American here. I love Canada and Canadians. As a child and young adult I traveled multiple times a year to visit your wonderful cities, parks, vistas. I applied to and considered attending college and medical school in Canada. With the election of the current bully-in-chief, I am massively embarrassed how US republicans in general and our elected republican representatives are treating the great country of Canada. Canada and the Canadian people have faithfully been by our side in good times and bad, without the US showing the proper appreciation. Not only is the US government now not appreciative, but they are threatening and abusive.
There is no reason for anyone in Canada, or for that matter anyone from any country in the world, to visit the US or spend any money here, particularly through trade and tourism. Please do not put yourself in harm’s way; stay far away from the US unless absolutely necessary. ICE is everywhere. Border Patrol, the FBI, the Secret Service, the called up National Guard troops and ICE have been empowered to be the worst forms of themselves. Abusive, violent, bullies just like notmypresident. Nothing in the US is worth putting yourself or loved ones in physical danger.
I do not see this improving in the near future. I believe it is going to get much worse as the American population begins to feel growing unemployment, declining job creation, rising costs and fewer social support networks. Then there will be real unrest. And those conditions are the plan of this administration, not just the consequences of poor policy. I feel strongly my entire retirement (I am 69YO) will be spent in this spiral of decline and rise in violence. This is just the beginning.
So stay away for your safety. Don’t give us your hard earned money. Vacation and do business in other countries that are welcoming and appreciative. But also build up further your own military industrial complex and further beef up your defense. Remember bullies always come back for more. They are never satisfied. Even if the governing party switches hands, the old US confederacy Republican Party will still be there ready to do further harm.
But I will be coming to Canada to visit soon. Not sure Border Control is going to let me back into the US due to my Substack writings. I would be happy to be the test case of the first white cis Protestant geriatric female thrown in ICE detention. Did you hear me ICE and Border Control…come get me at the border and then I will see you in court (as Gov Janet Mills of Maine told notmypresident.)
As a former Maine resident with family still living there, I know what some of them are going through right now. All along the seacoast, tourism has been heavily dependent on Canadian tourists for decades. Now that's all gone.
As for the rest of Maine, I will only talk about the areas I know about. In the north, west, and south east, the fishermen, loggers and farmers are celebrating that the Canadians have been shut out. They think that now, without Canadians competing "unfairly" in the U.S. markets, that they will be able to sell more of their logs, potatoes and other agricultural products to American consumers.
Once they finally figure out that the main reason they couldn't compete in the first place was because of inferior products and higher prices, and they still aren't selling to the American consumers any more than they were before, they will go back to crying "Woe is me", as they have been doing for decades.
They will become even poorer without the Canadian markets and a lot more people will lose their companies and their jobs. Maine has always had a high unemployment percentage compared to the rest of the country and this will only make things worse.
People like my brother, and a lot of the rural people that I used to know up in the remote counties like Aroostook and Somerset, rage against the government all of the time. They don't want anyone telling them how to live their lives but the fishermen, farmers and loggers have no problem standing in line for those government subsidies. Well, those subsidies are mostly gone now, along with the government health care and food assistance.
My brother is enjoying his retirement now, living on a local government retirement pension and his social security. My sister in-law is still working, I think, as she is a couple years younger than him. I wonder what's going to happen if his local government pension money dries up and/or his wife loses her job? They are just one example of what the future is going to be like for the MAGA cultists in Maine and around the rest of the country in the ensuing months ahead.
Don't be sorry. I'm one generation away from being able to apply for Canadian citizenship as my great grandparents on both sides of my family immigrated to Maine in the late 19th century. I blame the Americans for their current circumstances. They will have to learn to live with their folly.
As for the Canadians, I'm rooting for you, and my Irish brethren across the Atlantic Ocean. I truly hope your government can figure out a way to divest itself from the American economy for your own economic futures. There's a lot at stake up there right now. I watch the Canadian news every day to see how things are doing. Something I grew up with and I picked back up when I moved back to Northern Maine in 2005. My late mother was also a big Canadian fan. She would always tune into the CBC news at noontime every day. We who grew up and have lived so close to the border have more affinity for Canada than we do for most of America. Ask most people living in Aroostook County right now. Especially those who are of french ancestry.
I tell all of my Canadian friends to stay home or find other places in the world to go on vacation. The U.S. is no longer safe for non-Americans. My wife is an immigrant and I worry about her safety everyday now. I am someone who has traveled all over the world in my younger days and I could adapt to anywhere, if I had to leave the U.S. There are places I would not be comfortable in and some that are just plain too dangerous. At my age, (I'm 69, nearing 70), I really don't want to have to move again but I will if I have to.
Be happy that you live in a country that thinks more about it's people. Something that the Americans gave away.
