Thread

1. simojo · 1790873133 · focus · HN ↗

   So many people come and give doomer statements on the reality of the US and Canada becoming increasingly at odds.

   As a US citizen, I just want to add that I hope some day we can reestablish a healthy relationship with our neighbors. These articles are saddening.

   1. i80and · 1790873861 · focus · HN ↗

      Disclaimer: I'm American

      I don't see how Canada can trust us again without a major cultural and legal shift in the US. The fact is that any president can, apparently, unilaterally shred international friendships, and 30%-40% of Americans will cheer it on.

      I would love a return to normalcy, but Americans need to make sure, really sure this can't happen again.

      1. palmotea · 1790875020 · focus · HN ↗

         > The fact is that any president can, apparently, unilaterally shred international friendships, and 30%-40% of Americans will cheer it on.

         That's not the problem.

         The real problem is that the political establishment let things get so out of whack that someone like Trump could enjoy a large amount of support and get elected. If actual issues experienced by Americans were getting addressed in a satisfactory way, none of this would have happened.

         But instead of that we got TINA and Trump.

         > I would love a return to normalcy, but Americans need to make sure, really sure this can't happen again.

         Easy: just repeal democracy. Make elected officials advisors at best, and vest all power in unelected officials that will uphold the status quo.

         1. bawolff · 1790886626 · focus · HN ↗

            > If actual issues experienced by Americans were getting addressed in a satisfactory way, none of this would have happened.

            That might be america's problem but its not my problem. It doesn't really matter on the outside what dynamics lead to trump. It only matters that US foreign policy has taken a turn, the turn seems permanent, and we can no longer trust that our interests are aligned with the new management.

            1. palmotea · 1790893906 · focus · HN ↗

               > That might be america's problem but its not my problem.

               I was responding to a self-identified American wishing America would return to the prior status quo. It seems like you're in the wrong subthread.

               > It doesn't really matter on the outside what dynamics lead to trump.

               It's worth noting those dynamics aren't unique to the US.

               > It only matters that US foreign policy has taken a turn, the turn seems permanent, and we can no longer trust that our interests are aligned with the new management.

               It's also worth noting that many countries were probably taking advantage of the US's old management (e.g. most of the rest of NATO severely under-investing in their defense, expecting the US to spend to pick up the slack). Some of the vibes I pick up around those topics come off as entitled, which is is not a good look.

               1. bawolff · 1790901671 · focus · HN ↗

                  > It's also worth noting that many countries were probably taking advantage of the US's old management (e.g. most of the rest of NATO severely under-investing in their defense, expecting the US to spend to pick up the slack)

                  yeah, that is how being a hegemon works. There are benefits and drawbacks to that, but lets not pretend like USA didn't get a lot of benefits out of the arrangement.

                  In any case, seems like that era is mostly coming to an end.

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