Mark Totten
@marktottenpolitics.bsky.social
Retired at 31. Passionate about performance optimization, mental health, economics, politics and financial investing.
When a political leader says the system is broken and they can fix it one of these happen.
1. They take power and use it for themselves
2. They take power to make things better
The difference?
1 requires gaining power
2 requires gaining power and integrity
1 is easier and therefore more likely.
1. They take power and use it for themselves
2. They take power to make things better
The difference?
1 requires gaining power
2 requires gaining power and integrity
1 is easier and therefore more likely.
December 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
When a political leader says the system is broken and they can fix it one of these happen.
1. They take power and use it for themselves
2. They take power to make things better
The difference?
1 requires gaining power
2 requires gaining power and integrity
1 is easier and therefore more likely.
1. They take power and use it for themselves
2. They take power to make things better
The difference?
1 requires gaining power
2 requires gaining power and integrity
1 is easier and therefore more likely.
With Carney moving the liberals moving so far right they're absorbing the conservative party maybe the conservatives are ready for change.
Like helping average Canadians instead of just pretending.
Like helping average Canadians instead of just pretending.
Large majority of young Canadians have a negative opinion of Pierre Poilievre
This is no surprise, he is a vapid POS.
cultmtl.com/2025/12/youn...
This is no surprise, he is a vapid POS.
cultmtl.com/2025/12/youn...
Large majority of young Canadians have a negative opinion of Pierre Poilievre
A large majority of young Canadians have a negative opinion of Pierre Poilievre.
cultmtl.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
With Carney moving the liberals moving so far right they're absorbing the conservative party maybe the conservatives are ready for change.
Like helping average Canadians instead of just pretending.
Like helping average Canadians instead of just pretending.
One thing needed to create good ideas and healthy political systems?
Open, honest and respectful discussion about ideas.
If this breaks down, not only do the ideas become worse, they become more extreme.
Would you describe our political discourse as open, honest, or respectful?
Open, honest and respectful discussion about ideas.
If this breaks down, not only do the ideas become worse, they become more extreme.
Would you describe our political discourse as open, honest, or respectful?
December 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
One thing needed to create good ideas and healthy political systems?
Open, honest and respectful discussion about ideas.
If this breaks down, not only do the ideas become worse, they become more extreme.
Would you describe our political discourse as open, honest, or respectful?
Open, honest and respectful discussion about ideas.
If this breaks down, not only do the ideas become worse, they become more extreme.
Would you describe our political discourse as open, honest, or respectful?
Did you know we live in a two class society?
The two classes are separated by those with wealth and those without.
Being wealthy is to have enough wealth where you can live off the returns while still growing your wealth.
Then you can stop working and pay 0% in taxes.
The two classes are separated by those with wealth and those without.
Being wealthy is to have enough wealth where you can live off the returns while still growing your wealth.
Then you can stop working and pay 0% in taxes.
December 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Did you know we live in a two class society?
The two classes are separated by those with wealth and those without.
Being wealthy is to have enough wealth where you can live off the returns while still growing your wealth.
Then you can stop working and pay 0% in taxes.
The two classes are separated by those with wealth and those without.
Being wealthy is to have enough wealth where you can live off the returns while still growing your wealth.
Then you can stop working and pay 0% in taxes.
When I talk to people about new political ideas which would help all Canadians I consistently run into the same counter argument.
You can't fight against the wealthy, because they are too powerful.
Are they wrong, or maybe we need to prioritize the search for people willing to fight.
You can't fight against the wealthy, because they are too powerful.
Are they wrong, or maybe we need to prioritize the search for people willing to fight.
December 13, 2025 at 2:18 PM
When I talk to people about new political ideas which would help all Canadians I consistently run into the same counter argument.
You can't fight against the wealthy, because they are too powerful.
Are they wrong, or maybe we need to prioritize the search for people willing to fight.
You can't fight against the wealthy, because they are too powerful.
Are they wrong, or maybe we need to prioritize the search for people willing to fight.
I long for the day our politicians advocate for policy which benefits the welfare of the average Canadian.
Today that is not what we currently have. We have political leaders which advocate for the growth of spending and increasing incentives for the wealthy to invest.
Today that is not what we currently have. We have political leaders which advocate for the growth of spending and increasing incentives for the wealthy to invest.
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I long for the day our politicians advocate for policy which benefits the welfare of the average Canadian.
Today that is not what we currently have. We have political leaders which advocate for the growth of spending and increasing incentives for the wealthy to invest.
