From Joke to Folly: The Case Against Canada Becoming the 51st State

President-elect Donald J. Trump has once again humorously expressed a desire to turn Canada into the 51st State, recycling one of his many running jokes. He has even referred to Justin Trudeau as the Governor of Canada. Although some have laughed at the remarks while others have been offended, most people agree that the joke has resurfaced as a result of Canada’s noticeable decline, particularly while it has been herded by the insufferable tyrant, Justin Trudeau.

Toying with the proposition more literally, it’s clear that Canada as the 51st State would be disastrous for both Canada and America. The rhetoric also, even if said comedically, misses the bigger picture and exemplifies the problem that inflicts both nations and the many grievances of its liberty-minded citizens. Talk of annexing Canada also speaks to the “empire” problem that America has with a federal government that has continually expanded its reach and influence domestically and abroad.

Canada needs saving, there’s no doubt about that. However, it would not be saved by joining America’s union. On the contrary, it would only drag America down and solidify the socialist or welfarist parts of America. In that way, it would also ruin the America that cherishes liberty, self-governance, and sovereignty. Canada also doesn’t need to join an even bigger union than its present federation where many of its provinces are already feeling taken advantage of. This same dissatisfaction is present within America’s union, led by the tyrants in Washington, and becoming the 51st State would only exacerbate this problem for both sides.

The only reason that Canada would ever be annexed, quite frankly, is to provide more resources to America’s empire and its military industrial complex. In other words, they’d simply be added manpower and a source of extra levies to help fund America’s foreign interventionist policies. There’d be no real benefit to the American citizen who is already being bled dry by its federal government, and Canadians would not only be extorted by its governor Trudeau, or whoever takes his place, but by the parasites in Washington.

To the surprise of many Americans, secessionist movements in Canada are relatively popular and even likely more so than in many American states. This is particularly the case among the western provinces, such as Alberta, and in the French-Canadian center of Quebec which came inches away from seceding in 1995. Although Trump is known for his humor, the rhetoric of annexing Canada to “liberate” them misses the point. Instead, the running joke should be to help provinces like Quebec and Alberta secede and to therefore act like the French when they assisted the American colonies in their liberation from British rule.

Secession should be the rhetoric preached or wittingly entertained. The sentiment would also be more truthful and righteous, even if said jokingly, especially when compared to the slogan of turning Canada into the 51st State, which echoes that of an imperialist empire. It’s also not particularly tasteful at a time when many people are begging for a president to shrink the empire and drain the swamp.

What Canada and America need is less federal control and that doesn’t come with expansionist policy nor is it aided by its rhetoric even if said in jest. Ultimately, both countries need to shrink government for the health of their citizens who, particularly the Americans, are choked by an aggrandizing socialist regime that steals from its citizens to subsidize its growing influence, presence, and reach worldwide.