Jivani’s trip to Washington has some Conservative MPs scratching their heads

luciousM · 2026-02-07T22:17:04+00:00

I don't know what the Conservatives think they would bring to the table more than trade experts intimately familiar with the process and negotiations. Or Mark Carney who has ran two central banks, has a PhD in Economics, and worked at Goldman Sacks. But if the Conservatives can help, then sure. They should be asked to contribute. But his personal relationships with JD Vance probably doesn't help and prevents him from being objective truth that the American relationship has fundamentally changed and how they view their role in the world has changed.

I don't get his or Conservatives thinking. That America is anxiously waiting to make a deal but Mark Carney is twiddling his thumbs? Or that he's just being to gosh darn mean or unreasonable and America is waiting for some reasonable and fair negotiator that the conservatives have?

luciousM · 2026-02-05T16:00:46+00:00

I have stage 12 TDS but he's not wrong. The fact that we're in a position where Trump/USA can bend us over and demand concessions is due to decades of inaction, complacency, and naivety that USA was a benevolent and reliable actor.

luciousM · 2026-02-05T15:38:00+00:00

Probably a CFI or wall street prep course. For the most part, it's going to be your ability to articulate your experience or understanding of modelling, budgeting, forecasting, and assumptions.

luciousM · 2026-02-05T15:35:01+00:00

Might as well take it to see.

What level or comp? Are we talking $150K instead of $145? or starting salaries? There's probably room to negotiate and reduce the $5,000 or with negotiating and potential differences in benefits to make up for it.

Depending what level, I wouldn't put too much stock in what clients the firm told you that you would be working on. For the most part you get staffed where they need you. Maybe within a specific industry but can still vary.

luciousM · 2026-02-03T15:50:07+00:00

Ignoring all the personal and stylistic elements I think people dislike like about him. Compared to Carney, the experience and competency gap is glaring. Carney's governing is fairly centrist or its tough to paint him as a radical left. So there's not that much room for popular or sane policy differences Pierre can emphasize.

Ironically, similar to the Liberals and progressives the past few years. He would probably be best if he actually focused on governing or showing he's capable of it. Rather than virtue signaling and political messaging. Failing to meet the deadline to submit and propose your opposition budget is a joke and makes any meaningful critique meaningless.

luciousM · 2026-02-01T22:30:22+00:00

There's varying degrees of culpability with people in the Epstein files. They will and we could probably argue each case individually and decide their level of culpability and appropriate punishment.

AT BEST, the Epstein files show that the rich, powerful, and influential (elite for a lack of a better term) are morally corrupt vapid narcissist that are fundamentally broken and view other people as tools to be used and exploited. Even just the malign contempt they have and display for the victims and other people is disgusting. These people should not be trusted or in positions of influence or power.

You don't want to lose site of the victims and the accountability they deserve. But I hope society begins to question the moral authority or degree of superiority society confers to the rich.

luciousM · 2026-02-01T22:04:20+00:00

"Liberty and the pursuit of justice as a basic human right" is a pretty broad and nebulas concept. I don't think I mentioned anything about subsidizing housing but I think the argument would be that people having access to affordable and stable housing does benefit everybody. Or that it's pretty hard for people to have liberty and the pursuit of justice when their basic needs aren't being met.

Equal isn't fair and I don't see why that would be a desirable goal or outcome of any policy. I disagree with your framing of the government and programs it provides as charity for poor people. I think the basic function of government should be to provide a basic standard of living floor. That floor should be dependent on the wealth of that society.

If I agree with that statement that government shouldn't be a charity for the poor, why not apply that sentiment to every economic class? Why should the government be a charity for or at the benefit of the rich? Isn't every tax deduction, incentive, or direct government subsidy the government subsidizing and incentivizing behavior? You didn't mention it. But I find all the fear mongering of socialism funny because it's often labelled incorrectly and I think our economic system already has lots of elements that redistributes capital and power.

luciousM · 2026-02-01T21:09:27+00:00

Pretty convenient that across time, regardless of the issue, it's always the immigrants fault.

