Once upon a time, there was a nation nestled above the United States, basking in the tranquil glow of its peace-loving persona. Let’s call this nation Canada, affectionately known as America’s hat. It’s a glorious place where the maple syrup flows freely and everyone always says “sorry” even when they’re not sure why. But how does Canada maintain this idyllic image? It turns out, our neighbor to the north is benefiting from the greatest fence ever built. Spoiler alert: it’s called the United States.

A comedian once compared America to a Kevlar Snuggie wrapped around Canada, keeping it cozy and safe from the big, bad world. It’s easy to be the cool, open-minded country when you’ve got a hulking superpower for a neighbor, ready to flex its military muscle if things get dicey. Canada has mastered the art of being chill because, with America around, why worry? They’ve got big brother ready to take out the trash.

Here’s where it gets juicy, folks. The current administration is shaking things up. President Donald Trump decided to send a memo to countries like Canada: you’re on your own. Now, rather than relying on Uncle Sam, all these countries have to start thinking about how to stand on their own two feet. It’s time to adult, folks! No more freeloading on the American defense budget while spending the national treasury on healthcare and free college.

This shake-up might be a blessing in disguise. With each nation having to create a self-sufficient economy and a functional military, they might get a crash course in good old-fashioned capitalism, leaving behind some of those socialist tendencies. It’s a classic survival-of-the-fittest scenario: adapt or face the consequences. A little dose of reality could inspire countries to develop a more balanced approach to governance.

So let’s give a round of applause to the idea of global adulthood. With the United States dialing back its worldwide superhero gig, nations like Canada might find their own true north. It’s time to see if the rest of the world can handle the challenge without turning into a pumpkin at midnight. As America steps back slightly from the role of guardian, some countries might have to trade in their dream of endless handouts for a healthy dose of self-reliance.