Canada Doesn't Deserve To Be A Country

[guest123]

Canada does not deserve to be a country

The ability to choose is the hallmark of Freedom. Choice makes for accountability, and accountability for progress.

I am a naturalized Canadian citizen. I came to Canada in 1964 from Greece. I have lived in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. I have also lived in the Philippines, France, Switzerland, Egypt, the USA, and Lebanon (we had to leave that country soon after our building got shelled).

I am multilingual, the father of six children and a former stockbroker. I recently became a grandfather. I am a white collar worker with a strong blue collar history which helps me relate to people of all walks of life. I like Canadians, no more no less than I like Chinese, Italians or Russians. I consider myself a World Citizen. It is my observation, that people who cannot walk a mile in someone else's shoes tend to be more judgemental and intolerant.

At this time in world history [March 2002] when peace is at such a premium I am of the opinion that voluntary political and economic union with the United States of America is the surest way of preserving democracy and achieving world peace.

I am always appalled at how supposedly tolerant and compassionate Canadians cannot tolerate Americans. That goes also for Europeans and other nationals who have an aversion for Americans.

Somehow it doesn't add up. Especially when you consider that more than 85% of Canada's trade is with the USA.

Europe, decimated by WWII was rebuilt by the American sponsored Marshall Plan. Filipinos enjoy freedom and a modicum of modernization because the USA liberated them from Japan. For a historical refresher course go here. In total sixteen million Americans served in WWII to defend world freedom. Let's not include North Korea and Vietnam. World economies remain well oiled because the USA made mincemeat of Saddam's army in Desert Storm. How quickly we forget.

Al qaeda is being snuffed out in Afghanistan because the USA is the only country with the military muscle to take on global terrorism. And it's not over, yet. There's unfinished business in Iraq. Then there's Iran, the Philippines and maybe even North Korea. We expect allies to participate in the fight for world freedom, but the brunt of the work will be shouldered, as always, by the USA. And who knows what kind of rogue states the next century will bring?

American foreign policy is to blame some cry out. I wonder what they mean by that. Are they referring to the inordinate relief that America has poured around the globe? Apart from trying to promote their books, I really wonder what motivates such people?

I am usually easy to get along with, a bit unorthodox, but generally speaking, I am considered to be a nice guy who likes getting things done. Like everyone else, I have my limits. Whenever my children have tried to get the best of me, they have discovered that dad can turn from mr. nice guy to mr. tough love in a heartbeat. That's why we get along so well. We all know the rules and life is predictable. My oldest daughter came to stay with me once. After promising to respect my house rules, she broke them. It was a simple decision on my part. I showed her the door. She had nowhere to stay. She slept in the streets in the middle of winter. She is now a happily married stay-at-home mom. Of all my children her and I are the closest. We talk for hours on the phone and email back and forth. I love her very much and always point out her strengths.

My point here is: if I can throw my own flesh and blood out on the streets for breaking my house rules, how much tougher do you think I can be with strangers who like taking pot-shots at the United States of America?

I attended a union meeting recently [ACTRA...the equivalent of the Screen Actors Guild....yes, I act on the side] and the first order of business was how to attract more filmmakers to Canada. The second: how to preserve Canadian Culture. The union leadership maintains that the best way to attract American producers to Toronto and Vancouver is by keeping the Canadian dollar low vis a vis the American dollar. In other words Canadian Culture is a function of American Culture. This is the kind of inane logic that permeates the Canadian psyche.

If you must lure American dollars to prop your floundering economy, then accusing Americans of being arrogant, greedy, crass or materialistic transforms your compassion and tolerance into nothing more than shortsighted avarice. Never forget this: You are, because America Is! When you finally figure out what the US border is protecting you from, someone please inform me. It wouldn't be from American feature films and cable signals, would it? In the meantime, keep exporting Canadian goods south and keep attracting those American dollars up north.

So, to my fellow Canadians, especially those of you who get your kicks....let me rephrase this: who derive your reason for being by slandering Americans, I have a few words of advice for you. First: Don't bite the hand that's feeding you. Second: stop calling yourselves tolerant, friendly and compassionate. Who are you trying to fool?

