alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
No more appeasement www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Former federal public servant and academic, NGOs, writer. Most recent book Breaking Free of Neoliberalism: Canada’s Challenge
4,938 followers 9,007 following 320 posts
view profile on Bluesky alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
No more appeasement www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Voice and opportunity for youth must be a top priority (from Lloyd Axworthy) substack.com/@lloydaxwort...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
No more appeasement www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Voice and opportunity for youth must be a top priority (from Lloyd Axworthy) substack.com/@lloydaxwort...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
an embarrassment and an affront to fundamental values open.substack.com/pub/albertap...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
Not really or at least not precisely but there are numerous ideas out there for democratizing central banks from changes to mandate and board structure to fundamental restructuring eg jacobin.com/2019/03/gree...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
There’s got to be a option better than monetary possible run by technocrats who have consistently fueled inequality or monetary policy run by self-serving autocrat who has no concern about the common good and no idea what he’s doing. There must be a better way.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Axe the vax tax open.substack.com/pub/albertap...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Axe the vax tax open.substack.com/pub/albertap...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
Yup, hope is hard work these days but that’s the job
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
The dangerous “Golden Dome” fantasy open.substack.com/pub/lloydaxw...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
No deal, no negotiation www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
No deal, no negotiation www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Three principles to guide bilateral relations: making concessions to extortionists simply produces more demands; negotiation with a tiger when your head is in its mouth is a losing proposition; dealing with fascists has enormous human and moral costs.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Three principles to guide bilateral relations: making concessions to extortionists simply produces more demands; negotiation with a tiger when your head is in its mouth is a losing proposition; dealing with fascists has enormous human and moral costs.
"[E]galitarianism... is part of what turned us from apes to human beings." "[K]leptocratic networks disorganize their opposition by playing up identity divides.... Let's expand the egalitarian coalition to mean all of us." - Sarah Chayes, On Corruption in America
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
DOGE isn’t about making government more efficient but about dismantling public institutions or securing private gain. The first question of government reform must be what is government for and for whom - efficiency at what and in whose interests? marianamazzucato.substack.com/p/efficiency...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
We need a new solidarity, to join our fights to the fights of others open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
We need a new solidarity, to join our fights to the fights of others open.substack.com/pub/orbitpol...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
DOGE isn’t about making government more efficient but about dismantling public institutions or securing private gain. The first question of government reform must be what is government for and for whom - efficiency at what and in whose interests? marianamazzucato.substack.com/p/efficiency...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Empty trade deals - somewhat lower tariffs in exchange for empty promises - are portrayed in the media as Trump wins. Nonsense. These deals are lose-lose. Americans lose. Other countries lose. Only Trump wins because of the massively misleading media coverage. Sad that countries are dealing at all.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Empty trade deals - somewhat lower tariffs in exchange for empty promises - are portrayed in the media as Trump wins. Nonsense. These deals are lose-lose. Americans lose. Other countries lose. Only Trump wins because of the massively misleading media coverage. Sad that countries are dealing at all.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
exactly
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
absolutely Lorne
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
I’ve been scolded for criticizing our concessions to the Trump regime. “Our PM is smart, trust him.” “It’s early,give it time.” “They’re playing the long game.” Sure. Here’s where I’m stuck: 1) you can’t negotiate with an extortionist and 2) you shouldn’t give concessions to a fascist regime.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
meant to say “hard to reverse”
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
I’m most concerned that the framework we are imposing now - tax cuts, austerity, deregulation - is being sold in the name of crisis but is exactly opposite of what’s needed given our polycrisis and will be very hard indeed. More of the same - only faster - won’t cut it.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
I am likewise very concerned - and yes, “nothing to negotiate”
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
I’ve been scolded for criticizing our concessions to the Trump regime. “Our PM is smart, trust him.” “It’s early,give it time.” “They’re playing the long game.” Sure. Here’s where I’m stuck: 1) you can’t negotiate with an extortionist and 2) you shouldn’t give concessions to a fascist regime.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
There can be no deal with an extortionist open.substack.com/pub/robertre...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
There can be no deal with an extortionist open.substack.com/pub/robertre...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
The high cost of commodifying attention and fetishizing efficiency open.substack.com/pub/maalvika...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
The high cost of commodifying attention and fetishizing efficiency open.substack.com/pub/maalvika...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
we need a tax system that can serve as the foundation for a more just, equitable and sustainable future www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
we need a tax system that can serve as the foundation for a more just, equitable and sustainable future www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
we need a tax systen that can serve ss tge foundation of a more just, equitable and sustainable future www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
A More Resilient Canada afhimelfarb.wordpress.com/2025/03/28/a...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
our collective action problems have reached crisis level but our collective toolkit has rarely been weaker afhimelfarb.wordpress.com/2025/05/14/a...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
open.substack.com/pub/engageme...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
“pessimism of the mind, optimism of the will” open.substack.com/pub/engageme...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Digital sovereignty - why Canada has to build a public cloud open.substack.com/pub/parismar...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
when you feed bullies - from outside the country or within - they just get bigger and hungrier
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
If we now have a political discourse that prominently features crazy ideas, it’s because we have a political system that has made some crazy people incredibly wealthy and lets them translate that wealth into power.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
when you feed bullies - from outside the country or within - they just get bigger and hungrier
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
open.substack.com/pub/mattstol...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
thanks Jan - pretty potent stuff
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
more public good, more
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Digital sovereignty - why Canada has to build a public cloud open.substack.com/pub/parismar...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
open.substack.com/pub/thomhart...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
share.google/b1XYrQB48Te7...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Neoliberalism lite won’t cut. We need to curb wealth concentration and corporate power. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Neoliberalism lite won’t cut. We need to curb wealth concentration and corporate power. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
What do we do when we run out of things to concede?
