I had planned to release this later in the week, but frankly, I am tired of watching people who can barely balance a checkbook lecture the rest of us on trade policy they cannot define, let alone defend—parroting anti-tariff talking points as if force-fed like ducks in a foie gras line, all while knowing next to nothing about this country’s long and deliberate use of tariffs to build its industrial strength.
Tariffs protected America as you point out for 150 years from Globalization by elitists who hated the “ idea” of America a Republic ! It’s a shame that today the average citizen doesn’t understand that . Thank you for explaining how + why. Tariffs. Work .
What the American president has done , thankfully, is awakened Canadians out of our collective and political stupor.
Unfortunately after close to thirty years of NAFTA, And now seven years of USMCA, it is apparent that any aggrement signed by an American is not worth the paper it is written on.
Tarrifs on allies but not on Russia, North Korea.....
Same with regards to NATO, go ahead knock yourself out. LEAVE! I would prefer that the US pull out of NATO. Take all your military out , including bases, ports of call, military personell. Do it, save hundreds of billions of dollars. Which then could be better used to help the vetrans of previous wars. The American vetrans and their families deserve more, so so much more. Not to be left abandoned, losers, as the current president describes them.
It is time for a divorce, think of it like a triplex, Canada on the Top floor, America is on the Middle floor, Mexico on the Ground floor?
Mark, let me analyze your thoughts a bit, and I hope you'll correct me where I'm wrong...
1. “Any agreement signed by an American is not worth the paper it is written on.”
Problem: This is projection masquerading as analysis.
The U.S. renegotiated NAFTA into USMCA because Canada and Mexico were benefiting disproportionately — particularly with tariffs, supply management protections, and trade imbalances. If American agreements are “worthless,” why does Canada rely on them to stabilize its own economy?
This statement is pure emotion — not economic reality.
2. “Tariffs on allies but not on Russia, North Korea…”
Problem: Disingenuous comparison.
The U.S. imposes massive sanctions on Russia and North Korea — far more severe than tariffs. Tariffs target economic competitiveness between allies. Sanctions are acts of isolation against adversaries.
Tariffs = Economic negotiation
Sanctions = Geopolitical punishment
You are conflating the two to sound victimized.
3. “Leave NATO! Take all your military out!”
Problem: Empty bravado.
If America actually left NATO and withdrew all military support — Russia and China would salivate. European nations (and Canada) would be forced to triple their defense spending overnight just to maintain basic deterrence.
Canada’s entire military budget in 2023 was ~$26 billion USD.
The U.S. defense budget? ~$886 billion USD.
This is like a mouse telling the lion, “Go ahead — leave the savannah!” … without realizing the hyenas are waiting.
4. “Spend that money on veterans!”
Problem: Straw man.
U.S. military spending and veteran care are not mutually exclusive. The problem is not that America spends money overseas — the problem is poor domestic allocation, bloated bureaucracy, and wasteful spending.
Cutting NATO involvement would not magically redirect those funds to veterans unless structural reforms happen domestically.
5. “Time for a divorce… Canada on the top floor…”
Problem: Delusion.
Canada’s economy depends on access to the American market — over 75% of Canadian exports go to the U.S.
Canada’s security depends on the American military umbrella.
Canada’s energy industry depends on pipelines, refineries, and infrastructure connected to the U.S.
This “divorce” fantasy is geopolitical fan fiction.
In summary, your reply exhibits a fragile blend of performative nationalism, misunderstood economics, selective outrage, unrealistic posturing, passive-aggressive tone hiding behind politeness.
It reflects a common trend: smaller nations enjoying the luxuries of Pax Americana — while resenting the power dynamics that allow those luxuries to exist.
And if we are speaking frankly — perhaps the time has come for Canada to consider the most honest solution of all.
Not divorce.
Not distance.
But union.
Bend the knee.
Become the 51st state.
Align your future with the very nation whose economy sustains you, whose military protects you, and whose culture you so often imitate while pretending to resent. There is no shame in recognizing where strength resides. There is only wisdom in standing beside it — officially, permanently, and without pretense. History has always favored those who know when to stop knocking on the door and simply walk inside.
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT POST. GOING TO REPOST IMMEDIATELY! THANK YOU ROBERT!
Thank you Michael! I’m very happy this op-ed is being received well.
