Sometimes I don’t even understand my own optimism!
The first time Donald Trump was elected in 2016 I was apoplectic. It felt like the world was coming to an end. I suspected that he was going to try and take over Canada.
Of course, none of that happened.
The second time I think I was more prepared. I had already gone through a period of mourning in the summer of 2024 when I realized there was no chance Biden could defeat him again.
By the night of the election, when it became apparent that Trump had won, I was depressed, but I just felt resigned to the harsh reality. I decided not to get too worked up until after his inauguration.
Then came the bombshell of him announcing a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian exports, the apparent go-ahead on the morning of February 1, and then the 30-day reprieve after the two phone calls with Trudeau.
I felt a lot of emotions in the last few days: shock, disgust, rage. But I also had this wonderful feeling of solidarity with other Canadians. It was a real pleasure to see thousands of hockey fans booing the American anthem, and then hearing about a “buy Canadian” movement, and to know we all felt the same pride in being Canadian and we all rejected Trump’s bullying suggestion we become the 51st state.
To have such a powerful feeling of pride in my country and know that every Canadian felt the same way — what a glorious feeling!
Trump’s bullying and terrible executive decisions have the power to really hurt our economy, but we stand united as Canadians, and you’ve got to admit that’s a beautiful thing.
On the other hand, things are not so good for our neighbours south of the border.
After a terrible plane crash, Trump made it worse by baselessly blaming it on one of his pet peeves, DEI.
Then, Trump’s henchman, Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, directed a hostile takeover of the Treasury Department, froze funding for everything and shut down USAID, the largest humanitarian institution in the world, cutting off millions of the poorest people in the world from desperately needed food and medicine.
I guess this is supposed to be Libertarianism in action!
I couldn’t help thinking of Episcopal Bishop Budde, a week earlier, asking Trump during a sermon, to have mercy on the immigrants doing the dirty jobs that no one else wanted to do, and have mercy on the LGBTQ children who were scared of what he might do to harm them.
Trump, of course, was deeply insulted. How dare the bishop do her Christian duty and ask for mercy for the poor and downtrodden!
You know, goodwill can go a long way. But that’s not Trump’s and Musk’s way, is it?
In Canada, we are very lucky to be so united, and to have decent people representing us.
I fear for Americans — may God have mercy on them all!
