“When a clown moves into the palace, he doesn’t become a king.

The palace becomes a circus.”

Ancient Turkish Proverb

Even though I no longer watch the nightly news on television (my cortisol levels can’t take the stress) the news of Trump’s re-election managed to seep through and like many other democracy-loving boomers, I have been worried about the fallout. I usually refrain from political commentary but since most Canadians are still reeling from the outcome of the U.S. election I think I have come up with a coping solution that will lift our spirits.

Trump’s appointment of various cabinet secretaries and chiefs-of-staff has begun and the results are disturbing but not surprising. Instead of the potential for receiving a modicum of sensible advice from top advisors, he has selected a three-ring circus of yes-men and submissive women with little to no expertise in their appointed assignments. Without going into specifics, you know who I mean. They will swear personal fielty to their lord and master, pull out their smoke and mirrors and the fun will begin.

I cannot control the outcome of the election but I can control my attitude. Fortunately, I have figured out how to make the results more palatable—even fun. I have decided that from now on, I will regard the American political circus as entertainment. From my remote Canadian perspective in the nose-bleed section above the 49th parallel, I can watch the clumsy pratfalls, the poorly-executed magic tricks, the scary loose cannons, the tumbles from high-wire platforms, and all the other dangerous performances with a feeling of “That’s unbelievable but it’s what the crowd wanted and they paid their admission so let them enjoy it!”

From the time I was a child, I was never a fan of circuses. I found the acrobatic circus acts stressful to watch, the clowns unfunny, the animal acts heartbreaking, and the entire atmosphere unsavoury. As an adult, my feelings have not changed; I could never be induced to go to a circus. The American political arena generates similar feelings. While there is a morbid temptation to watch the daily performances on CNN or other news channels, I will limit my observations to those I cannot avoid, the ones so loud they can be heard from afar.

Judging from the previews we have witnessed so far, the new administration promises to be the greatest show on earth. That means it will guarantee thrills, chills, and plenty of excitement. Unlike Netflix, Apple+, Disney+ and all the other streaming services that charge monthly, Americans get free (is it really?) access to four years of unbridled entertainment that is about as appealing for this old boomer as watching “Psycho”. Some people like that kind of horror show. I do not and I am not amused.

Canadians care deeply about our American friends and neighbours. We really do not understand why they voted the way they did. While we hope their optimism and faith in the new administration will be rewarded, we are genuinely concerned.

My most important weapon in protecting myself from the goings-on south of the border is my precious Canadian address and citizenship. Our country and its leaders are certainly not above reproach but at least we believe in the values of democracy. Our parliamentary system does not have an unfair Electoral College. While we do not cast ballots for the chief honcho himself, we vote for the party and are stuck with whichever leader the winning party has chosen. Definitely not a perfect system, but workable.

Meanwhile, thanks to my new attitude, I will be entertained as I listen to the commotion from my position north of the border and far outside the circus tent in Washington. I don’t have to worry about locking up my dog to keep her safe (South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem who is now in charge of Homeland Security shot her 14-month-old dog Cricket because it didn’t behave!), stock up on popcorn, put my feet up, recline in my trusty old La-Z-Girl chair and thank the powers above that I was born in Canada. I’m in a good place.