Having just returned from Vancouver, British Columbia, a frequent destination due to family ties, here are a few observations. Unlike many past trips, one notices a significant proliferation of the display of the Canadian flag. As has been reported, the Liberal party has gone from being down twenty percentage points or more in the polls to what now could become a competitive race with the Conservative party. This is a backlash due to disrespect south of their border.
The consensus among most Canadians I’ve spoken with is that they feel betrayed by their best friend. They were under the understandable impression that Canada and the USA had a binding contract that our leader had described as “the best deal ever” and which he himself had negotiated. There is speculation up there whether Canada being mentioned as the 51st state is merely trolling or whether it is serious. Either way, they don’t appreciate being insulted. How would a new state with around 40 million residents like having the same amount of senators as North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Delaware, all of whom have less than a million residents? How would we like trying to learn French?
Canada has vast natural resources which we need. They sell us their oil at a discount. Where do our farmers get much of their fertilizer? Canada has more lumber than us. They have hydroelectric power which is a less expensive source of energy than us. They have “rare earth” minerals galore. They have the minerals needed for sheet rock, aluminum and steel. They also have pride in their independence. If Canada wanted to be part of our country, wouldn’t they have let us know?
How are we helping our cause by acting and talking like bullies? French wine will become cheaper up there than California wine. Will switching from Jack Daniels to Crown Royal be a big sacrifice? If this persists, won’t Canada end up doing more trade with China, Japan and the European Union? How will this help the average American? By speaking so loudly, America may end up with a smaller stick.
