Waking up from Trump coma

Canadians who wonder “what is going on down there?” need look no further than the U.S. Supreme Court for validation of our differences — and perhaps signs of hope.

For centuries, the U.S. Supreme Court has been the repository and final determiner of all issues that inflame American politics: gun control, a woman’s right to choose, medical coverage, gender differences and taxation.

Chief Justice Roberts shocked “The People” twice in recent months by voting based on legal judgment rather than party politics.

He broke with decades of tradition by supporting the “liberal” side of the court rather than the “conservative” side as he was both expected and appointed to do. National media praised his courage as a great jurist. Republicans call him a traitor. He is neither — he is being a judge.

The thought that a nation’s highest court would place partisan ideology over informed legal analysis is unheard of in all world democracies where no one knows or cares about the politics of judges.

Sadly, intelligent Americans, including mainstream media, are unaware of such international standards. Many lack knowledge beyond their border.

It is possible that “Trump disgust” has finally reached the U.S. High Court with awareness of the very real threat that Donald Trump poses to U.S. democracy. Cracks may finally be occurring in the court’s political divide for all the right reasons.

Winston Churchill, whose mother was American, once said that the U.S. always does the right thing — after exhausting all the alternatives. Perhaps Trump is finally being seen for what he is — the last alternative.

This issue exemplifies the depth of political discord in America.

A discord that, strangely, after 160 years, continues to follow the “Mason Dixon line” with “Heartland America” added on.

Fred Honsberger lives in Halifax

Winston Churchill, whose mother was American, once said that the U.S. always does the right thing — after exhausting all the alternatives.

BRUCE MACKINNON