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
What do we do when we run out of things to concede?
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Yes you can be a confederacy of dunces and a fascist regime all at once
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Yes you can be a confederacy of dunces and a fascist regime all at once
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
yes, you can be a confederacy if dunces and a fascist regime all at once www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
yes, you can be a confederacy if dunces and a fascist regime all at once www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
The incomparable Lloyd Axworthy asks where have the elbows gone. open.substack.com/pub/lloydaxw...
Where have all the elbows gone In 54 days Where have all the elbows gone Short time ago
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
The incomparable Lloyd Axworthy asks where have the elbows gone. open.substack.com/pub/lloydaxw...
Incredible stuff www.politico.com/news/2025/06...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
yes
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Time for a rereading of Shock Doctrine
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Beware the “extreme centrists” who think the fix for what’s wrong is doing more of what we have been doing all along except more efficiently and fast
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Thank goodness nature has agreed to pause the climate crisis and nature loss while we focus on more urgent priorities.
We’re closing in on the 3.5% rule! 8.6 million and counting! We’re in awe. Lots of events still happening make sure to be counted. Big towns, small towns you showed up.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Thank goodness nature has agreed to pause the climate crisis and nature loss while we focus on more urgent priorities.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
No but it still costs money better spent on actually helping people
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Time for a rereading of Shock Doctrine
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Normalizing fascism substack.com/@politicsusa...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
Exactly and in the meantime real crises are pretended away or made a worse - climate, nature loss, economic insecurity, inequality, affordability, war - and of course the assault on democracy
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
We need a new common sense
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reply parent
For those angered that I have targeted “extreme centrists” instead of the real threat, the rise of fascism, I get it. Of course the fight against fascism must be the overriding priority. The question is how best to fight, more of the same or a more just, equitable sustainable future.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
This still seems relevant thewalrus.ca/common-sense...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
Beware the “extreme centrists” who think the fix for what’s wrong is doing more of what we have been doing all along except more efficiently and fast
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
We need a new common sense
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
This still seems relevant thewalrus.ca/common-sense...
Oh come on, PM Carney. Let's get real here. If the oil and gas industry actually knows how to decarbonize their oil, what's the problem with putting that emissions limit into law? Unless of course you know carbon capture doesn't work... www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
The border bill is an abomination www.thestar.com/opinion/lett...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
excellent article, excellent question - “who asked for this?” archive.is/9KH8A
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social)
open.substack.com/pub/engageme...
The new GOP slogan (thank you, Joni Ernst.)
Alberta’s grievances aren’t actually reasonable www.nationalobserver.com/2025/05/29/o...
Yes, Joni, we are all going to die. But it shouldn't be our SENATORS who are killing us.
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
A thoughtful and kind review of my “Breaking Free of Neoliberalism” (and the excellent duo of Denise Hearn and Vass Bednar’s “Big Fix”). The review asks if the optimism in my final chapter is just wishful thinking. Is that (combined with action) just what’s needed? reviewcanada.ca/magazine/202...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
abolish billionaires
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
part 3 - looking for optimism in troubled times afhimelfarb.wordpress.com/2025/05/16/a...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
open.substack.com/pub/engageme...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Crack-Up Capitalism, by Quinn Slobodian, a review open.substack.com/pub/alexhime...
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Tax the rich - a lot
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
Who will shape our future, the rich and powerful or ghe citizenry? afhimelfarb.wordpress.com/2023/11/02/c... th
alex himelfarb (@alexhim.bsky.social) reposted
who will shape our future, the rich and powerful or the citizenry? Democracy is not a side issue. afhimelfarb.wordpress.com/2023/11/02/c...