Just back from a quick visit to Toronto.  Out for a bite with friends and the conversation, of course, eventually turned to a discussion of the recent provincial election.

I really wonder how these far right politicians like Doug Ford (and of course the trophy holder – Donald Trump) get elected.  I have been unable to find anyone who agrees with their radical policies or supports them.

My Social Group

These “strong people” leaders ( not strong man, to be politically correct) must have support.  Their radical ultra conservative policies obviously appeal to enough people  to get them elected ( in democratic countries anyway).

Even in more totalitarian regimes they must have some core supporters, after all no one can go it alone, teams are needed to implement those scary policies or back the hard to understand proclaimations.

I guess I don’t associate with dictorial types, more reasoned intellectual conversations resonate with me.  And so, I am regulary surprised of late as the political  pendulum swings to one extreme or the other.

While we have seen many strong right wing conservatives arise to power in the past few years moderate regimes have also spun to the far left as well (British Columbia for example.)

I should clarfiy whether a politician has socialist or capitalist leanings for me the key is to avoid extremes.  For a culturally diverse population like Canada, moderate views work best.

My friends lamented how the rifts between the centrist political leaders in Ontario was part of the cause of the road to radical capitalism.  There just did not seem to be an alternative.

There probably is a lot of truth to this theory.  As the populous becomes more culturally fragmented the multitude of special interests can cause divisions that simply result in the least objectional option being chosen.

An election is coming up in Alberta, I wonder what is in store for us?