NAFTA negotiations.

[Zeitgeist]

You'd think Americans would want to protect those foreign investments in Canada.  We have a more export driven economy because of our size, though that will change as the population grows.  Bottom line: The rest of the world doesn't support Trump's quasi-fascist agenda.  He's an outlier and not in a good way.  We'll try to mitigate the damage until this dark episode ends, if it ends.  Historians will look back on this time with repugnance, much as we regard Manifest Destiny.  Nothing to inspire the best in humanity during this arrogant president's reign.  Just hope the system of checks and balances prevents him from gaining absolute power.  When Americans look at Canadians they mostly see themselves.  Canadians are quite aware of the differences, especially now, and will make many sacrifices to maintain Canadian values.  I used to think Canadians and Americans had a lot in common.  I'm not so sure anymore.  The U.S. is on a dangerous path. 

[bush_cheney2004]

6 hours ago, Zeitgeist said:

.... Canadians are quite aware of the differences, especially now, and will make many sacrifices to maintain Canadian values.  I used to think Canadians and Americans had a lot in common.  I'm not so sure anymore.  The U.S. is on a dangerous path. 

 

Canadian values are to export 75% to the U.S., watch American media, and depend on the U.S. military.

The U.S. is on an American path, regardless of what Canadians do or think...it has always been that way.

Americans do not define their national identity as NOT Canadian.

 

 

Edited July 2, 2018 by bush_cheney2004

[Centerpiece]

2 hours ago, bush_cheney2004 said:

 

Canadian values are to export 75% to the U.S., watch American media, and depend on the U.S. military.

The U.S. is on an American path, regardless of what Canadians do or think...it has always been that way.

Americans do not define their national identity as NOT Canadian.

 

 

Those are not our values - they are our necessities. Our values include thinking we have more impact on the world than we actually do (which is very little). And now, we have little respect around the world as our PM goes about alienating others - like China, India, Japan, Belgium - and of course, the US. 

[paxamericana]

22 minutes ago, Centerpiece said:

Those are not our values - they are our necessities. Our values include thinking we have more impact on the world than we actually do (which is very little). And now, we have little respect around the world as our PM goes about alienating others - like China, India, Japan, Belgium - and of course, the US. 

Why don't you just admit defeat and be annexed. That way at least you get to vote about it. 

Second i think trump is taking America on a new path to correct the harm done by obama. Oh by the way obama  you poster boy favorite actually think the eu and by extension canada are a bunch of freeloader. He was just being politically correct about his displeasure for you. Are there critics to trump's foreign policy, sure, but keep your views in perspective, we are all just pundits, outsiders looking in. You think the eyes of the white tower are blind to your criticism, they're not. They see it and have a better assessment of issues we face more than you can possibly know. Trump's policy from day one has always been America first. You "allies" are way too comfortable taking america's goodwill for granted. Trump is waking the rest of america up to your ways. So get on board the trump train and stop resisting. We need free trade across our borders, you all need to spend more for your own defense and stop asking America to share the largest burden with our blood and money everytime Russia and China bullies you. 

[Jimwd]

11 minutes ago, paxrom said:

Why don't you just admit defeat and be annexed. That way at least you get to vote about it. 

Second i think trump is taking America on a new path to correct the harm done by obama. Oh by the way obama  you poster boy favorite actually think the eu and by extension canada are a bunch of freeloader. He was just being politically correct about his displeasure for you. Are there critics to trump's foreign policy, sure, but keep your views in perspective, we are all just pundits, outsiders looking in. You think the eyes of the white tower are blind to your criticism, they're not. They see it and have a better assessment of issues we face more than you can possibly know. Trump's policy from day one has always been America first. You "allies" are way too comfortable taking america's goodwill for granted. Trump is waking the rest of america up to your ways. So get on board the trump train and stop resisting. We need free trade across our borders, you all need to spend more for your own defense and stop asking America to share the largest burden with our blood and money everytime Russia and China bullies you. 

Annexed? You think 17 years against the Taliban have been tough, Try Canada 

[Jimwd]

47 minutes ago, Centerpiece said:

Those are not our values - they are our necessities. Our values include thinking we have more impact on the world than we actually do (which is very little). And now, we have little respect around the world as our PM goes about alienating others - like China, India, Japan, Belgium - and of course, the US. 

Speaking of world opinion.

Gallup International

 

World's Approval of U.S. Leadership Drops to New Low

TS

Median approval of U.S. leadership is 30%, down from 48% in 2016

U.S. approval dropped substantially in 65 countries and areas

Germany's leadership now tops that of U.S., China and Russia

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- One year into Donald Trump's presidency, the image of U.S. leadership is weaker worldwide than it was under his two predecessors. Median approval of U.S. leadership across 134 countries and areas stands at a new low of 30%, according to a new Gallup report.

