Windsor-Detroit Bridge

[Jack Weber]

Hey Small...Notice???

Nothing but <<crickets>>

[bush_cheney2004]

....Our politicians are not as corrupt as yours. I don't think there is a political system in the western world which is as corrupt as yours.

Certainly all political systems could benefit from Canada's fine example of...getting permission from Mom to prorogue Parliament!

[Jack Weber]

<<crickets>>

Lotta crickets folks...

Actually,kinda peaceful....

[Guest American Woman]

<<crickets>>

Lotta crickets folks...

Actually,kinda peaceful....

Actually, I think it would be a lot more peaceful if we didn't have half a dozen posts telling us how peaceful it is.......

[Guest American Woman]

I must say, that's something I've thought for a long time. The things that happen in the US are clearly driven by money most of the time. People seem to have very little actual meaning.

Seriously. What makes you think that? Do you spend so much time studying about the U.S. that you know what happens here "most of the time," much less why/how it happens?

With all due respect, you didn't even know that the U.S. paid for the Bluewater Bridge for Canada. We have Canadians here complaining about Canada now making the same offer we did, without much fanfare since it's not even mentioned in the history of the bridge that you found, yet Canadians are upset that Canada is making the same offer we did, it's proof of how broke we are, how rotten things are here, etc.; and when we mention the people who will lose their homes if this deal goes through, it falls on deaf ears as the claim is made that we don't care about trade with Canada ... and now we have a claim that "people actually have very little meaning" in the U.S.; that "things that happen most of the time are driven by money."

And all this from people who don't even live here and really have no knowledge as to what goes on "most of the time."

[Guest American Woman]

I'm wondering if I will live long enough to see Mexico absorb the United States. :-)

It's going to happen, you know. All your southern states will soon be majority Hispanic, and they appear to have more feelings for their linguistic brethren south of the border than for yankees.

Sort of like how all the Muslims who are moving to Canada have more feelings for their Muslim

homelands? I guess by the same token, if we were all to adopt your mentality, we should be wondering if we will live long enough to see Canada absorbed by Muslims. Because it's going to happen, you know.

Edited May 2, 2010 by American Woman

[Smallc]

Seriously. What makes you think that? Do you spend so much time studying about the U.S. that you know what happens here "most of the time," much less why/how it happens?

It's clear from watching media reports on legilative activity that rich money interests play into almost all of it. It certainly looks that way anyway. That happens because of high donation limits for politicians, and now, because of unlimited third party spending. It also comes from a culture that sees money as the ultimate good and importance; where people will try to get money no matter what the cost (almost, anyway). It's simply something that doesn't happen in most other western countries. It's the singe most important reason that I fear for the future of the US. The next reason is the absolute hatred of government by US citizens (which is partly the cause of the concern above, and another is the refusal of the government or the populace to deal with the massive deficit. In my personal view, the near to medium future doesn't look good for America.

With all due respect, you didn't even know that the U.S. paid for the Bluewater Bridge for Canada.

With all due respect, that deal, like this one, is just a footnote in history. This deal BTW, is not what I'm basing things on.

[JerrySeinfeld]

Topaz, once in a while, it would be good idea to get the facts straight. It's a loan, and it's an excellent investment. The bridge...a freeway link between Canada and the US....is very important.

It sounds closer to equity investment than a loan. A loan typically has interest payments and a final principal repayment, divided up as such. Whereas equity ownership means you get the ongoing benefit of cashflows from operations.

It's like Canada is buying more shares in the bridge than the US.

Probably a good investment. Infractstructure usually is very safe.

[Guest American Woman]

It's clear from watching media reports on legilative activity that rich money interests play into almost all of it. It certainly looks that way anyway. That happens because of high donation limits for politicians, and now, because of unlimited third party spending.

If you are getting all of your knowledge of "most things" that happen in the U.S. from "media reports on legislative activity" and drawing your conclusions on how it "looks" from that, you are going to remain ill-informed. For one thing, the media doesn't exactly concentrate on the good, so of course you're going to mostly hear the bad. For another, "most things" that go on aren't even reported in the media, and the media certainly isn't known for following through on what is reported.

It also comes from a culture that sees money as the ultimate good and importance; where people will try to get money no matter what the cost (almost, anyway).

