s strong

You load sixteen tons, what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt

Saint Peter, don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go

I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one morning when the sun didn’t shine

I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine

I loaded sixteen tons of number 9 coal

And the straw boss said, “Well, a-bless my soul”

(CHORUS)

I was born one morning, it was drizzling rain

Fighting and trouble are my middle name

I was raised in the canebrake by an ol’ mama lion

Can’t no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

(CHORUS)

If you see me coming, better step aside

A lot of men didn’t, a lot of men died

One fist of iron, the other of steel

If the right one don’t a-get you, then the left one will

(CHORUS)