Today that is not what we currently have. We have political leaders which advocate for the growth of spending and increasing incentives for the wealthy to invest.
There's a real double standard between the treatment of the wealthy and the treatment of everyone else. One big difference.
The wealthy becoming wealthier is considered good for everyone.
The average worker becoming wealthier is considered a threat because they might stop working.
The wealthy becoming wealthier is considered good for everyone.
The average worker becoming wealthier is considered a threat because they might stop working.
December 7, 2025 at 7:16 PM
There's a real double standard between the treatment of the wealthy and the treatment of everyone else. One big difference.
The wealthy becoming wealthier is considered good for everyone.
The average worker becoming wealthier is considered a threat because they might stop working.
The wealthy becoming wealthier is considered good for everyone.
The average worker becoming wealthier is considered a threat because they might stop working.
Productivity = GDP ÷ hours worked
Mr Carney is trying to improve productivity by increasing GDP.
A better idea, we reduce hours worked. It will improve the quality of life of workers and create a lot more jobs.
The liberals will never do it because it's not clear how the wealthy get wealthier.
Mr Carney is trying to improve productivity by increasing GDP.
A better idea, we reduce hours worked. It will improve the quality of life of workers and create a lot more jobs.
The liberals will never do it because it's not clear how the wealthy get wealthier.
December 7, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Productivity = GDP ÷ hours worked
Mr Carney is trying to improve productivity by increasing GDP.
A better idea, we reduce hours worked. It will improve the quality of life of workers and create a lot more jobs.
The liberals will never do it because it's not clear how the wealthy get wealthier.
Mr Carney is trying to improve productivity by increasing GDP.
A better idea, we reduce hours worked. It will improve the quality of life of workers and create a lot more jobs.
The liberals will never do it because it's not clear how the wealthy get wealthier.
The wealthy are most able to take risks and absorb higher costs without impacting their quality of life. Yet the government passes their risks and costs onto low and middle incomers in the hopes the wealthy will spend more.
This needs to be flipped back around to regain a healthy society.
This needs to be flipped back around to regain a healthy society.
December 7, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The wealthy are most able to take risks and absorb higher costs without impacting their quality of life. Yet the government passes their risks and costs onto low and middle incomers in the hopes the wealthy will spend more.
This needs to be flipped back around to regain a healthy society.
This needs to be flipped back around to regain a healthy society.
Reposted by Mark Totten
Reminder: This vast consolidation of wealth and power at the top has not been due to neutral market forces.
There’s no such thing as a “free market.”
It is designed.
It either advances public purposes or it serves the monied interests.
There’s no such thing as a “free market.”
It is designed.
It either advances public purposes or it serves the monied interests.
December 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Reminder: This vast consolidation of wealth and power at the top has not been due to neutral market forces.
There’s no such thing as a “free market.”
It is designed.
It either advances public purposes or it serves the monied interests.
There’s no such thing as a “free market.”
It is designed.
It either advances public purposes or it serves the monied interests.
Two things I'm looking for from our governments economic plan:
It directly helps people of middle and lower incomes improve their quality of life now.
Has the wealthy gaining secondary benefits later while taking on the plans risks.
It directly helps people of middle and lower incomes improve their quality of life now.
Has the wealthy gaining secondary benefits later while taking on the plans risks.
November 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Two things I'm looking for from our governments economic plan:
It directly helps people of middle and lower incomes improve their quality of life now.
Has the wealthy gaining secondary benefits later while taking on the plans risks.
It directly helps people of middle and lower incomes improve their quality of life now.
Has the wealthy gaining secondary benefits later while taking on the plans risks.
The liberals lowering the lowest income tax is expected to cost the government around $6 billion a year, with the majority going to people making over $80k a year.
Interest on their new $75 billion debt pays the wealthy $2.5 billion a year in interest.
Why do we keep giving the wealthy more money?
Interest on their new $75 billion debt pays the wealthy $2.5 billion a year in interest.
Why do we keep giving the wealthy more money?
November 20, 2025 at 5:56 PM
The liberals lowering the lowest income tax is expected to cost the government around $6 billion a year, with the majority going to people making over $80k a year.
Interest on their new $75 billion debt pays the wealthy $2.5 billion a year in interest.
Why do we keep giving the wealthy more money?
Interest on their new $75 billion debt pays the wealthy $2.5 billion a year in interest.
Why do we keep giving the wealthy more money?
We need real barriers between business and government to ensure the government benefits people not profits.
No more business donations to politicians and parties. No more business lobbies. Maybe even as far as owning a large business being grounds to exclude you from public office.
