Has the oil industry taken over Canada's federal government?

[Bragi]

Does anyone else think that the oil industry now seems to be in full control of the Government of Canada?

Our foreign policies, our energy policies, our environmental policies are now totally aligned with big oil. Our justice system is being Americanized, no doubt on the road to privatization, our health system can't be far behind, and the days of having a national broadcaster not controlled by the far right appears to be mostly behind us.

And all of this is happening under the authority of a governing party that lacks majority support, that is electorally beholden to Alberta, a province which itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of big oil, lead by a Prime Minister based in the HQ of big oil in Canada, and whose funding for his leadership bid remains a non-disclosed mystery. (Hello Koch brothers, you there?)

Why is no-one even talking about what seems to be a quite plausible theory to explain how the right wing came to own Canada's national government -- that while the majority of Canadians have been snoozing, the government of Canada has basically been taken over by the oil industry?

[CanSocDem]

1. I suspected as much....

...when the RCMP was used to criminalize Weibo Ludwig. Remember him...???

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[Bragi]

2. Yeah, but he *was* blowing shit up

He was blowing stuff up for a righteous cause, but I can't see wanting to live in a place where people are just allowed to blow shit up.

I don't recall exactly when I began to suspect that maybe big oil, Alberta, the Koch brothers, the tarsands, Houston, the John Birch Society, the Reform party, Stephen Harper and the Tea Party all had connections.

Once I saw that, it becomes difficult to see how events have unfolded and continue to unfold that don't back up the theory that Canada has been taken over by right wing U.S oil industry tycoons.

[CanSocDem]

5. As evidence goes....

....there's probably enough to suggest that the RCMP dusted off their old FLQ tactics, of using explosions to manipulate public opinion.

"... it becomes difficult to see how events have unfolded and continue to unfold that don't back up the theory that Canada has been taken over by right wing U.S oil industry tycoons."

Yes...waking up this morning after another body blow from the corporate right, I may be too willing to identify 'the usual suspects' as the reason for our blindingly stupid electorate. Clean air, fresh water and an abundance of untapped resources is like an engraved invitation to the industrial ruling class. The working class, however, would prefer jobs over a quality life. So we're told.

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[CHIMO]

3. Perhaps

Take a step back.

Corporations control things. If you can't get inside something to analyze it then you have to step back and look at everything. Sort of like "The Nature of Man".

[Bragi]

4. Not sure I get your meaning

Do you mean that I'm now seeing things only through the prism of my theory about a certain segment of U.S. oil taking over Canada? Yeah, probably, but tell me something that contradicts that theory.

[CHIMO]

6. Yes

You are only looking at the US. What about BP? Shell?

Well they are still oil you say. Well what about the big guys? I mean the really big guys! Like Gold people!

I have just started to listen to the Massey lecture from 1983. Heard it when it was first done in 1983. CBC has made all of the lectures available on their web site. Have a listen to Eric Kierans, Globalism and the Nation State.
Don't know how long it will be available?
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Radio/Massey_Lectures/1983:_Globalism_and_the_Nation_State