SLOBODIAN: Singh lives in the fantasy world of a socialist – Western Standard
During the leaders debates, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wasnt forced to explain his support of crushing basic freedoms, superseding parental rights, and protecting the safety of immigrants who commit serious crimes over that of Canadians.
He explained when pressed whod pay for stuff he promises to lavish on Canadians if hes PM.
The billionaires, silly!
One problematic reality in the way of Singhs fantasy is the shortage of taxpaying billionaires to pick up the tab of the breathtaking billions his extreme plans would cost.
Maybe Singh could import billionaires along with the tankers of oil from Saudi Arabia and elsewhere thatll arrive with greater frequency to keep Canada running if he succeeds in his quest to shut down its energy industry.
Clever. Dangle shiny objects of free everything in front of voters universal pharmacare plan, dental and mental health coverage while ending private, for-profit care. Simultaneously, get them too resentful of those selfish rich folk to notice your plan has more holes in it than a sieve.
Theres nothing original in Singhs ploy to seduce voters with promises of cradle-to-grave handouts. He echoes the empty vows hard-core socialists always make before they destroy quality of life and country. History proves they all fail.
Think dictator Fidel Castro who made similar promises. When he died in November 2106, hungry, sickly, bitter, oppressed Cubans rejoiced.
Not Singh. He tweeted: He saw a country wracked by poverty, illiteracy and disease. So he led a revolution that uplifted the lives of millions. RIP #FidelCastro.
Is it plausible Singh, a slick former criminal defense lawyer, didnt know about Castros death squads, imprisonment of homosexuals, or promises of education and healthcare that never materialized?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed his deep sorrow over Castros death.
These toxic twins Singh and Trudeau agree on a lot, especially the destruction of Canadas energy industry, and tend to prop up one anothers unpopular policies.
Different parties, same ideals.
Trudeau made unkept promises to deliver Utopia but still ratcheted the national debt to an astounding $1.1-1.3 trillion. Singhs making impossible promises of Utopia on steroids thatll drive it higher. He makes U.S. President Joe Bidens spending policies look like Reaganomics in comparison.
Singh put a price tag on his grandiose election promises after Canadians already started early voting claiming $166 billion in projected revenues of the $214 billion over five years needed for his programs would come from tax hikes for Canadas wealthiest residents and businesses.
There was a time when the super-wealthy paid more of their fair share. Thats what we want to return to, that the burden should not be shouldered by the middle class, by working people. It should be those at the very, very top, said Singh.
Inevitably, the middle class will pay. They always do. Programs always cost buckets much more than what theyre pitched at.
They include: health care $68 billion; reconciliation with indigenous peoples $30 billion; initiatives to fight climate change and support energy workers in the transition $26 billion.
Revenue would also come from plans to implement a 20% foreign home buyers tax and eliminate oil and gas sector subsidies.
Last month, Singh promised to eliminate a whopping $18 billion in fossil fuel subsidies for oil and gas companies and redirect the savings to the renewable energy sector.
The problem with that is the oil and gas industry doesnt get $18 billion in subsidies. It does pay high taxes, and particularly in Albertas case, props up the welfare programs Singh loves with equalization payments.
Singh declared war on the fossil fuels industry. Hed finish the job Trudeau started in destroying Alberta. Shockingly, races are hairline tight in some ridings, including Edmonton Centre and Edmonton Griesbach, between Conservative and NDP candidates.
After how former NDP premier Rachael Notley decimated the province, why are Albertans, other resource-rich provinces, and First Nations who want to get their energy projects going, even toying with voting NDP? Imagine if Singh declared his intent to destroy Ontarios auto industry or Quebecs aviation industry?
Singhs cradle-to-grave socialism that will harm middle-class Canadians and small businesses is hardly all that should worry Canadians.
Singh promotes division by accusing Canada of being a place of racism saying Muslims are not safe in this country without offering proof because there is none.
What else does he support?