I honestly don't even know what to say to such claims. I guess the best I can do is compare the ignorance of such claims to the claim that Canadians live in Igloos.

It's simply something that doesn't happen in most other western countries.

Again, absolutely speechless. Your lack of knowledge isn't just in regards to the U.S., but it extends to "most other western countries" as well.

It's the singe most important reason that I fear for the future of the US.

I don't fear for the future of the US and I'm an American. But then, I don't have all the misconceptions you (and others) have.

The next reason is the absolute hatred of government by US citizens (which is partly the cause of the concern above, and another is the refusal of the government or the populace to deal with the massive deficit. In my personal view, the near to medium future doesn't look good for America.

It's your view, and you're welcome to it. I'm sure other nations' governments aren't adored by all either, but then who is paying any attention to them? They certainly aren't 'watched' and 'scrutinized' and 'under a microscope' the way the US is.

With all due respect, that deal, like this one, is just a footnote in history. This deal BTW, is not what I'm basing things on.

"Most things" that happen in the US are "just a footnote in history," which was my point. I'm not basing things on this deal, either. It's just a good example of the many, many, many things that people don't know about as they base their opinions on "most Americans, most things that happen, most this-that-and-the-other-thing."

[Argus]

Certainly all political systems could benefit from Canada's fine example of...getting permission from Mom to prorogue Parliament!

Whatever turns your crank. At least mom isn't looking over her shoulder to her paymaster to make decisions on your behalf.

[Argus]

Seriously. What makes you think that? Do you spend so much time studying about the U.S. that you know what happens here "most of the time," much less why/how it happens?

I'm willing to bet almost everyone here knows more about what's going on in American politics than you and BC know about Canadian politics.

In fact, I'm willing to bet I know more about American politics than most Americans, few of whom ever bother to engage their brains enough to figure out their political heros owe allegiance to someone other than them.

I mean, seriously, you're not going to find crowds of howling, furious mobs in Canada crowding town halls screaming against a policy anyone but a moron can see is in their own best interests - at the urging of politicians and lobbyists who everyone ought to be able to clearly see are on the payroll of the health care and pharmaceutical industries.

[Argus]

Sort of like how all the Muslims who are moving to Canada have more feelings for their Muslim

homelands?

They certainly appear to. The difference is that Muslims are not pouring across our borders in their hundreds of thousands and millions every year.

[JerrySeinfeld]

I mean, seriously, you're not going to find crowds of howling, furious mobs in Canada crowding town halls screaming against a policy anyone but a moron can see is in their own best interests - at the urging of politicians and lobbyists who everyone ought to be able to clearly see are on the payroll of the health care and pharmaceutical industries.

Careful, Argus. You're overestimating your understanding of America and Americans. This above statement makes that obvious.

America was founded on a far different premise than was Canada. If you understood the fundamental mistrust of and repulsion from government that exists in the hearts of huge swaths of Americans, you wouldn't have phrased your above reply as you did.

In Greece and Canada and Paris, they take to the streets demanding more from the government. America is the only place left where they take to the streets demanding LESS from the government, telling the government to get off their back and leave them alone.

God bless 'em.

[Guest American Woman]

They certainly appear to. The difference is that Muslims are not pouring across our borders in their hundreds of thousands and millions every year.

Considering Canada only has a population of 30 million to be overtaken, compared to our 300 million, the numbers don't have to be nearly as great. And no, they aren't "pouring across your border," your government is willingly letting them in.

[Argus]

If you are getting all of your knowledge of "most things" that happen in the U.S. from "media reports on legislative activity" and drawing your conclusions on how it "looks" from that, you are going to remain ill-informed. For one thing, the media doesn't exactly concentrate on the good, so of course you're going to mostly hear the bad. For another, "most things" that go on aren't even reported in the media, and the media certainly isn't known for following through on what is reported.

In the context of politics, the media reports everything it sees as a story, all the major legislative issues, and we have access to the same media you do. So unless you're going to claim you work on Capitol hill, your knowledge of what goes on there is not likely to be any better than ours. And we follow, with a kind of morbid fascination, the tails of how so very many major legislative initiatives and party policies are guided if not directly ordered by lobby groups and big money interests.

