A POST Election Comment…Written Before the Election

Writing in Over the Road Magazine for over 17 years has been awesome. Nothing I usually write about has any deadlines associated with its content… until this article. There is no way OTR can bring to print the May 2025 magazine after the April 28th election. The print deadline is usually around the 16-19th of the month previous. So, I’m writing in hindsight without foresight.

No matter who wins the federal election… and by how much… many people will be pissed off and disappointed. Some may even think of moving to Ireland. In the end, we must all still deal with Trump and his expectations and corresponding power plays. I don’t think many people will be able to sleep better after the election than before.

One thing I do know… there is a lot of passion on both sides of this political and economic conflict. Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump reminds me of Pro-Vax and Anti-Vax. Can someone please talk to the person pulling the strings and levers? Remind them that we already went through a great divide in 2021-2023. Must we learn this lesson all over again? It split families, friends, churches, Mosques, Temples, hockey fans and bowling teams. Are we now supposed to split society up AGAIN into further ideological factions?

Personally, I’ve grown intolerant of intolerance! I’m tired of asking if someone is “Pro or Anti”. Being part of a democracy sometimes means I am subject to the collective will of the people… good or bad. If I can’t stand the heat… I’ll move to Ireland.

I’ve been in business nearly all my life… I was hawking lady finger fireworks in 7th grade (back then fireworks were illegal). When a cop came to my parents front door I nearly s**t my pants. The officer saw a terrified little boy and realized… this kid will never do THAT again. His short “talk” with me was less than 15 seconds, he knew any longer and I would have passed out in the entrance. I pivoted my sales career on the spot, from then on always staying on the straight and narrow. Businesses in Canada will change; it must ALWAYS CHANGE. If it doesn’t evolve it will die.

Re-engineering must be a part of life, it’s the ability to reinvent ourselves and our futures. There is a great set of pictures of the Raptor Rocket Engines (1, 2 and 3) on the internet. The one thing you know for sure about the Raptor engine is… there will be a fourth. Raptor engines will always get better when they are in an environment of continuous improvement. Either we re-engineer our own future or our future will roll over us and we become roadkill. Adapt or die.

The Canadian business environment will always have opportunity… so long as initiative and innovation are allowed. Industries may boom… industries may bust but innovation will always provide opportunity. The most naturally efficient businesses will provide the highest long-term return.

Using ANY form of the government to fend off competition and innovation is a dull short term “patch” to problems. Eventually, controlled industries will collapse under the weight of government when competing with personal freedom and innovation. We get that controlling mentality from our Imperialist forefathers. Britain made it “illegal” to make salt in India (one of the simplest of products to make). They controlled the Indian economy through force until eventually their laws collapsed on themselves. They lost their “jewel” because of selfishness, greed and arrogance. Canadian “protectionism” is no different a path.

No matter who dwells in 24 Sussex Drive, trade, somewhere between Free Trade and No Trade is the terrain we now battle in. We may have strong opinions of who SHOULD live there but we MUST act civilly with whoever DOES live there.

No matter what position we have with the winner, let’s all be patient and live with our collective democratic choice… unless we move to Ireland.

About the Author:
Robert D. Scheper is a leading Accountant and Consultant exclusively serving the Lease/Owner operator industry in Canada. His first book in the Making Your Miles Count series “taxes, taxes, taxes” was released in 2007. His second book “Choosing a Trucking company” is the most in-depth analysis of the independent operator industry today. He has a Master’s degree (MBA) in financial management and has been serving the industry since he and his wife came off the road in 1993. His dedication, commitment and strong opinions can be read and heard in many articles and seminars.

You can find him at www.makingyourmilescount.com or 1-877-987-9787.