The Face of a Middle Power
Abused and gaslighted.
We “middle powers” (using Mark Carney’s term) are like abused spouses.
First, we are told that we will be physically assaulted (Greenland, Panama, Canada), then we are told, no, “just kidding”. Gaslighting on a grand scale.
Our leaders are taunted with diminutive epithets (“governor”).
We are told that we are financially dependent on our abusive partner, we are told that we are nothing without the abusive partner. We are told we only exist because of the abusive partner.
We are told that we are ungrateful.
We are threatened financially. We are threatened bodily. And yet we cower and stay in the relationship. We see the abuser killing and hurting others through his proxies (ICE et al.), so we fear we could be next if we speak up.
Like in an abusive marriage, the extended family tends to protect the abuser. Under the guise of “not rocking the boat” or “not taking sides”, but more concerned with possible retaliation from the bully, others who could support the victim choose not to.
The abuser has other prospective partners in the wings. All jostling for position like starving vultures circling a kill on the ground.
And to our eternal shame, we stay in the relationship for the convenience of Amazon deliveries.
We need to walk away from this abuse — just like brave spouses (usually women, sad to say) have done, for their own sake and for the sake of their children.
Would you like to read other posts? If so, please click the Home Page link below:
You, Dear Reader, are much needed and appreciated.
Everything written requires a reader to make it whole. The writer begins, then you, dear reader, take in the idea and its image, and so become the continuation of its breath. Please subscribe so that my words can breathe. Consider this my hand, reaching out to yours.