This analysis delves into the concept of 'Make America Stupid Again' (MASA), examining the historical and contemporary anti-intellectual trends in American politics, particularly as seen through the lens of Donald Trump's policies. It contrasts this with Canada's approach, highlighting its historical emphasis on cooperation, pragmatism, and informed leadership.
Echoing the sentiment of United States Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again', former President Donald Trump , in a parallel campaign, seems intent on 'Make America Stupid Again' (MASA). This shift is readily observed by international observers, yet, due to America's economic and military influence, allied nations are reticent to publicly criticize, as Canada has experienced firsthand.
Trump demands accolades, as exemplified by Prime Minister Mark Carney's Oval Office visit. Failure to comply results in repercussions, as seen with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose country now faces significant tariffs on exports to the U.S. Conversely, Canadian exports enjoy relatively low tariffs, according to The Wall Street Journal, perhaps reflecting Carney's cautious approach to negotiating with Trump. The persistence of anti-intellectualism, mirroring Kennedy's anti-scientism, is deeply embedded in American political traditions. The Know Nothing Party of the mid-19th century, with its anti-Catholic, nativist, and xenophobic agenda, demonstrated this trend, electing officials and even nominating a presidential candidate. This contrasts sharply with Canada's historical evolution, where Catholic and Protestant parliamentarians sought cooperation based on bilingualism and biculturalism. The evangelical Protestantism embraced by the Know Nothings continues to influence the current White House. This intersection of faith and culture, where prominent figures wear Christian cross necklaces, starkly contrasts with the secularism prevalent in Canadian politics, especially in Quebec. \Following the American Revolution, British North Americans viewed the burgeoning republic as a 'mobocracy,' where political decisions were driven by fleeting public sentiment rather than order. The War of 1812 underscored the threat to British colonies. Similar to Trump's current rhetoric, New York newspapers in the 1860s anticipated American expansion from the Rio Grande to the Arctic. Canada's military planners, up until the First World War, saw American invasion as their primary threat. The termination of a free trade agreement negotiated by Britain in 1854 spurred Confederation. Trump might follow a similar path, like President Andrew Johnson in 1866, by terminating the current free trade agreement, which requires a six-month notice period. Terminating CUSMA would be detrimental, but such actions are not unprecedented in American history, as the Know Nothings demonstrated. In 1930, the U.S. implemented tariffs on thousands of imported goods, ostensibly to protect industries and combat the Depression, yet failing to achieve either. Trump, with his mastery of reality television, overwhelms the news cycle with manufactured events and catchy slogans. His use of vulgarity, effective on American television and social media, is a tactic that has been proven effective in the past. \The American electorate, in the last election, seemed to favor a less informed path. In contrast, Canadians appeared to value informed leadership. While Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre may possess some qualities, Carney's economic understanding surpasses his. The public, while disenchanted with the Liberals, prioritized pragmatic leadership over a Trump-style sloganeer. Carney's approach to managing the situation was a success. Trump's political acumen is evident, underscored by his two election victories. However, his economic policies raise questions. He claims to have graduated with honors in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. However, this is disputed as his admission was supposedly due to family connections. Furthermore, there's no proof of his honors status, and he has threatened legal action to prevent the release of his academic records. His economics professor reportedly described him as 'the dumbest goddamn student'. Trump leveraged his inherited wealth to become a controversial figure. In contrast, Carney, a self-made man, achieved academic success, earning degrees from Harvard and Oxford
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