Vaccine passports,
A government-enforced stay-at-home order to combat COVID-19,
Pouring more money into the wasteful United Nations and World Health Organization,
Citizenship tests for immigrants covering very basic and simple topics to demonstrate their understanding of Canada,
Canadians struggling to get programs funding for their children in school should pay for free English courses for immigrants,
Immigrants that commit serious crimes in Canada should only be deported back to where they came from if it is safe for them to return,
Even if the federal government doesnt improve its ability to screen out potential terrorists, Muslim immigrants shouldnt be banned from entering Canada,
Government should regulate online hate speech,
Children under 18 should be legally able to receive gender-transition treatments, banning parental authority,
Transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in events even though males have an advantage over females,
Foreigners residing in Canada should have the right to vote,
Decriminalizing drug use.
Meanwhile, Canada could lose an important trading partner and ally with Singh as PM. Singhs support for Sikh separatist groups and his criticism of New Delhis human rights record resulted in him being the first western politician to be denied entry into India.
Singh denounced terrorism. But after winning the leadership in 2017, he stirred controversy by appearing on CBC and refusing to denounce Talwinder Singh Parmer, believed to be the mastermind behind the 1985 Air India bombing.
Oh, and Singh, that personable, seemingly harmless guy appearing on the TV ads, says it shouldnt be illegal to burn the Canadian flag.
Slobodian is the Senior Manitoba Columnist for the Western Standardlslobodian@westernstandardonline.com
Read more:
SLOBODIAN: Singh lives in the fantasy world of a socialist - Western Standard
- 'Socialism is a disaster': Bill Ackman says Zohran Mamdani's bad left-wing housing policy is worsening New York's affordability crisis - Fortune - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | DSA socialism is Peter Pan politics for sandbox revolutionaries - washingtonpost.com - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- What young Wisconsin voters say about the rise of democratic socialism - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Republicans seize on Michigan progressives' wins, but party is split on socialism message - Reuters - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Contributor: Do Republicans realize they're doing socialism out in the open? - Los Angeles Times - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Arthur Brooks: Will Socialism Make You Happy? - thefp.com - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Ten Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Arguments for Socialism and Why Theyre Wrong - Cato Institute - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | Socialism Is Hereand Its Serious - WSJ - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Rise of the reds: how Americans got the taste for socialism - The Times - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Can You Imagine a Future Where Adults Don't Believe in Socialism? - Reason Magazine - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Opinion | Capitalism or socialism? Heres the real challenge for America. - washingtonpost.com - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Tarrant commissioners thank WWII veteran for defeating socialism at Battle of Iwo Jima - Fort Worth Report - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Their parents fled socialism. Now theyre running to bring it to America - Washington Examiner - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- The GOP Is Warning About Socialism While Quietly Embracing It - Reason Magazine - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Lessons on socialism from someone imprisoned under it - Seattle Red - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Letters: Young people are embracing democratic socialism because they are fed up with corporate greed - Chicago Tribune - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- What does the rise of Democratic Socialism mean for Dems? - LiveNOW from FOX - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Financial expert warns socialism is a 'disaster' for NYC housing - Fox Business - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- The GOP Warns of Socialism While Embracing It - RealClearPolicy - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- Is Socialism Americas Future? Experts Weigh In - The Root - August 7th, 2026 [August 7th, 2026]
- VICTOR JOECKS: The inadequacy of opposing socialism - Las Vegas Review-Journal - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- This is what socialism is really about, Rep. Darrell Issa says - Fox Business - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Americans are going to realize how destructive socialism is, Rep Brandon Gill says - Fox News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Tiffany Criticizes Hongs Campaign Stop, Socialism, Past Tweets - MacIver Institute - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Trump-backed candidate Michael Alfonso warns GOP is losing the socialism fight - seattlered.com - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Caldwell: Socialism Is The American Dream Without The America Hustle - Fox News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- A voters guide to democratic socialism: It isnt what most people think - Maryland Matters - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Opinion | Wanted: A voice of reason on socialism - The Washington Post - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- An important contribution by Ernest Mandel to the debate on the transition to socialism - International Viewpoint Online magazine - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Members of Mamdanis DSA pledge to support and defend China: Survival of Chinese socialism is a crucial matter - nypost.com - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- What Gen Z liberals mean when they say they like socialism - The Up and Up | Rachel Janfaza - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- LETTER: Democratic Socialism isnt an existential threat - Midland Daily News - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Wynnewood reader challenges op-ed claims about socialism and immigration - Northeast Times - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Heeding the warnings of past on socialism - Observer Today - - August 1st, 2026 [August 1st, 2026]
