cross-posted from: https://lemmy.today/post/45007926
Canadian readers, from the prime minister on down, may be inclined to take comfort in the US NSS on the grounds that Canada gets no real mention. Silence is golden? No talk of annexation, border security laxity, trade relations, access to critical minerals, defence spending, or the Arctic. But to take comfort would be a serious mistake.
There are two reasons for this. One is that Prime Minister Mark Carney has described Canada as the most European of non-European countries, and he means it. It is illustrated in his ongoing support for Ukraine, his commitment to NATO, his emphasis on the Euro-Atlantic security zone, his search of new defence development opportunities with Europe, and his drive to expand economic partnerships as part of a major commitment to diversify Canadian trade beyond the US. London and Paris were the first trips he made overseas after becoming prime minister. In the meantime, Carney’s pursuit of what he once called a new comprehensive economic and security relationship with the US is going nowhere.
Canada could easily become a Europe-like problem in the hairline of Trumpian policies: elite-governed rather than populist, moderate centrist rather than far right in political orientation. Canada could be in the same sights as European countries, whose politics need a “course correction” with help from the US. Think of how the Liberal government treated the poor, well-meaning populists of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests, whose coffers were filled with US dollars, whose ideas were supported by American MAGA commentators, whom Trump himself backed. A little memory jog might be in order. Here is what Trump said in support of the “Freedom Convoy” protest back in February 2022: “The Freedom Convoy is peacefully protesting the harsh policies of the far left lunatic Justin Trudeau who has destroyed Canada with insane COVID mandates.”
41M people. I doubt they'll be able to protect all that land. They have ~50k available fighters. If the US really wanted Canada, it would barely have to do anything. But which seppos would want to move to Canada after annexation? It would be the same shithole as the US, just colder.
Albertan's when they realize life isn't better living under Trump's boot:
The propaganda has cooked many brains in this province, including those of my loved ones.
It's especially hard to meet my father once a year for Christmas to have the whole meal ruined because he just had to start praising Daniel Smith. As a trans person it's incredibly frustrating to hear him repeat talking points he read on Facebook, especially misinformation about trans treatment, he literally watched me jump through hoops for more than a decade, but will repeat things that he must know are not true.
Watching him repeat talking points like that, knowing he has the ability to debunk them with his own lived experience with just a small amount of reflection, but because he's always identified himself as a conservative, he choosing to indulge in the psychosis.
I see the same patterns from I went through suffering through psychosis, they can't confront this pillar of his identity, something that was taught to them growing up but it's been twisted. It's always been a form of conditioning, I know growing up I always saw myself as conservative as well, and we used to have in-depth discussions about policies, he's not stupid. Confronting this kind of confirmation bias is exceedingly difficult, it takes time and a conscience effort to accomplish.
MAGA is like a coping mechanism, they get you hooked on the reactions, the anger, the rage, then they push for catharsis through policy based on revenge, which in of itself is now showing itself to have addictive qualities. It's a mental health crisis.
I'm sorry you have to go through that, friend. Remember that you can't pick family, but you can pick who you spend time with.
I also have a parent who believes this nonsense, and it's poisoned our relationship sadly.
Maga, like any populist propaganda, just says what people want to hear in a troubled time. "Climate change isn't real, and if it is, it's not your fault. It's the other that did it, the gay/trans/foreigner/person of colour/etc that caused this, fear them!
It's the same with the conspiracy theory believers, the aliens are causing your wage not to increase but cost of living to skyrocket, yeah, lizard people who control the world! Couldn't possibly be the ultra rich and the corporations they own, no, it's clearly 5g making frogs gay that does it.
It's a lost generation, except young and old fall for it in places.
Don't forget that they're unstoppable and taking over the world...and also suuuper weak and totally defeatable as long as you vote for the TEMU Nazis.
Same with those lazy immigrants who are somehow also stealing jobs.
Also, temu Nazis is a great term, very apt for these shit stains.
It's the classic fascist play. The Other is both strong beyond imagination and so weak they can be toppled by a stiff breeze.
Oh, I haven't spoken to any Albertans who like what Trump's doing. Everyone in my Albertan life thinks he's a fucking moron.
Only the most brain dead Albertans think Trump is a good thing. They would still lick boot too. I would be surprised if any of them actually came to the surprised Pikachu conclusion lol
The U.S. could take over Canada in a day. But Canadians would never let it end, and we play dirty. Think power grid take downs, poisoning water resovoirs, bridge damage, etc - throughout the U.S. Easy stuff for anyone to do. Canadians can easily walk among Americans undetected if they want.
Honestly I'd rather die than be a slave. Not much with living for if that happens.
You'll be of value for the high-risk assignments in the resistance, then.
USAsian here. I feel the same. This is all bullshit.
All of that would hurt "Canadians" more than US. The biggest problem of all with annexation is that Canadians would become burdened by US debt levels, which is already a case for imminent collapse of the US. The best Canadian defense is to force collapse of Japan for a global recession, which is easiest because it has even higher debt levels with rising interest rates, and devotion to even higher budgets, including military purchases from US, to suicide themselves to the US altar. Canada needs to exterminate its US debt holdings, and support China and Russia instead. Demand fair/high rents for protecting the US with NORAD instead of tolerating bs that the US protects Canada. No kill-switched-F35s or other US military purchases. Answering polls that Carney sucks and NDP/Greens/BQ would be better is important to stem the betrayal.
After an , or pre Carney tolerated, invasion, massive secession by provinces and cities to avoid paying US taxes.
I'm not talking about those actions in Canada. There are millions of Canadians already in the U.S. And it's humousously easy to cross to the U.S. from Canada and blend in. Imagine decades of continuous 'terrorist' attacks from within, throughout the US. It might not accomplish anything beneficial for Canada, but once you piss off Canadians, they won't stop. And they'll keep smiling and saying 'sorry' as they poison your cattle, fields and water supply; spread diseases, cut down remote power lines, start fires all over, etc.