Mr. Kinzinger, I have to ask, what do you think Trump's goal is here? He is destroying decades of trust and cooperation. I am a Canadian ex-patriate and have friends and family who still live up there. To call them angry and feeling betrayed would be a major understatement. The damage that is being done will take a very long time to repair..............if it can ever be repaired.
Would it be possible/practical to organize a “reverse boycott” of tarriffed Canadian goods to show solidarity with Canada? Even if not nearly effective enough to help out their small businesses, if it was large enough it could be a visible sign to the administration and Congress that Biff has crossed the wrong line.
It's already happening, courtesy of the Premier of Ontario. Reverse tariffs already in place.
It takes genius, effort and goodwill to build up the closest relationship between two large countries in modern times. It takes but a split second for a deranged village idiot without the slightest understanding of either politics or economics to blow it all up on a personal whim.
to buy tariffed goods from Canada, as Liz R indicated. It would cost more, maybe much more, but shows our support for Canada in this absurd confrontation. Even better if we focus on small Canadian companies that will be hurt most by this. Where can we get such information?
Grrreat! This link makes it very doable. I see at least two brands of the kinds of products that I use and will order some. And I just sent the link to some 15 friends. Thanks Jay and Timothy!!! :-)
Thanks for sending this link. The list is a bit bewildering, especially since I don't recognize most of the brands, but I'll research a bit. My wife commented that the downside is that it will be more money going into Biff's pocket. But, it's a drop-in-the-bucket compared to his corruptions. And he's not using this to get rich (he has plenty other side-deals for that) but to be punitive. Maybe we can blunt it, or at the very least make it a symbolic gesture - send our purchase receipts to congressmen, for example. Where can I get a good Canadian hockey stick?
Wooohoo for Yahoo! I'm excited -- thank you, Jay! I'm going to check out the list, and if it looks feasible, I'll share it and Timothy's idea with friends! :-)
I’m not Adam, but the answer to your question is that Trump is a developmentally stunted madman who salivates over childish fantasies of world domination every minute of every day. His goal is to exult in his power by seizing wealth, getting away with transparent crimes, and watching people suffer.
Trump's GOALS are the growth of his personal wealth - he is completely incompetent to be president!! It's like having a power/money obsessed 5 year old playing games with the stability of our planet!!!
It is understandable now why Trump had so many bankruptcies and business failures. People including one of my sons refused to see his failures in business as Trump’s own doing. Although there are a variety of reasons why people vote for someone, I think people voted on the promise of better wages and lower prices.
And Trump read the room so to speak. He knew a good amount of people did not like DEI, wanted to go back to the days there was segregation, women without rights. Trump is great at pitting people against each other even when it hurts themselves economically and in other ways. He is a terrible businessman but he has this uncanny ability to pit people against each other to their own detriment and detriment to the country. And many are foolish enough to fall for it.
I'm a Canadian expat too Ian. My family and friends started off as angry and now they just think we are in thrall to a dictator. One of my friends has offered to house myself and my daughter's family as refugees as soon as we want. I do think that once Trump and his followers are out of office and replaced by sane people Canada will be more than willing to extend a hand of friendship again. And help us rebuild.
And he couldn't do it without his followers, like the Pied Piper leading the doomed. My question is, why do we elect such people in the numbers that we have? There are always going to be some bigots, misogynists, and lovers of cruelty; but we have installed them en masse in our countries administration. To the world it says one thing: This is who we are. I apologize if that sounds harsh. I would love to hear what other conclusion we might come to.
Well, Trump won the popular vote by a plurality, though not quite a majority. Some sizeable percentage of that number were duped and would not vote the same today.
What we are is a nation with a lot of fools and bigots. And it's also true that we are a nation of committed resisters to all that Trump and his cabal have created, people who are determined to fight him in spite of the fact that the elected Reps in the Senate and House have sold their souls, and in spite of a Supreme Court ruled by fascists and Trumpers. Some Dem presidents and Congresspeople have also made mistakes to get us to this point. We are all of that, not just the one thing. Surely our friends abroad understand that we are not just the ugly face that Trump is painting on our map.
Take heart, keep resisting, and do everything you can to protect and defend our elections.
Yes they might do something like that. That kind of thing really worries me. I do not put ANYTHING past them. They absolutely must be neutralized as soon as we take back the government. The damage they are creating is distressing beyond belief.
Bombing a country for not buying your goods or selling you theirs is too extreme even for these idiots … and Carney is too smart & ‘cool-headed’ to give them reason.
Plus the civilized world is with Canada, not Trumperica — he is jealous of Carney’s smarts & international popularity!
