Dear Editor,
So Justin Trudeau is proud that he is able to both "get" and to allay people's fears about globalisation (article: Globalisation isn't working for many, GW 30.12.2016). That sounds nice so I set to and checked the meaning of the word "allay": It means to lessen or to reduce. So the question here is what has he actually done? He may have lessened fear. But has he actually solved the problem?
As far as I can see, with the signing of CETA and with the expansion of tar-sand operations (with new pipelines), Mr. Trudeau is going "full out" for free-trade and for the most environmentally damaging form of globalisation. This may provide some jobs in the oil fields but others will hemorrhage away and Canada will be left with oil-residue devastating its pristine forests. But no matter: People's fears have been "allayed". Bravo Justin!
So what do we want? Ogres like Trump who storm around like a bull in a china-shop? Or sweet-talkers like Justin Trudeau who dress free-market dogma up in pretty words? Personally, I don't know which is worse!
Regards