Perhaps the word profits is a dirty word for some Canadians. Somehow, they mistakingly equate it with cut-throat, aggressive marketing. Profits, in case you haven't noticed, buy art, architecture, athletes, theater, film, and literature; profits create foundations which fund research and cure diseases; profits rebuild war-ravaged continents. Profits build armies that can defend a nation and the rest of the free world from the Hitlers, the Bin Ladens and the Saddams that seem to creep out of the woodwork every twenty years. Profits, in short, create and preserve culture, and culturally Canada is bankrupt.

But, even if profits was a dirty word, why is Canada the telemarketing scam capital of the world?

Maybe it's American individualism that Canadians dislike the most, that raw brashness that allows one to stand for something regardless of the consequences, to rise or fall on one's own merits, and in the process know the meaning of resilience, persistence, and excellence. Canadians are subject [through no choice of their own] to a social compact where success can never be completely attributed to individual initiative and failure must always be cushioned by social safety nets. Not that safety nets do not exist in America. They do. But, Americans - the truly free and brave - choose individualism without safety nets. When they fall, or go bankrupt, they pick themselves up and keep going, and like struck iron they harden into steel. Their just society is soul not state-sponsored.

By contrast, Canada is a mosaic of ethnic groups which coexist peacefully as they forge a future in relative paradise - relative to the squalor and congestion they left behind. What they don't realize is that Canada would turn into Mexico-North if the US-Canada border was ever sealed shut. The message they are being fed is that Canada is the greatest country in the world. Of course it is! But, at what cost?

Some of us who have been here a bit longer know the real cost. There are compelling reasons why Canadian brains keep draining into the USA. The cream [read individualism] always rises to the top. Ask Wayne Gretzky or Jim Carrey. Canada is merely a stopover to bigger and better things in America.

Also, ask the snowbirds if they wouldn't rather stay in Florida year-round, or where the Boomers - now approaching their golden years - will want to retire.

Why wait any longer? Let's just formalize the union since Canada will be owned by the USA much sooner than later thanks to the 1987 Free Trade Agreement. Most people don't ralize that the USA already owns most of Canada.

Here is what I foresee happening: the USA will bring Canada to its knees economically as it continues to acquire Canadian corporations and stems Canadian imports. Don't blame them. We wrote them a blank check. Get ready for a fifty cent dollar...[as ACTRA leaders beam].

Another prediction: a crisis will eventually loom between China and the rest of the world, probably over the middle-east. China is a wild card. Although economically disadvantaged by North American standards, China is a nuclear behemoth with a gargantuan army capable of devouring Europe and Russia in a single gulp. I wouldn't doubt if they haven't cloned some of their army. If the USA ever became mortally wounded, would China come to its aid or would it view this sudden turn of events as an opportunity to be seized?

I look at it this way: if my four hundred pound eight foot tall martial arts neighbour had a knack for getting rid of bullies, promoting democracy, and restoring peace in the world, I couldn't care less if he was a bit arrogant, right-brained, or ate jelly-beans for breakfast. Sooner or later, though, I would know that he would own me. There is no free lunch. Of course, some will argue that Canada in the future won't need American protection because it will have developed into a military superpower of its own by retrofitting its five diesel submarines and adding two thousand soldiers to its army.

No matter how you slice and dice it, Canada does not deserve to remain a country. I know that irritates many Canadians with loyalist roots. But, any country with a non-existent military, a non-elected senate, and a record of selling its natural resources to foreign interests - only to turn around and buy them back as finished products, at a markup! - needs annexing. Let's not even discuss the AVRO ARROW fiasco. If all that is left of Canadian culture is the Canada Arm, the CBC, Gordon Lightfoot, beer commercials, and hockey...sorry folks...it's time to pack it in! Time to stop the navel gazing. It ain't happening! Swallow that nationalistic pride, chuck the maple leaf, the loony, the beaver, the moose, the Queen, and all the mumbo-jumbo about bilingualism and gracefully unite with the USA before it is no longer an option but a decree. And, let's give Quebec its independence. They've waited long enough. Give them what they want.

Just think, as Americans you will only have to work until May instead of August to pay your tax obligations, and the moose will still be here if you ever decide to come back for a visit. It will be the best of both worlds.