The majority of US Americans know reality but we're not in a position of power (no pun intended) to do anything about it -- yet. When the current regime is overthrown we'll work on undoing the tremendous harm president* turnip (not a typo) has caused.
we are the only ones in the position of power to do something about it. VOTE, resist, protest, email/call leaders, unite. AND when this admin is replaced we must insist that those in power DO work on undoing the damage and fixing the vulnerabilities in our laws and rules- and not just move on. They did not do that after the first trump admin when they had the chance.
This trade war with our closest allies just breaks my heart. It's so reckless and needless and at this point, given that we elected this idiot twice, why would they ever trust the American people again? Honestly, I can't say I blame them if they don't.
Exactly. Despite grossly mishandling the Covid pandemic, despite inciting an insurrection, despite being accused of sexual assault--despite all his lies, his cruelty, and his corruption, Americans elected Trump again. For me, that was the day our democracy entered its death throes.
Oh I suspect this has been a “real education” for many swing voters, misogynists, racists & even a few MAGAs - esp farmers & those reliant & accustomed to having GOOD trading relations with 🇨🇦 … before Trump.
It will be a dance party the likes of which no one has ever seen before. I know that much. Worldwide rejoicing! Indeed there will be. :). I have a smile on my face just thinking about it.
Boy, Adam, your clarity on this is very refreshing. Many many people are being bankrupted, betrayed, frightened, and pissed off by the flailing actions of this president, so busy distracting us from Epstein. And we are looking at the biggest climate shock in recorded history building right now for the coming year. Changing who is running the country is important, but changing how it is run is critical to survival.
Once Democrats get the House and Senate back, it’s critical that guardrails are immediately put in place to prevent ANY current and future President his/her Administration from having such overwhelming power over the three branches of government, and from refusing to abide by the rules of our courts (state, federal and supreme) and the Constitution. There has to be consequences for ignoring the laws of our nation and overturning policies in place to ensure peace and prosperity for both Americans (the 99%) and our international allies. In other words, we need to restore our democracy.
Yes - and when Dems retake Congress, this must and will be done. However, top of the list is to get rid of Citizens United. Big dark money in politics is the scourge causing many of the problems we are now experiencing. It has even infected SCOTUS - the Federalist Six are all bought and paid for. Disgusting.
I think everyone here really wants those guardrails, but it will be a tough climb. The institutional damage, credibility deficit abroad, and division within our society are going to be difficult to set right, although even many of the MAGA types are now pondering their choices. The midterms will be a signal and it appears right now to be pointing in the right direction, but speaking to some of Trump's true believers recently hasn't given me a lot of hope - they still believe in his "projects" and can't abide many of the candidates the Democrats have fielded. In some ways, Trump's absolute wrecking ball approach is our best hope (but I gagged writing that.)
After 🇨🇦 puts some of their tariff responses into action there will be some additional PAIN to the American pocketbook … the only way some people learn.
But Trump insisting that he can dish out tariff pain but other countries can’t etc, is extremely dumb. He was even telling Canada who they cd or cd not trade with!
Agreed. But it will be tough with the existing SCOTUS that insists on weighing in on any and everything.
Regardless, it will take decades to reverse course again.
I do agree that we citizens will have to see consequences, and we need to see them at the highest level to ever trust the idea of a country where all men are created equal.
Trump is really bugging me. Why is he trying to destroy our relationship with our neighbor and ally, Canada? Trump is unhinged and off his rocker with all these dumb tariffs! What’s his purpose? When will the Republicans stand up to him and say, ”Enough”! Why can’t he see tariffs and the way he uses them DOES NOT WORK! He seems hell bent on destroying America, not making America better.
They have to stand up to him for the sake of our country and reputation (which is almost completely destroyed already). I do not understand them abandoning our Constitution, or our laws or anything else. They do seem to be hell bent on our destruction. It is so mind-boggling, I do not know what to think anymore. All I know is that they have to be voted out ASAP.
I just read on CNN that "Ontario supplies electricity to several US states, including New York, Michigan and Minnesota." That's all blue states. Trump might not give a damn or even see it as a bonus.
Yes, that occurred to me also. The Biff admin may also hope that Canada turns off power or withholds critical minerals in order to declare a national emergency and cancel elections.
If he does cancel the election, that is going to wake up a LOT of his supporters. I do not know if he would risk that, but Orange Swampy has done a lot of things that I did not expect. That is for sure. He is indeed a madman. That also is for sure.
That's a good point -- a lot of his supporters would surely not like losing their right to vote. But many would feel just fine about it. At his pre-election rally where he told his sycophants that they only needed to vote for him one more time, and then he'd "fix it" so that they'd "never have to vote again," the crowd went wild with enthusiasm. But, God, I pray they're only a small minority.