What I sent to the Maine State Senator this weekend, via email:
"Good day Senator Martin.
This email is to send you a response to your recent approach to Canadian legislators, attempting to recruit them to abandon their oaths of office and loyalty to Canada, to entice them to follow a path that would see some of our provinces join the US.
I will share with you my Uncle Eddie's phrase, which he picked up while serving aboard his Canadian ship in the North Atlantic as he was protecting US troop ships snd merchant mariners on their way to England:
"Well, he can bloody well kiss MY ROYAL CANADIAN.."
I live in the Martimes. And after your terribly tone-deaf letter, you can be sure I, and all of my extended family I can convince, will not be going to Maine again until you are no longer in a position to act so stupidly.
New Zealand citizens have ended up in ICE prisons simply by the act of crossing the border despite having all their paperwork. It's a no brainer really, - if you are outside of the USA stay out and wait for the fascist trash fire to finally burn itself out and for the last of the smouldering embers to be well and truly stamped out.
It is a shame because I have travelled to a few places in the USA over the years. I would have continued to tour but for Trump. It's not just Trump it is also the many people who still support him. People aren't safe in the USA not the tourists, and not the residents. People aren't safe.
During the first regime, when Hamilton was still a thing, I imagined a riff on the wonderful King George act featuring the song, “You’ll Be Back.” I imagined a beaten, bruised Lady Liberty, tiara badly askew, climbing up the shores of the Thames, wandering through the streets of London to Buckingham Palace and finding that dear lady, Elizabeth II, sitting in a garden sipping tea. In a cracked and broken voice, Liberty sings, “Take Us Back.” I’m still hoping someone does this. I’d hope for the BBC, CBC or ABC (with A standing for Australia) but there’s that Murdoch problem.
I’d like to think it was just Trump but it’s not. I’m Canadian and grew up about 10 kilometers from the border. I had enough ridiculous power tripping border security that I haven’t been in the US since I was a teenager. I’m 63 now and will never visit again.
American here. I love Canada and Canadians. As a child and young adult I traveled multiple times a year to visit your wonderful cities, parks, vistas. I applied to and considered attending college and medical school in Canada. With the election of the current bully-in-chief, I am massively embarrassed how US republicans in general and our elected republican representatives are treating the great country of Canada. Canada and the Canadian people have faithfully been by our side in good times and bad, without the US showing the proper appreciation. Not only is the US government now not appreciative, but they are threatening and abusive.
There is no reason for anyone in Canada, or for that matter anyone from any country in the world, to visit the US or spend any money here, particularly through trade and tourism. Please do not put yourself in harm’s way; stay far away from the US unless absolutely necessary. ICE is everywhere. Border Patrol, the FBI, the Secret Service, the called up National Guard troops and ICE have been empowered to be the worst forms of themselves. Abusive, violent, bullies just like notmypresident. Nothing in the US is worth putting yourself or loved ones in physical danger.
I do not see this improving in the near future. I believe it is going to get much worse as the American population begins to feel growing unemployment, declining job creation, rising costs and fewer social support networks. Then there will be real unrest. And those conditions are the plan of this administration, not just the consequences of poor policy. I feel strongly my entire retirement (I am 69YO) will be spent in this spiral of decline and rise in violence. This is just the beginning.
So stay away for your safety. Don’t give us your hard earned money. Vacation and do business in other countries that are welcoming and appreciative. But also build up further your own military industrial complex and further beef up your defense. Remember bullies always come back for more. They are never satisfied. Even if the governing party switches hands, the old US confederacy Republican Party will still be there ready to do further harm.
But I will be coming to Canada to visit soon. Not sure Border Control is going to let me back into the US due to my Substack writings. I would be happy to be the test case of the first white cis Protestant geriatric female thrown in ICE detention. Did you hear me ICE and Border Control…come get me at the border and then I will see you in court (as Gov Janet Mills of Maine told notmypresident.)
Stay safe, Canadians! Elbows up!
As a former Maine resident with family still living there, I know what some of them are going through right now. All along the seacoast, tourism has been heavily dependent on Canadian tourists for decades. Now that's all gone.
As for the rest of Maine, I will only talk about the areas I know about. In the north, west, and south east, the fishermen, loggers and farmers are celebrating that the Canadians have been shut out. They think that now, without Canadians competing "unfairly" in the U.S. markets, that they will be able to sell more of their logs, potatoes and other agricultural products to American consumers.
Once they finally figure out that the main reason they couldn't compete in the first place was because of inferior products and higher prices, and they still aren't selling to the American consumers any more than they were before, they will go back to crying "Woe is me", as they have been doing for decades.
They will become even poorer without the Canadian markets and a lot more people will lose their companies and their jobs. Maine has always had a high unemployment percentage compared to the rest of the country and this will only make things worse.
