Tag Archives: Canada

Oct 29 2025

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Informs Govt and Business Leaders No Trade Deals Possible


Posted originally on CTH on October 28, 2025 | Sundance 

For those who have followed along with the U.S-Canada trade positioning, the current status of conflict between the Trump administration and the government of Canada is not surprising.  {GO DEEP} Going all the way back to the replacement of NAFTA, with the USMCA, President Trump always said he did not favor multilateral trade deals with multiple countries; instead, he preferred bilateral free trade agreements.

Some people have construed the bilateral preference of President Trump to be the elimination of globalism in favor of nationalism in trade agreements.

While the outcome of the Trump approach indeed aligns with that theme, it is not specifically the objective of President Trump to eliminate global trade, but rather to focus on specific interests in trade that benefit the unique nature of each party involved.

As a result, the USMCA -or CUSMA as said in Canada- is not in alignment with a bilateral free trade agreement, and the conflicted differences between trade with Mexico and trade with Canada are an outcome of this dynamic.  The solution is simply to eliminate the multilateral in favor of the bilateral approach.  This is the objective of President Trump as expressed.

That said, the USMCA covers approximately 60% of U.S-Canada trade, and the remaining 40% is being debated and argued.  President Trump would prefer to just deal with 100% of the trade sectors in one free trade agreement; hence, his ambivalence until the USMCA is dissolved.

Canada, on the other hand, continues to demand that all trade conflicts be resolved without opening up the entire USMCA. Again, another conflict. Canada is like the dependent spouse in a divorce arguing for child support payments when the “children” are in their twenties.

The current status is President Trump pulling back completely from discussions with Canada, while the various provincial Premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney antagonize over the issue.

At a certain point, when the entire national economic plan of Canada is based on “Donald Trump bad”, and all political messaging internally is to proclaim they have no alternative policy positions, the Canadians might not realize it, but they are confirming complete and total dependency on the nation Donald Trump represents.

As the Canadian government continues demanding President Trump pay attention to their needs, U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, informs the Carney administration, and various stakeholders, any trade agreement is no longer possible.

CANADA – The U.S. ambassador to Canada doesn’t foresee a new security and economic deal between Canada and the United States — which could see the reduction or full removal of tariffs amid an ongoing trade dispute — before the new year.

“We have stopped negotiations with Canada,” Pete Hoekstra said in a keynote address to the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Business Canada on Monday. “I don’t see any way that there will be an agreement before American Thanksgiving.”

“I’m not sure what it’s going to take to get people back to the table in a constructive and positive mode,” he added.

Hoekstra’s comments come just days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he is terminating trade talks with Canada and increasing levies on Canadian goods by 10 per cent in response to an anti-tariff ad by the government of Ontario which featured the voice of former Republican U.S. president Ronald Reagan. Ontario has since pulled the ads, effective Monday.

Government sources had told CTV News that Canadian officials were hopeful there could be movement on a steel and aluminum deal by this week’s APEC Summit in South Korea.

[…] Asked by event attendees whether he sees any way to get negotiations back on track, such as an apology for the ad, Hoekstra said: “No.”

Speaking more broadly about the state of negotiations, Hoekstra laid the blame at Canada’s feet for the soured relationship.

Hoekstra has previous expressed his distaste for what he’s called “anti-American” sentiment in Canada, and on Monday pointed to some provinces removing U.S. liquor from store shelves and Canadians being discouraged from travelling south of the border as examples.

He also said the ad amounts to foreign interference, with the U.S. Supreme Court set to start hearing arguments on the legality of Trump’s tariffs on Nov. 5, as well as some gubernatorial and state legislative elections happening next week.

“Canada burnt the bridges with America,” he said. “Donald Trump did not slam the door.”

“Donald Trump could do the only thing that a leader of a sovereign nation could do when a neighbour, another sovereign nation, decided to interject itself into American politics,” he added. “Canada slammed that door shut all by itself.” (read more)

Canada is trying to force President Trump to give them preference, in a similar way the EU demanded special trade privileges.

President Trump is trying to end the Canadian one-way benefits toward the U.S. market.