If there is one thing Canadians will fight for, it's their health care. They won't fight to save the Queen, but they will shed blood to preserve that most sacred of sacred cows. The privatization of Canada's national health care system should dismantle the last vestiges of resistance to annexation. If the US had a universal health care system in place what would really distinguish the two countries? Regional disparities? Idiom?

But, the real reason for Canada joining the USA has everything to do with the promotion and preservation of civil liberties in the world than with parochial economics, the salvaging of a cultural identity, or retirement considerations. A Bigger and Stronger USA means a safer world. It means that any international organization that rears its ugly head to destroy freedom will be doomed to failure.

Annexation has nothing to do with nationalistic pride, the kind of extremism which ignited two world wars. I has nothing to do with blood lines, or stereotypical caricaturing (that make for xenophobia, prejudice and hate). It has everything to do with making choice available in places where even discussing choice is a capital offense. It's as simple as that. Period.

One final thought. How we [Canadians] comport ourselves as we approach the task at hand will determine how we will be remembered by future generations. To the degree that we arrive screaming and kicking we will be remembered as selfish and myopic, unable to extricate ourselves from our provincial navel gazing.

To the extent, however, that we reach the summit willingly and offer up our sovereignty on humanity's common altar freely we will be remembered as that benign nation that helped preserve civilization itself, the archetypical society that paid the ultimate price. Finally Canada will have found its place under the sun. We will have come Home. That is the paradox of Canada's inexorable Manifest Destiny: to make the USA Bigger and Stronger, and the world Free.

In the final analysis we all need the same things: freedom, love, a roof over our heads, clean air, enough to eat, and American entertainment.

So much for Canada. Now, how about Iran? Do they watch American movies?

What do you think of this article?

http://www.angelfire.com/country/americaam.../pauladams.html

[Craig Read]

Some good points in the article. I would not say that Canada does not deserve to be a country - i think it deserves national status - but it is confused about what type of nation it should be.

The problem with Canada is post modern thought. Canada is lost in a philosophical fog. It forgets about its own history and what brought the country forged from the wilderness a high standard of life. Canada has natural allies - the US, Britain and Australia. These nations are bonded by language, liberal institutions, blood sacrifice, democracy and modernism.

Canada is rejecting this group and moving into the a-historical socialist vision posited by the EU.

This is a huge mistake.

Socialism begets nothing but corruption and misery. The key byword Canadians have forgotten is freedom. Freedom from opressions, freedom from onerous taxes and debt and freedom from hate. Freedom means responsibility, hard power, secure borders and a jaundiced eye towards the UN and other agencies 'hijacked' by the EU. You ask why don't i support Kyoto - it is a policy by the EU to wipe out the energy cost advantage enjoyed by the US. It has nothing to do with the environment.

I fully agree with the tenor of the article. For me anti-americanism is weak minded national socialism - something the Nazi's were geniuses at cultivating.

National pride is acceptable - but the nation has to deliver public goods, private goods and stand for something.

Canada stands for what exactly ?

[westcoast99]

Justice, Individual Liberty, Opportunity for all regardless of colour or background.

Edited August 11, 2015 by Gugsy

[Neal.F.]

What has sexuality got to do with anything? You realize that someone can claim pedophilia or even bestiality as a sexual orientation, don't you?

Trust me, that's one of the nbext things on the gay agenda: LOwering the age of consent to 8.

This is being discussed seriously among elites in academia. They euphemize it as "Intergenerational sex."

Former Klintonite Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders has written of this. remnember her? the one who thought children in schools should be taught to masturbate?

[dnsfurlan]

Canada stands for Freedom. Plain and Simple.

Our culture and history determine what form of freedom manifests itelf in this great land. But lets not make any mistake about it. Freedom is the one defining characteristic of a nation that allows its citizens to live up to their full potential and to lead happy lives. "Oh Canada... Glorious and Free..." Amen.

As for social justice, lets leave that for the communists.

As for opportunity regardless of sexuality, lets leave that for France, or the Playboy channel. Are there not more important defining characteristics for this country than a focus on who screws who?

[SirRiff]

yeah lets all pretend that american society has nothing that Canada reviles.....

they still have institutional problems with racism, gun violence, drug policies, hyper-militantcy, pacifying patriotism, and corperate ownership of politics.

we DO NOT want to embrace most of american culture.