People like my brother, and a lot of the rural people that I used to know up in the remote counties like Aroostook and Somerset, rage against the government all of the time. They don't want anyone telling them how to live their lives but the fishermen, farmers and loggers have no problem standing in line for those government subsidies. Well, those subsidies are mostly gone now, along with the government health care and food assistance.
My brother is enjoying his retirement now, living on a local government retirement pension and his social security. My sister in-law is still working, I think, as she is a couple years younger than him. I wonder what's going to happen if his local government pension money dries up and/or his wife loses her job? They are just one example of what the future is going to be like for the MAGA cultists in Maine and around the rest of the country in the ensuing months ahead.
As a Canadian living in BC I am so sorry to read this. But nonetheless I cannot in god conscience go south. It’s been years. I just cannot.
Don't be sorry. I'm one generation away from being able to apply for Canadian citizenship as my great grandparents on both sides of my family immigrated to Maine in the late 19th century. I blame the Americans for their current circumstances. They will have to learn to live with their folly.
As for the Canadians, I'm rooting for you, and my Irish brethren across the Atlantic Ocean. I truly hope your government can figure out a way to divest itself from the American economy for your own economic futures. There's a lot at stake up there right now. I watch the Canadian news every day to see how things are doing. Something I grew up with and I picked back up when I moved back to Northern Maine in 2005. My late mother was also a big Canadian fan. She would always tune into the CBC news at noontime every day. We who grew up and have lived so close to the border have more affinity for Canada than we do for most of America. Ask most people living in Aroostook County right now. Especially those who are of french ancestry.
I tell all of my Canadian friends to stay home or find other places in the world to go on vacation. The U.S. is no longer safe for non-Americans. My wife is an immigrant and I worry about her safety everyday now. I am someone who has traveled all over the world in my younger days and I could adapt to anywhere, if I had to leave the U.S. There are places I would not be comfortable in and some that are just plain too dangerous. At my age, (I'm 69, nearing 70), I really don't want to have to move again but I will if I have to.
Be happy that you live in a country that thinks more about it's people. Something that the Americans gave away.
What I sent to the Maine State Senator this weekend, via email:
"Good day Senator Martin.
This email is to send you a response to your recent approach to Canadian legislators, attempting to recruit them to abandon their oaths of office and loyalty to Canada, to entice them to follow a path that would see some of our provinces join the US.
I will share with you my Uncle Eddie's phrase, which he picked up while serving aboard his Canadian ship in the North Atlantic as he was protecting US troop ships snd merchant mariners on their way to England:
"Well, he can bloody well kiss MY ROYAL CANADIAN.."
I live in the Martimes. And after your terribly tone-deaf letter, you can be sure I, and all of my extended family I can convince, will not be going to Maine again until you are no longer in a position to act so stupidly.
(North Shore 2025
PEI)
New Zealand citizens have ended up in ICE prisons simply by the act of crossing the border despite having all their paperwork. It's a no brainer really, - if you are outside of the USA stay out and wait for the fascist trash fire to finally burn itself out and for the last of the smouldering embers to be well and truly stamped out.
The gun violence, the racism, Stephen Miller….lots of heinous things
It is a shame because I have travelled to a few places in the USA over the years. I would have continued to tour but for Trump. It's not just Trump it is also the many people who still support him. People aren't safe in the USA not the tourists, and not the residents. People aren't safe.
Reasons……
During the first regime, when Hamilton was still a thing, I imagined a riff on the wonderful King George act featuring the song, “You’ll Be Back.” I imagined a beaten, bruised Lady Liberty, tiara badly askew, climbing up the shores of the Thames, wandering through the streets of London to Buckingham Palace and finding that dear lady, Elizabeth II, sitting in a garden sipping tea. In a cracked and broken voice, Liberty sings, “Take Us Back.” I’m still hoping someone does this. I’d hope for the BBC, CBC or ABC (with A standing for Australia) but there’s that Murdoch problem.
Why? Because other Third World countries dont check our phones to see if we think their leader is a bell end. That’s reason number one.
The orange plague is the reason.
I’d like to think it was just Trump but it’s not. I’m Canadian and grew up about 10 kilometers from the border. I had enough ridiculous power tripping border security that I haven’t been in the US since I was a teenager. I’m 63 now and will never visit again.
I like the hat red quip. True, of course.
I'm glad you enjoy my snark! I try to keep that for the podcasts, but every now and then I let some slip.
“It’s because of Donald Trump [...]” and the 31% of the country who idolize him
That's a great overview of the reasons.
It's more puzzling to me why any Canadians and Europeans still aim to visit the US.
You have to ask?
Nah. But as a Canadian, I thought I'd answer!
Oh no 😂