Political Shrinkflation
One of the most annoying things in recent modern life is the phenomenon of “shrinkflation”. As everyone has discovered by now, the price of everything has noticeably increased in our daily lives. Why this has happened is a topic for another discussion, but suffice to say, it’s an issue that affects mostly everyone profoundly unless you are part of a government pay regime.
Let’s clarify what this is. Consumers become more reluctant to purchase a given product because prices increase. For example, a bag of potato chips that used to cost 3 dollars is now 4 dollars. People notice these things and thus, they avoid buying these more expensive chips. What to do? Well, a genius marketing fix was created. Why not keep prices as they once were….but decrease the amount of product being sold in the package? This stroke of genius has been embraced by all consumer companies and thus, producers maintain their saleability on store shelves.
If the producers were totally honest, they should re-label their products for transparency, thus M&M’s would simply be “M” and potato chips would be “some chips of potato”. That’s not even mentioning the fact that many products aren’t even as they are implied. Kraft single slices aren’t even cheese and thus, they are not allowed to label it as such. Thus, in this way, producers can hide from consumers the fact that the product that they’re accustomed to consuming is not the same as before. It’s not exactly bait and switch, but it is a subterfuge nonetheless.
This genius technique of selling much less of something than what is advertised is one which the political establishment has adopted with great success. The best example of this is the nation once known as Canada. I say once known, because the packaging has long outlived the actual contents.
Similar to the deceptive packaging described above, Canada is still regarded by some as a proud, free nation, welcoming to all and benefactor to the planet. In fact, the labelling on the package, aka the national anthem, states boldly, “the true north strong and free”. Who doesn’t recognize the unofficial icon of Canada which is a forthright, broad shouldered, Dudley Do Right of a Mountie. This used to represent the general “goodness” and decency of the nation, or as a former prime Minister invoked, “da Canadian values”.
The main pillar of Canadian-ness, if there actually is one, is that of a free, lawful and peaceful society.
However, if there was any nation in the world best representing the phenomenon of “shrinkflation”, it’s Canada. Recently, the premier of Nova Scotia had to go to court to fight for the right to wear a poppy on Remembrance Day, a long honored Canadian tradition. Ironically, this is the day on which Canadians honor those that fought and died in wars for the preservation of the free society in which we live today. It was a judge that wanted to prevent this. There is so much angst about offending virtually anybody who complains loudly enough that Canadians are willing to omit all traditional Canadian customs and values. Canadians are notorious for accommodating any and all sorts of complainers, in the name of inclusivity.
THE cornerstone of a free society is the sanctity of free speech. This liberty is specifically enshrined in the foundational document of the Constitution of The United States. Because this is the foundation of any free society, it is also explicitly written in the Canadian Charter of Rights:
“…Section 2(b) of the Charter guarantees “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression including freedom of the press and other media or communication” This right is recognize as a fundamental freedom and is protected against actions by all levels of government…”
Seems pretty clear, BUT WAIT! There also follows a weasel clause which states:
“…it also allows for reasonable limits on expression if those limits are prescribed by law and can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society…”
In essence, it’s free unless someone decides it’s not a good idea. So it’s really only a strong suggestion. As we know, any vacillations in wording on laws are like small holes in a house. Like rodents, politicians will find their way inside. Thus, the nation has prohibitions on what can be said online under penalty of fines or jail for non-compliance. This is a page taken from the parent nation, the UK. Access to certain internet site are now blocked if they don’t conform to official government approval. When asked how Canadians would access information, they are referred to, you guessed it, the official government media outlet, the CBC.
Sounds like political shrinkflation to me. The Canada of today is not what they were selling even a decade ago. At the very least, change the national anthem to reflect this reality. Though I’m not sure how they’ll fit “the true north, weak and not really free” into music stanzas.