No more business donations to politicians and parties. No more business lobbies. Maybe even as far as owning a large business being grounds to exclude you from public office.
November 20, 2025 at 3:54 PM
We need real barriers between business and government to ensure the government benefits people not profits.
No more business donations to politicians and parties. No more business lobbies. Maybe even as far as owning a large business being grounds to exclude you from public office.
No more business donations to politicians and parties. No more business lobbies. Maybe even as far as owning a large business being grounds to exclude you from public office.
Here's an idea to incentivize wealthy developers to invest into building homes.
Remind them that expropriation exists and the conditions it will be used. Like leaving land in city centers undeveloped for years with no plans so build or sell.
Realistically, I know they will lobby and complain.
Remind them that expropriation exists and the conditions it will be used. Like leaving land in city centers undeveloped for years with no plans so build or sell.
Realistically, I know they will lobby and complain.
November 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Here's an idea to incentivize wealthy developers to invest into building homes.
Remind them that expropriation exists and the conditions it will be used. Like leaving land in city centers undeveloped for years with no plans so build or sell.
Realistically, I know they will lobby and complain.
Remind them that expropriation exists and the conditions it will be used. Like leaving land in city centers undeveloped for years with no plans so build or sell.
Realistically, I know they will lobby and complain.
The liberal government's tax reduction on the lowest tax bracket doesn't help the 10 million Canadians who report $1 or less on their taxes.
All while the person reporting $1 million receives the full $600 benefit.
Under this plan, Mr Carney receives more government help than someone in poverty.
All while the person reporting $1 million receives the full $600 benefit.
Under this plan, Mr Carney receives more government help than someone in poverty.
November 20, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The liberal government's tax reduction on the lowest tax bracket doesn't help the 10 million Canadians who report $1 or less on their taxes.
All while the person reporting $1 million receives the full $600 benefit.
Under this plan, Mr Carney receives more government help than someone in poverty.
All while the person reporting $1 million receives the full $600 benefit.
Under this plan, Mr Carney receives more government help than someone in poverty.
The Canadian economy is sick and the consumer base is getting poorer every year preventing profit growth.
Businesses have turned their attention towards the government for profits. Donating huge sums to our politicians or even running businessmen directly to turn public money into private profits.
Businesses have turned their attention towards the government for profits. Donating huge sums to our politicians or even running businessmen directly to turn public money into private profits.
November 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Canadian economy is sick and the consumer base is getting poorer every year preventing profit growth.
Businesses have turned their attention towards the government for profits. Donating huge sums to our politicians or even running businessmen directly to turn public money into private profits.
Businesses have turned their attention towards the government for profits. Donating huge sums to our politicians or even running businessmen directly to turn public money into private profits.
Apparently the #NDP is split between putting forth bold progressive ideas or practical affordable solutions.
How about the NDP raise the bar and accomplish BOTH.
I have evidence based ideas on how to do this. Why don't they?
How about the NDP raise the bar and accomplish BOTH.
I have evidence based ideas on how to do this. Why don't they?
New polling suggests potential NDP members are split on where they want the party to go
Meanwhile, McPherson and Ashton lead Lewis in generating excitement among the party's base
Free read here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/the-ndp-ha...
Meanwhile, McPherson and Ashton lead Lewis in generating excitement among the party's base
Free read here: canadianpolling.substack.com/p/the-ndp-ha...
The NDP Has Potential Yet
Many Canadians remain open to voting for the party, if the right leader is chosen
canadianpolling.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Apparently the #NDP is split between putting forth bold progressive ideas or practical affordable solutions.
How about the NDP raise the bar and accomplish BOTH.
I have evidence based ideas on how to do this. Why don't they?
How about the NDP raise the bar and accomplish BOTH.
I have evidence based ideas on how to do this. Why don't they?
We have multiple solutions for the affordability crisis and a few make the world a better place for everyone.
So why do we still have this crisis?
The wealthy don't experience it as a crisis. Poverty is a whip which keeps people working hard so they don't have to.
So why do we still have this crisis?
The wealthy don't experience it as a crisis. Poverty is a whip which keeps people working hard so they don't have to.
November 19, 2025 at 5:17 PM
We have multiple solutions for the affordability crisis and a few make the world a better place for everyone.
So why do we still have this crisis?
The wealthy don't experience it as a crisis. Poverty is a whip which keeps people working hard so they don't have to.
So why do we still have this crisis?
The wealthy don't experience it as a crisis. Poverty is a whip which keeps people working hard so they don't have to.