The most recent approval rating, based on Gallup World Poll surveys conducted between March and November last year, is down 18 percentage points from the 48% approval rating in the last year of President Barack Obama's administration, and is four points lower than the previous low of 34% in the last year of President George W. Bush's administration.

 

http://news.gallup.com/poll/225761/world-approval-leadership-drops-new-low.aspx

[bush_cheney2004]

4 minutes ago, Jimwd said:

Speaking of world opinion.

Gallup International

 

World's Approval of U.S. Leadership Drops to New Low

 

"World's approval" of Canadian leadership.....who cares...it doesn't matter !!

...because Trump matters more than Trudeau.

Edited July 2, 2018 by bush_cheney2004

[Jimwd]

11 minutes ago, bush_cheney2004 said:

 

"World's approval" of Canadian leadership.....who cares...it doesn't matter !!

...because Trump matters more than Trudeau.

No question at all.  Hitler  garnered  far more press and importance than most leaders have. I hope that gives you a sense of satisfaction,

[bush_cheney2004]

Just now, Jimwd said:

No question at all.  Hitler  garnered  far more press and importance than most leaders have. I hope that gives you a sense of satisfaction,

 

"Spring time...for Hitler....and Germany !"

Either way....Trudeau is a lesser god.

[Centerpiece]

34 minutes ago, Jimwd said:

Speaking of world opinion.

Gallup International

 

World's Approval of U.S. Leadership Drops to New Low

TS

Median approval of U.S. leadership is 30%, down from 48% in 2016

U.S. approval dropped substantially in 65 countries and areas

Germany's leadership now tops that of U.S., China and Russia

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- One year into Donald Trump's presidency, the image of U.S. leadership is weaker worldwide than it was under his two predecessors. Median approval of U.S. leadership across 134 countries and areas stands at a new low of 30%, according to a new Gallup report.

The most recent approval rating, based on Gallup World Poll surveys conducted between March and November last year, is down 18 percentage points from the 48% approval rating in the last year of President Barack Obama's administration, and is four points lower than the previous low of 34% in the last year of President George W. Bush's administration.

 

http://news.gallup.com/poll/225761/world-approval-leadership-drops-new-low.aspx

History will say show that Trump was like Buckley's Cough Medicine - tastes awful, but it works.

[Jimwd]

1 minute ago, Centerpiece said:

History will say show that Trump was like Buckley's Cough Medicine - tastes awful, but it works.

Want to know the future ? Study the past. Fascism never works. 

[Jimwd]

19 minutes ago, bush_cheney2004 said:

 

"Spring time...for Hitler....and Germany !"

Either way....Trudeau is a lesser god.

Thou shalt not worship false gods .....  paraphrase 

[bush_cheney2004]

Just now, Jimwd said:

Want to know the future ? Study the past. Fascism never works. 

 

Fascism does work....just ask FDR.

If America wants fascism, then it shall have fascism.

NAFTA is fascism.

[Jimwd]

1 minute ago, bush_cheney2004 said:

 

Fascism does work....just ask FDR.

If America wants fascism, then it shall have fascism.

NAFTA is fascism.

Yea.....you run with that.

[bush_cheney2004]

Just now, Jimwd said:

Yea.....you run with that.

 

Already a done deal...nothing you can do about it.   

NAFTA is fascism, and Canada/Trudeau desperately want to preserve NAFTA.

Ergo...Trudeau is a fascist.

[Zeitgeist]

I personally never cared much for politicians, nor was I ever a big fan of NAFTA, because it seemed to enshrine American hegemony.  Trudeau has always struck me as a naive egoist.  Nevertheless, most of the countries that Americans would call successful would follow Trudeau’s approach to governing over Trump’s.  If you can’t see that, I can’t help you.  Trump represents less than half of Americans and he is bringing his country down, though his supporters won’t see it that way. They got their tax cuts and American supremacy rallies.  They’ll continue to proclaim their importance to each other while progressive people move on.  

[Centerpiece]

1 hour ago, Jimwd said:

Want to know the future ? Study the past. Fascism never works. 

Clearly you have no clue about Fascism - and history. That's why Godwin's Law exists. 

[Jimwd]

10 minutes ago, Centerpiece said:

Clearly you have no clue about Fascism - and history. That's why Godwin's Law exists. 

So you want to bring up Godwin?

MIKE GODWIN: MAN WHO DEVISED INTERNET HITLER LAW SAYS, 'CALL THESE CHARLOTTESVILLE S***HEADS NAZIS'

The man who pointed out that everyone compares everything to Nazis says it's OK to call alt-right protestors Nazis.

Mike Godwin formulated Godwin's Law more than 25 years ago. And it has become a foundational rule of the internet in the time since: as a discussion goes on, the likelihood of someone being called a Nazi becomes higher.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/godwins-law-mike-godwin-internet-hitler-charlottesville-virginia-donald-trump-a7892171.html

 

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Jimwd said:

MIKE GODWIN: MAN WHO DEVISED INTERNET HITLER LAW SAYS, 'CALL THESE CHARLOTTESVILLE S***HEADS NAZIS'

The man who pointed out that everyone compares everything to Nazis says it's OK to call alt-right protestors Nazis.

