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| Mark Carney |
Who will stand up for liberal democracy? Who will defend our basic rights and freedoms against rampant authoritarianism. and fascism? It's 2026 and there is no Churchill. There is no Franklin Roosevelt. Can Canada, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, fill the void?
This is Canada's best chance to shine since our 14th prime minister, Lester B, Pearson, won the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize for using the world's first large-scale United Nations peacekeeping force to help end the 1956 Suez Canal crisis. There is a lack of leadership and backing for democratic ideals around the world today. Donald Trump's support for dictators such as Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un has left a democratic leadership vacuum.
Trump rolls out the red carpet for dictators. Yet, he has insulted Canada and threatened our sovereignty. His regime is morally bankrupt. He can't be trusted because he changes his mind at the drop of a hat. The democratic countries need some strong leadership, and I truly hope PM Carney is up to the task. He is calm, cool and collected. He doesn't rant and rave.
Although not perfect, and certainly not above criticism, Canada remains a beacon in a world of cruel dictatorships. It is a stable democracy in a world that has grown dangerously unstable. The remaining democracies should rally around Canada. Unlike Trump, they should support the democratic spirit against the cruelty of war criminals such as Trump's pal, Putin. They should strongly support Ukraine. If Putin succeeds in overtaking Ukraine, other countries are in grave danger. Don't expect Putin's ambitions to end with Ukraine.
The U.S. midterm elections, set for tomorrow, are one of the most consequential elections in American history. These midterms are not about ideology. They are not about left and right. They are about decency and the rule of law. They are about sending a message to a corrupt administration run by billionaire oligarchs. There is no doubt that decency is on the ballot. If Democrats win the House and possibly the Senate, they will try to make Donald Trump and his followers account for their actions. The bottom line, however, is that Trump will be president until January 20, 2029. The best that can be done is to reign him in.
That's why it's so vital that democracies unite to protect humanity against the forces of authoritarianism and corruption. My fervent hope is that Canada will lead the way. It's time to restore empathy. It's time for the American people to rise up and say enough is enough. It is time to reject a mentally disturbed president who doesn't care about his own people.
- Joanne
