Friday, July 22, 2016

Trump the Canadian

National Review's Rich Lowry --

On the substance, Trump stuck to his signature themes on law-and-order, immigration, and trade to the point of monomania.

Indeed, much of the punditry on Trump's speech seems surprised at his core themes of border control, trade, and law and order.

Key section of the British North America Act of 1867 (which is now the basis of the Constitution of Canada) --

It shall be lawful for the Queen, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate and House of Commons, to make Laws for the Peace, Order, and good Government of Canada, in relation to all Matters not coming within the Classes of Subjects by this Act assigned exclusively to the Legislatures of the Provinces;

As Michael Ignatieff has pointed out, that POGG clause has generally been read in contrast to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, focusing instead on the basic requirements of trust in institutions to hold a large country together.

One can look at Trump and see the awfulness but still recognize why his themes are not so mystifying.

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