Pursuasive

Been reading Maxime Bernier on Supply Management. From
his website, it is possible to read the 31 pages from his unpublished
book which takes down the whole Supply Management system.
Very readable and meant to pursuade, in tone.

How do I feel about it? As a consumer, I really have no complaints about
dairy products in my life: products are fresh, prices make sense in the context
of other prices, for example for bread and cereal. One can stay healthy with
basics, one can spend more for desserts and imported cheeses. It costs a lot
to make a cheesecake; it probably should given the ravages on one's figure.

As a voter, I find it hard to take sides on the basis of principles. Free trade
and lower prices make sense, but economic disruption doesn't. One doesn't just
go into - or out of -  the dairy business on the whim of fluctuating prices. Farming
also takes commitment, getting up in the morning, and a willingness to work
with and manage animals. A tad more demanding than lunching in Ottawa.

I was surprised find out M. Bernier had published an open letter to Donald
Trump during his campaign informing him that American dairy interests were
being robbed blind by Canadian policy. That was pretty bold and if more rhetorical
than real, it seems to have had quite an effect.

It is true that globalization is putting strains on government institutions everywhere. An
international trade deal should be, to a point, bipartisan. But such business is
becoming increasibgly the day-to-day work of elected governments. Brexit, Pacific Trade,
now NAFTA are all symptoms of these difficulties. And how can ecological and other
commitments to be enforced. The French Minister fo the Ecological Transition just
resigned in utter discouragement, while thousands marched in city streets everywhere
demanding action on that front.

One more little step forward, everyone!

https://fr.maximebernier.com/enjeux