The world is beginning to grasp that there is no “deal” with the United States because this administration has broken international trust and America is no longer perceived as a reliable partner for trade or national security.  Lessons children learn in grade school are being brought home on an international scale to adults who should know better.  Who would walk across a suspension bridge over a deep canyon with five of the support cables broken and swaying in the wind. Insulting NATO partners, imposing random tariffs internationally that are harming small businesses on both sides, promising wholesale destruction of nations and cultures while declaring victory in the face of stalemate or defeat are the stuff of disaster.  Who can’t see this?

To end up in a trade war with Canada suggests some kind of DSM diagnosis is at play here.  Canada has been our hemispheric partner and friend for a centuries. Just as importantly we have enjoyed a relationship that mutually offered open commerce and social connections that have been very important for the stability and quality of life for both nations.  This pointless effort to make our neighbors our enemies is practically suicidal. The United States, powerful as it is, cannot go it alone in this interconnected world, but without Europe or supportive neighbors north and south we are soon on that vulnerable path isolated with no one who has our back.  We are shattering trust using the sledgehammer of the broken word.  A lack of ethics or honor may be the hard lessons for the first years of life, but have no place in international politics.

Modest Proposal for Good

We need a clean sweep in our government.  We have to eat of humble pie of apology to a world who still can’t quite believe their offended eyes and insulted ears.  All the grace and forgiveness that was earned after WWII by FDR has been consumed and burned to the ground by this one administration.  In terms of leadership we may be done for several administrations before the planet of earth decides we may have learned the lessons of this time.  Honor in word are not just important, it is are everything in holding an international order together.  Lets face it, honor and trust would be good indeed.  We have to start the restoration sometime so may as well be now.  See you at the polls. Let us decide to do some good.