I’m an American citizen who grew up in Canada—because why settle for a normal childhood when you can have a frosty mix of hockey, maple syrup, and universal healthcare? My dad is American and my mom is Canadian. The one element that defines both families, is generations of ancestors in the same place, on the same land, going back to well before the founding of both nations.
My father, a proud North Carolinian who returned to his roots after years up here in the Great White North, has voted for Trump three times. His unwavering support for a figure whose policies and actions evoke such strong emotions from many—myself included—creates an insurmountable barrier. In his eyes, Trump symbolizes an ideal that I simply cannot reconcile with. The notion that we might stand on opposite sides of a gaping political chasm is not something I take lightly.
“Trump is acting like a king because he’s too weak to govern like a President.”
—Ezra Klein
So far, I’ve dodged political debates with him like a cat avoids water. He’s tried me, thought he could egg me on, but I shut down and turn away. I refuse to engage.
My choice not to discuss Trump with him is a childhood trait I’ve had since I was young, and one he is very familiar with. My sense of right and wrong is stubborn as a rock in its certainty, and will not be swayed. I would sooner never speak again than betray my sense of right and wrong.
My dad is hitting the big 8-0 this year and the last thing I want is for our chats to turn into something nasty. I mean, I’d rather not have our final exchange be a heated match that resembles a scene from a bad reality TV show. There’s a certain comfort in keeping my mouth zipped—sort of like a secret ingredient in a recipe for peace.
Living in Canada, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing a different political environment—one that often feels more inclusive and less rife with hostility. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness when I observe the tumultuous state of affairs back in the U.S. The polarization seems to dictate everyday life, creating fractures within families, friendships, and communities. My father and his very Christian wife, who embody their own set of beliefs, are deeply embedded in that world. Conversations with them are wrapped in a kind of idyllic nostalgia and a yearning for the ‘good old days’ that often overlooks the challenges present today.
It is profoundly heartbreaking to see America, a country I still feel a connection to, becoming increasingly a place I hardly recognize. The crisis after crisis, after crisis, day after day… is exhausting.
At times, I find solace in the thought that love transcends politics, that familial connections can survive ideological rifts – polly-anna as that may be. Still, the sadness lingers, weighing me down as I navigate this balance between my citizenship and the distance I feel from its political reality.
Many who voted for FOTUS (felon of the United States) were falsely sold the dream of their own greatness. He has always had the knack of telling folks what they want to hear to get what he wants, and lacking any sense of morality, has no problem saying it. Price of eggs? Economy? Make racism great again? Sure, why not.
But let’s cut to the chase. The recent coup we’ve seen unfold isn’t just a simple political maneuver. It’s a play by the elite that bought and paid for Trump to gain a grip on power. The billionaires at the helm want to destroy any hope for the “American Dream.”
Why? They want everyone to be obedient “meatsacks.” People only serve to do the dirty work while the elite sit atop their piles of cash. It’s the classic “you’re either with us or against us” mentality, and trust me, they’re banking on the fact that most folks will be too enraged to notice the real game being played.
Let’s not kid ourselves! Their endgame is a return to a time when the wealthy could trample over the rest of us without a second thought. We’re talking about a future where the middle-class is non-existent, where health and safety regulations are thrown out the window, and the rich are free to exploit and extract without consequence. They’ve convinced large swaths of the population that it’s immigrants, minorities, or the poor who are the problem. But that’s just a smoke and mirrors!
It’s all about power! These puppeteers want to ensure that anger is the order of the day. Angry people are much easier to manipulate, and that’s exactly what they’re banking on!
So here we are, divisions running deep as they push their agenda of hate and fear. Instead of joining forces to demand better, I see only squabbling over the scraps.
We’re looking at a regression akin to the Jim Crow era! Can you believe that? They want to strip away the progress the U.S. fought so hard for and roll back the clock to a time when racism and disenfranchisement were the norms! A time when workers had few if any rights, woman were trapped and had little to any freedoms, wealthy white man ran the show and profited off the backs of everyone they could.
They’ve laid the groundwork, and it’s chilling to think about how easily it could be implemented. Can you imagine a world where your worth is dictated not by your character or hard work, but by your skin colour or your bank account? Be judged solely based on your religion, race and/or creed? A place where women are second-class citizens, and anyone with any sort of disability is thrown aside, with no social supports. GONE.
This isn’t just about some political strategy; it’s about outright oppression! The fewer regulations in place, the more they can exploit labour and resources – and who suffers the consequences? Not them! It’s always the average Joe or Jane who gets hit the hardest.