Obviously Mike Godwin is as big a history challenged twat as everyone else who calls some tattooed loser from the south a Nazi and imagines it's anything more than rampant hyperbole.

Edited July 3, 2018 by bcsapper

[Jimwd]

1 minute ago, bcsapper said:

Obviously Mike Godwin is as big a history challenged twat as everyone else who calls some tattooed loser from the south a Nazi and imagines it's anything more than rampant hyperbole.

The only people that don’t recognize trump is a fascist are people who either.....

a. Don’t know history 

or

b. Fell for a conman that told you mexico would pay for a wall

or

c. Both

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, Jimwd said:

The only people that don’t recognize trump is a fascist are people who either.....

a. Don’t know history 

or

b. Fell for a conman that told you mexico would pay for a wall

or

c. Both

What absolute bollocks.  For one thing, weren't we discussing Nazis?

And I'll believe Trump is a fascist when he disbands the Supreme Court and cancels the next election.

 

Edited July 3, 2018 by bcsapper

[Jimwd]

10 minutes ago, bcsapper said:

What absolute bollocks.  For one thing, weren't we discussing Nazis?

And I'll believe Trump is a fascist when he disbands the Supreme Court and cancels the next election.

 

Trump is a fascist that so far has been constrained by the American constitution.Don’t count on that lasting.

Remember a dictator that murders his own people is honorable but football players peacefully protesting are sons of bitches.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Jimwd said:

Trump is a fascist that so far has been constrained by the American constitution.Don’t count on that lasting.

Remember a dictator that murders his own people is honorable but football players peacefully protesting are sons of bitches.

Fascists are not constrained.  That's how they get to be fascists.  If you mean he would like to be a fascist, maybe.  I don't know him well enough. 

But again, we were talking about Nazis.

And as for your last sentence, that's your opinion, not mine.

[bush_cheney2004]

Two more articles today in the Globe & Mail, articulating just how unbalanced the CanAm relationship is.   Canadian media has been scared to death at the prospect of Trump leaving NAFTA, and for good reason....Canada has no good alternatives ready to go.  Canada needs NAFTA far more than the United States.

 

Quote

Much of the talk in Canada has been about the need for a “Plan B” in the event of termination of the North American free-trade agreement by the United States. What may be more urgent is a “Plan C” to offset this uncertainty and its negative consequences for business investment in Canada during an interminable NAFTA renegotiation. What we also have to recognize is that this uncertainty is amplified by homegrown actions and inaction, such as our seeming inability to build export pipelines, to free up interprovincial trade, to articulate a response to U.S. tax reform and to tackle widespread regulatory inefficiencies.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canada-needs-a-plan-c-for-nafta-talks/

 

Quote

First, Canadian exports represent close to one-third of Canada’s GDP and about 75 per cent of those exports go to the United States. (It was 85 per cent in 2001 and as high as 90 per cent in Ontario, meaning Canada has broadened its trade recently.) Meanwhile, U.S. exports represent barely 10 per cent of U.S. GDP and less than one-fifth of those exports go to Canada. In other words, Canada depends on the United States to buy about one-quarter of its production; the United States depends on Canada to buy about one-fiftieth of its output. We certainly should emphasize that no other country matters as much to the U.S. economy as Canada. But, frankly, no single country matters all that much to the U.S. economy.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-canadas-tricky-dance-with-global-trade/

 

[turningrite]

9 minutes ago, bush_cheney2004 said:

Two more articles today in the Globe & Mail, articulating just how unbalanced the CanAm relationship is.   Canadian media has been scared to death at the prospect of Trump leaving NAFTA, and for good reason....Canada has no good alternatives ready to go.  Canada needs NAFTA far more than the United States.

I found the last sentence in your second link the most fascinating aspect of your post. If no single country matters all that much to the U.S. economy, why is Trump making such a big deal about America's trading relationships? My guess is that a lot of it is smoke and mirrors to distract from his more pressing political problems, including but not limited to the Mueller investigation and controversial immigration policies like removing children from their parents. Not long ago Trump was pressing for a quick deal on the NAFTA negotiations but now it appears he's willing to put the issue on the back burner, well at least until after the midterms. The changes in emphasis and timing can't be coincidental. Trump doesn't have the business community onside with his trade war, as illustrated by the announcement that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce intends to campaign against his tariffs (see link, below). One shouldn't get carried away with the notion that trade concerns are really driving Trump's current antics, particularly against allies, when it's far more likely they're a political sideshow intended to assist his own and Republican Party interests in the upcoming midterms.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/02/us-chamber-of-commerce-trump-689658?tab=most-read