Readers react to Pete McMartin’s column, ‘Goodbye, America’
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It summed up everything I have been feeling and caused me to shed a tear or two for what we’ve both lost.
It’s as if we’ve reached the end of a long marriage, woken up as strangers to each other and anger and sadness is all that is left — that and the resolve to forge ahead unshackled from the past.
Lindsey bat Joseph, New Westminster
Thank you so much for so clearly articulating my thoughts about what has to become of our relationship with the U.S.A.
I grew up in Windsor. The Detroit Tigers were more of the home team than the Blue Jays. Ditto for the Red Wings and the Leafs. We hopped in the Tunnel Bus after school to shop at Hudson’s for some item that had yet to land on the shelves in Windsor. Our cities were neighbours and friends, and my guess is they want to keep it that way.
But then a bully came to town. There is no appeasing a bully. You can never turn over enough of you — your possessions, your loyalty, your soul — to satisfy the bully’s need to dominate. And no one speaks up for fear of finding themselves in the bully’s crosshairs. That explains the sycophants in government, business and industry who remain silent or worse, collaborate with this president in his reign of terror.
Who knows where this will end. It is hard to predict what will strike Trump’s fancy next, or the fancy of the minions who surround him. But I totally agree — we need to stand tall and make it clear that enough is enough. We are and will remain Canadians with Canadian values.
Peggy Aitchison
I always enjoy reading your opinions as they are very entertaining.
However, this one I must totally disagree with as I feel you’ve totally missed the point of what President Trump is trying to do. America is back as you can see from what’s been going on in the past few weeks since he’s been elected.
He wants to make America safe from all the drugs pouring into his country and stopping the illegals from flowing in hence the “threat” of tariffs.
It’s time Canada secured its borders and as you know, it worked. Trudeau caved and promised so many things for the 30-day pause. Let’s see if these promises materialize — it’ll be a first!
Tamara Clarke, Kamloops
Well said Pete. Now we need the political leadership to take the medium- and longer-term initiatives to establish our abilities and capacity to stand up and alone.
We’ve allowed our country to have a continuous reliance on American services. Like refining our petroleum in Anacortes and returning it in tanker trucks for motor vehicles and aircraft. Like sending petroleum to Sarnia through a pipeline transiting Wisconsin and Michigan. The Sarnia refinery supplies much of Ontario.
There are too many similar examples.
I, too, have too many American friends who are suddenly politically silent. They stand in support of their new president. Traditional friends and allies be damned.
Bob Hawkins, Surrey
Please don’t confuse Americans with America as it is right now. Please don’t engage in the wholesale condemnation of a country’s people just because of the Insane Clown Posse currently driving our national bus.
Lastly, in regards to our silence, I can speak for myself with certainty, but I can tell you that I am not alone in my feelings: I AM TERRIFIED. Trump is president. Elon Musk has hijacked the entire financial system of this country, Project 2025 is looking more and more possible. My future, the future of my friends and family, the future of this country is looking less certain. I’d like to think we could stay on friendly terms since there’s a chance a lot of us may be pouring across your border seeking political asylum. “O Canada, our home and native land …” I’m practising!
Catherine Davenport
Wow! You said what many Canadians are likely thinking and wanting to say but don’t have the words.
I have known many Americans who I considered friends and even a few as lovers. We were very similar in values, thinking, interests, and sense of humour. Distance and age has separated us.
The United States is not what I once thought it was. Their true character — or lack of — is in clear view. I can think of excuses, but in the end, Americans had a choice, and this is the one they made.
I won’t visit again until the fascists are out of the government.
Thanks for your words — was really needed.
Randy Harris
Thank you for your beautiful, sad, letter to America. Agree this is our time to rise, to strengthen our resolve, to turn our attention, consideration, co-operation, to countries that share our values, and build something lasting, and good, together.
I too, have said my goodbyes.
Simon Brooks
America and Canada are fine and always will be.
The Cascadians and your “shared Pacific sensibilities ” are actually nonsense-ibilities.
I’m a 1950 west coast Vancouver guy born on what is now the left coast, (unfortunately). I remember when I believed this kind of garbage (the ’60s).
But then something happened, Pete. I grew up!
America is and always will be our friend. Friendships get challenged occasionally. To whiners like yourself. Grow up! You’re just another bitter socialist.
Robert Brown
Your article made me cry.
I am begging you, take NY, NJ and New England with you! We don’t want to be here either! We can bring you economic benefits as we financially support all the red states. For the love of God, come annex us!
Ellen Most
Canada will do just fine without the USA!
We can stand up on our own two feet and maybe we won’t have all the advantages of having a friendly neighbour next door, but we don’t need them.
We can become more independent. It is time for us to take care of our own needs and
we can have some new trading partners. We can get back to providing for ourselves.
It may cause some changes in our lives, but we have grown up and can take care of ourselves.
We have friends and family in the U.S. They can continue to come visit us here on our beautiful Vancouver Island in our wonderful land of the free!
We have no desire to visit in the U.S. and it isn’t just that our dollar is extremely low.
We are proud Canadians and there is no way that we would ever want to be a 51st State!
Pat Turcotte
I am a Canadian who has been living and working in the United States for 30 of my 70 years on the planet.
I would be willing to bet I despise Trump more than you, even as you were writing your angry rant, directed at 345 million Americans — 270 million of whom did not vote for Trump, oppose his bullying, his incoherent style and would like him gone.
Much of what you say is completely understandable to me.
I will say, I have never experienced the degree of inferiority complex you mention. I have always considered myself equal to my American friends, and a better hockey player to boot.
You don’t sound like a very loyal friend to people who (I’m guessing many) share your opposition to Trump.
Perhaps worse, you played into his hands, and he conned you into turning on your friends. That’s his favourite play from a sick playbook. Divide people into ‘Us’ and ‘Them’. He did it in America and I’ll be damned if I let him divide me from my family and friends on both sides of the border.
I think the more appropriate response is to fight him at every turn. Which I am committed to do.
Michael Wright, Portland, Oregon
Thank you for your insightful article It’s such a shame so many U.S. voters didn’t pay attention. I hold similar feelings toward the U.S. citizens. The businesses and restaurants I used to visit will suffer.
I do have a summer place in Birch Bay. It will be missed.
Michael Trites, Delta
I think it sums up how many Canadians are feeling. The U.S.A. is no longer a friend. Friends don’t attempt to drive you to financial disparity so they can take you over! Which is of course Trump’s ultimate goal.
Howard Clavelle, Prince Albert, Sask.
Way to go Mr. McMartin. We were so taken with this article that we just wanted you to know that. We do have a question. Would you like to be our prime minister?
Rosalind and Howard Karby, Vancouver