Look, there is no way Trump wants to annex Canada as a “51st state.” The reasons are many, not the least of which is our elections would be completely messed up, both popular and electoral, but mostly the electoral vote.

Population of Canada: 40 Million Mounties, hockey players, maple syrup farmers, baby seal clubbers, lumberjacks, super polite people, etc.

Population of California: 39 Million avocado toast eaters, surfers, generalized weirdos, etc.

Effectively, we’d be adding the largest electoral voting unit in the Union. The traditional balance of election power that controls campaigning, fundraising, and generalized donor pandering would be completely disrupted. Worse, we’d be absorbing 40 million people who believe socialized medicine attracts the most competent medical providers and that’s good for people’s health and lifespan.

Don’t stress, we don’t want Canada. What we do want is a stronger Canada less dependent on American subsidies (both literal and consequential) and less exploitive of American military protections. A stronger Canada is a better partner and ally for America.

I’ll let you in on a secret: Trump is an exaggerative bluster merchant who is also a black belt troll, all in service of getting what he really wants for America.

So when Trump talks about “Canada is our 51st state” listen closer to his policy agenda to understand his actual goal. I offered my analysis: A stronger, less dependent partner and ally. What’s your take?