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Part of the reason for the lack of "hate" is the fact that there are multiple viable parties. (or at least semi-viable ones)
It helps with civility when you never know who you may end up agreeing with. In the U.S. it's black or white, A or B, and if you're one, you're rarely the other.
Extremes in any policy are bad, and unfortunately in the current environment in the U.S. the middle ground, where most people actually are, is scorched earth.
Why? because in Canada, all the political parties are kind of similar - center to left. There is no right wing lol. What's to discuss?
On the other hand, endless discussion happens on important things which never has a result. Toronto's subway/LRT for example, oh BOY, why don't they just shut up, have the guts to make a decision, stick to it and do something. You take a one-year leave and when you are back, the newspaper is still talking "does scarborough need a subway"? Makes you want to puke.
Perhaps our political discussion online don't get as heated because most
Canadians don't feel locked into a party
Exactly! I've voted Liberal, Conservative, Green and NDP.
A typical conversation with my friends would go something like this.
-I'm voting for Mr.X
-I'm voting for Mr.Y
-Well, I guess if Mr.X wins, it won't be too bad.
-If Mr.Y wins, it will probably be OK. Let's go for lunch.
Let's not forget...NO major party up here will touch the explosive and divisive issues like religion, abortion or gay marriage. They're all pretty much on the same page.
Exactly! I've voted Liberal, Conservative, Green and NDP.
A typical conversation with my friends would go something like this.
-I'm voting for Mr.X
-I'm voting for Mr.Y
-Well, I guess if Mr.X wins, it won't be too bad.
-If Mr.Y wins, it will probably be OK. Let's go for lunch.
Hah! Yep. That's kind of how the conversation goes.
I for one want to engage in conversations that will find me enjoying the various facets of other peoples personalities. Finding things to like about them, if you will.
I therefore will NOT outright ask people what they do for a living, how much money they make, what religion they believe in or what political beliefs they may have, as those topics are virtually "stacking the deck" in finding fault with another person.
Why set yourself into that catbird seat waiting for the inevitable misstep where you then declare the other person lacking.
My history is replete with years of Harley's against Brit bikes against Rice rockets, Fords agi'n the Chevies, where the discussions can be kept relatively benign and even entertaining, why go looking for another Hatfield vs McCoy session.
When a group of people get together and the after-dinner drinks and discussions swing to politics; I'll meander out to the patio because I do not want to see someone I may have regard for reduced to a mean spirited troll. I have found it particularly telling that I'm never alone for long out there on the patio.
Save your 'inner revealed self" for your home and family; they're obligated to tolerate the bad along with the good.
Exactly! I've voted Liberal, Conservative, Green and NDP.
A typical conversation with my friends would go something like this.
-I'm voting for Mr.X
-I'm voting for Mr.Y
-Well, I guess if Mr.X wins, it won't be too bad.
-If Mr.Y wins, it will probably be OK. Let's go for lunch.
Then it goes I want a low Cal Caesar salad, I want a Donair, I want Sushi, I want pho and then I answer we are going to Five guys fries and that's it or next time we can take your car or truck when we go to lunch and you can pick the place...
That the Jist of Canadian politics and workplace lunch politics all in one
I've spent a lot of time in both countries, and from what I've observed people are people everywhere. You get all kinds in both countries. The difference between the two lies not so much with the people, but more so with the different forms of government as well as the differing media rules and regulations.
When it comes to controversial issues, "rogue MPs" are told to toe the party line or else. In the States, there are always Congressmen breaking with the party line. Because the media headlines (ie. the news that shapes our impressions) are made up of a disproportionately large number of those provocative sound bites, we mistakenly assume that Americans are more different from us than they really are. It is also human nature to want to believe we are better than everyone else (NB: nationalism), thus we tend to think we're better than them a lot often than we should.
I've also browsed a few Canadian web forums, and in them you'll see the exact same polarized political debates, especially here British Columbia. In one of the most left-leaning provinces, you still get 50% of the political posters decrying the NDP, and wishing those "socialist hordes are kept behind the gates of Hell where they belong." In one such forum, the moderators are forced to lock threads because of the vicious attacks.
Wow, Canadians sure talk a lot about how they don't a lot about politics!
LOL...just not in person.
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