Ok…this is complicated…

Well Tariffs have landed and it appears we have zero leadership suggestions except the old tried and untrue tit-for-tat. After all this time not only do we not have Parliament in session, but next to no political leader has suggested anything but doing the same thing back at the USA – even though almost every economist I have read or heard has said this is the wrong way. If we want to really remove trade barriers (and we should be working toward at least a North American free trade zone) we have to start at home — between provinces and perhaps even within some of them.

We’ve known this for decades – but we have done precious little about it. Strike One.

We’ve known since his first presidency that he finds us freeloaders on defence – but we have done precious little about it. Strike Two.

He is very concerned about immigration issues (and has been from before he was ever president) – and we have actually blown up a very good system that he used to hold up as a model. Strike Three.

So let me say that we are in trouble. War has been declared. And what is our position:
• we have run up such a debt that we have little financial leverage to support a real offensive
• we have beggared our military so that they will be unable to put up any serious defense (even Ukraine was better prepared for Putin)
• we have our federal government paralyzed and basically inactive
• we have a population that either doesn’t really know what it means to be Canadian or else doesn’t believe we are facing an existential crisis

And please don’t tell me I am over-reacting. Listen to the man down south. He is coming for us (or at least for our wealth as exhibited by our minerals and other natural resources including water). If you really think he is a reincarnation of Hitler, then quickly get out your tattered and torn history books and re-read how that guy got going and once he did, how he then treated his neighbours (including those like Austria & Hungary who thought they were his friends).

I will have more to stay. For the moment I just want it on the record that I think we are a nation at risk, and the time for touchy-feely or complacency is over. For those who think that specialized health-type social supports are a good thing, or that Reconciliation is a number one priority, or that protests over the beauty of Hamas should be a prime activity, get ready to duck for cover because our national fiscal resources are about to be turned upside down and all the things we think are sweet and kind and even cute about Canada will be of necessity cut asunder as we desperately try to stave off the advancing hoards – the border protection issues won’t be about drugs or immigrants so much as about American governmental incursions.

Not only have sunny ways disappeared, the golden era of Canadian relaxed laziness is over.

Reflectively
g.w.