Tina Peters Prison Time and Canada

The recent sentencing of former Mesa, CO Clerk Tina Peters to nine years for election interference and ballot tampering highlights a troubling trend that resonates with events in Canada.

In 2011, Canadians faced the Robo-Calls scandal, a voter suppression tactic that aimed to disrupt the electoral process. This pattern reflects a broader strategy by the far right to sow chaos in our institutions and society, fostering disillusionment among the populace. Those who undermine democracy must be held accountable.

On one side, we have far-right social media echo chambers spreading anti-science rhetoric, while on the other, we see dubious advocacy groups supporting figures like Viktor Orbán. These individuals and groups are often political grifters who dismiss the value of democracy, believing that the ends justify the means in their culture war.

If Pierre Poilievre's party were to form a government despite their belief in fantastical ideas like harvesting lightning for electricity with your bare hands or conspiracy theories like "Chemtrails," which many conservative leaders and voters believe in places like Alberta and Saskatchewan.  I would accept that outcome. Sometimes, we must face the reality that lower IQ individuals or bat-shit crazy people or those we simply disagree with can win elections. It's an unfortunate aspect of democracy, but it’s still preferable to the alternatives. 

The media needs to be more vocal and aggressive in exposing misinformation and disinformation. Reporters should call out absurd claims about lightning bolts and chemtrails. The key to fostering social cohesion and improving Canada lies in public awareness and education, not silence. It’s time to shine a light on the far-right grifters and their tactics. In doing so we can have a public that becomes fully aware of public policy.