The last thing these billionaires want is a healthy, educated population that understands their rights and can challenge authority. They want to keep folks sick, stupid, and scared, reliant on whatever scraps they might offer as “help.” Stripping away services & safety nets that help everyone, to ensure the wealthy get wealthier.
It’s time the majority of the U.S. wake up and saw this coup for what it truly is! This is a full-on assault on the hard fought for principle of equality and opportunity, a calculated attempt to put the billionaires in charge. They want to dismantle “the American Dream”, returning to a dystopian past where only the wealthy thrive.
So yeah, I may never forgive my father for voting for the super-villain, but let’s not forget that millions out there are just as clueless. They’ve been duped, and their anger and ignorance is being weaponized.
Now… what can we do?
Fighting Tyranny: Lessons from Timothy Snyder
In his book “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century,” Timothy Snyder provides a compelling guide on how to resist authoritarianism and protect democracy. Snyder’s insights are particularly relevant today.
Timothy Snyder is an American historian specializing in the history of Central and Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and the Holocaust. He is the Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University and a fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. He has written several important books, including “Bloodlands,” “On Tyranny,” and “The Road to Unfreedom.” His work has been translated into more than 40 languages and has received many awards, including the Hannah Arendt Prize and the Emerson Prize in the Humanities.
Since spring 2017, I’ve been channeling my inner history buff by following Snyder, and boy, what a ride! His expertise and vast knowledge take us through a time that tried to obliterate all manners and morals! It’s like a masterclass in how to deal with tyrants and keep democracy on life support. If we study the past, it may not repeat, but it does instruct… on how to build “a more perfect union”.
One of Snyder’s most powerful messages is the importance of historical awareness. He reminds us that “the European history of the twentieth century shows us that societies can break, democracies can fall, ethics can collapse, and ordinary men can find themselves standing over death pits with guns in their hands”.
We can learn from history to prevent the repetition of past mistakes.
Snyder also warns against the dangers of nationalism. He states, “The president is a nationalist, which is not at all the same thing as a patriot. A nationalist encourages us to be our worst, and then tells us that we are the best”. This distinction is crucial in understanding how nationalist rhetoric can be used to divide and manipulate. He argues that “freedom is not just an absence of evil, but a presence of good”.
So, for weeks I was really very uncertain, unsure of what my role could be in turning the tide, towards that “more perfect union”.
So, in resistance to the anti-Trans rhetoric endangering individuals across The States I created lesbian, gay and trans gothic vampire lovers prints on my Etsy shop. I posted my thoughts on @Threads and Bluesky.
It felt hollow, I felt hollowed out. It all was so massive, and there was no one coming to save the day.
And then FOTUS announced the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico… and I saw post after post from across Canada… in solidarity, proudly, exclaiming…
I AM CANADIAN
Post after post of ELBOWS UP… our battle cry.
To boycott products from the U.S., to adjust our priorities, a collective understanding that we were all in this together, and it was up to all of us to do what we could.
Journalists and commentators have highlighted the unity and resilience of Canadians in the face of economic adversity. The sentiment is one of pride and determination, with a focus on the collective effort to support local businesses and stand against trade practices that The Wall Street Journal actually called “stupid”.
The strength of the Canadian spirit and the willingness of the people to come together to overcome challenges has been truly heartwarming and gives me hope.
“Elbows Up” is a powerful slogan that really encapsulates the Canadian responses that I’ve seen. It has come to symbolize the readiness to stand firm, push back against challenges, and support one another. The phrase evokes images of solidarity, resilience, and a proactive stance. It’s a call to action, urging Canadians to be vigilant, assertive, and united in their efforts to protect their economy and way of life against those who wish to undermine that way of life for their own purpose.
The international response to the fierce Canadian spirit has been one of admiration and respect… worldwide folks are raising their bottles of Canadian maple syrup in solidarity. It is a testament to the country’s strong sense of community and resilience; an example of how to respond to economic challenges with grace and strength.
So… maybe the “American” dream is alive and well, and one should only look northward to Canada to find it.
Over the next months, years, Canada is going to make some changes, in direct response to that felon down yonder. New trade deals are happening at this moment, with countries all around the world. Teaming up with our European buddies, looking down towards South American countries, we’re on a mission.
And… let’s hope Canada doesn’t have to introduce the world to the phrase “OVER THE BOARDS”
Sorry not sorry.
by PaulaB 