President Trump is currently touring Asia, gathering up bilateral trade deals with various countries all across the ASEAN network.

In the bigger context, Trump is cutting all the tentacles and tools of China, and isolating them from Southeast Asia, as it relates to trade with the USA.

The bigger strategy of President Trump is very clear now, reduce dependency on China by retracting all of the manufacturing dependency.

All of the surrounding nations in Asia stand to benefit from this approach through bilateral free trade agreements with the USA.  Beijing’s influence is being seriously diminished as the lead-up to President Trump sitting down with Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping on Thursday.

Inside China, throughout the Chinese Communist Party, there are indications they are recognizing how successful President Trump has been at working around their influence.  Some outside observers have even started to believe the “moderates” within China feel empowered over the “hardliners” represented by Chairman Xi.  There is a lot going on behind the scenes.

This internal pressure inside Beijing’s politics works to President Trump’s favor, because it makes it even harder for Xi Jinping to be aggressive.  Additionally, with the Chinese economy being uncertain, perhaps significantly weak, Chairman Xi might even face a challenge to his power structure.  Meanwhile President Trump hops around shaking hands and making deals.

Oct 28 2025

Canada Likely to Take Chinese EV Production as Offset to Lost U.S. Trade


Posted originally on CTH on October 27, 2025 | Sundance 

As previously outlined, Canada is so entrenched with their ‘orange man bad’ syndrome, they just cannot get out of their own way on stupid trade decisions.  {GO DEEP}

You might remember Mexico retreating from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) development following the November 2024 election of Donald Trump.

China was on the cusp of investing $5 to $7 billion in new EV manufacturing in Mexico, when President Trump announced he would impose massive tariffs to block any import of Chinese EVs made in Mexico. Trump won the election and together China and Mexico scrapped their plan.

Europe then stepped on the Chinese EV rake and began purchasing carbon credits from Chinese EV companies to avoid the “climate change” auto goals and subsequent fines to EU car companies for not hitting EV production targets. In essence, Europe is paying Chinese EV companies for carbon credits, thereby subsidizing lower priced Chinese EVs in Europe. The EU is paying China to destroy their own auto industry.

Now, it’s Canada’s turn.

As a result of President Trump asserting tariffs against imported autos, the large auto companies are abandoning plans to build or expand auto manufacturing in Canada. The Canadians are angry, and the professional political class in Canada is doing everything they can to continue ramping up opposition to Donald Trump.

With increased tariffs against Canada, and with the likely dissolution of the USMCA (CUSMA) coming in the near future, the Canadian govt of Mark Carney has been traveling the world to find alternative markets for their goods and services. The main targets for new Canadian economic and trade relations are the U.K, EU and China.

In a deal to expand the trade relationship with China, the Canadian government of Mark Carney is now proposing to drop tariffs against Chinese EVs in a deal to sell more pork and canola oil. That’s correct, in essence Canada will take the EV auto business abandoned by Mexico.

This was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s grand plan as he attended the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.

Keep in mind, as we have outlined all along during Trump’s trade reset, the USMCA is going to be abandoned in favor of two bilateral free trade agreements; one with Mexico and one with Canada.

As outlined in the Mexican decision to cancel EV investment, Mexico is aligning for a favorable trade relationship with President Trump and the USA.

The Mexican govt can see the benefits and accepts their regional dependency to the world’s largest consumer market. However, Canada is doing exactly the opposite and increasing the disconnect between Canada and the United States on key sectors of trade and commerce.

Canada may benefit in the short term from sales of pork and canola to Beijing, while simultaneously gaining Chinese investment in cobalt mining and auto development for EVs. But those EVs will never be permitted to cross the border into the USA and any effort to enhance Chinese EV sales in Canada will only disconnect them more from trade with Donald Trump and the USA.

[BACKGROUND HERE] – [Canada/Chinese EV Deal Here]

Oct 28 2025

Canada Likely to Take Chinese EV Production as Offset to Lost U.S. Trade


Posted originally on CTH on October 27, 2025 | Sundance 

As previously outlined, Canada is so entrenched with their ‘orange man bad’ syndrome, they just cannot get out of their own way on stupid trade decisions.  {GO DEEP}

You might remember Mexico retreating from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) development following the November 2024 election of Donald Trump.

