Democracy in action

is blind to their interests and concerns. In their closed-minded world view, they blame voters for rejecting their form of governance.

What arrogance, what nonsense. Western democracies have never been stronger and more vibrant — governments for the people, by the people. During the election campaign, Trump demonstrated all the pathology of a compulsive liar. He played on basic fears, biases, phobias and prejudices in a way that made him so popular he carried the day. Basically, we can’t afford to believe anything a compulsive liar says, because anything a compulsive liar says doesn’t count after they get what they want. So clearly, we can’t afford to take this man at his word.

People like to know what to expect from their leaders. In this case. we just don’t know, this man cannot be trusted, and his administration may very well “spin” right out of control. Trump’s followers may very well have been “used,” politically deceived and manipulated. When they realize this, they are going to get more depressed or even angrier. I still thing the best idea is to get rid of Trump constitutionally and have Vice-President Mike Pence assume office. Cultivating an attitude of grandiose entitlement and a dearth of basic education in our school systems are significant problems created by the progressive left. The election protesters in the U.S. are predominantly university and high-school age young people who are used to having their feelings validated and getting their own way. It’s not so much a protest as a mass tantrum. They may surely be thinking that if they squall and fuss long enough Hillary Clinton will be made president and Trump will be banished. After all, if it works on campus — why not in the real world? prescription of anti-psychosis, anti-depression, ADHD drugs and stimulants for children and teenagers can be written off as treatment of undetected or unreported conditions. Only the extremely naive can believe that rationale. This shameful situation constitutes a national emergency and more than likely reflects the greed and machinations of the pharmaceutical companies and compliant doctors. There are other ways to treat depression and aggression (likely another manifestation of depression) and even offset or deter them, with an overall monetary saving, not Your editorial was bang on. Governments in Canada, but especially in Ottawa, are burning jet fuel like there is no tomorrow. Canada having 225 delegates in Morocco is ridiculous, after sending more than 350 to Paris last year. Most Canadians would be lucky to get to either place at their own expense. But it does not end there — conferences in Canada, the U.S. and Europe are crawling with public-sector employees.

Look no further than this week’s Canada Council for Public-Private Partnership conference in Toronto. Years ago, it was mainly a business event. Now, every public-sector unit from sea to sea is well represented. We should set aside a month where no public-sector employees (including the PM and MPs) are allowed to travel. Hotels, airlines and conference organizers would see bookings fall and show the rest of us the true level of public-sector hypocrisy. Climate change — who cares when there are climate change conferences and summits to attend! confront in the future.

Donald’s Trump’s victory was unexpected, and presents us with an important set of intellectual and moral challenges and dilemmas. University administrators, professors and students should embrace these challenges by reinforcing the core mission of universities, which is to encourage the clash of ideas and the uncomfortableness of debate and learning.