NAFTA 1

Thucydides notes that right solutions can only be achieved by those that are equal in power. The reverse corollary from the quote is that--- " the strong do what they can;  the weak do what they must."  Thucydides must have believed in the pursuit of self-interest:  there was little or no place for a balance that addressed as well the self -interest of the other in the reverse corollary. Thucydides (460- 400) BC  was a politician and a general and clearly  always saw the other as an opponent. If we good little Canadians, as the "weak other" will have to do as we must, can we succeed by inventiveness, persuasion, and good will? Not likely and we shouldn't blame those negotiating for us. Thee characteristics, if we adhere to them , however, are honorable and will serve as modifiers. We should not forget that the strong are struggling with the "headstrong " at the present time and somehow have to save themselves. It's really not the best time to negotiate but I am sure that Thucydides is right!
NAFTA 2
Challenging my NAFTA paragraph,  my brother took issue with "good little Canadians were the weak other". He implied that I was behaving like the 90 pound weakling, lying on the beach with his Softwood Lumberette girl friend and Donald Trump (aiias Charles Atlas) the muscular bully was kicking sand in my eye. 
       I don't really mind being conflated  with Canada, or Thucydides, but not the 90 pound weakling. Besides, it was Thucydides, not me that said right solutions can only come from disputants of equal power. However the fact that Thucydides may be right is a challenge for our country that sand not be kicked in our eye and that power does not come exclusively from having the most Triremes available in the water. In addition, sand cannot get in the eye so easily,  if you are standing up at the time of the kicking.