well, damn. This is an important piece--how to react to Trump and Trumpism by focusing more on developing Canada. I am skeptical that the politicians are mature enough to make the hard decisions, but the road map here, depressing as that it is necessary, is a pretty good one. - ThreadSky

smsaideman.bsky.social • 30 days ago

well, damn. This is an important piece--how to react to Trump and Trumpism by focusing more on developing Canada.

I am skeptical that the politicians are mature enough to make the hard decisions, but the road map here, depressing as that it is necessary, is a pretty good one.

Reposted from Philippe Lagassé

New from Jones, Petrolekas, and me in @theglobeandmail.com:

"Canada: Now is our time to be strong and free"

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Comments

themrise.bsky.social•30 days ago

Why did it take a Trump to make this happen? Is this how oblivious we were to our own development?

smsaideman.bsky.social•30 days ago

There are a lot of incentives to keep the status quo (see my fave machiavelli quote https://saideman.blogspot.com/2013/05/mac-without-cheese.html)

To do what Phil and the other suggest requires:
--provinces willing to give up some power (credentials, pipelines)
--higher taxes
--mature politicians/parties

maximummeh.bsky.social•30 days ago

Key there is mature politicians/political parties. I have more hope in that possibility now than I have in a long time, but it still remains to be seen how everything falls out in our elections and Leadership race, etc, etc.

smsaideman.bsky.social•30 days ago

yep. Pierre certainly is not up to the moment. Is Carney? Is Freeland? Who else can manage this mess?

themrise.bsky.social•30 days ago

Carney just might. Just might.

maximummeh.bsky.social•30 days ago

Well that recent Nanos poll gives me hope that Canadian voters are ready to demand government that rises to the need or the moment. I mean Canadians are finally ready to spend money on defense, just the fact that they're finally aware we need to spend money on defense is something.

smsaideman.bsky.social•30 days ago

we have had polls for years where Canadians say they are willing to spend more on defence even if it means higher taxes... but when asked to vote, it is not a high priority.

maximummeh.bsky.social•30 days ago

I kind of believe we get the government we demand, and one thing that gives me quite a bit of hope right now is some of the recent polls show that Canadian voters are finally ready to demand better government.

cleanconnect.bsky.social•30 days ago

Due to the US's poor policy decisions, Canada and other countries stand to gain jobs, a strengthened economy, and energy security. Then again, Dems, by the numbers, have always been stronger on the economy! Maybe voters will finally see the light when they're literally in the dark!

karelha.bsky.social•30 days ago

Our influence has grown exponentially because of #technology. Now we have to become #collectively mature to be able to handle the #responsability. How do we keep up???

plagasse.bsky.social•30 days ago

Thank you kind sir

smsaideman.bsky.social•30 days ago

My other quibbles relate to climate change and dependence on oil.... but again brutal decisions ahead.

plagasse.bsky.social•30 days ago

Yep.

randchange.bsky.social•30 days ago

I share these quibbles. Suggesting the political/economic axis twist from N-S to E-W, but ignoring that EU and parts of Asia are moving forward on climate mitigation seems wrong. Norway has an interesting model of shipping oil but decarbonizing internally.

randchange.bsky.social•30 days ago

Meanwhile, what the world is doing with solar power:

https://bsky.app/profile/ourworldindata.org/post/3lhlmm2hzyj25

smsaideman.bsky.social•30 days ago

I have quibbles, but, well, I can't really argue that Canada can count on the US anymore.

I am not sure how much of Trumpism will outlast Trump, but the GOP is utterly corrupt and craven. The US can't be a relaible partner unless it has two parties that care about the national interest.

plagasse.bsky.social•30 days ago

I suspect the man is a vessel for a wider movement, but we shall see.

smsaideman.bsky.social•30 days ago

I disagree, I think he is the glue for a lot of different groups. When he goes, they will tear into each other.

But American democracy may be gone by that point, and it will be very hard to bring back.

pwnallthethings.bsky.social•30 days ago

restored international trust in the basic reliability of the US is several decades out at a minimum

smsaideman.bsky.social•30 days ago

yeah, Americans forget how the world felt about Bush and his team of unilateralists. We will be paying the price of the bungled Iraq war for generations literally and figuratively.

To outsiders, the US today is not just Trump but Bush/Trump. Plus Biden was pretty damn protectionist

celticdragon1.bsky.social•30 days ago

Yeah that will be generations

srdj.bsky.social•30 days ago

Strong agree. An excellent, accessible overview of the pitfalls and mysteries of Canada-US relations. Well done, Phil et al!

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