So do I. They are in "cult" thinking right now. Hopefully it is a small minority. Cancelling an election is a huge deal. It is definitely a possibility knowing how insane he is. I know his cabinet will back him up on that. None of them care one whit about the law or our Constitution. I know that much. They are certainly talking about it, I would wager.
I had a Canadian grandmother and have many valued Canadian friends. Perhaps never having had any friends, Drumpf doesn't understand the concept of friends and allies. In Maine, many of us rely on Canadian power, but nevertheless, I wouldn't blame and might even support Ford if he proceeds.
I would not blame them either. I am surprised they haven't done it sooner. Canada does not want any of this to happen. We are going to have some real work ahead of us to repair the damage done to our reputation. You are absolutely right about him not understanding friendship. He has no idea what that even is.
I know. That is making me cry too. I know they will forgive us. it just makes me sick. We will make it up to them. Most of us feel that way. I just know it.
I was using the royal "we." I'm not sure the rest of the world makes the distinction that with DJT's control, there is even a "we" that dissents because they have to deal with who got elected and, secondarily, with those who elected him and his minions. So sad!
Re: this: "Perhaps never having had any friends, Drumpf doesn't understand the concept of friends and allies." I think that's very insightful. Whatever passed for friendship for him was all transactional, I bet, even as a little boy. Once a "friend" was no use to him anymore, screw 'em. That's how he treats people now without any hesitation (and if poor Michael Cohen expects Trump not to stab him in the back once he's done playing him, he's in for a rude awakening).
My thoughts exactly. I’m torn between if the Republicans have all turned greedy and ignorant or if It’s true that Putin has given Trump and some key Republicans their marching orders to destroy the U.S. More likely the perfect storm of both bringing the country down. America First - to be destroyed.
I think the destruction of the United States is intentional. These Republicans that are enabling this are just as guilty here. I know they can see what is happening. No one can be that short-sighted. This is so upsetting sometimes, I can't even type a response. I have tried over and over to figure out what the Republican congressmen are thinking and I am completely at a loss. They can see how angry everyone is. They do not even have many town hall meetings anymore. No wonder there.
I forwarded this to my MAGA family and they don’t believe a word. They have drank the Koolaid. I may die before they see the light. They are all “good Christian’s “.
IMO, they claim to be Christians as that helps them sleep at night. But no practicing Christian who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ would accept how anybody, no matter who they are or believe, are treated by this administration.
I'm currently reading "Churchill and Orwell," by Thomas E. Ricks. So much that was true then in England is true now here, including, alas, that many of the British upper class favored Hitler over democracy. Moreover, many people (especially wealthy people) in the US felt the same. Both Roosevelt and Churchill were challenged in dealing with that. There were crucial steps along the way when it all could so easily have turned out differently.
And here we are. All of which is to say that many (most?) of the Rep congresspeople see themselves as benefiting more from a fascist government rather than a democracy. That, no doubt, hooks into their racism as well......
Well, clearly I don't have a whole theory worked out here ;-} But I believe that there's a stronger undercurrent of pro-fascism in this country than I, at least, had realized before.
I do recommend Ricks' book, BTW. Fascinating, with occasional LOL humor, at least in the intro.
They just want an oligarchy & the $, status & power that goes with it.
Perhaps to divide the world into segments of power — the U.S. taking ALL ‘the Americas’. Then Trump & Chumps can rule like mob bosses with Russia, N. Korea, Israel & China.
Honestly, you have to have had a GIANT BRAIN FART to try to threaten one of our dearest, oldest and most friendly allies. WHAT A KNUCKLEHEAD! It's great to see Canada fighting back - without trying to be politically correct. Good for them, and good for all of you independent journalists who work hard bringing us daily facts and truth in a world filled with lies. Keep up the good work.
It’s sickening what rump is doing and with no real reason. Our countries have been good neighbors and would support us if needed. Now…it’s gone! 25th amendment please 🙏
As a Michigander, 45 minutes from the Blue Water Bridge, and having Lake Huron as a front yard—this is puzzling, enraging, and downright terrifying. I also read this morning that the regime is threatening to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake Michigan. Does that orange goblin think anyone is going to take that seriously? We will never have Canada back as allies. Like everything these SOBs have done, it will either take decades to remedy or be destroyed forever.
And in the last election, if I'm remembering correctly, Michigan voted for DJT, again. Do you think that's changed or that positive view of him is changing?