We need full public funding of our elections. It's the only way to get our government to look after all people, not just the ones with money to donate.
Canada would be the first country in the world to do this. I believe we can lead the world in this.
Canada would be the first country in the world to do this. I believe we can lead the world in this.
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
We need full public funding of our elections. It's the only way to get our government to look after all people, not just the ones with money to donate.
Canada would be the first country in the world to do this. I believe we can lead the world in this.
Canada would be the first country in the world to do this. I believe we can lead the world in this.
Every public service the government runs removes a possible service which the private market could provide. It puts them at odds.
The people use public services because they deliver more value to the people for the cost. This is possible because public services don't require profit margins.
The people use public services because they deliver more value to the people for the cost. This is possible because public services don't require profit margins.
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Every public service the government runs removes a possible service which the private market could provide. It puts them at odds.
The people use public services because they deliver more value to the people for the cost. This is possible because public services don't require profit margins.
The people use public services because they deliver more value to the people for the cost. This is possible because public services don't require profit margins.
It's pretty clear the government's handling of the economy isn't working.
The average person is getting slowly starved while the government gives the wealthy more and more.
How does this get paid for? More public debt and fewer public services.
The average person is getting slowly starved while the government gives the wealthy more and more.
How does this get paid for? More public debt and fewer public services.
November 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
It's pretty clear the government's handling of the economy isn't working.
The average person is getting slowly starved while the government gives the wealthy more and more.
How does this get paid for? More public debt and fewer public services.
The average person is getting slowly starved while the government gives the wealthy more and more.
How does this get paid for? More public debt and fewer public services.
Reposted by Mark Totten
Poverty is a policy decision.
Concentrated wealth is a policy decision.
Inequality is a policy decision.
Remember this.
Concentrated wealth is a policy decision.
Inequality is a policy decision.
Remember this.
November 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Poverty is a policy decision.
Concentrated wealth is a policy decision.
Inequality is a policy decision.
Remember this.
Concentrated wealth is a policy decision.
Inequality is a policy decision.
Remember this.
Something's wrong with the new federal budget.
Everything being done in this budget has been done one way or another before by past governments yet they predict a different outcome.
History tells me these predicted outcomes won't come true. Lots of unpredictable issues will occur and huge debt.
Everything being done in this budget has been done one way or another before by past governments yet they predict a different outcome.
History tells me these predicted outcomes won't come true. Lots of unpredictable issues will occur and huge debt.
November 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Something's wrong with the new federal budget.
Everything being done in this budget has been done one way or another before by past governments yet they predict a different outcome.
History tells me these predicted outcomes won't come true. Lots of unpredictable issues will occur and huge debt.
Everything being done in this budget has been done one way or another before by past governments yet they predict a different outcome.
History tells me these predicted outcomes won't come true. Lots of unpredictable issues will occur and huge debt.
I appreciate appearing @0:09 in this video. I was glad to talk to you and the people who know you. I strongly believe you are a person of integrity and really want to do good in the world.
We need to win back the ridings we’ve lost.
The packed room in Ottawa Centre this week was a reminder of the incredible team that built that riding up — and the legacy Ed Broadbent and Paul Dewar left behind.
When we work together, and rebuild from the grassroots up, we can win it back again.
The packed room in Ottawa Centre this week was a reminder of the incredible team that built that riding up — and the legacy Ed Broadbent and Paul Dewar left behind.
When we work together, and rebuild from the grassroots up, we can win it back again.
November 2, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I appreciate appearing @0:09 in this video. I was glad to talk to you and the people who know you. I strongly believe you are a person of integrity and really want to do good in the world.
Everyone believes evil exists but no one believes they’re doing it.
So where does evil come from?
In politics, evil is the shadow of our good intentions. It emerges when we choose compassion selectively: citizens over immigrants, rich over poor. The harm lies not in malice, but in exclusion.
So where does evil come from?
In politics, evil is the shadow of our good intentions. It emerges when we choose compassion selectively: citizens over immigrants, rich over poor. The harm lies not in malice, but in exclusion.
October 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Everyone believes evil exists but no one believes they’re doing it.
So where does evil come from?
In politics, evil is the shadow of our good intentions. It emerges when we choose compassion selectively: citizens over immigrants, rich over poor. The harm lies not in malice, but in exclusion.
So where does evil come from?
In politics, evil is the shadow of our good intentions. It emerges when we choose compassion selectively: citizens over immigrants, rich over poor. The harm lies not in malice, but in exclusion.