SirRiff

[Mr Farrius]

I cannot agree enough. I'm a new member, and looking through this forum, it seems that the Americans are constantly attacking us Canadians. They speak from a biased point of view, and flare up when any signs of anti-Americanism are expressed. Ironic how the American government believes in freedom of speech and expression, yet it does not apply internationally. Which government is confused now?

[Craig Read]

What drivel. A good case can be made that Canada is a sissified socialist country with little understanding of history, morality, wealth accumulation or defending liberty.

You guys would be saying, if this was 1939, that 'Hitler can be accomodated', [Liberals always think that they can control madmen], that 'lebensraum is not such a bad idea', that 'the Jewish question is an internal German matter' [Liberals are rather anti-semitic] or that 'Fascism has at least solved unemployment."

Ninnies. Being proud of your country - whether you were born in Uganda, Armenia, Turkey or Canada - is not unique. Any simpleton believes that because he was born in backasswards Manitoba his country is King.

What is more intelligent is to be a patriot - which means take what is good and make it better. Take what is weak and improve it. There is no debate like this in Canada. Here Canadians are perfect, US is bad. Duh, what analysis.

Canadian Government spending is 42 % of GDP vs. 30 % in the USA.

Productivity is 1.2 % in Canada and 3.5 % in the USA [2003 data].

Serious assaults per 100.000 people is at 140.2 in Canada double that of the USA.

Theft per 100.000 people is 4000 in Canada more than double that of the USA.

[Economist World in Figures, 2002, p. 93]

More people are employed by Revenue Canada than we have in the military.

Americans give 6x more to charity.

Canada is not better, more moral, or more decent than the USA.

Get over it.

[Mr Farrius]

Regardless of those statistics, my point is that I as a Canadian am satisfied with the way things are. You say we should take things and improve it? Well guess what, America also has many things to improve right now. Take foreign policy for instance. Americans better find WMD's in Iraq pretty quick or it's going to look like a fool a second time (not finding Osama in Afghanistan). Then take a look at domestic policy, which brings many a shake of the head. Our "problems" in Canada are insignificant to what America needs to do to fix itself.

[dnsfurlan]

Regardless of those statistics, my point is that I as a Canadian am satisfied with the way things are.

Aren't you the one preaching to the rest of us about the need to rely on facts and reason. Yet, when you're provided with them you simply shrug them off and content yourself with being satisfied, regardless of any FACTS provided.

Furthermore, don't you think Canada is dependent on the United States both economically and militarily? Must be nice to feel so satisfied when someone else is pulling so much of the weight for you!

[Hugo]

There are no facts to support what Farrius says. Craig posted a load to support the exact opposite, which he conveniently ignored.

[Craig Read]

And I could add more. Socialised health care costs are nominally at 10 % of GDP - in fact they are quite a bit higher when you factor in long line ups, poor service, underpaid and overworked personnel, poor technology and bankrupt hospital systems [the OMA has repeatedly said Ontario's hospitals are technically bankrupt]. The real cost of Health Care in Canada is 13 % or about the same as US levels, with less access, less doctors per capita, and less technology per capita.

The same is true for Pensions, Energy systems, and susidised businesses and agriculture.

As in Orwell the Canadians are the sheep baying that 4 legs is good 2 legs is bad. Innovation, change, and for profit is bad in Canada, merciful, compassionate, loving, tender Gov't control is good.

No empirical evidence supports this idea.

In fact the greatest reduction in poverty in world history came in the last 50 years due to expanded trade. China and India have reduced their poverty rates by selectively liberalising their economies. Germany and Japan the ultimate fascist/socialist regimes were coopted into Western Liberal powers and became powerful trading nations and economic units.

For Profit is okay - it works. Run the computer, software, car or any other industry like you run Health Care in Canada - and your entire economy would ressemble the Soviet Union.

What a winner of an idea that was.

[Mr Farrius]

Furthermore, don't you think Canada is dependent on the United States both economically and militarily? Must be nice to feel so satisfied when someone else is pulling so much of the weight for you!

Are you Canadian dnsfurlan?

[dnsfurlan]

Of course I'm Canadian. Proud of it too!

[Mr. Chater]

Canada became a country in 1867, i don't think it's going to change..