Excellent summary and reveal.
Thank you MAG, I truly appreciate your support!
Tariffs protected America as you point out for 150 years from Globalization by elitists who hated the “ idea” of America a Republic ! It’s a shame that today the average citizen doesn’t understand that . Thank you for explaining how + why. Tariffs. Work .
I'm very glad you found value in this op-ed! Thank you so much for engaging with it!
💯🏆
Thank you for sharing this with your audience Gary! I greatly appreciate that you found value in something I’ve released.
Great Writing (again)
The old saying whats good for the goose.....
What the American president has done , thankfully, is awakened Canadians out of our collective and political stupor.
Unfortunately after close to thirty years of NAFTA, And now seven years of USMCA, it is apparent that any aggrement signed by an American is not worth the paper it is written on.
Tarrifs on allies but not on Russia, North Korea.....
Same with regards to NATO, go ahead knock yourself out. LEAVE! I would prefer that the US pull out of NATO. Take all your military out , including bases, ports of call, military personell. Do it, save hundreds of billions of dollars. Which then could be better used to help the vetrans of previous wars. The American vetrans and their families deserve more, so so much more. Not to be left abandoned, losers, as the current president describes them.
It is time for a divorce, think of it like a triplex, Canada on the Top floor, America is on the Middle floor, Mexico on the Ground floor?
Time to move on, go our seperate ways.
Respectfully
Mark, let me analyze your thoughts a bit, and I hope you'll correct me where I'm wrong...
1. “Any agreement signed by an American is not worth the paper it is written on.”
Problem: This is projection masquerading as analysis.
The U.S. renegotiated NAFTA into USMCA because Canada and Mexico were benefiting disproportionately — particularly with tariffs, supply management protections, and trade imbalances. If American agreements are “worthless,” why does Canada rely on them to stabilize its own economy?
This statement is pure emotion — not economic reality.
2. “Tariffs on allies but not on Russia, North Korea…”
Problem: Disingenuous comparison.
The U.S. imposes massive sanctions on Russia and North Korea — far more severe than tariffs. Tariffs target economic competitiveness between allies. Sanctions are acts of isolation against adversaries.
Tariffs = Economic negotiation
Sanctions = Geopolitical punishment
You are conflating the two to sound victimized.
3. “Leave NATO! Take all your military out!”
Problem: Empty bravado.
If America actually left NATO and withdrew all military support — Russia and China would salivate. European nations (and Canada) would be forced to triple their defense spending overnight just to maintain basic deterrence.
Canada’s entire military budget in 2023 was ~$26 billion USD.
The U.S. defense budget? ~$886 billion USD.
This is like a mouse telling the lion, “Go ahead — leave the savannah!” … without realizing the hyenas are waiting.
4. “Spend that money on veterans!”
Problem: Straw man.
U.S. military spending and veteran care are not mutually exclusive. The problem is not that America spends money overseas — the problem is poor domestic allocation, bloated bureaucracy, and wasteful spending.
Cutting NATO involvement would not magically redirect those funds to veterans unless structural reforms happen domestically.
5. “Time for a divorce… Canada on the top floor…”
Problem: Delusion.
Canada’s economy depends on access to the American market — over 75% of Canadian exports go to the U.S.
Canada’s security depends on the American military umbrella.
Canada’s energy industry depends on pipelines, refineries, and infrastructure connected to the U.S.
This “divorce” fantasy is geopolitical fan fiction.
In summary, your reply exhibits a fragile blend of performative nationalism, misunderstood economics, selective outrage, unrealistic posturing, passive-aggressive tone hiding behind politeness.
It reflects a common trend: smaller nations enjoying the luxuries of Pax Americana — while resenting the power dynamics that allow those luxuries to exist.
And if we are speaking frankly — perhaps the time has come for Canada to consider the most honest solution of all.
Not divorce.
Not distance.
But union.
Bend the knee.
Become the 51st state.
Align your future with the very nation whose economy sustains you, whose military protects you, and whose culture you so often imitate while pretending to resent. There is no shame in recognizing where strength resides. There is only wisdom in standing beside it — officially, permanently, and without pretense. History has always favored those who know when to stop knocking on the door and simply walk inside.
https://thequillandmusket.substack.com/p/make-canada-great-again?r=4xypjp