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I kind of wish we could do away with the "kinder and gentler and not-American" identity, as it does two things: first, it is misleading (it implies that it's all sunshine and rainbows; when in fact, Canadians can be just as cruel, violent, and rude as anybody else); and secondly, it is comparative. I don't see other nationalities identifying themselves by what they're not; I see them identifying themselves by what they are. Perhaps we should start looking at ourselves as Canadians, not as "non-Americans."
It is not only misleading but also wrong.
Based on what the country is doing on the international stage right now, Canada is hardly seen as a peaceful and kind nation. It is even more aggressive than the US. Its stance on Russia and Palestinian is even tougher than the US.
Canada seems harmless only because it is not a big country with mighty military power to do what it wants to do. If it is as powerful as the US, Canada at least right now would be a much more violent/meddling country than Uncle Sam.
I generally support Stephen Harper, but when it is comes to foreign policy, he is megalomaniac nuts.
It's also hard to accept that some of the most basic human characteristics (niceness, civility, compassion, etc.) can somehow be appropriated as distinctive elements of the Canadian identity.
Even the Americans don't generally vaunt their "entrepreneurial" nature, even though it could easily be said to be part of their identity and culture as well if they wanted to.
If you Yanks asked nicely, we would probably allow the border states, New England, some of the mid-West and Western states to join Canada.
You can keep the Bible Belt, with our thanks.
Go around New England or PNW states in the US. less than 2% of people there want to join Canada.
You are in total delusion if you think many Americans actually envy Canada - the extremely high cost of living, high taxes on everything and lack of job opportunities. Only the homeless and those on welfare will be most interested since the subsidy is probably more generous.
Go around New England or PNW states in the US. less than 2% of people there want to join Canada.
You are in total delusion if you think many Americans actually envy Canada - the extremely high cost of living, high taxes on everything and lack of job opportunities. Only the homeless and those on welfare will be most interested since the subsidy is probably more generous.
Keep telling your fellow Yanks the same thing, will you?
It's also hard to accept that some of the most basic human characteristics (niceness, civility, compassion, etc.) can somehow be appropriated as distinctive elements of the Canadian identity....
Well, they can't, any more than other human characteristics (cruelty, incivility, disregard, etc.) can be attributed to any country in the world. Is the UK "nice"? Yes. Is the Netherlands "civil"? Yes. Is the US "compassionate"? Well ... yes. It makes an effort to feed its poorest citizens through food stamps, and looks after them medically through Medicare/Medicaid. Maybe not to the extent that we in Canada would expect, but they do try.
I hate to denigrate my own country, but Canadians touting "niceness" as a national quality are (IMHO) just plain uninformed. Many countries in the world are "nice," both to their own inhabitants, and to other countries and their nationals. Heck, on a recent visit to the US, I found the front desk room clerk to be "nice," the hotel bartender to be "nice," and my taxi driver to be "nice." They put my experiences in Canadian hotels, bars, and taxis (respectively) to shame with their niceness.
Are Canadian peacekeepers "nice"? No, they're pretty badass. I've known a few, and they tell me that they don't take no chit from nobody. "Peacekeeping" is a nice concept that plays well back home and insinuates that Canadian peacekeepers are social workers who get everybody to hold hands and sing "Kum Ba Yah." But in fact, Canadian peacekeepers are extremely well-trained troops who insert themselves between two warring factions. They have to look both ways, in other words. As I said, I've known a few, and I can assure you that they are not nice when they are on duty.
Any Canadian who claims that "niceness" is part of his or her natonal identity, is deluded. We can kick butt when, and as, necessary.
Well, they can't, any more than other human characteristics (cruelty, incivility, disregard, etc.) can be attributed to any country in the world. Is the UK "nice"? Yes. Is the Netherlands "civil"? Yes. Is the US "compassionate"? Well ... yes. It makes an effort to feed its poorest citizens through food stamps, and looks after them medically through Medicare/Medicaid. Maybe not to the extent that we in Canada would expect, but they do try.
I hate to denigrate my own country, but Canadians touting "niceness" as a national quality are (IMHO) just plain uninformed. Many countries in the world are "nice," both to their own inhabitants, and to other countries and their nationals. Heck, on a recent visit to the US, I found the front desk room clerk to be "nice," the hotel bartender to be "nice," and my taxi driver to be "nice." They put my experiences in Canadian hotels, bars, and taxis (respectively) to shame with their niceness.
Are Canadian peacekeepers "nice"? No, they're pretty badass. I've known a few, and they tell me that they don't take no chit from nobody. "Peacekeeping" is a nice concept that plays well back home and insinuates that Canadian peacekeepers are social workers who get everybody to hold hands and sing "Kum Ba Yah." But in fact, Canadian peacekeepers are extremely well-trained troops who insert themselves between two warring factions. They have to look both ways, in other words. As I said, I've known a few, and I can assure you that they are not nice when they are on duty.
Any Canadian who claims that "niceness" is part of his or her natonal identity, is deluded. We can kick butt when, and as, necessary.
I'm more offended and find it very disrespectful when people shove it in our face how violent we are at unnecessary times. i really don't understand the point and don't know what we have done to them for us to be disrespected like that.
Go around New England or PNW states in the US. less than 2% of people there want to join Canada.
You are in total delusion if you think many Americans actually envy Canada - the extremely high cost of living, high taxes on everything and lack of job opportunities. Only the homeless and those on welfare will be most interested since the subsidy is probably more generous.
Wow what a great representative of the Canadian government you are... I'm sure your employer is very proud of you lol....
Anyway - you work in Government in CANADA - LOWER OUR TAXES!! and change the system if you don't like it...Do something about the transit system in cities like Toronto that you keep whining about sucks
Btw I thought our Corporate Tax rate in Canada was highly competitive.... hmmm.. As for poor job opportunities - speak for thyself.. i'm doing fine and far from a welfare case! I guess your government job pays crappy since you complain about poor job opportunities here.... dunno... One thing I do know is that as a person on the payroll of government in this country, I would hope to expect more passionate people wanting to make it a better place than constantly trashing it - holy smokes talk about the enemy within.. Do most government workers in this country share the same disdain about it as you do? I dunno, I work in the private sector.
Wow what a great representative of the Canadian government you are... I'm sure your employer is very proud of you lol....
Anyway - you work in Government in CANADA - LOWER OUR TAXES!! and change the system if you don't like it...Do something about the transit system in cities like Toronto that you keep whining about sucks
Btw I thought our Corporate Tax rate in Canada was highly competitive.... hmmm.. As for poor job opportunities - speak for thyself.. i'm doing fine and far from a welfare case! I guess your government job pays crappy since you complain about poor job opportunities here.... dunno... One thing I do know is that as a person on the payroll of government in this country, I would hope to expect more passionate people wanting to make it a better place than constantly trashing it - holy smokes talk about the enemy within.. Do most government workers in this country share the same disdain about it as you do? I dunno, I work in the private sector.
^^GASP! Botticelli is part of the problem?
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