Honestly, Nancy, no. We moved to a very red rural area ten years ago—and there are a lot of rural areas here in our beautiful state—and their news mostly comes from their churches who actually direct their congregation to vote for YouTube, Fox, and their social media feed algorithms. That was an excellent question though. Please remember that the DeVos family lives here and they are pouring their millions into all of our state elections. I am also very concerned that Governor Whitmer who has been our saving grace is going to be out of office due to term limits. We have always felt insulated with a Democrat at the top, and the state’s AG, and Secretary of State—now, not so much.
I forwarded this to my Michigan MAGA family and they don’t believe a word. They have drank the Koolaid. I may die before they see the light. They are all “good Christian’s “.
It's sad and definitely puzzling how people reconcile DJT and his minions with Christianity; but it appears to be a reality for some people, as you've described.
I'm heartened by Adam's article and by all the positive comments here! However, I don't have decades to wait for our dear country to get fixed. I have stupidly thought that before I die, I'd be able to see a removal of the traitor-in-chief, and maybe even a reversal of the terrible damage he and his elected/appointed conspirators/enablers have done! I hope my nieces, nephews, and their children won't have to wait!!
Trump..does..not..care. He has Supreme Court immunity, $2 billion dollars in the bank, and a shortening political or physical life span. What he does care about is getting rich, staying out of jail, and getting even. He is also the Lord of Chaos. While he invents shiny objects for us to chase (ballroom, transgender, Kennedy Center etc.), his handlers are quietly setting the table for mid-term havoc.
I just read that Adam is quoted in CNN on Jeffries meeting with Kushner: "
Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a staunch Trump critic, said in a post on X, “There really is no excuse for a secret meeting, especially before the election.”
I can't blame Mark Carney. I can't blame any Canadian leader. I can't blame the Canadian people for losing trust in us.
Trump did this. He picked a fight with our closest ally and called it strength. It isn't. It's a lose-lose, brought to both countries by a little bully.
Who could blame Canada for cutting the power or adding a surcharge? Trump would do it in a heartbeat. He'd call it leverage.
My hope is that post-bully, we can rebuild what we once took for granted. Friendships survive a lot. But not everything, and not forever.
Thanks for pointing out the problem with regaining our trade status after the Orange Menace. We also won’t regain our credibility with our partners until other nations see that the far Right racist Maga cult has really disintegrated. And I don’t see that happening until we somehow regulate or dismantle far right propaganda machines such as fox. How do we stop the disinformation and extremism as long as the disinformation campaign continues??
Exactly. Trump's exit will only cure so much. A wise man said to me that the world looks at the Trump situation this way: Any country can be fooled by a charlatan once. But if you elect them twice, it's no mistake. It's who you are.
Mr. Kinzinger, I have to ask, what do you think Trump's goal is here? He is destroying decades of trust and cooperation. I am a Canadian ex-patriate and have friends and family who still live up there. To call them angry and feeling betrayed would be a major understatement. The damage that is being done will take a very long time to repair..............if it can ever be repaired.
Would it be possible/practical to organize a “reverse boycott” of tarriffed Canadian goods to show solidarity with Canada? Even if not nearly effective enough to help out their small businesses, if it was large enough it could be a visible sign to the administration and Congress that Biff has crossed the wrong line.
I’m going to be looking for Canadian brands, and buying them, here in DE.
It's already happening, courtesy of the Premier of Ontario. Reverse tariffs already in place.
It takes genius, effort and goodwill to build up the closest relationship between two large countries in modern times. It takes but a split second for a deranged village idiot without the slightest understanding of either politics or economics to blow it all up on a personal whim.
I’m talking about going out of our way to
to buy tariffed goods from Canada, as Liz R indicated. It would cost more, maybe much more, but shows our support for Canada in this absurd confrontation. Even better if we focus on small Canadian companies that will be hurt most by this. Where can we get such information?
Excellent idea and specific question, Timothy. Thank you. I hope someone finds a good answer, or that a list like this appears soon.
Count me in.
Yahoo has a 200+ list of Canadian products … not sure how many are available in the U.S. — 🩷 Thanks for thinking of us! 🇨🇦
https://ca.style.yahoo.com/canada-has-been-hit-with-50-tariffs-from-the-us-heres-a-list-of-200-brands-to-support-if-you-want-to-buy-canadian-from-cleaning-products-to-clothing-123819913.html
Grrreat! This link makes it very doable. I see at least two brands of the kinds of products that I use and will order some. And I just sent the link to some 15 friends. Thanks Jay and Timothy!!! :-)
Thanks for sending this link. The list is a bit bewildering, especially since I don't recognize most of the brands, but I'll research a bit. My wife commented that the downside is that it will be more money going into Biff's pocket. But, it's a drop-in-the-bucket compared to his corruptions. And he's not using this to get rich (he has plenty other side-deals for that) but to be punitive. Maybe we can blunt it, or at the very least make it a symbolic gesture - send our purchase receipts to congressmen, for example. Where can I get a good Canadian hockey stick?
