52? Pickup, Jokers Wild and Poor Uncle Sam

New rules, no rules, the only rule now in the US election seems to be "keep them guessing."

As the US election approaches, many Canadians will be asking themselves (once again) how many US States there are. The number is 50. Alaska and Hawaii were the last to join in 1959. How great and appropriate it would be though if it were 52! Personally I would vote for my current and previous home provinces, Manitoba and Ontario, to join the republic if only to fill out the deck.

Americans love to gamble (let’s say recreationally to be charitable) and they also have a kind of affection (or affliction) for the carny with its joints, sideshows, crazy rides, hucksters, shills and snakeoil salesman. To many, these are the very things that make America America - risk taking and showmanship.

So it’s striking how often one reads/hears exclamations of dismay that Mr. Trump continues to hold his ground in the polls. A race that by every standard of common decency and reasonableness should be a no-brainer, remains too close to call, a nail-biter to the inevitable photo finish.

The Joker trumps all?

The Media (such as they are, we still call them that) have not yet started talking seriously about what is going to happen after the polling stations close. One imagines the Harris camp is preparing to deal as summarily as possible with complaints about voting irregularities and the definitely odd certification process, while the Trumpists are busy building trebuchets and ladders to once again storm the ramparts.

We feel for you Uncle Sam.