China was on the cusp of investing $5 to $7 billion in new EV manufacturing in Mexico, when President Trump announced he would impose massive tariffs to block any import of Chinese EVs made in Mexico. Trump won the election and together China and Mexico scrapped their plan.

Europe then stepped on the Chinese EV rake and began purchasing carbon credits from Chinese EV companies to avoid the “climate change” auto goals and subsequent fines to EU car companies for not hitting EV production targets. In essence, Europe is paying Chinese EV companies for carbon credits, thereby subsidizing lower priced Chinese EVs in Europe. The EU is paying China to destroy their own auto industry.

Now, it’s Canada’s turn.

As a result of President Trump asserting tariffs against imported autos, the large auto companies are abandoning plans to build or expand auto manufacturing in Canada. The Canadians are angry, and the professional political class in Canada is doing everything they can to continue ramping up opposition to Donald Trump.

With increased tariffs against Canada, and with the likely dissolution of the USMCA (CUSMA) coming in the near future, the Canadian govt of Mark Carney has been traveling the world to find alternative markets for their goods and services. The main targets for new Canadian economic and trade relations are the U.K, EU and China.

In a deal to expand the trade relationship with China, the Canadian government of Mark Carney is now proposing to drop tariffs against Chinese EVs in a deal to sell more pork and canola oil. That’s correct, in essence Canada will take the EV auto business abandoned by Mexico.

This was Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s grand plan as he attended the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.

Keep in mind, as we have outlined all along during Trump’s trade reset, the USMCA is going to be abandoned in favor of two bilateral free trade agreements; one with Mexico and one with Canada.

As outlined in the Mexican decision to cancel EV investment, Mexico is aligning for a favorable trade relationship with President Trump and the USA.

The Mexican govt can see the benefits and accepts their regional dependency to the world’s largest consumer market. However, Canada is doing exactly the opposite and increasing the disconnect between Canada and the United States on key sectors of trade and commerce.

Canada may benefit in the short term from sales of pork and canola to Beijing, while simultaneously gaining Chinese investment in cobalt mining and auto development for EVs. But those EVs will never be permitted to cross the border into the USA and any effort to enhance Chinese EV sales in Canada will only disconnect them more from trade with Donald Trump and the USA.

[BACKGROUND HERE] – [Canada/Chinese EV Deal Here]

Oct 28 2025

Mohamed El-Erian Outlines Stunning Success of President Trump’s Tariff, Trade and Economic Policy Agenda


Posted originally on CTH on October 27, 2025 | Sundance

Wharton Professor and noted economist Mohamed El-Erian appeared on Fox News to discuss the jaw-dropping success President Trump is having with his global trade reset.

As noted by El-Erian no one, including El-Erian himself, expected President Trump to be able to navigate a global trade and economic reset with such stunning success.  The entire economic policy is being driven by the personal influence of President Trump as he leverages tariffs and policy incentives to the benefit of the USA economy exclusively.

The scale of Trump’s agenda is difficult to overstate, and China is now positioned to feel incredible pressure to align Beijing policy with the requests of President Trump.  “We thought there would be a massive retaliation against the US, there hasn’t been” El-Erian noted.  “We’re collecting $800 Billion of tariff revenue” and “inflation has waned,” he said.  This is a remarkable situation that few economists could accurately predict.  WATCH:

This is not a surprise to readers here as we have discussed the Trump trade agenda with clear, non-pretending eyes.  The ASEAN trip by President Trump is a masterclass in leveraging trade relationships and creating isolation for China.  The downstream consequences for Canada continue to build as the Carney administration doubles down on their entrenched and futile opposition.

If President Trump can formulate a strong, actionable and enforceable free trade agreement with Chairman Xi, it will undercut the ability of Canada to assemble cheap component goods not available in the U.S. manufacturing equation for total cost of goods.  This puts Trump in an even stronger position heading into the 2026 USMCA (CUSMA) dissolution phase.

Additionally, despite the mainstream thoughts to the contrary, putting distance between Russia and China is not averse to the interests of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, who would strategically prefer to do business with the ‘West’ over Beijing.  However, China does not want to see their Biden-created tentacle weakened in Russia.

