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Jeff Rybak🍁

@JeffRybak

Mar 2

I just got done in bail court today. And I have something all you #FreeTamaraLich nuts need to hear. Her treatment in bail court isn't evidence of systemic oppression against her or against your cause. It's evidence the system sucks. Just you usually don't care, or notice. 1/7

Many criminal lawyers agree bail could have and probably should have been fashioned in this case. Often called "bail set not met." Something like as soon as she agrees to go home and stop breaking the law, she can be released. That would have been reasonable and appropriate. 2/7

Now I know, you don't think she was breaking the law at all. She probably doesn't either. But hopefully if you have a speck of sense you'll realize the system doesn't ask people if they feel something should be legal or not. We don't choose the laws we obey. No one does. 3/7

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Jeff Rybak🍁

@JeffRybak

Oct 12, 2021

I've watched with growing disgust as the intolerant right-wing, and increasingly the militant left, seize on any cause and identity to attack Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party. It isn't the criticism that offends me, it's the coopting of identity and issues. #cdnpoli 1/9

Whether it's blackface, Indigenous rights, women's issues, or anything really, Twitter trolls and even ordinary activists seem to discover deep wells of concern for identities they don't share, and issues they've never cared about, whenever some opportunity presents. #cdnpoli 2/9

Like I said, it's disgusting. Beyond disgusting, really. Whatever the issue may be, it isn't improved by being flung gleefully around by idiots who are milking someone else's pain, someone else's identity, and talking over someone else's voice in a public debate. #cdnpoli 3/9

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Jeff Rybak🍁

@JeffRybak

Oct 8, 2021

Recently, I added some criticism to the pile on Jagmeet Singh, for his announcement of the NDP's intentions in the coming term. I believe the criticism was warranted, but also deserves nuance. So here's what I really think about the NDP and what needs to change. #cdnpoli 1/12

First, let's acknowledge the NDP are in a tough spot. Justin Trudeau is leading a big-spending, left-leaning Liberal government - unlikely to offer any plans or legislation the NDP really opposes. The NDP may want more and to go farther but that's a different issue. #cdnpoli 2/12

When the NDP threaten to abstain it's no threat at all. Remove 25 NDP votes and there are 313 votes remaining. Of those the 160 Liberals are a majority. The NDP can't stop anything by abstaining. The only real threat is to vote against things they mainly agree with. #cdnpoli 3/12

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Jeff Rybak🍁

@JeffRybak

Apr 11, 2021

The Covid pandemic is a dress rehearsal for challenges that await us in the near-term future, notably climate change, population expansion, ballooning wealth inequality and more. Mostly we've failed - not everywhere and in all ways. But we haven't done well. #onpoli #cdnpoli 1/10

The good news is that we've rediscovered our ability to make rapid, large-scale changes when needed. Many things seem impossible until they really need to happen. Previous generations - anyone who lived through a war - knew what's possible. Now we know too. #onpoli #cdnpoli 2/10

The bad news is even in response to temporary changes and sacrifices, selfishness kicks in far too early - particularly in wealthy, western nations. For every act of heroism and compassion, there have been petty, selfish, and stupid acts in counterbalance. #onpoli #cdnpoli 3/10

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Jeff Rybak🍁

@JeffRybak

Feb 6, 2021

I have a confession to make about Universal Basic Income (#UBI). I'm late to the party and was initially very skeptical. It's not because I don't believe in the research or the important equity issues. I just thought people couldn't swallow it. I let cynicism win. #cdnpoli 1/12

As a double confession, I felt the same way about legalizing marijuana. I thought well, of course I support it. Makes good sense on many levels. But it's too hard to sell. People won't get it. Basically, I succumbed to the dark side of centrism. #UBI #cdnpoli 2/12

The pitch for #UBI is complex. It goes far beyond issues of social justice and equity. Of course common decency alone says we should allow everyone dignity, inclusion, and stability. But it isn't just about being nice and fair. It's also good social policy. #cdnpoli 3/12

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Jeff Rybak🍁

@JeffRybak

Feb 3, 2021

A few days ago I wrote at length about how wealth inequality is the defining issue of our time - undermining our ability to solve every other problem. It was well-received, but several people asked what to do about it. So I'll attempt a follow-up reply. #cdnpoli 1/10

There's no single solution to inequality in society, just as there's no single cause of it. What we need is a variety of measures aimed at stopping the slide in one direction, and nudging it back on a trajectory pointed the right way again. So here's a short list. #cdnpoli 2/10

A tax on actual wealth to start, and not just income. We're on track to see trillionaires in a few decades. That's insane. No one needs so much personal wealth that every descendant of theirs for 26 generations never needs to work. No one. #cdnpoli 3/10

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