Who Cares About the American Elections? You should. Here’s why.
With the ridiculousness that has come about throughout the United States presidential election this year, it seems inevitable that Canadians have downplayed the situation into funny internet memes. Although these trends are respectfully hilarious, the results of this election are not only vital to the future of the U.S., but they will affect our lives as Canadians almost just as dramatically: "We're sleeping next to an elephant, so when they shift in bed, we feel it," research associate Simon Palamar said in July on CBC Radio's The Morning Edition.
Consider this: Canada and the United States are extremely close: both in proximity and in economic relations. The U.S. is our country’s largest trading partner and as a trusted ally and neighbour, Canada will have to be ready to respond to however the U.S. decides to move forward, no matter how drastic the change may be.
Both candidates have shared their beliefs, plans, and promises that many in the U.S. and around the world find quite alarming. For example, if Trump is elected, his plan to deport as many as 12 million undocumented Hispanic immigrants out of the U.S. will cause countless families to be stripped of their American identities. Hillary, on the other hand, has had everchanging views surrounding international trade agreements - some of which having potentially dangerous repercussions for Canadian workers. These strategies are certainly controversial and have caused quite the stir in the political world. Unfortunately, it seems that agreeing with a political party this election season is much like choosing between the lesser of two evils.