China retains a vision of a global financial market option beyond the dollar, and Xi plays that long-term strategy game with Putin quite effectively.  It is only President Trump who holds the key to weakening that strategy, and Chairman Xi likely reminds everyone -through his emissaries- that they can wait out the Trump administration.

However, during the ASEAN conference, again we see President Trump drawing heavily on the personal factor as a part of his strategic influence operation to push distance between Southeast Asia and Beijing.  Cunning Panda can undoubtedly see that play, however, culturally they may underestimate the strength of the dynamic.  President Trump leverages the world’s biggest market with a smile.  The world’s biggest sellers want and need to keep that smile on the face of their #1 customer.

President Donald Trump is a friendly dealmaker, until he is not. Southeast Asia understands this dynamic very well.

Oct 8 2025

Episode 4832: MAGA Under Siege; Trump Pushing Back Against Globalism


Posted originally on Rumble on By Bannon’s War Room on: October, 07, 2025

Oct 8 2025

Merkel Blames COVID for Ukraine War


Posted Oct 8, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Merkel Mask

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the first person to admit that the Minsk Agreement was a ploy to buy time to help Ukraine build its military. The Western powers never intended to honor the Minsk Agreement or any of their peace deals with Russia. Yet, Angela Merkel believes there is a bigger culprit behind Russian aggression—COVID-19.

“We couldn’t meet anymore” because Putin was “afraid of the coronavirus pandemic.” Merkel’s theory: “If you can’t meet, if you can’t discuss your differences face to face, you won’t find new compromises.” In a recent interview, Merkel plainly states, “Corona is the main reason” why Russia attacked Ukraine.

Merkel also stated in a separate interview that she has been a political “scapegoat” for escalating Russian aggression. People blame Merkel, unfairly, I will add, for continuing to purchase Russian oil at that time. She has been attacked for failing to boost Germany’s defense during her tenure. The public believes that Germany used the Minsk Agreement to appease Putin, but Merkel herself admitted the deal was to boost Ukraine.

Not only is she blaming COVID, but Merkel is blaming Poland and the Baltic States for preventing the European Union from establishing direct contact with Russia. She mentions that these EU nations were also keen on importing Russian energy, because politicians were unwilling to sabotage the energy sector before Brussels had complete control over the EU bloc.

“In my opinion, it was necessary to try to resolve conflicts with Russia peacefully. At the same time, we also strengthened the principle of deterrence… At the 2014 NATO summit in Wales, a goal was set for all countries to spend two percent of their gross domestic product on defense. I recognize that the energy with which this was advanced was limited,” the former chancellor said.

This war began in 2014, long before the pandemic. Putin invaded as a direct response to the Minsk Agreement hoax, and in reality, Merkel knows the truth. “But I don’t believe that when he came to power in 2000, he was already planning to attack Ukraine one day. Rather, it is a development in which we in the West must also ask ourselves whether we have always done everything right,” the former chancellor noted in a separate interview. True. Putin did not enter politics with the intent of restoring the Soviet Union. The entire reason Yeltsin handed Putin the reins of power was to prevent Russia from being overtaken by the hardliner oligarchs who DO want to see a USSR revival.

Merkel has gone off the rails in her interviews since leaving office. Her frankness is refreshing for those of us who understand the long con game these neocons have been playing–Merkel cannot bite her tongue to conceal the Plot to Seize Russia.

Oct 8 2025

President Trump Holds a Bilateral Meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney


Posted originally on CTH on October 7, 2025 | Sundance 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to the U.S. for a White House meeting with President Trump.  The two leaders hold a press availability prior to entering negotiations.  WATCH:

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Oct 7 2025

The EU No-Confidence Vote on Ursula


Posted originally on Oct 7, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

Ursula Leader of EU

COMMENT #1: Hi Martin,

Macron is totally cornered tonight, and 62% of the French people are now demanding his resignation. With all the panic cycles showing up in multiple markets in 3 weeks only, may God help us if the petit Napoleon doesn’t take us into war with his other European parasite friends to avoid losing power after their failed policies, and humiliation as the most hated president in history. Unbearable for such a narcissistic character.