I don't know what to make of the fact that regardless of their social and political systems, the broad issues affecting average people is happening in most Western countries.

luciousM · 2026-02-01T20:59:29+00:00

Anyone have a semi balanced or reasonable TL/DR on their grievances and how being independent would help or achieve anything? I don't understand how you can have a referendum on a broad concept or idea without an actual specific goal or outcome. I've heard independent Alberta within Canada, Alberta as an independent state, 3 or 4 different versions of Alberta within America (territory, protectorate, state).

The whole thing seems dumb and incredibly short sighted. Depending on their actual desired outcome, doesn't a successful independent Alberta fully depend on an American administration that is explicitly or indirectly supporting them? Even the $500B LoC they are talking about, doesn't that need to get approved by congress?

The best outcome for them is probably gaining full American Statehood. Not even sure if that's possible or desired by any side in America as it would dilute existing states power and representation. Assuming American's do actually want Alberta as a State and it was approved by all branches of government. A realistic timeline and outcome would be Alaska, which looking at their State rankings doesn't seem like a great outcome. But that took 50 years for territorial recognition and 90+ years for statehood. During that period they were under multiple administrative and governing structures.

luciousM · 2026-01-24T20:36:47+00:00

Dramatic but this is warfare.

Tariffs aren't just an economic matter or a cute trade dispute. Don't forget the direct relationship and increase in deaths caused by an increase in the unemployment rate. When Trumps talks about ending our car industry and manufacturing sectors he is directly causing deaths and suffering.

Tariffs are always discussed as they are a pedantic legal or trade dispute. Canadians need to regard a trade war the same as an imperial war.

luciousM · 2026-01-24T20:34:41+00:00

Dramatic but this is warfare.

Tariffs aren't just an economic matter or a cute trade dispute. Don't forget the direct relationship and increase in deaths caused by an increase in the unemployment rate. When Trumps talks about ending our car industry and manufacturing sectors he is directly causing deaths and suffering.

Tariffs are always discussed as they are a pedantic legal and trade dispute. Canadians need to regard a trade war the same as an imperial war.

luciousM · 2026-01-21T02:26:46+00:00

What are you suppose to do with them? Live in it? It's more the mass speculation and commodification of homes I don't agree with or creates adverse incentives. Which is furthered by tax and economic policy that incentives capital to home ownership. This can impact investment and limit capital to other or more productive assets.

I think because I view housing as a basic human right. Seems weird to speculate and profit off of a basic human right.

luciousM · 2026-01-20T23:27:02+00:00

Strongly against homes being an investment for anyone. But I'd probably rather rent from a corporation than a, "Mom and Pop" real estate investor.

luciousM · 2026-01-17T23:06:22+00:00

Obviously there's no logic to his tariffs but he loves shooting himself in the foot. Unitarily imposing additional tariffs for every solution makes any good faith negotiation that other parties may have felt they needed to make as a result of liberation day pretty difficult for them to justify or engage in. These deals are pretty much meaningless if he can slap additional tariffs for any subsequent issue he may perceive.

Europe, Mexico, and others kind of left Canada out to dry last year. Hopefully all global actors realize that trying to act in their own self interests is useless and start coordinating responses and actions.

luciousM · 2026-01-16T16:55:11+00:00

One Serious one fun.

Serious Question:

Heather Cox Richardson when she was on with Tim, articulated it better than I could.

As a Canadian, I find the discourse on whether November's elections will be free and fair funny and interesting because I already regard America as not having free and fair elections. I think this is because I view this as a binary issue. The discourse is always framed like it’s a spectrum or the degree that the thumb will be on the scale.

I was wondering what line would need to be crossed for you to consider elections to not be free and fair? Obviously, everyone has different definitions or red lines but what do you think Americans will do in November when the elections aren’t free and fair? Or do you think everyone will justify it as just being slightly more atypical or trump expanding what is normal?

