This would seem counter intuitive, what you’re about to see. Right-wing regimes are rising all over the world. But there are shades of grey in what is considered conservative. The word is not a one size fits all. And certainly not in Canada. Canada has its conservative party, yes, but does it have a RWNJ party, like we do in the United States and which is now back in power — albeit marginally? No. What they do have is a conservative party leader who is telling Donald Trump in no uncertain terms to knock off with the 51st state bullshit, because he’s not having it. Bravo, my good man. Bravo. (chef’s kiss and throws roses)
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative party, responds to Trump’s calls for the annexation of Canada to the U.S.:
“My message to incoming President Trump is that first and foremost Canada will never be the 51st state of the U.S.” pic.twitter.com/PuhgeBjm64
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 31, 2024
This raises an ongoing, never ending concern, however. How should people take Trump’s ridiculous utterances? Never before in American history have we had a president about whom people say, “He’s joking,” or “Don’t take him seriously.” The office of U.S. president has been called “the most important job in the world” and its holder “the most powerful man in the world.” So from the lips of this uber powerful being in his (so far it’s only been a his) uber powerful perch, we’re not supposed to take anything seriously? How does that work?
This is Trump’s worst flaw, amongst an encyclopedia-sized catalog of flaws, that he embarrasses himself and us when he talks this crazy talk. Yet the crazy talk is what MAGA eats up and apparently enough people other than MAGA, despondent over grocery prices and inflation, also eat up Trump’s lies.
He’ll be back in office in three weeks. Do you think the grocery prices are going to plummet? Hell, no. He even said that himself in his interview with TIME, “once they’re up there it’s hard to bring them down.” So he has no magic wand to wave and people are going to find that out. Meanwhile, this kind of propaganda isn’t going over well in Canada.
Fox News host: Could the American flag be adding another star in 2025? Trump's idea of making Canada great again by turning it into the 51st state is gaining some serious traction…pic.twitter.com/EkTFD1ueIL
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 31, 2024
Very simply, the government of the United States is now a circus again. And the rest of the world is going to do an end run around us for the next four years and wait for saner days. It really is as simple as that. Unfortunately four years is a long time — but, 2026 is coming up and if Trump loses one, preferably both chambers of Congress, he can be neutralized. That is our best and only play.
Everybody with half a functioning brain knows that Trump’s bullshit is just that. But Canadian politicos feel the need to reply just so they’re on the public record telling Trump to fuck off politely of course).