Best wishes from France.

PH

COMMENT#2: Mr. Armstrong,

Thank you for doing podcasts in Croatia and Serbia. You are being heard. The president, Milorad Dodik, a Bosnian Serb, who is the 8th President of the Republika Srpska, is now publicly saying what you have been warning about: that this war with Russia is because the EU is in trouble. I know if I ask, you cannot confirm or deny. But it appears that you may be advising countries in the Balkans. I certainly hope so. Dodik has publicly stated that the political situation in European countries is deteriorating, and their economies are in recession. Dodik warned that the EU is a trap. “The Balkan countries should not join the EU. It’s a trap. By the time we join the European Union, it will disappear, and it is already disappearing.” 

Thank you so much for your efforts. You are the only person who truly deserves a Peace Prize.

VR

Merz vs Ursual 10 5 25

REPLY: If you are blind, you can still see that once the EU was created, like a small businessman seeks to expand his business, that same human instinct takes place among politicians, but the difference is they constantly seek more and more power directed against the people. Even German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for “putting sticks in the wheels of Brussels” in order to regain Berlin’s influence. Merz wants to give part of the EU’s powers to national governments. He has stressed that it is necessary to stop Brussels’ interference “in people’s daily lives” in the person of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“Now we have to put a stick in the wheels of this machine in Brussels,” the German chancellor said, addressing business leaders.

Merz also criticizes von der Leyen for proposals to expand the EU budget, introduce new taxes, and for the protracted negotiations on trade agreements. He has insisted on reviewing the role of Brussels in defense planning. Merz has actually said that the EU has “gone too far” and that this situation “can no longer continue.”

Poland has also expressed similar problems with Ursula’s administration of the EU. She has really wiped out the European economy by using insane climate control to the migrant crisis. A mere glance at the GDP of Europe in comparison to that of the United States reveals how it has significantly suppressed economic growth, pushing the EU to the brink of collapse.

EU_GDP Q 5 1 25
US GDP Q 1947 1st Q 2025

This is the official data taken from the Federal Reserve. This is why we even have a NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE on Ursula this week. I was in a meeting in Berlin and had to run to the next meeting in Rome. These climate change policies have led to the cancellation of short-term flights. There was only one direct flight in the morning. I had to rent a private jet to make the next meeting. I have NEVER in over 40 years been compelled to do that.

Milorad Dodik

Since the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina has functioned as a decentralized, multiethnic state divided into two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. Ukraine should have been divided along ethnic lines. But NATO and the NEOCONS have been using Ukraine as their sacrifice on their Neocon altar to bring down Russia.

The Balkans can’t look to the future because they are forever hostages to the past. Even the Baltic states face the same issue with Kallas of Estonia, who insists that Russia is too large and must be broken up. The EU hates Dodik because he is pro-Russia.

IBEUUS D Array 10 6 25

This week, the European Parliament is scheduled to hold two no-confidence votes against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 12:00 PM CEST. These votes follow a joint debate held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM CEST. What is fascinating is how the computer picks up these events from the economic patterns. He had a Panic Cycle for the 9th – the day of the vote.

The motions have been introduced by two political groups: the anti-leftist “Patriots for Europe” and the left-wing group “The Left.” The Patriots for Europe criticize Ursula von der Leyen’s green policies and response to illegal migration, while The Left condemns the EU’s inaction on Gaza. Both groups also oppose Ursula’s trade policies, particularly a tariff deal with the U.S. and a proposed EU-Mercosur agreement, which they argue harms farmers and the environment.

Most expect the motions will fail and Ursula will maintain the European tyranny. A two-thirds majority is required to pass a no-confidence motion in the European Parliament, and such a majority is not anticipated. Centrist parties, including the European People’s Party (EPP), Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe, are expected to support Ursula to the detriment of Europe. They will ensure that Ursula von der Leyen will retain her position and allow Europe to fulill is destiny.