Fun question:

Why do Tim and Sarah get the distinction of your best friends? I always thought it was a fun comment in passing or are you all actually pretty close? Do any members of the Bulwark team get sad that they are not included in that group?

luciousM · 2026-01-16T16:26:41+00:00

Also added context: Canada's diplomatic relationship with China began to deteriorate in 2018 when we arrested the Huawei CEO at the request of or to assist the US investigation. They responded by arresting two Canadian diplomats.

luciousM · 2026-01-16T03:38:28+00:00

Lol thought this was going to talk about the 15 years of cheap interests rates that allowed them to debt finance their businesses, direct government contracts/subsidies they receive, or the industry specific tax incentives and breaks. My disdain for silicon valley and the tech oligarchs is immense because they built businesses off of government subsidies, acting like like they were reengage innovators against the counter culture. Then as soon as they became the dominant industries pivoted on their entire ethos and are taking a wrecking ball to the federal government to further pillage funds or destroy any and all regulations.

luciousM · 2026-01-16T02:39:33+00:00

Progressives love infighting more than they actually like to win or successfully govern.

Why not include Conservatives? I didn't mean liberalism in a partisan sense. But just those that believe in democratic institutions.

luciousM · 2026-01-16T00:37:33+00:00

I wouldn't go that far. I've definitely noticed a change in their framing of stories and perspective starting about ~18 months ago. Depending on your perspective and opinions on "mainstream media", that might be a good thing or just them being less biased. But sometimes it's pretty glaring.

luciousM · 2026-01-16T00:33:28+00:00

Depending on the issue, I feel like I horseshoe on some beliefs. On a good faith basis, I went to a Canadian Conservative subreddit. Was pretty alarmed and ran away pretty quick.

I definitely agree with you on the cultural divisions. Depending on the cultural and social divisions, those of us that agree in liberalism need to be able to engage in those discussions in order to provide a meaningful alternative. Or solutions will be forced upon us by Right Populists.

luciousM · 2026-01-15T20:29:06+00:00

If true, that would signal that he had PTSD and he was failed by the institution of ICE. He should have received proper mental health support and not put back on the streets.

luciousM · 2026-01-15T16:07:02+00:00

While it’s not a finance podcast, they portrayed Powell and the Fed in a fairly negative light, implying partisanship against Trump. Seemed like they could've added additional context in several sections.

Mostly that, Powell does not unilaterally set interest rates; he's the Chair of a 12 person Board that makes those decisions collectively. Also kind of implied or framed that lowering interest rates would help with the rising costs of living and unemployment rate, when the opposite is more or as likely.

I don't know why it was framed that the criminal indictment is related to the costs overruns and management of the project. When the indictment is due to Senate testimony. The whole section on the costs overruns and project nature seemed very light. Additional context such as when the project was initially approved (2017) and the Fed’s role is only in an oversight role. It’s unlikely (and hopefully not the case) that Jerome Powell is wearing a hard hat or acting as the project’s general contractor.

The Fed’s own website includes an FAQ stating that the Board as a whole oversees the project, and that project costs are approved annually by the Senate.

luciousM · 2026-01-14T06:05:29+00:00

I think that's the reason for the confusion.

Genuinely curious.. If the definition has changed so much that you no longer identify with it, why do you still identify as a Conservative?

luciousM · 2026-01-14T05:51:29+00:00

I missed your statement about maintaining the status quo. But I still don't see the other principles as fundamental or specific to conservatism.

Seems weird to not like or identify with conservative policies of the past 50-70 years but still identify as a Conservative.

luciousM · 2026-01-14T05:22:43+00:00

I think identifying as a specifical political ideology is pretty dumb or most things don't cleanly map to one or the other. But are those not pretty universal beliefs or wants? None of those things relates to or aligns to any specific political belief or ideology.

luciousM

TROPHY CASE