Like any proud liberal I am appalled by President Donald Trump’s machinations on Panama, Greenland and Canada. However, I feel compelled to point out the impact of a successful acquisition on US politics.
While one might assume Greenland and Panama would be considered as US overseas territories it is hard to imagine the world’s second-largest country, by land mass, being considered a “territory”.
With a population just larger than California, and a GDP between New York state and Texas, Canada would be entitled to two senators and about 52 representatives (as per California) in the House and electoral college.
Although, it would be more logical to add each Canadian province and territory as states in their own right resulting in 26 new senators. Either way, one might assume this influx would be largely Democrats.
However, the Reapportionment Act of 1929 limits the house to 435 seats so, unless revoked, adding dozens of Canadian representatives would mean reducing, and redistributing, existing states’ representation.
Asking incumbent members of Congress to vote in favour of adding Canada to the union would be asking them to play Russian roulette with their own seats.
On the bright side, the chances of the next president being a Democrat will be significantly higher.
Allan Kelly
London W3, UK