I have lived the lions share of my life within fifty miles of the Canadian border. My genealogical roots in North America began in Nouvelle France in 1647. Like me, a great many Vermonters have multi threaded family ties in Quebec extending many generations. The idea of war against these, our brothers is repugnant.
Throughout my working life I saw first hand how integrated the economies of two great countries were and how that energized the Vermont Economy. Quite literally in the sense that a giant share of Vermont electric power comes via Hydro Quebec. But figuratively as well in the form of tourist visits and all other forms of cross border commerce. The belief that a Trade war is ever truly won is a fiction. Threatening a trade war against this, our largest trading partner is just plain dumb.
There are Five thousand, five hundred and twenty five miles of border from Maine to Washington encompassing twelve States. The western third of the border contains terrain so rugged that it is patrolled on horseback to this day. Canada spends 272 billion a year on defense, giving it the world’s twenty seventh largest Army. That may not seem to be much of a barrier for the worlds biggest military, but as a member of the Commonwealth Mutual Defense agreement, Canada may call upon the five signatories including the UK, and Australia for mutual defense. Then, there is the fact that Canada is in NATO. Execution a war against this, our closest ally, would be much harder and much more costly than one can imagine. This would be our Ukraine.
I save my final condemnation to those who want to breezily dismiss the threat of war as a negotiating tactic. If such a War comes, it will land in my front yard. It will be the skies over my house rattled by the immense power of F35s on there way to targets north. To suggest that we should end 200 years of peace between our nations to finance a tax cut is morally bankrupt. I don’t normally claim to speak for others, but I am confident when I say Vermonters do not want war with Canada.
Trading peace for money is a crime against humanity.