Wooohoo for Yahoo! I'm excited -- thank you, Jay! I'm going to check out the list, and if it looks feasible, I'll share it and Timothy's idea with friends! :-)
Most of Trader Joe’s frozen dinners come from Canada, at least the ones I buy (Mac n cheese, Indian, Mexican …)
I’m not Adam, but the answer to your question is that Trump is a developmentally stunted madman who salivates over childish fantasies of world domination every minute of every day. His goal is to exult in his power by seizing wealth, getting away with transparent crimes, and watching people suffer.
Trump is unhinged and equates power with success and acceptance. The people behind him, though, are the most frightening.
So true, Liz. Trump is the village idiot. The people who stand behind him in solidarity are the real problem.
Yes they are Liz. Downright chilling.
Thank you for your well written commentaries. I am a life long Democrat. You are closer to my values than the current Democratic Party.
You should run for President. I would vote for you!
Trump's GOALS are the growth of his personal wealth - he is completely incompetent to be president!! It's like having a power/money obsessed 5 year old playing games with the stability of our planet!!!
Trump doesn’t have a goal. He just enjoys pushing people around.
It is understandable now why Trump had so many bankruptcies and business failures. People including one of my sons refused to see his failures in business as Trump’s own doing. Although there are a variety of reasons why people vote for someone, I think people voted on the promise of better wages and lower prices.
And Trump read the room so to speak. He knew a good amount of people did not like DEI, wanted to go back to the days there was segregation, women without rights. Trump is great at pitting people against each other even when it hurts themselves economically and in other ways. He is a terrible businessman but he has this uncanny ability to pit people against each other to their own detriment and detriment to the country. And many are foolish enough to fall for it.
that's true for everything trump is doing.
Ahyup. Donnie is dumping poop all over our allies. Time to get him out of office.
Trump is executing Putin's orders.
I'm a Canadian expat too Ian. My family and friends started off as angry and now they just think we are in thrall to a dictator. One of my friends has offered to house myself and my daughter's family as refugees as soon as we want. I do think that once Trump and his followers are out of office and replaced by sane people Canada will be more than willing to extend a hand of friendship again. And help us rebuild.
I so hope that you are right.
Excellent essay, Adam. I'd sure love to see it in The Guardian or WaPo or the NYT.
As for the situation.... What an unhinged, simple-minded fool Trump is. He's the GOAT destroyer of the country.
And he couldn't do it without his followers, like the Pied Piper leading the doomed. My question is, why do we elect such people in the numbers that we have? There are always going to be some bigots, misogynists, and lovers of cruelty; but we have installed them en masse in our countries administration. To the world it says one thing: This is who we are. I apologize if that sounds harsh. I would love to hear what other conclusion we might come to.
Well, Trump won the popular vote by a plurality, though not quite a majority. Some sizeable percentage of that number were duped and would not vote the same today.
What we are is a nation with a lot of fools and bigots. And it's also true that we are a nation of committed resisters to all that Trump and his cabal have created, people who are determined to fight him in spite of the fact that the elected Reps in the Senate and House have sold their souls, and in spite of a Supreme Court ruled by fascists and Trumpers. Some Dem presidents and Congresspeople have also made mistakes to get us to this point. We are all of that, not just the one thing. Surely our friends abroad understand that we are not just the ugly face that Trump is painting on our map.
Take heart, keep resisting, and do everything you can to protect and defend our elections.
So true. Let’s hope to see it in The Guardian.
When one considers what Trump eats it’s amazing he’s still alive. I’d like to see him gone tomorrow 🤞– and that’s not a day too soon.
Go ahead Ontario, pull the plug. It might show Americans Reality
Remember, we didn’t all vote for him.
No, but someone, somewhere, has to DO SOMETHING.
But Trump would for sure threaten to bomb them, and he and Hegseth are such fools they might do it.
Yes they might do something like that. That kind of thing really worries me. I do not put ANYTHING past them. They absolutely must be neutralized as soon as we take back the government. The damage they are creating is distressing beyond belief.
Trump is a madman who would bomb blue states. He and his cabinet of power-hungry zealots are a danger to all existence.
Bombing a country for not buying your goods or selling you theirs is too extreme even for these idiots … and Carney is too smart & ‘cool-headed’ to give them reason.
Plus the civilized world is with Canada, not Trumperica — he is jealous of Carney’s smarts & international popularity!
