Let's start today with some questionable political slogans!

Sometime over the past few weeks (I honestly wasn't paying attention so I've no idea), the Conservative Party of Canada unveiled their new slogan: Secure The Future. I heard O'Toole and other party members talk about how that meant "securing jobs, accountability, mental health, the country, and the economy."

OK, sure: political jargon that doesn't really mean anything.

Except it sounds a lot like something else:

"We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children"

These are "The Fourteen Words," and they form the single most famous line of white supremecist rhetoric.

NOW: on it's own, you could easily dismiss that. I'm putting words in O'Toole's mouth. Absolutely.

EXCEPT: right-leaning political figures and news outlets (albeit moreso in The States) are getting closer and closer to parroting this line in the post-Trump era. Fox News talks about immigrants coming in and diluting the vote; of a future they won't even recognize. More and more they talk about white conservatives being under attack. They're saying it's time to step up and fight to preserve what they hold dear (a white, Christian America).

It's worse in the states, as most of this is.

But seeing this slogan repeated over and over again...I don't know...it sounds pretty fuckin bad.

If asked, every conservative in Canada would obviously and vehemently deny the slogan has anything to do with the Fourteen Words. And I bet the rhetoric never vears deeper into racist waters than just that loose reference.

BUT, here's what I think is really happening.

First: conservatives are signalling to their far-right base that they do still have the interests of white Canadians at heart.

Second: they're baiting outrage.

Trump did a similar thing, and Fox News is continuing to do it: they use language designed to be interpreted one way by white supremecists, but can be easily defended against scrutiny. They'll deny there's any connection to racist ideologies, while winking out of the corner of their eye.

Most of us don't actually know what "The Fourteen Words" are, but you best believe every Klan sympathizer does.

And look: if you read the CPC website, there isn't a single word about deporting immigrants, enacting prejudiced policies, or limiting funding for minority groups. (Although: "secure the country" does sound like closing the border, even though they go on to talk about "stockpiling resources.")

But there doesn't need to be. It's enough for them to say, "we got you" to their racist voters. Main reason: they don't have to enact new shit to serve their base. They just have to uphold current systems and refuse to fix glaring holes that perpetuate a disproportionate number of black Canadians dead or in jail, a disproportionate amount of wealth in the hands of the few, and hell: even limited access to clean drinking water for our most underserved communities.

Satus quo is a white supremecist agenda.

AS FOR THE BAITING: I can write the above because no one really cares what I have to say. I'm not going to get much of a reaction.

But imagine someone with a larger platform tried to tie "Secure the Future" to racist rhetoric? Imagine Trudeau or Jagmeet Singh brought it up?

THEY WOULD GET ROASTED.

The conservative headlines would read, "liberal outrage strikes again!" They would paint the comparison as completely absurd. And THIS wouldn't just reach their most deplorable base. This strikes at the heart of every right-leaning Canadian.

That's what got Trump into office five years ago: the push-back against over-bearing liberal outrage and censorship (among a few other things). That's what has been flipping those on the fence. Propelled by the refusal to accept different pronouns, the fear of "men" in "womens'" bathrooms, and the distaste of being called racist for "doing nothing," millions of people across North America turn to conservatism.

So this is like a win-win for the CPC. They get to plaster their racist slogan all over Canada, and if you say anything, they'll cry, "HeRe We Go AgAiN! LiBeRaL OuTrAgE gOiNg BaNaNas!"

It's rediculous. They're clowns. But it's pretty freakin genius.

I'll say this though: if you vote conservative this year, I won't call you racist. I will argue that equality is not a priority for you, but we're all kind of drawing lines in the sand with that anyway. I certainly don't do everything I personally can to raise up those less fortunate me (which might be the majority of the country because I am absurdly fortunate.)

But I'm just not confident enought that my thoughts are actual reality to really throw stones. This kiind of is a conspiracy theory--albeit a much less crazy one than microchips in vaccines.

So, support whomever you like best. Perhaps just listen a little more closely to what O'Toole is saying; see if you can hear any dog-whistling / subliminal nods to a racist agenda.

And remember: I love ya.