Stop supporting U.S. economically

Editor: Over the last few issues, we’ve read repeatedly about a lot of hand-wringing regarding the perceived fate of NAFTA and the dire consequences resulting from U.S. President Donald Trump’s chainsaw policies.

The opposition is, naturally, imploring our prime minister to take a hard stand.

Maybe they’re right; who knows, since none of us are privy to what’s going on behind closed doors.

I tend to agree with those who side with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s tendency to avoid panic and rhetoric until things are at an absolute impasse.

However, I want to talk less about “what the government should do” and what we the people can do, should the U.S. government drive headlong into the ill-advised trade war that Trump seems to want.

Before continuing, let me concede that what I’m recommending is easier said than done, and may be deemed as naive and unworkable by a great†number of Canadians. Nonetheless, here goes.

First of all: stay home and spend your Canadian money in Canada. Why do we have all this “supporting our American friends and neighbours” going on, especially from some wounded victims of the Las Vegas shooting we read about a few days ago?

Yes, I realize that people who have a stake in the U.S., like owning property in Arizona or Florida or who have family and business connections, and can’t simply refuse to cross the border without more than their share of hardship.

But what about the rest of us who simply want to go south to drink cheap Coors beer down among the sheltering palms or head to Oroville to shop for milk and chickens at what we see as bargain prices? Can we not grit our teeth and look elsewhere for our vacations and also give our Canadian retailers a chance?

Second: make every effort to avoid the “made in USA” label on anything we buy. I know it’s not always practical or possible, despite the countless containers of stuff made somewhere in the exotic east. Nonetheless, I for one will make every effort to do so, and I hope others will, too.

Having said all that, I have an optimistic view (some may say hope) that cooler heads will prevail, and the story on Wednesday’s citing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce alarm bells will save the day. Time will tell.

The other “good news” story last week (why on earth the writer decided it was good news is beyond me) about Americans being complacent about us since we’re too nice to worry about has to be turned around to the truth that we can be nasty when provoked.

Our military record in two world wars, Korea, and various other trouble spots has proven that fact to the sorrow of people who weren’t aware. If we ordinary citizens put our shoulders to the wheel, Trump will learn it as well. It’s time we stopped looking to our lawmakers to do all our fighting for us and took on some of the responsibility ourselves if necessary. But don’t let me spoil your day.

Roderick MacIntosh, Peachland