The majority of US Americans know reality but we're not in a position of power (no pun intended) to do anything about it -- yet. When the current regime is overthrown we'll work on undoing the tremendous harm president* turnip (not a typo) has caused.
we are the only ones in the position of power to do something about it. VOTE, resist, protest, email/call leaders, unite. AND when this admin is replaced we must insist that those in power DO work on undoing the damage and fixing the vulnerabilities in our laws and rules- and not just move on. They did not do that after the first trump admin when they had the chance.
This trade war with our closest allies just breaks my heart. It's so reckless and needless and at this point, given that we elected this idiot twice, why would they ever trust the American people again? Honestly, I can't say I blame them if they don't.
Exactly. Despite grossly mishandling the Covid pandemic, despite inciting an insurrection, despite being accused of sexual assault--despite all his lies, his cruelty, and his corruption, Americans elected Trump again. For me, that was the day our democracy entered its death throes.
Yes, the fact that we elected him twice is what they are thinking about. That trust is not going to be easy to win back. I know that much.
right- because who knows what American will do or who they will elect in the next election?
Oh I suspect this has been a “real education” for many swing voters, misogynists, racists & even a few MAGAs - esp farmers & those reliant & accustomed to having GOOD trading relations with 🇨🇦 … before Trump.
yes but I was responding to Mark's comment referring to the fact that it's not going to be easy to win the trust back from other countries.
Trump is not America — most people realize that.
When he ‘goes’ there will be great rejoicing! Worldwide.
It will be a dance party the likes of which no one has ever seen before. I know that much. Worldwide rejoicing! Indeed there will be. :). I have a smile on my face just thinking about it.
Boy, Adam, your clarity on this is very refreshing. Many many people are being bankrupted, betrayed, frightened, and pissed off by the flailing actions of this president, so busy distracting us from Epstein. And we are looking at the biggest climate shock in recorded history building right now for the coming year. Changing who is running the country is important, but changing how it is run is critical to survival.
Once Democrats get the House and Senate back, it’s critical that guardrails are immediately put in place to prevent ANY current and future President his/her Administration from having such overwhelming power over the three branches of government, and from refusing to abide by the rules of our courts (state, federal and supreme) and the Constitution. There has to be consequences for ignoring the laws of our nation and overturning policies in place to ensure peace and prosperity for both Americans (the 99%) and our international allies. In other words, we need to restore our democracy.
Yes - and when Dems retake Congress, this must and will be done. However, top of the list is to get rid of Citizens United. Big dark money in politics is the scourge causing many of the problems we are now experiencing. It has even infected SCOTUS - the Federalist Six are all bought and paid for. Disgusting.
I think everyone here really wants those guardrails, but it will be a tough climb. The institutional damage, credibility deficit abroad, and division within our society are going to be difficult to set right, although even many of the MAGA types are now pondering their choices. The midterms will be a signal and it appears right now to be pointing in the right direction, but speaking to some of Trump's true believers recently hasn't given me a lot of hope - they still believe in his "projects" and can't abide many of the candidates the Democrats have fielded. In some ways, Trump's absolute wrecking ball approach is our best hope (but I gagged writing that.)
After 🇨🇦 puts some of their tariff responses into action there will be some additional PAIN to the American pocketbook … the only way some people learn.
But Trump insisting that he can dish out tariff pain but other countries can’t etc, is extremely dumb. He was even telling Canada who they cd or cd not trade with!
We have to have the guardrails in place so we can gain back the trust from our international allies.
I gagged even reading it.
Agreed. But it will be tough with the existing SCOTUS that insists on weighing in on any and everything.
Regardless, it will take decades to reverse course again.
I do agree that we citizens will have to see consequences, and we need to see them at the highest level to ever trust the idea of a country where all men are created equal.
we have to insist the leaders we elect do all these things
Trump is really bugging me. Why is he trying to destroy our relationship with our neighbor and ally, Canada? Trump is unhinged and off his rocker with all these dumb tariffs! What’s his purpose? When will the Republicans stand up to him and say, ”Enough”! Why can’t he see tariffs and the way he uses them DOES NOT WORK! He seems hell bent on destroying America, not making America better.
REPUBLICANS! STAND UP TO TRUMP!
They have to stand up to him for the sake of our country and reputation (which is almost completely destroyed already). I do not understand them abandoning our Constitution, or our laws or anything else. They do seem to be hell bent on our destruction. It is so mind-boggling, I do not know what to think anymore. All I know is that they have to be voted out ASAP.
I just read on CNN that "Ontario supplies electricity to several US states, including New York, Michigan and Minnesota." That's all blue states. Trump might not give a damn or even see it as a bonus.
