Declining America (tbray.org)

Article summary

The author, a Canadian, declined an invitation to a gathering in the US due to concerns about the country's current political climate and potential risks at the border. The author cites the US leader's threats to Canada's sovereignty and disrespect for nationhood as reasons for their decision. The author also mentions the risk of negative consequences if they are asked to disclose their social media output at the border. The decision is a personal choice based on principle and a desire to prioritize their family's well-being.

Main themes

• US-Canada relations
• Border security and privacy
• Political climate and leadership
• Global trust and diplomacy
• National sovereignty

What commenters say

• The US has lost the trust of other countries due to its recent political actions and leadership, and it may take a long time to regain it.
• The country's foreign policy is seen as unpredictable and threatening, leading to concerns about its reliability as an ally.
• Some argue that the US has a history of making mistakes and then recovering from them, but others believe that the current situation is different and more severe.
• The idea of a country being forever untrustworthy is debated, with some citing examples of countries like Germany and Japan regaining trust after past mistakes.
• There are concerns about the potential for election rigging and the impact of systemic failures on the country's institutions and government.
• Some propose radical solutions, such as dissolving the government and starting anew, while others see this as an extreme and unrealistic response.
• The conversation touches on the role of individual responsibility and the need for citizens to take action to address the country's problems.
• There are differing opinions on the effectiveness of the current political system and the ability of the Democratic party to bring about change.