Trump May Single Handily Sink The Canadian Auto Industry

The Canadian economy is fully integrated into the broader North American economy and has been since the middle of the 20th century. Attacking Canada's economy is the same as attacking the US economy. "American" car plants are scattered all over Canada. Canadians spend more on US imports than they export. There's actual a trade surplus with Canada. Trump's tariffs only make Canadian steel and aluminum more expensive for US manufacturers. It's just one more effort to damage the US and its alliances in service of Putin.

Trump's lacking understanding of how all these things are interrelated will be all of our downfall.

While there is definitely evidence that someone/some-group colluded with Russia, the careless way in which Trump comports himself will upset the fragile balance of things across the globe - economic, human rights, safety, and security.

Enjoy your nice cars now - Autospies, it might be a rough period ahead for all of us. If you started off as a Trump supporter, look at the data about what he is doing.

Its not just about "The Wall" with Mexico (as understandably seductive as that might be to some) and immigration - its about walling off America from the world. The world is now a highly integrated system and a fragile one at that. The whole thing can be blown up in a very short time as the order falls apart.

This is not a Russia-US alliance thing (unless the Russians are somehow giving team Trump cash under the table) as America is the strongest country in the world, but it is a "let's make Europe weaker" thing. No one knows how its going to get sorted out. Scary times.

mre30: You nailed it. World analysts have noted that #45 has accomplished what Stalin could not do, what Khrushchev could not do, what no other power was able to do:
- Weaken NATO
- Weaken the European and Asian theaters (see next point)
- Shift the United States -- World Superpower -- away from former allies (G7, NATO) to the Eastern Bloc (communist Russia, China, North Korea.)

Meanwhile, Daffies don't think it the slightest bit odd that #45 is cozying up to China (save Chinese jobs at ZTE!) and North Korea, and he doesn't have anything but kind words for Putin while cozying up to Russia... and now Canada is America's treacherous, back-stabbing enemy.

Just like that! In the blink of an eye, the alliances have shifted. And all is normal in DaffyLand because... well, Fearless Leader tells us so, so it must be true. The relationship with America's back-stabbing traitors, Canada, is a "10". No contradiction in the Daffy mind.


Remember, there are very old World War II Nazis who still believe The Führer was a good guy, good for Germany, and he "did the right thing." No facts can change their thinking. Similarly, you can be sure that there will be Faithful Loyalists who will maintain to their last breath that #45 was the best thing since Jesus. No facts can change their thinking. There is no reason or common sense to which you appeal.

I think Trump will destroy Trudeau, Macron, and Merkel.

Canada and Europe don't understand that they are a part of the USA's past and that China is the future.

Let's see - form special bond with the North Korean dictator, immediately agree to stop war games with S. Korea in return for, well, nothing, act like North Korea will now, after spending decades attempting to develop a nuclear deterrent, succeeding and having the leverage to get the American president to sit down with them are now going to voluntarily give that up?

At the same time, announce that there is a "special place in hell" for people like Trudeau.

And the idiots in this forum applaud these moves.

@carloslassiter:

Some fun facts:

1) North Korea is dirt poor. Take a look at North Korea from space. It looks like a blackout zone, as though they haven't discovered electricity yet.

2) North Korea has one nuclear testing facility. It was devastated during a recent catastrophic accident. It has put North Korea out of nuclear reach for years to come.

3) North Korea has no nuclear capability now, and due to the devastation of their one R&D nuclear facility, combined with destitute poverty, won't have a nuclear program for years to come.

4) North Korea's regime, including Kim-Jong Un, is high on rhetoric and bluster.

5) Meanwhile, in the US, we've been sold The Policy of Fear, and a significant portion of the population actually believes the tiny and impoverished dictatorship of North Korea poses an actual threat to America. We've been sold stories of their "advanced" nuclear program, and their missiles that can allegedly "almost" reach the west coast. Remember, this is supposed to be from the "blackout zone" agrarian nation.

it's amazing what some people will believe. You need a deadly enemy with whom to "make peace" to appear as a hero at home... even if ya gotta create that enemy.

#45 (and some news channels) aren't smart enough to understand that the "Canadian auto industry" is comprised almost exclusively of non-Canadian firms -- such as GM, Ford, and Chrysler -- with a presence in Canada. Daffies will even ignore this fact and point to tiny Canadian boutique shops -- basically part suppliers and short run fabricators -- as "proof" of the Canadian "automotive industry."

We live in interesting times:

...#45 alienates and vilifies the US's closest and dearest allies, the G7 and NATO nations, while publicly stating that the relationship is a "10".

