Feeling incredibly disheartened today. Lost a number of patrons and subscribers for daring to criticize the most powerful man in the country. It’s hard not to despair when a bunch of folks want to be ruled by a king.
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Take heart, Steve. 💗 Your #s will build again. It’s the mindless followers of that man that we should be feeling disheartened about. It’s so sad: his actions, cruelty, lies & moronic rants have had such an impact on them. It’s like they’ve been hypnotized. Naive? Republican at all cost? Who knows…
Hopefully it isn't just blind partisanship; many people unsubscribe and check out after a big election.
I think you'll regain what you lost in no time 🙂
Liberal candidate from Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola here. I just subscribed and signed up on Patreon. It’s easier to watch when you’re criticizing Poilievre but more important to watch when you’re finding fault with our guy. Keep it up and don’t let the bastards grind you down!!
Hey, I'm a literal card-carrying Federal Liberal, and I am all for criticizing anyone who holds power. That's what we're supposed to do as a participatory electorate. I've criticized the MP whose riding board I serve on to his face on several things, and I will continue to do so.
For reals?! I mean, we voted for Carney for Prime Minister. Not a king. We get to go against him if he does anything out of sorts. Good grief. If I lose my marbles and go riding down mainstreet on a zebra, someone do something! Same goes for the Prime Minister 😂 Good on you for saying something! 🤘
It's a hard line to walk. I think there is a very legitimate feeling that only one side of the political spectrum holds their politicians to account and there is a fear that is why we are losing ground to a conservative movement with seemingly zero accountability.
So at times it can feel like we are playing into PP's hand when we rightfully criticize the likes of Carney, Trudeau, Singh, Etc....It's a fear of legitimizing Pierre's conservatism that makes us go against our better judgement.
I gotta say Steve, I appreciate what you do and what you try to do. It’s hard to find leftist Canadian voices who are talking about Canada, our media ecosystem is Rough. It makes sense to have down days, if you didn’t care it would make you worse at this.
Personally I feel so battered right now, in Ottawa it feels like there no stopping this fascist “Bubble” anti protest bylaw, then Ontario is trying to sell off the wetlands with bill 5, and another Canada post strike looms and we’ll all have to heard everyone blaming the workers again.
I appreciate people like yourself who cover news from the whole country and continue to wade forward despite all the bullshit. You’re doing good work, toiling away digging out the truth and sharing with the people. It’s not easy when this crap is the news, and liberals are the people.
I'm sure there are ebbs and flows for political content creators, and the pressure put upon y'all to always see those numbers rise really sucks.
You speak to politics in a way most people can understand and you have criticism for everyone. Whether an audience realizes it or not, we need that. 🖖🏻
I am so sorry you’re having a bit of a rough day. I know that feeling down can be quite unpleasant but i am grateful for what you do. Your open mind is so valuable and it has tough me a considerable amount. Thanks for doing what you do so well. I wish you all the best.
This is the same predicament that a lot of my editorial cartoonist friends have found themselves in. At this point they just laugh when they get a letter stating "I used to think you were funny, however, your recent cartoon ..."
Either you're doing your job, or you're a propagandist.
It's illogical to think the leader of a party will ever 100% match someone's positions. They became leader by becoming a massive compromise of the lowest common denominator.
If you didn't disagree, and voice that disagreement, then you're just a puppet, not an independent person.
It is *buck wild* that we are living in the times that we do, yet so many people refuse to scrutinize politicians. Carney openly has tons of policies that any member of the working class should be wary of, and I appreciate you for being one of the people putting voice to that.
And like, whenever a new leader comes in, people ALWAYS forget that Canada is led by PARTIES. The bad policies didn't go away simply because leadership shifted. We should always be vigilant about that. The Liberals are still the Liberals.
I am sorry for how you are feeling today. I truly appreciate your work, and how much time and care you put into what you do. You are an incredibly valuable voice, with thoughtful opinions. I welcome the challenges you table against those in power - they should be held accountable and called out.
It's all good. Frankly, one can be massively partisan and still be fair and critical. All it takes is integrity and honesty. So, if some people ditch you because you criticised their hero, fine. Did you do so fairly? Did you did it honestly? Yes? Yes? Then FINE - you're good. Ignore the fools.