Yes, that occurred to me also. The Biff admin may also hope that Canada turns off power or withholds critical minerals in order to declare a national emergency and cancel elections.
He's got soooo many excuses to declare a national emergency and cancel th elections. This is just another one.
If he does cancel the election, that is going to wake up a LOT of his supporters. I do not know if he would risk that, but Orange Swampy has done a lot of things that I did not expect. That is for sure. He is indeed a madman. That also is for sure.
That's a good point -- a lot of his supporters would surely not like losing their right to vote. But many would feel just fine about it. At his pre-election rally where he told his sycophants that they only needed to vote for him one more time, and then he'd "fix it" so that they'd "never have to vote again," the crowd went wild with enthusiasm. But, God, I pray they're only a small minority.
So do I. They are in "cult" thinking right now. Hopefully it is a small minority. Cancelling an election is a huge deal. It is definitely a possibility knowing how insane he is. I know his cabinet will back him up on that. None of them care one whit about the law or our Constitution. I know that much. They are certainly talking about it, I would wager.
Let’s hope Canada is too smart to give them that excuse at that time.
All the world leaders are not as dumb as Trump, altho Ford DOES have a big mouth!
I had a Canadian grandmother and have many valued Canadian friends. Perhaps never having had any friends, Drumpf doesn't understand the concept of friends and allies. In Maine, many of us rely on Canadian power, but nevertheless, I wouldn't blame and might even support Ford if he proceeds.
I would not blame them either. I am surprised they haven't done it sooner. Canada does not want any of this to happen. We are going to have some real work ahead of us to repair the damage done to our reputation. You are absolutely right about him not understanding friendship. He has no idea what that even is.
I'm not certain we'll ever be able to regain even a vestige of our former reputation, as he's destroyed it so thoroughly with minimal pushback.
It will return, just a matter of degree & time. Most Canadians realize Trump is an abnormality & doesn’t really reflect most Americans. 🇨🇦
Who the next prez is, and how they & their party approach the topic important.
I certainly hope you're correct, and I agree the successor is absolutely key.
And they and the world know we voted for DJT TWICE!!
IKR?!?! That is going to be really hard for them to get over if they ever do.
We 🇨🇦 will get over it.
And celebrate together with the end of Trump.
Thank you, Jay. Your message is bringing tears to my eyes. Thank you for understanding.
I know. That is making me cry too. I know they will forgive us. it just makes me sick. We will make it up to them. Most of us feel that way. I just know it.
Thank you Jay Jay. Americans love Canada. That is why this is so disturbing. See you at the party. :)
Not WE—THEM.
I was using the royal "we." I'm not sure the rest of the world makes the distinction that with DJT's control, there is even a "we" that dissents because they have to deal with who got elected and, secondarily, with those who elected him and his minions. So sad!
Re: this: "Perhaps never having had any friends, Drumpf doesn't understand the concept of friends and allies." I think that's very insightful. Whatever passed for friendship for him was all transactional, I bet, even as a little boy. Once a "friend" was no use to him anymore, screw 'em. That's how he treats people now without any hesitation (and if poor Michael Cohen expects Trump not to stab him in the back once he's done playing him, he's in for a rude awakening).
My thoughts exactly. I’m torn between if the Republicans have all turned greedy and ignorant or if It’s true that Putin has given Trump and some key Republicans their marching orders to destroy the U.S. More likely the perfect storm of both bringing the country down. America First - to be destroyed.
I think the destruction of the United States is intentional. These Republicans that are enabling this are just as guilty here. I know they can see what is happening. No one can be that short-sighted. This is so upsetting sometimes, I can't even type a response. I have tried over and over to figure out what the Republican congressmen are thinking and I am completely at a loss. They can see how angry everyone is. They do not even have many town hall meetings anymore. No wonder there.
I forwarded this to my MAGA family and they don’t believe a word. They have drank the Koolaid. I may die before they see the light. They are all “good Christian’s “.
Sad
IMO, they claim to be Christians as that helps them sleep at night. But no practicing Christian who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ would accept how anybody, no matter who they are or believe, are treated by this administration.
Literally Canada is reacting to everything that Adam wrote and they still don’t believe it.
Yes Joy, I have family and friends that are the same. It is very sad. They will wake up. I just know it.
I'm currently reading "Churchill and Orwell," by Thomas E. Ricks. So much that was true then in England is true now here, including, alas, that many of the British upper class favored Hitler over democracy. Moreover, many people (especially wealthy people) in the US felt the same. Both Roosevelt and Churchill were challenged in dealing with that. There were crucial steps along the way when it all could so easily have turned out differently.
And here we are. All of which is to say that many (most?) of the Rep congresspeople see themselves as benefiting more from a fascist government rather than a democracy. That, no doubt, hooks into their racism as well......