- Opinion | Democrats and the Fear of Socialism - The New York Times - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- What is Democratic Socialism? Heres What You Need to Know - Focus on the Family - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Opinion | Socialism and the Young - WSJ - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- The Cuban Countryside in the Twilight of Socialism - The Washington Stand - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- How Democratic Socialism Created Californias Housing Crisis: News Article - Independent Institute - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Socialism Is Whatever You Want It to Be - WSJ - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Is Rhode Island the next test case for socialism? | Opinion - The Providence Journal - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Capitalism, socialism and the future of the United States - news.cgtn.com - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Socialism is a pie in the sky treatment: Byron York - Washington Examiner - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Opinion: American idealism vs. socialism: The war is on our doorstep - The Herald Journal - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Cuban immigrant Jorge Martinez warns against socialism in the US - Fox News - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- David Asman on COVID-19 tipping off rise in socialism: 'Perfect storm' - Fox Business - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- Are Canadians actually obsessed with socialism? Not so fast - The Hub | More Signal. Less Noise. - July 26th, 2026 [July 26th, 2026]
- How American Socialism Changed, and Stormed the Democratic Party - The New York Times - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Saving Socialism: What North Korea Learned from the Collapse of the Soviet Union - Texas National Security Review - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Is democratic socialism really on the rise in the United States? - Northeastern Global News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- China and DPRK strengthen historic relations with socialism at the core on treaty anniversary - Friends of Socialist China - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Checks and Balance newsletter: The weirdness of American socialism - The Economist - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- 2026 APSA Theme Panel: Anti-Oligarchy: Between Plebeian Constitutionalism and Varieties of Socialism - Political Science Now - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- US Oil & Gas president: Progressive Green New Deal for AI is 'socialism' - Fox Business - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Opinion | Socialism and the Decline of the Black Family - WSJ - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Is participation in elections the road to socialism? - Democratic Left - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Rep. Dan Newhouse reflects on legacy, warns of rising socialism, vows to keep fighting for Washington - 570 KVI - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Letters to the editor, Sunday, July 12: Roots of democratic socialism - Worcester Telegram - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Centring equity in the fight for socialism: A hard lesson from the Human Rights Commission - springmag.ca - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Democratic socialism offers communism with better branding - Washington Times - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Port: What socialism is and what it isn't - InForum - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Tom Tiffany likens fight to end democratic socialism in Wisconsin to the nations fight to end slavery - The Milwaukee Courier - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- A DSA governor? Francesca Hong tests whether socialism can win statewide in Wisconsin - Washington Examiner - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Letter To The Editor: Dave Simpson Is Right About Democratic Socialism - Cowboy State Daily - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Democrats are belatedly standing up to socialism - UnHerd - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Dear Fellow Conservatives: Stop Conflating Socialism with Communism. - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- A Big Gamble for the Left: Can Socialism Appeal in a Swing State? - The New York Times - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Rebels with a cause: The Black Panther Party and socialism in practice - The Real News Network - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- LETTERS: Buyers be wary of socialism; this is disturbing - Colorado Springs Gazette - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Democrats, Stop Taking the Bait: The Socialism Label Fight Is Exactly What the GOP Wants - Daily Kos - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Econ Experts Roast Trump's Walmart Boast as 'Democratic Socialism' On MS NOW, Warns He's Hurting Small Businesses - Yahoo - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- If Nithya Raman Can't Explain Socialism, Why Is She Asking Los Angeles to Vote for It? - CityWatch LA - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Democrats sign pledge to keep socialism out of the party - The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Mamdanis latest whopper turns the truth about socialism on its head - New York Post - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Democratic socialism is gaining attention. Conservatives are calling it something else - intomore.com - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- What Marx and Engels Thought About Socialism in the United States - National Review - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- The Colorado primary and the growing support for socialism - World Socialist Web Site - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Brian Brenberg: If you flirt with socialism you end up in a long-term relationship with it - Fox Business - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- GUEST COLUMN: Beware trend toward socialism, both locally and nationally - The Daily Gazette - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]
- Letter: There is no slippery slope to socialism - Anchorage Daily News - July 7th, 2026 [July 7th, 2026]