Re: Why Canada needs to be wary of President Hillary Clinton

Michael Fetzer | Oct 19, 2016

Re: Why Canada needs to be wary of President Hillary Clinton, Frontenac News , Oct 13/16

While most Americans share a communal disappointment with the ethical caliber of this year's American presidential candidates, it seem strange and misplaced that the Frontenac News' Jeff Green would choose Hillary Clinton as a primary target for Canadian wariness and suspicion when Canadians have so many other domestic and foreign causes of concern. For example, although American and Canadian Arctic sovereignty claims differ and overlap in some ways, Russia's Putin is posed to make a huge grab for Arctic control as Canada sits idly by with a few rusting coast guard ships and a national defense force perpetually underfunded by Canadian politicians more interested in funding outrageous relocation expenses for bureaucrats and the costs of what appears to be a somewhat corrupt and largely useless Canadian senate. And is there a Western Hemisphere nation with more secretive, less transparent government operations than Canada? Perhaps, and probably so, but details will never be forthcoming from Canadian politicians who routinely refuse to give straight--or even any--answers to even the most basic questions. Also, no one quite understands the reasons for Ontario's high electricity costs and bizarrely evolving (purportedly strategic) energy plan. Clearly, there is more for Canadians to worry about than a president Hillary Clinton. Of course, Americans, too, have plenty to worry about.

Hillary Clinton's shortcomings are no secret, but the fact that she has logically acknowledged a need to engage subject matter banking experts--along with others from diverse social and professional sectors--in reforming America's corrupt and inequitable banking, tax and financial systems should alarm no one. And yes, Hillary is rich, and so is her more mundanely talented and less accomplished daughter Chelsea. The sad fact is that most politicians from around the world somehow emerge from their years of low-paying public service well positioned for far greater and often unexplained personal wealth for themselves and their families and associates. (As Canadians know, some politicians start accumulating wealth while still in office, and public service in Canada can be well compensated.) Justin Trudeau may likely be no different. Still, we tend to generally ignore these "inconvenient truths" and look for substantive policy results from our human leaders.

Instead of casting aspersions on possible future leadership lapses, let's all expect media and other watchdogs to focus more diligently and directly on existing scandals and inefficiencies, perhaps first starting at home. In this way, public trust in Canadian and American institutions, and international respect and cooperation, will be enhanced. Instead of wariness and suspicion, Canadians should join sane Americans in a collective sigh of relief that the boorish Donald Trump has been largely exposed, marginalized and sidelined.