A couple from Estrie who planned to spend their winters in the southern United States are reviewing their retirement plan and will instead go to the Dominican Republic, to protest against the arrival of Donald Trump.
“It was a very drastic decision when Trump returned,” summarizes Nathalie Verrette. We decided to boycott the United States.”
“I am very politicized and these are the kinds of things that I do not accept,” adds his partner Yves Marmen, a 67-year-old retiree. It’s not just Trump, but everything around him.”
Like many Quebecers, this couple who lives in Bromont eight months a year chose to cut ties with the United States in reaction to the coming to power of Donald Trump.
Decline in abortion, tariff threats, annexation of Canada, rise of the far right: the couple cannot endorse the American shift.
Like a war
“The straw that broke the camel’s back was the expansionist attacks with Panama and Greenland. What Trump wants to do is war. Bringing a people to their knees economically in order to assimilate them, if that’s not a war, I don’t know what is. I don’t see myself, in all soul and conscience, going to spend a piaster with them!” confides Mme Verrette, who works in administration.
The couple owned a sailboat and lived in Florida for the past few winters. Over time, they noticed a difference in the reception.
“Every year, things plummeted in terms of reception. Trump is very strong in Florida, it is very politicized, underlines Mr. Marmen. We felt less comfortable in the setting.”
For their retirement, the couple planned to enjoy the sun of the southwest of the United States (Texas, Arizona) with their trailer.
This winter, they had already planned to spend four months in the Dominican Republic in a condo. This country will ultimately become their winter destination.
“It feels good jobsays the 56-year-old woman. It’s hot, it’s beautiful!”
-Photo provided by Claudette Beaudoin
“The cost of living is very similar to Quebec,” adds his partner. We have all the services we need.”
No more social media
Soon, the couple will sell their trailer and put an end to the American project.
Faithful to his convictions, Mme Verrette also intends to close her Facebook and
“With what’s going on, I wouldn’t be proud at all to buy his stuff. I wouldn’t be able to walk around with that. It would be like bearing shame,” says the woman who considers herself “at the center” of the political spectrum.
For the next four years, the couple does not intend to set foot in our southern neighbors again, even for a short stay.
“We have friends who have invested at great expense in mobile homes, they are stuck,” notes the woman.
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