IBEUUS W Array 10 6 25

Despite the expected outcome, these motions highlight growing political polarization within the European Parliament and reflect broader dissatisfaction with von der Leyen’s leadership. However, the computer does NOT show such clear sailing. This week was to be a Directional Change, and we have a Panic Cycle that is showing up around the world in various markets, especially during the Week of October 27th.

Oct 7 2025

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu Resigns Only Weeks After Installation


Posted originally on CTH on October 6, 2025 | Sundance 

Well, number five didn’t last long. Now French President Emmanuel Macron will be looking for Prime Minister #6.

France’s new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has resigned only a few weeks after his installation. Just yesterday he appointed the cabinet, and today he quits. With the parliamentary government collapsing repeatedly, and with serious economic and financial issues around the French government, things are increasingly spiraling.

FRANCE – […] Lecornu, France’s fifth PM in less than two years, had his work cut out to convince the country — and investors — that he can unite a fractious and divided parliament enough to get a 2026 budget over the line.

He was installed in early September against a backdrop of public unrest and dissatisfaction over the messy state of French affairs, after several successive governments failed to pass budgets detailing spending cuts and tax rises.

A former defense minister and longtime ally of French President Emmanuel Macron, Lecornu resigned just hours after naming a new cabinet on Sunday. The new cabinet, which saw most high-profile figures remain in their posts, was due to hold its first meeting on Monday.

Now, France has been plunged into a new political crisis which will put massive pressure on Macron, who has now installed three failed minority governments.

Lecornu was due to make a speech in front of parliament, the National Assembly, on Tuesday laying out his government’s roadmap.

Parties on both the left and right of the political spectrum in France were watching closely, as were investors and the European Commission in Brussels, to see how Lecornu planned to close a budget deficit of 5.8% in 2024. France’s debt pile amounted to 113% of GDP in 2024.

Both levels are far above EU rules demanding that individual members’ deficits should not exceed 3% of GDP, while their public debt should not surpass 60% of economic output. (read more)

…”I have a new job for you.” 

Oct 6 2025

Millions Sign Petition to Dismantle UK Digital ID System


Posted originally on Oct 6, 2025 by Martin Armstrong |  

DigitalIDStarmerUK

The people of the United Kingdom are fighting back against the government’s plan to roll out a digital ID system. The petition to counter the legislation quickly became the fastest-growing online petition in UK history, with over two million people signing in less than 48 hours. “We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system. We oppose the creation of any national ID system. ID cards were scrapped in 2010, in our view for good reason.”

Democracy is dead. The government does not care that the people do not want to join this system. “We will introduce a digital ID within this Parliament to help tackle illegal migration, make accessing government services easier, and enable wider efficiencies. We will consult on details soon,” the government said in an official response to the petition.

The government is willing to change laws to pander to the culture of migrants while simultaneously claiming all citizens must lock into the centralized digital platform to curb migration. “We are committed to making people’s everyday lives easier and more secure, to putting more control in their hands (including over their own data), and to driving growth through harnessing digital technology,” the statement added, claiming a surveillance state is for the greater good of Britain.

REAGAN Gov Control

We will launch a public consultation in the coming weeks and work closely with employers, trade unions, civil society groups and other stakeholders, to co-design the scheme and ensure it is as secure and inclusive as possible,” the response continued, blatantly ignoring any attempt to speak with the people of the UK to understand their insights or concerns.

Authorities clarified that people will not be asked to produce their ID, however, obtaining a digital ID will be mandatory for anyone wishing to retain the Right to Work. Furthermore, the system will be integrated into the Gov.UK digital wallet system. The government claims the system is similar to Apple Pay or Google Wallet, but the government will be monitoring the system and “curbing the prospect of earning money” for “illegal immigrants.”

The government can prevent absolutely anyone and everyone from earning money. Governments always expand policies to usurp more power—but never before in the history of civilization did the ruling elite have the ability to monitor and control everyone in real-time. This is simply why the destruction of the West is inevitable. The people have been undermined, their morals and beliefs tossed in the mud. Discussing anything against the government’s agenda is now illegal—free speech is banned. Fiscal mismanagement has caused everyone’s quality of life to plummet. Soon there will be little else for the people to lose by defying government. A system supported by the people cannot last when those very people are pushed to the breaking point of revolution.