Howdy, neighbour! Let me introduce myself. I am your Canadian cousin, or that's how I always saw myself.
I fell in love with your country when my elementary school took us, by bus, to visit the Detroit Institute of Arts. I think it was Grade 4.
All I remember is being told not to bring any fruit with us over the border, not to put our arms outside the bus and not to make faces at other drivers as we might get shot. That seems an odd thing to warn children about, but they did and we didn’t.
From then on I had a love affair with America.
All I really knew was that it was a great country to vacation in. Mostly, I enjoyed the southern states. I adored the hospitality of the people. Most everyone was welcoming and friendly. I ate more than my fair share of white gravy and biscuits, grits, greens and pecan pie, as one does in Tennessee, which was my destination of choice.
Generally, I felt completely at home. Nobody did patriotism with a better show than the U.S.A. Pomp, circumstance, fluttering flags, killer military bands and the best anthem.
It was just like Canada, but different. I thought our values were basically the same, until I realized they weren’t.
I thought most Americans were similar to Canadians, until I found out I might have been wrong.
When I found all this out was when Donald Trump entered the political arena, which, at the time, I figured was a big publicity stunt. How I wish it all had been a joke.
Now, here we are, a week away from the U.S. presidential election and nobody is laughing.
Before someone says Canadians should stay out of American politics, let me say, for the record, that what happens south of the border impacts us in every way —economically, politically, socially and culturally. Things all have a way of trickling over to us, for better or for worse.
I did not visit the United States during the time Trump was president. Part of that was due to COVID-19, when nobody was travelling much at all, but to a lesser degree it was because Trump changed the landscape.
He would say and do the most outrageous things, and some people bought into it. It was as if he gave certain folks the green light to express thoughts they may have secretly harboured in their hearts.
All of sudden it seemed as though it was OK to say disparaging things about different races, immigrants, gays, transgender people and religions.
The anger being displayed made me uncomfortable. What used to be a great escape across the border for a good meal and some great bargains didn’t seem worth it anymore.
For me, it's not exactly a political issue. It's more an issue of morals. For the life of me, I can’t understand how anyone could support a candidate of such bad character. Trump has no redeeming qualities. He’s not a good family man. He has been proven to be an adulterer, liar, cheater and a big phony.
I also have issues with someone who seemingly doesn’t like pets.
And add to that he can’t dance.
I know nobody who considers themselves a Trumper, at this late stage, will be swayed. Maybe, though, you might look at how your country was viewed before and after he showed up.
You were admired. We counted on you to have our back.
Now, I just feel afraid. I’m afraid for the future of your entire nation.
I’m afraid political disagreements will turn into all out civil war.
I am petrified by your love of guns.
I worry civility is gone.
We, your friends, will be perched in front of our televisions waiting to see what and who you vote for Nov. 5.
We want the best for you.
I still believe we are all in this together.
America has always been beautiful and I hope it stays that way.
Sincerely,
Your Canadian cousin