Your elections are a case in point. They're rarely about issues. Instead, they're about button pushing. They're about abortion, gun control and gay rights - even though those affect only a miniscule number of Americans. And your politicians fight not over policy intiatives to deal with important issues but over these, and other similar dross, as well as how to cut taxes. Then while in office, they spend the majority of their time on fund raising for the next election.

Fund raising, of course, means making deals and offering up promises to big money donors.

[Guest American Woman]

I'm willing to bet almost everyone here knows more about what's going on in American politics than you and BC know about Canadian politics.

And I'm willing to bet you're wrong. In fact, I'm willing to bet I actually know more about Canadian politics than you do American. That's obvious from what you, and others here, claim to "know."

In fact, I'm willing to bet I know more about American politics than most Americans, few of whom ever bother to engage their brains enough to figure out their political heros owe allegiance to someone other than them.

More evidence of my above statement.

I mean, seriously, you're not going to find crowds of howling, furious mobs in Canada crowding town halls screaming against a policy anyone but a moron can see is in their own best interests - at the urging of politicians and lobbyists who everyone ought to be able to clearly see are on the payroll of the health care and pharmaceutical industries.

Ditto.

[Born Free]

America is the only place left where they take to the streets demanding LESS from the government, telling the government to get off their back and leave them alone.

God bless 'em.

...but dont take their Medicare away or help from hurricanes, etc.

Most of the tea baggers dont pay any Federal Income tax anyway...so where's their beef?

[Guest American Woman]

In the context of politics, the media reports everything it sees as a story, all the major legislative issues, and we have access to the same media you do.

As an American, I have access to actual events. I'm living here. I know what it's like to be here, I know what Americans think, I know what Americans are doing and accomplishing, and I'm hearing from others abroad when I travel what Americans have done. Don't think for a minute that your "media access" gives you the same experience/knowledge that being an American, living in the U.S., does. That's a totally ignorant belief. As you yourself point out, the media reports on "what it sees as a story," and the media rarely sees the "good" as a story. It also doesn't see the normal, every day events, which make up the greater portion of any nation's existence, any person's life, as "a story."

To claim to "know" what goes on based on what's sensationalized in the news, especially when the news is not always getting it right, much less doing 'follow ups,' is to be ill informed.

So unless you're going to claim you work on Capitol hill, your knowledge of what goes on there is not likely to be any better than ours.

Again, a totally ignorant comment. I have contact with my representative(s) and I naturally pay closer attention to where my Senators, Governor, representatives are coming from than you do.

And we follow, with a kind of morbid fascination, the tails of how so very many major legislative initiatives and party policies are guided if not directly ordered by lobby groups and big money interests.

Your "morbid fascination" should be centered on something more productive; or you should realize that the media and reality are not synonymous. But if you have such a need, a "morbid fascination" to follow what's going on in another nation, I have to wonder what's lacking in your own nation/life.

Your elections are a case in point. They're rarely about issues.

That's your opinion; and an ignorant one at that. Our elections are as much about the issues as the next country's.

Instead, they're about button pushing. They're about abortion, gun control and gay rights - even though those affect only a miniscule number of Americans.

And of course you don't see any similar "button pushing" in any other nations. One doesn't see similar campaigns/signs around Canada.

And again, while those issues are the ones getting the media attention, you'd have to be totally ignorant if you believe there aren't other issues that Americans are taking into account.

And your politicians fight not over policy intiatives to deal with important issues but over these, and other similar dross, as well as how to cut taxes. Then while in office, they spend the majority of their time on fund raising for the next election.

And of course you'd never see a Canadian politician acting in such a manner. a thousand times over.

Fund raising, of course, means making deals and offering up promises to big money donors.

I've noticed how uncaring Canadian politicians are of corporations and people with money/power. It's all about the little guy, eh? once more.

Edited May 2, 2010 by American Woman

[Argus]

Careful, Argus. You're overestimating your understanding of America and Americans. This above statement makes that obvious.

America was founded on a far different premise than was Canada. If you understood the fundamental mistrust of and repulsion from government that exists in the hearts of huge swaths of Americans, you wouldn't have phrased your above reply as you did.