Well, clearly I don't have a whole theory worked out here ;-} But I believe that there's a stronger undercurrent of pro-fascism in this country than I, at least, had realized before.
I do recommend Ricks' book, BTW. Fascinating, with occasional LOL humor, at least in the intro.
They just want an oligarchy & the $, status & power that goes with it.
Perhaps to divide the world into segments of power — the U.S. taking ALL ‘the Americas’. Then Trump & Chumps can rule like mob bosses with Russia, N. Korea, Israel & China.
That is exactly right and they are not going to get it. Most of us would rather die than have that happen.
Honestly, you have to have had a GIANT BRAIN FART to try to threaten one of our dearest, oldest and most friendly allies. WHAT A KNUCKLEHEAD! It's great to see Canada fighting back - without trying to be politically correct. Good for them, and good for all of you independent journalists who work hard bringing us daily facts and truth in a world filled with lies. Keep up the good work.
Canada might be politically correct in looking out for their country and its citizens. Good for Carney and Ford.
Yes, agree. But I appreciate their not mincing words.
It’s sickening what rump is doing and with no real reason. Our countries have been good neighbors and would support us if needed. Now…it’s gone! 25th amendment please 🙏
As a Michigander, 45 minutes from the Blue Water Bridge, and having Lake Huron as a front yard—this is puzzling, enraging, and downright terrifying. I also read this morning that the regime is threatening to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake Michigan. Does that orange goblin think anyone is going to take that seriously? We will never have Canada back as allies. Like everything these SOBs have done, it will either take decades to remedy or be destroyed forever.
And in the last election, if I'm remembering correctly, Michigan voted for DJT, again. Do you think that's changed or that positive view of him is changing?
Honestly, Nancy, no. We moved to a very red rural area ten years ago—and there are a lot of rural areas here in our beautiful state—and their news mostly comes from their churches who actually direct their congregation to vote for YouTube, Fox, and their social media feed algorithms. That was an excellent question though. Please remember that the DeVos family lives here and they are pouring their millions into all of our state elections. I am also very concerned that Governor Whitmer who has been our saving grace is going to be out of office due to term limits. We have always felt insulated with a Democrat at the top, and the state’s AG, and Secretary of State—now, not so much.
I forwarded this to my Michigan MAGA family and they don’t believe a word. They have drank the Koolaid. I may die before they see the light. They are all “good Christian’s “.
It's sad and definitely puzzling how people reconcile DJT and his minions with Christianity; but it appears to be a reality for some people, as you've described.
Well, he told them he's a good Christian, and he held up a Bible to prove it! What more do they need?
Joy, where are they in Michigan—just for curiosity’s sake.
I'm heartened by Adam's article and by all the positive comments here! However, I don't have decades to wait for our dear country to get fixed. I have stupidly thought that before I die, I'd be able to see a removal of the traitor-in-chief, and maybe even a reversal of the terrible damage he and his elected/appointed conspirators/enablers have done! I hope my nieces, nephews, and their children won't have to wait!!
Trump..does..not..care. He has Supreme Court immunity, $2 billion dollars in the bank, and a shortening political or physical life span. What he does care about is getting rich, staying out of jail, and getting even. He is also the Lord of Chaos. While he invents shiny objects for us to chase (ballroom, transgender, Kennedy Center etc.), his handlers are quietly setting the table for mid-term havoc.
I just read that Adam is quoted in CNN on Jeffries meeting with Kushner: "
Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a staunch Trump critic, said in a post on X, “There really is no excuse for a secret meeting, especially before the election.”
Go, Adam!
I can't blame Mark Carney. I can't blame any Canadian leader. I can't blame the Canadian people for losing trust in us.
Trump did this. He picked a fight with our closest ally and called it strength. It isn't. It's a lose-lose, brought to both countries by a little bully.
Who could blame Canada for cutting the power or adding a surcharge? Trump would do it in a heartbeat. He'd call it leverage.
My hope is that post-bully, we can rebuild what we once took for granted. Friendships survive a lot. But not everything, and not forever.
Thanks for pointing out the problem with regaining our trade status after the Orange Menace. We also won’t regain our credibility with our partners until other nations see that the far Right racist Maga cult has really disintegrated. And I don’t see that happening until we somehow regulate or dismantle far right propaganda machines such as fox. How do we stop the disinformation and extremism as long as the disinformation campaign continues??
Exactly. Trump's exit will only cure so much. A wise man said to me that the world looks at the Trump situation this way: Any country can be fooled by a charlatan once. But if you elect them twice, it's no mistake. It's who you are.