People like that I’m not a partisan. Until I critique their team. It’s genuinely a huge bummer. Folks, your leaders should never be above critique, no matter much you like them, and no matter how awful you think the alternatives may be. Unquestioned power is ALWAYS bad. Always.
That’s so disappointing. But for what it’s worth, I follow accounts like yours BECAUSE you aren’t afraid to critique anyone. I often disagree with your takes, but you make me think about why I disagree, which is incredibly valuable. You’re doing it the right way.
I have a feeling that in the past decade people got so used to creeping authoritarianism that the only alternate they can fathom to cruel authoritarianism is compassionate authoritarianism
the left has abandoned democracy at the same time the right has
It’s weird. I follow a lot of folks I disagree with vehemently at times including you. But I think you are always approaching topics in good faith and have important takes and questions that need to be asked.
There's a deep-seated problem with people feeling that criticizing someone they like is an attack on them. Whether the criticism be directed towards a politician, sport, music, video game or even tv shows/movies.
I don't know how you move those people forward in an open, civilized discussion.
Story of life in Alberta. My whole life I've been surrounded by people who would never fail to vote for their party, regardless of how the govt behaves. I firmly believe every incumbent party earns a time out, now and then.
Just threw a Patreon sub your way. I think you’ve been 100% correct when it comes to the Libs, and it sucks that people are so quick to defend Carney when he’s trying to govern from the right. I think the Cons would be way worse, but that’s not a blank cheque for the Libs to act this way
Released a video shilling crypto from a sketchy company and somehow thought *his* audience would let that slide, then appeared on Tim Pool's podcast. People aren't taking it well.
However you feel about it, some very strange decision-making on his part considering his platform and whole deal.
I know more about America than I do Canada and I've appreciated the posts I'm seeing from you since I started trying to seek out Canadian Socialist commentators. Aside from Press Progress, I don't know who is out there. The Left Turn, Canada podcast kind of flopped so I'm politically homeless.
Steve is so great!! And his sometimes broadcast partner Lisa B. is awesome too!!
FWIW, for other media sources, The Breach, https://Rabble.ca, and The Tyee are, independent, diverse, & left. Tyee is BC-based, and even though I'm not, I find them valuable.
I'm in the GTA too. If you weren't familiar with those sources, I hope you find them valuable. I wasn't sure if you were Canadian or American, based on your previous post, so I am sorry if I suggested things already very familiar to you!
This was predictable, so you’re bummed about a preordained outcome. Feel better, you’re awesome! People like me read watch you while not always agreeing with you and we keep reading and watching for the intelligent discourse you promote.
Im not a patron, but I have enjoyed your informative content for years now. Even though I didnt know every single thing Carney did, I still voted for him knowing he wasn't as progressive as we could need.
But the importance of having him is we can criticize him and push him to reconsider.
I don't want Carney to become a King, but we do need a strong leader that can push back against the South. You critiques him are the right thing to do, but a fair amount are still suffering from "if you don't like my guy, you want the bad guy to win".
Comments
I think you'll regain what you lost in no time 🙂
You speak to politics in a way most people can understand and you have criticism for everyone. Whether an audience realizes it or not, we need that. 🖖🏻
Either you're doing your job, or you're a propagandist.
If you didn't disagree, and voice that disagreement, then you're just a puppet, not an independent person.
We need more calling out people in power.
the left has abandoned democracy at the same time the right has
Steve has mentioned this before, and how important it is for bridging the gap. We need to relearn how to talk to people we don't agree with.
I don't know how you move those people forward in an open, civilized discussion.
Honest critique and speaking truth to power don't sit well with people who treat politics as a team sport.
THAT'S a bad day 😳
However you feel about it, some very strange decision-making on his part considering his platform and whole deal.
FWIW, for other media sources, The Breach, https://Rabble.ca, and The Tyee are, independent, diverse, & left. Tyee is BC-based, and even though I'm not, I find them valuable.
https://breachmedia.ca/about/
https://thetyee.ca/about_us/
Also, have a goofy pic of puppy Gustav, who needed his emotional support whale washed.
It's unbelievable how some people can't deal with differing points of view in today's world.
But the importance of having him is we can criticize him and push him to reconsider.
Keep doing good work, the strong will stay.