In Greece and Canada and Paris, they take to the streets demanding more from the government. America is the only place left where they take to the streets demanding LESS from the government, telling the government to get off their back and leave them alone.

God bless 'em.

I understand that fundamental distrust, and share it. However, I also see and understand how the spin doctors play them for suckers by leading them around by the noses with the use of that mistrust. And I see the corruption inherent in a system which requires massive amounts of money for every politician to run a campaign, and the need that causes to lend your vote to special interests.

[Argus]

Considering Canada only has a population of 30 million to be overtaken, compared to our 300 million, the numbers don't have to be nearly as great. And no, they aren't "pouring across your border," your government is willingly letting them in.

The number of Hispanic voters - not the total number of hispanics - which no one knows - but just the legal voters - will reach one third of the electorate according to US demographic data, in the next 25-30 years. That's not hystrionics. That's undeniable fact.

[Wild Bill]

Certainly all political systems could benefit from Canada's fine example of...getting permission from Mom to prorogue Parliament!

Uncle Sam has to go to his mom for the big decisions too, doesn't he?

I understand his Mom is Chinese!

She holds all his money!

[bush_cheney2004]

It's clear from watching media reports on legilative activity that rich money interests play into almost all of it. It certainly looks that way anyway. That happens because of high donation limits for politicians, and now, because of unlimited third party spending.

Sorry, but the US Constitution is a wee bit more solid than yours and is not subject to Charter Politics. As for looks, American media of all stripes floods your country every day....even your opinions and anti-Americanism come from America.

It also comes from a culture that sees money as the ultimate good and importance; where people will try to get money no matter what the cost (almost, anyway). It's simply something that doesn't happen in most other western countries.

Have you traveled much to observe this conclusion? Your youth is showing.

It's the singe most important reason that I fear for the future of the US. The next reason is the absolute hatred of government by US citizens (which is partly the cause of the concern above, and another is the refusal of the government or the populace to deal with the massive deficit. In my personal view, the near to medium future doesn't look good for America.

Then have you also condemned France, Japan, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Iceland? Why do you "fear" for a foreign country? Is it because your own country is so depenedent on the "money" that comes from the economic relationship?

With all due respect, that deal, like this one, is just a footnote in history. This deal BTW, is not what I'm basing things on.

What are you basing things on? Why would the United States, with over 300 million people and geo-political dimensions that Canada can only imagine, consider your observations as valid? Using your own perspective, no other nation "in the west" has benefitted more from an economic relationship with the "money grubbing" Americans.

[bush_cheney2004]

I'm willing to bet almost everyone here knows more about what's going on in American politics than you and BC know about Canadian politics.

True....Most Americans (and Canadians) don't care as much about what happens in Canada...too boring!

In fact, I'm willing to bet I know more about American politics than most Americans, few of whom ever bother to engage their brains enough to figure out their political heros owe allegiance to someone other than them.

Oh, like your own ranting of xenophobic screeds about immigrants and illegals (just like some of the Americans).

I mean, seriously, you're not going to find crowds of howling, furious mobs in Canada crowding town halls screaming against a policy anyone but a moron can see is in their own best interests - at the urging of politicians and lobbyists who everyone ought to be able to clearly see are on the payroll of the health care and pharmaceutical industries.

And that's why all the loyalists fled north to Canada.

[bush_cheney2004]

They certainly appear to. The difference is that Muslims are not pouring across our borders in their hundreds of thousands and millions every year.

More Muslims in Canada NOW! Watch the locals squirm at the prospect of Sharia law. Watch them choke on their own smug definition of "multiculturalism" even as their definition of a Canadian is based largely on not being American.

[bush_cheney2004]

As an American, I have access to actual events. I'm living here. I know what it's like to be here, I know what Americans think, I know what Americans are doing and accomplishing, and I'm hearing from others abroad when I travel what Americans have done. Don't think for a minute that your "media access" gives you the same experience/knowledge that being an American, living in the U.S., does.

Bravo! You and I often disagree, but this distills exactly why I am here to disabuse some of these American wannabes who think they know what the USA is all about. They do not like it when faced with facts and figures about their own nation provided by "arrogant" Americans. Your Sarnia bridge factoid was game, set, and match.