If the shoe fits…
Throughout history, individuals are hurled into the political limelight in a rising sea of opportunity, crisis or maybe just plain destiny.
In our lifetime, Churchill was a godsend. Mussolini and Hitler not so much.
Currently, we have Trump, who evolved from the role of a bully on American TV and whose narcissism and authoritarian ideology is rocking our world---from kids starving in Africa from cancellation of U.S. aid, to social upheaval, disruption of world order and threats to our freedom and security here at home.
Whatever Trump touches leaves the stench of pain, chaos, despair, fear and corruption.
Wordsmiths and historians can argue over the word “fascist” but in Trump’s case I trust the old saying, “if the shoe fits, wear it.” Or, “if it walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck….then it probably is a duck.”
JD Vance once called Trump a fascist but that was before he drank the Kool Aid and became Trump’s doting vice president. JD had been groomed for the job but a legion of other cult members has been ensnared by the allure of unlimited power, greed and contempt for laws and social justice.
Political labels aside, the carnage wrought by Trump’s return to the White House will not soon be forgotten or easily repaired or erased.
Closer to home, we are experiencing our own homegrown star rising on the political landscape at a time of national crisis with Trump casting a shadow over our sovereignty and prosperity and his coziness with the Kremlin and other despots.
Much is riding on the ability of Prime Minister Mark Carney to resurrect the Liberals at a time when the opposition Conservatives have been miles ahead in public opinion polls for months.
It’s too early to place any bets on the upcoming federal election but the Liberals are definitely very much back in the game---and gaining quickly. Outgoing and unloved PM Justin Trudeau exited in a bit of glory with farewell speeches that blasted Trump and helped stir up a newfound pride and patriotism among us.
Carney’s business creds and well-publicized hobnobbing with international leaders may convince voters he’s the one to provide the stability needed at this time as Europe rearms, recession threatens world economies, wars drag on and Russia celebrates Trump’s erratic behaviour and his betrayal of Ukraine.
The former Conservative lead in Canada was widely attributed to public backlash against Trudeau. Carney appears the catalyst to return progressives to the Liberal fold---along with conservatives uncomfortable with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s negativism and ideology that can sometimes sound familiar to that emanating from south of the border.
His promise to defund the CBC causes many of us to have goosebumps at a time when local media outlets are closing and the need has never been greater to combat the riding tide of misinformation.
Carney may lack the charisma of a Trudeau but he has left first impressions that he is more personable than his critics had forecasted. He lacks patience and has a temper, especially in dealing with probing media, but that might prove an attraction to a public in search of a leader who tells it the way it is. A quirky personality has certainly worked for Premier Doug Ford.
The Liberals have been on a roll since Carney’s party leadership win. His swearing-in and that of his cabinet at Rideau Hall turned into a Liberal love-in with families and well-wishers in the audience like former PM Jean Chretien who, at the age of 91, is still a feisty and entertaining character. He pulled no punches in encouraging an aggressive Canadian offensive against Trump and his threats to Canada.
It would have surprised no one if le petit gars de Shawinigan had quoted Conn Smythe’s advice to his Maple Leafs: “if you can’t beat ‘em in the alley, you can’t beat ‘em on the ice!”
There were also several former Governors General and their spouses present, including David Johnston and his pint-sized high school sweetheart, Sharon, who during their seven years at Rideau Hall were among the most popular Monarch’s representatives in living memory. For countless Canadians the Johnstons symbolized caring grandparents who loved Canada and its people.
When Justin Trudeau said the swearing in ceremony was typical of how Canada is markedly different from the U.S., (and will remain so), we all agreed. While Trump surrounds himself with beautiful, stylish women, billionaires and celebrities, the Rideau Hall event was pure Canadiana-- family, tradition, heritage, Indigenous recognition and diversity writ large.
A live beaver and a poutine lunch overseen by Mounties in red serge would not have been out of place.
The upcoming election looks like a horse race---just what Canadians need to get involved in determining our country’s future and a blessed distraction from the hatred, havoc and fear spewing from south of the border and threatening our lives and the lives of our grandkids.
