Should Canada unhitch its American wagon?

[Praxius]

Uh huh, The thing about Kids wanting to go to Disneyworld is true, but the other thing is its damn expensive.

I wanted to go more than nothing else for my entire childhood, as did all of my siblings. We could never even afford to go to Canada's Wonderland and that was just a few hours drive away.

DING DING DING..... that's why my parents never took us, and that's why I won't be taking my kids. There's plenty to do here in my own country that would cost considderably less (travel and board-wise) and be equally entertaining, then to travel all the way to Florida..... or California for that matter.

I also think that's why my parents submerged us more into WB then Disney.

That and all that singing in movies drives me friggin nutz.... where's Fudd with the shotgun when you need him?

 

[Zzarchov]

Well If I can keep working my ass off I could probably afford to take any kids I might have (not that I plan on any, but you never know, accidents could happen and end up with names)

I won't though, I think it really builds your character to have some goals out of reach in your youth. I am kind of a softy though, So I'd probably at least send them postcards from my trip to, you know, cheer them up with how much fun Im having there.

 

[Praxius]

Well If I can keep working my ass off I could probably afford to take any kids I might have (not that I plan on any, but you never know, accidents could happen and end up with names)

I won't though, I think it really builds your character to have some goals out of reach in your youth. I am kind of a softy though, So I'd probably at least send them postcards from my trip to, you know, cheer them up with how much fun Im having there.

You know what? This just brought up a good idea in my head for study.... I'll start another thread:

 

[NorthrnMystique]

Should Canada unhitch its American wagon?

Asia's renaissance has produced two emerging powers: China and India. Along with Brazil and Mexico, these states challenge Canada's economic and foreign policy.
How can Canada balance its economic and political priorities in a way that supports Canadian interests, values, and assets?

Should Canada deepen its integration in North America, or should it refocus its priorities on other continents, especially on Asia?

Polls show that a striking number of us view our giant neighbour as an irresponsible, even dangerous, superpower. The war in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Hurricane Katrina, President George W. Bush — all these have served to alienate Canadians (and others around the world) from a country that used to be an admired friend and ally.

Meanwhile, the economic troubles south of the border — corporate corruption, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the rising threat of recession — have made the United States look like an unreliable economic partner, too. So if the United States is in decline, both as a world leader and a trading partner, shouldn't Canada think about hedging its bets by drawing closer to other countries and regions?

Read full article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...alComment/home
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My answer: Let's not just think about it - do it!! Such a move might bring the Americans to their senses! That would be my main reason.

My second answer would be: Let's wait and see how they will behave under a new leadership. Also, if we break away they might get mad and let us feel it at every opportunity!!

So, my first answer was out of spite and disgust with them; my second one with fearful consideration. Unfortunately, they do scare me!

Canada will only survive if it gives new life and consideration to its historic and natural connections. These are the Commonwealth and Western Europe. In these Canada will find economic and dilpomatic security.
The USA is a lumbering and imperial giant on the decline.
Asia is a clumsy and arrogant giant that cant handle the weight of its own flatulence.

 

[Zzarchov]

And the commonwealth is a virtual non-entity and Western Europe is a lumbering and imperial giant that has already declined and now wollows in the past.

 

[Blackleaf]

Dancing_Loon

Greetings!

Canadians are happy to continue to ride the elephant, even if that means sniffling and itching whenever the Yanks get a cold or rash.They're happy because at a fundamental level no Canadian embraces their "nationality" in a way anywhere near with the enthusiasm that Americans embrace theirs. It is after all the source of Canadian identity. Canadians embrace the myth of cultural and economic, political and philosophical independence from whom....from the United States! Canadians will smile and some may even frown at mention of the British Monarchy and our continuing ties with that nation but when it comes to self-identification....Canadians identify with America. This is a multi-faceted identification. Americans held a "revolution" to sever ties with England while Canadians in the typical apathetic "don't rock the boat" "dumb country cousin" fundamental identity of Canada embrace the American green-back. Canadians with slack-jawed admiration wallow in the shadow of a people who've stated and exercised the expression of their independence, something Canadians simply have no facility to engage.

Don't hold your breath DC....Canadians are when the going gets tough....simply pathetic.

The British Monarchy doesn't reign over Canada. The Canadian Monarchy does.

But if you want to become a republic then go ahead. It will make no difference to Canadian life whatsoever - except that it'll cost more.

Republics are usually more expensive than monarchies. For example, the French Republic costs each French taxpayer SEVEN TIMES as much as each British taxpayer pays for their Monarchy.

Not only that, but with a Monarchy, Canadian taxpayers don't have to pay anything at all as the British taxpayers do that for them.

 

[Blackleaf]

And the commonwealth is a virtual non-entity

Apart from the fact that it consists of 53 nations, most of which are republics (32 republics and 21 constitutional monarchies) and 1.9 billion people (almost a third of the world's population) and that the Commonwealth Games (the Olympics of the Commonwealth) is the world's second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.

The Commonwealth's largest country by population is India and the largest by area is Canada.

The Commonwealth's GDP is $7.8 trillion (if it was a nation it would be the world's second largest economy).

The largest military spenders in the Commonwealth are Britain at US$66.8 billion, India at US$26.250 billion, and Australia and Canada at US$10.5 billion each.

And the Commonwealth will soon become larger. Many countries are applying to join, such as Rwanda (since 2003), Sudan, Algeria, Madagascar, Yemen, Israel and Palestine.

and Western Europe is a lumbering and imperial giant that has already declined and now wollows in the past.

Even though Germany is the world's third largest economy, Britain is the world's fifth largest, France the sixth largest and Italy the seventh largest and all of them have larger economies and populations than Canada, and Britain spends more on defence than every country on Earth except the US.

Put it this way - the entire Canadian military (its army, airforce and navy) is only about half the size as the British Army alone (Canadian army + Canadian navy + Canadian airforce = 62,000 personnel whereas British Army, including TA, is about 140,000 personnel), and I'm not even including the RAF and the Royal Navy.

If any nation is puny, it's Canada, not Britain, Germany, France or Italy.

 

[dancing-loon]

Canada will only survive if it gives new life and consideration to its historic and natural connections. These are the Commonwealth and Western Europe. In these Canada will find economic and dilpomatic security.
The USA is a lumbering and imperial giant on the decline.
Asia is a clumsy and arrogant giant that cant handle the weight of its own flatulence.

Hi, Northern Mystique;
You make so much good sense with your observation and suggestion!
I don't think Western Europe is in decline. They have just recently rejuvenated themselves by forming the EU!
America a lumbering coloss is a good description:lol:

I think Asia is a good and natural trading partner for us, since we have so many immigrants from there, especially Chinese.
I'm not advocating Canada should stop trading and having friendly relations with the US, I just wish we would be more self-assertive and say no without fear to certain demands, and also stand up for our own rights, and expect some neighborly considerations and respect from them. My observation of our present government makes me feel we are too eager to please the Neo-Cons down south. We have become the new poodle of Mr. Bush.

Read here: http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/224113