...Reserves the harshest language -- not heard since the days of Saddam Hussein -- Canada's Prime Minister, a boy-band look-alike called Justin. Canada has been the US's closest ally for over 100 years; a relationship that was often been celebrated by both sides, and used as an example by the rest of the world of what is possible when neighbors work together.

...Rallies for and defends Russia in general, and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin specifically. (Daffies, who inherently fear communists and liberals, aren't bright enough to appreciate that Russia *is* communist! REAL communists; not like the prissy US Liberals the Daffies hate.)

...Cozies up to dictators, strongmen, and oligarchs throughout the world.


Does anyone remember the 1980's TV mini-series "Amerika"? In it, Russia takes over America in a bloodless coup. In this fictional account, America's arrogance and bluster alienated its allies, splintering it off from the world community and made it a "lone deer," ripe to be taken by the predatory Russia. During Russian occupation, most Americans are preoccupied with trying to regain the economic status they once enjoyed. The Russian antagonist tells the American hero (paraphrased): "You Americans lost your spirit for freedom. You couldn't have made it easier for us to win."

At the time, the idea of Russia out-maneuvering the US, or besting the US, seemed laughable. Today, it looks like the prez is rooting for a "special relationship" with Russia, while alienating today's dearest allies and trading partners.

This is the face of America.


[Daffies: Insert your denial, deflection, and derision below. Ya know ya wanna. At least down-vote the hell out this post :-) ]

Peter Navarro, Trump's trade representative, apologized today for his trash talking Trudeau. Trump's bunch get a little push back and they cry like babies and spout off words they have to eat. How typical.

As a country we definitely need to put some sort of IQ test in place to pre-qualify voters.

Wait a minute CarlosSanAsshatter, your tribe loves to bank on the morons of society to elect the fascist Democrat socialists they love so much.

I'm a Republican. But I refuse to vote for an evangelical weirdo like Pence, a dunce like Sarah Plain or Trump, or an avowed racist like, say, Sessions.

@carloslassiter: You're a Republican I can respect. I offer my deepest and sincere condolences to you for the passing of The Republican Party, and in its place, the rise of what he have today: The Trump Party :-(

I look forward to the passing of these Dark Days, like a darker version of Nixonism (including Watergate). I look forward to the restoration of America to wellness and sanity as we -- and the world -- recover from the scourge of Trumpism.

As I understand things, many Americans are already realizing they've been conned by Trump and his Party. Even many lifelong Republicans realize that the word "Republican" no longer represents the current state, The Party, or what the nation has become. They're voting *against* the totalitarianism, the authoritarianism, the lies, the cronyism, the jingoism, the corruption, the bigotry and misogyny. As we have seen signs of the population waking up to this Despotism and voting against it, I *believe* we'll continue to see this trend in this fall's elections.

I'm curious as to whether my predictions will come to pass, or whether I misunderstand the extent of the deeply-rooted hatred and bigotry of Americans across the nation.

Whatever we -- The People -- are, I think it is best that we shine a light upon it, and "own" it. That gives us the best hope for healing this malignancy, that is Trumpism in America.

Never a Hillary supporter.

Would have voted for McCain a few years back if he had chosen a running mate with an IQ above 65. Of all the people in the political realm, my absolute last choice for anything would be Pelosi, but an evangelical would be pretty close.

Frankly it's pretty slim pickings.

Actually, an IQ test for the candidates would be good too.

Ah, so you voted for GODDAMN America Obama. His "mentor" pastor was SCARY.
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No sh*t. Slim pickings as I said.

I love that list. Just forwarded it to a bunch of people.
I do all except #6 and I applaud and support (ideologically and monetarily) the men and women in our service.

Even though I rarely agreed with Obama, he was "my" President.

Just a quick question: How many AR15s is too many?

10 Ways to be an Awesome American:

1. Love American values, and call out Nazis and White Supremacists for being un-American.

2. Defend the US Constitution, rather than using "The Flag" as an excuse to oppress others. Decry jingoism, and name those who enshrine it!

3. Don't let any religion be an excuse for hate. This applies to Muslims on a Holy War. It also applies to White American Christians and their Holy War against non-Christians, LGBTQ, female reproductive rights, etc.

4. Don't revere the wealthy. Don't make excuses for how they deserve yet more wealth. Care about the millions of ordinary Americans who no longer have health care because of a huge tax break given to the most wealthy in the latest "tax reform."

5. Believe that EVERYONE should pay their fair share of taxes. This includes corporations and the super-rich and powerful, and politically connected. Shine a spotlight on multi-billion-dollar corporations and individuals who pay less tax than a secretary who works for them.

6. Decry violence. Decry war. Love peace. Don't buy into the Military-Industrial Complex. Don't believe it's an essential element of The American Way. Be a peace maker; not a war monger! Build alliances with those who reflect *your* values. Who do you feel is more similar to you: France, Japan, Germany, Britain, Canada? Or Russia, North Korea, China?

