I’m having some difficulty with this sentiment during this Christmas season.
A very dear friend of mine lives in the Toronto area. She and her family follow the Jewish faith. She finds the world situation terrifying – and she is not alone. Hatred is no longer beneath the surface; it is bubbling up into everyday life. It’s not just the wars in the Middle East and in Ukraine (which are horrifying in their own right), it is the poisonous words and actions in Canada and the US – in social media, mainstream media, in schools, on the streets.
A very dear friend of mine lives in the Toronto area. She and her family follow the Jewish faith. She finds the world situation terrifying – and she is not alone. Hatred is no longer beneath the surface; it is bubbling up into everyday life. It’s not just the wars in the Middle East and in Ukraine (which are horrifying in their own right), it is the poisonous words and actions in Canada and the US – in social media, mainstream media, in schools, on the streets.
Watching what is transpiring in the US is beyond comprehension. The cronies that Trump is nominating to hold the highest positions in the country – people who have little to no experience in the fields to which they are being nominated to lead – but who are loyal solely to Trump. Legal agreements and long-standing relationships with the US’ closest allies mean absolutely nothing to Trump. He plans to slap 25% tariffs on all goods imported into the US from Canada and Mexico. He sold a bill of goods to his uneducated voters who believed him when he said that Canada and Mexico would pay the tariffs – just like Mexico was going to pay for the wall at the US southern border during his last term as President – and we all saw how successful that was…. Yes, the tariffs will have a negative impact on Canada’s economy – no doubt about it. But it will also have a huge financial impact on US citizens and businesses. It’s the companies who are importing the goods that pay the tariffs and the extra cost will be passed on to the American consumer while the tariff dollars will go directly into the US Government coffers.
Let’s look at just one example. The oil refineries in Texas were built to handle the $128.5 billion dollars worth of crude oil and mineral fuels that are exported from Canada to the US. These refineries then process the crude oil and Canada imports roughly $29.8 billion in refined oil back from the US. The remainder – almost $100 billion dollars worth – remains in the US to heat American homes, power American businesses, fuel the cars of American drivers. That will now cost American consumers 25% more due to tariffs.
Trump either doesn’t understand how closely intertwined trade is between the US and Canada, or he simply doesn’t care who is hurt by his lies. For example, in his first term, he invoked the Defense Production Act, thereby forcing 3M to stop exporting N95 masks to Canadian health care workers. What he forgot is that those same N95 masks that were made in the US needed a critical component that is only produced in Canada.
There is a reason why trade is such an important issue for both countries. When our Prime Minister flew down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump and to discuss his threats of tariffs, Trump’s response was that, if these tariffs hurt Canada, maybe Canada should become the 51st state and our Prime Minister could be Governor. The response from Canadians? That this “joke” is obnoxiously arrogant and a disgustingly vile diplomatic insult. And we don’t take these “jokes” lightly. Folks from all over the world (Australia, the Netherlands, Bahamas) are commenting on how poorly Trump’s behaviour reflects on America on the world stage. Yet so many Americans are viewing this man as some sort of saviour.
Trump’s crude behaviour – name calling, belittling remarks, complete lack of respect for women – somehow seems to have demonstrated to a large swath of society that this sort of conduct is acceptable. And, when called out on inappropriate statements, these same folks simply say , “Just calling it like I see it.” As if expressing any opinion, no matter how hurtful, untrue or repugnant, is OK.
Let’s look at just one example. The oil refineries in Texas were built to handle the $128.5 billion dollars worth of crude oil and mineral fuels that are exported from Canada to the US. These refineries then process the crude oil and Canada imports roughly $29.8 billion in refined oil back from the US. The remainder – almost $100 billion dollars worth – remains in the US to heat American homes, power American businesses, fuel the cars of American drivers. That will now cost American consumers 25% more due to tariffs.
Trump either doesn’t understand how closely intertwined trade is between the US and Canada, or he simply doesn’t care who is hurt by his lies. For example, in his first term, he invoked the Defense Production Act, thereby forcing 3M to stop exporting N95 masks to Canadian health care workers. What he forgot is that those same N95 masks that were made in the US needed a critical component that is only produced in Canada.
There is a reason why trade is such an important issue for both countries. When our Prime Minister flew down to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump and to discuss his threats of tariffs, Trump’s response was that, if these tariffs hurt Canada, maybe Canada should become the 51st state and our Prime Minister could be Governor. The response from Canadians? That this “joke” is obnoxiously arrogant and a disgustingly vile diplomatic insult. And we don’t take these “jokes” lightly. Folks from all over the world (Australia, the Netherlands, Bahamas) are commenting on how poorly Trump’s behaviour reflects on America on the world stage. Yet so many Americans are viewing this man as some sort of saviour.
Trump’s crude behaviour – name calling, belittling remarks, complete lack of respect for women – somehow seems to have demonstrated to a large swath of society that this sort of conduct is acceptable. And, when called out on inappropriate statements, these same folks simply say , “Just calling it like I see it.” As if expressing any opinion, no matter how hurtful, untrue or repugnant, is OK.
Christmas carols are playing on the radio. Beautiful Christmas lights twinkle and shine in the night. Nova Scotia continues its tradition of sending a Christmas tree to Boston to thank them for their help after the Halifax explosion in 1917. I know somewhere deep in my heart that there are plenty of good people in the world. But I truly worry what kind of world we are leaving for future generations.
During the holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Bohdi Day, Yule – you are celebrating faith, unity, peace, enlightenment with family and friends. My wish for all of you is that we can find a way to work and live together in a positive and caring fashion and we can be the light in a world that oftentimes seems very dark.
During the holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Bohdi Day, Yule – you are celebrating faith, unity, peace, enlightenment with family and friends. My wish for all of you is that we can find a way to work and live together in a positive and caring fashion and we can be the light in a world that oftentimes seems very dark.
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." - Hamilton Wright Mabie
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