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A STATE OF THE USA NATION: A Canadian Reflection

 



WAYNE JOHNSTON

September, 8, 2020

 
My friends in the USA,
After all the news of the past weeks, I got to thinking the other night, how can the American Republicans be so darned thick. I’m not trying to be rude though perhaps my concern hasn’t been expressed correctly because I really am fearful. I believe that is so important to call your attention to the very real danger you face. So, I thought I would give it a go and here it is. With humility and care, this is my State of the Union message coming to you from the Independent Dutchy of Brooklin, Ontario, Canada.

A Perfect Storm
 
You have the perfect storm occurring in America, not just politically, but economically and socially as well, and it is impacting everyone. It, of course, begins with a President who is simply far out of his depth and is certainly no leader. He couldn’t care less about the folks on the right, his base. He merely uses them like pawns to battle his opponents. This has spilled out on to the streets and will only intensify pre and post-election. Trump, in the event he loses, is very deliberately ginning up his base by sewing doubt and division.

The sad Corona virus facts are, that no matter how Trump spins it he has failed miserably, purely and simply, it is a disaster for the USA. A day late and a dollar short doesn’t begin to describe his pitiful efforts. Figures don’t lie, and liars don’t figure: 4% of the world’s population but 25% of the world’s deaths and cases. Massive unemployment and well over 100 million folks without healthcare. While Trump didn’t start racism in America, he sure took the lid off the top. He’s made it just fine to hate and to be racist. In fact, it seems to be quite in vogue at the moment and America has yet to come to terms with its Original Sin, that of Slavery. On every social and economic metric Blacks have been, and remain, disadvantaged. Just what do you expect them to do. Lord knows they have tried everything else.

Yes, there is looting that happens, sadly, during most major protests in history but that doesn’t change the legitimacy of the protests which are airing valid grievances that must be made right. And the Police, who by and large are good folks, have the same problem, those in their ranks who wish to do grievous harm and make mischief. Until the USA well and truly reaches real equity, it will always be thus.

As it stands now none of your allies trust you; your once vaunted Geo political influence around the world is crumbling, you are the laughing stock of the world; you can’t even run a fair election in a congressional district, let alone a Presidential election; you have a Federal government doing everything in its power to suppress the vote; and you have the malign influence of foreign powers on your domestic policy. Your middle class is shrinking. You have a president who imposes tariffs on trade... that really only hurt Americans. China, a country with which, under this President, attempted to forge better relations (and failed) holds the markers on much of your foreign debt. Leader of the free world? Hardly! Trump threw that mantle into the gutter.
 
Division or Healing?

So, tell me, honestly, what is four more years of Trump going to do?

I can’t see things getting better under the ‘rule’ of this man. Do you? Honest to God, America has never been so divided. At this moment the USA needs a President to bind the horrific wounds that have been inflicted by the Trump regime. It desperately needs a leader to heal the nation and to begin the process of reaching the promised land, envisioned and sought by the late Martin Luther King Junior, that of equality for all, fair treatment for all and special privileges for none. Surely that’s but a trifle to ask, it’s only right and just. Or is that too much to ask? If that is the case, I’m afraid that the USA will be in for some very difficult times to come.

As a divided nation it will be greatly diminished. You right wingers in The USA can pound your chests all you like, but deep down you must know that it’s true. As Abraham Lincoln told you, “A house divided cannot stand”. So, this time out do you vote the party of Trump and four more years of his destruction and division? Or do you vote country and start rebuilding your nation.

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