7. Bring facts to the table, like the ongoing slaughter of school children and the proliferation of guns, all for the profit of US gun manufacturers, and for people with tiny todgers who love their guns more than children's lives.

8. Protect your family from the hatred and insanity, and toxicity that is normalized in America today: A nation where American Nazi march in streets, kill others, and a president calls them "Fine People." A nation of gun lovers who argue for fetus's "rights" while turning a blind eye to the senseless slaughter of school children and 30,000 fellow Americans annually. A news network that is the equivalent of an Orwellian "Ministry of Truth." Let your loved ones know that this is the cancer that has beset America. This is NOT America.

9. Do not blindly follow ANYONE! Call out corruption and lies, even when it's your own president, your own government. Don't be a "Good Nazi." Don't blindly "follow orders." Stand for American values and ideals, rather than succumbing to the authority of dictatorship or totalitarian rule. Be suspicious of any leader who calls it "treason" when you don't applaud him.

10. Be a free thinker, but LOVE facts! Love truth! Love honesty. Study. Learn. Do this even, if it doesn’t feel good in the moment. Face and embrace facts, even when they are bitter, and they don't support your current thinking. If you don't do this, then you'll be no better than a Trumpist, who blindly follows The Leader, and who demands your agreement and loyalty, lest you become their enemy.

Seriously? You’re just delusional... and clearly angry.

I'm voting for TheSteve! This was a brilliant takedown. (Kind of useless seeing as how we are so outnumbered on this site, but awesome nonetheless.)

Steve's essay is pure intolerant hate speech.

@garysandiego: re "...Kind of useless seeing as how we are so outnumbered on this site..."

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." -- Winston Churchill

That's why you see a lot more noise from Daffies than from decent and informed people. It doesn't mean we're outnumbered by Daffies. They just make more noise. A LOT more.

And yet, Steve you're one of the loud clanging daffies, but hey at least you're still a hypocrite.

1. Love America
2. Love the Flag
3. Believe in God
4. Have a Job
5. Make money
6. Serve your Country
7. Own guns
8. Protect your family
9. Support our President
10. Be a free thinker
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I guess in your world being a "free thinker" includes telling other people how to think?

@carloslassiter: Do you realize, you're arguing against the handful of members who state emphatically that my "10 Ways to be an Awesome American" post it out of line with *their* way of thinking? Knowing this, do you believe for a moment that they can hear a "voice of reason"?

My suggestions to you: Express yourself and let it go. You'll never be able to reason with Daffies. I've stopped trying. That's why I won't argue or engage with them. All you'll ever get is nonsense, denial, deflection, and derision back at you. See AutoSpies for an audit trail of consistent proof of this. It's as predictable as "night follows day."

So save yourself needless aggravation. Enjoy the site for what it is. And remember, don't feed the trolls :-/

TheSteve - pathetic liberals always accuse others of doing the things they themselves are doing. Just look at the insane diatribe the calls others”trolls”...

The list is hilarious. "Believe in God" is third! "Love America" first. The flag even beats God in ranking. And of course guns before family. Have a job??? Ha ha. Where is the true economic heartland of America? It's on the east and west coasts and shores of the Great Lakes -- the least Republican areas of the country. Most red states take more federal money than they pay in taxes and most blue states pay more in taxes than they receive. I wonder where "Support our President" fell on the list when Obama was in office? And of course, be a free thinker is last.

@rlbdcky: Truth is stranger than fiction. Each individual can't help but reveal their "true colors." The question is whether someone notices... as you did.

If you want to understand the mind of a Daffy, take a look at my "10 Ways to be an Awesome American" post, and you'll see why it's so horrifically distasteful, and so inconsistent with their way of thinking. For example, I write...
___
"... 9. Do not blindly follow ANYONE! Call out corruption and lies, even when it's your own president, your own government. Don't be a "Good Nazi." Don't blindly "follow orders." Stand for American values and ideals, rather than succumbing to the authority of dictatorship or totalitarian rule. Be suspicious of any leader who calls it "treason" when you don't applaud him..."
___

Flip this to the Daffy way of thinking, and you get something like: "Know The Truth. Don't question it. If you think that you, or another, see something that is inconsistent with The Truth, then what you see is a lie, what you think is a lie. The Truth is The Truth. Anyone who does not see The Truth, who does not agree with The Truth, is evil, a liar, insane, and an enemy of The Truth."

Some people see this way of thinking as radicalized extremism, as fundamentalism, as cult-ish blind devotion. Others -- like Daffies -- simply see it as The Truth.

Remember, a racist does not think himself a racist. He just thinks he is right. And he might even get upset when someone calls him a racist!