The Not So Great Defender

A near perfect reply would be to hand them a copy of Paul Krugman’s, The Great Unraveling/losing our way in the new century, but this comes at 25 bucks a pop and a philanthropist I am not. Krugman though is a very dangerous man. Not only is he a gifted economist he has the ability to explain economics and politics in very explicit terms easily understood and he pins the tail on the donkey with considerable consistency. Krugman should be required reading for every American, so too for every Canadian. The Great Unraveling is happening in the US but it is arriving in Canada in a neighbourhood near you-Yours! Unfortunately most Canadians are not aware of our new entitlement and that is to speak to US issues. (There is also the subsequent obligation to be informed on US issues). For as deep integration proceeds we become de facto Americans. Our open border is a porous one and unfortunately our economic and political elites are not immune to the fanaticism of America’s ultra right neoconservatives. If we worry about the GST we should be even more concerned about the WTT- Washington Tribute Tax- a tax on Canadian sovereignty that comes in various forms ranging from paying hard cash to compliance on policy issues. Membership in Fortress North America has become ruinously expensive in too many ways. As Canada is now in the middle of an election we must keep a wary eye on our own politicians and our Southern neighbour as well as watching out for carpetbaggers speaking with forked tongues. Reading Krugman can lead to a conversion. The president as defender suddenly becomes the charlatan in his own country. Krugman becomes the redoubtable defender. Krugman in a Chistmas stocking is good investment. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.