Is it time for an expanded digital services tax? Why not tax foreign social media like we tax sugar, alcohol, nicotine, and fast food? The imposition of minimum pricing rules per account or per post would be a huge disincentive. Maybe regulate them like traditional media. Ban foreign ownership?
Edit: spelling
Proton + Ghostery wombo combo should still work for now for ad blocking and VPN.
After some quick interneting, apparently we have the technical and industrial capacity to do so, but lack intention, having committed to peaceful, civilian use of the technology through non-proliferation treaties, etc.
I mean, in an ideal world, that's how it should be.
I would very much rather we err on the side of caution when it comes to our sovereignty and Trumps erratic, ego driven foreign policy.
I am currently trying to convince my employer to ditch Google and all associated services, as well as the US-based cyber security suites that are currently tanking the performance of all of our workstations. It would be nice if there was an easy replacement for Windows. Linux is a no-go for our IT people.
The day that all the soggy burger-lettuce that's holding him together finally gives out will go down in history as the 2nd time that 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead' reaches number 1 in the UK music charts.
Fascism or cold winters? It's a toughie, all right!
Who had 'Canada invokes article 5 as Trump prepares land grab over price of eggs.'
You've heard of Lebensraum, but who expected we'd be worrying about trumps insatiable lust for Eierraum.
His son is already floating the idea of running in 2028, so the wild ride with this particular fascistic dynasty is far from over. It will probably continue into the next decade or so, at the very least. And if Canada maintains its sovereignty over the next four years, that does not mean we're in the clear. Far from it.
I'm 100% with you on 'deterrents.' I think it would reveal an extreme lack of competence, not to mention a dangerous lack of planning for our leaders not to consider seriously the idea of a robust deterrent at this point. I hope it's already being floated.
The fact that our leadership created the conditions for or allowed to worsen our over-reliance on a single trading partner doesn't speak much to the levels of competence we should expect out of Ottawa.
Never thought I'd ever say it, but I'm not terribly opposed to an independent Canadian nuclear deterrent these days.
I can think of no other workable solution if we're serious about remaining Canadian. The Ricans would steamroll us conventionally. Without a credible deterrent, Slobba the Slut could very well ramble himself incoherently from 'economic pressure' to 'occupational force.' We don't know what his puppetmasters and wormtongues are whispering in his ear, or how far he and his sycophants are willing to go for a cheaper egg.
Honestly, same. I already cancelled Florida and Arizona trips for later in the year and told friends in Phoenix that I'll likely never be back. We'll probably make plans to meet up elsewhere.
This is the republican party now. And Trump may not even be the worst to come. We already see his goons waiting in the wings. Political whiplash is the new normal in the US, and i feel like we will see the division continue to exacerbate over the next few decades for them domestically until something gives.
I hope we in Canada take this new reality seriously and prepare ourselves appropriately as we enter the 30's.
/doomer
I see your point, but I feel like spreading the risk a little would've been the more secure trade policy. 70% reliance on one country seems borderline obscene. Of course, hindsight is 20/20 so there's not really any point in me complaining about what should have been. All we can do now is work to correct the mistake.