I don't know how people will take this statement without being angry with me...but here goes....
Over the years I have come to realize much anti-Americanism voiced, written, and demonstrated by the people in Canada has become strangely - a unifying force - a togetherness for Canadians to unite together "against" - a patriotic energizing motive for Canadians to feel proud of their nation, to set aside their intra-national provincial scrapes and become a one-nation, working together despite this perceived enemy force to the south.
At the expense of the people in the U.S. Canada has found a way to stay together across the vast landscape, struggling with a paucity of population which could drive that great nation with more momentum.
Wars unify nations and the U.S. has had plenty.... but because Canada is in an anti-war, globalization modality in its development for the future, it is rational to see why Canadians must have something to tie them together in commonality.....even to the point of losing some of their independence by
becoming more European again... which seems rather a step back in time.... but not my decision.
Unfortunately it has become the U.S. which apparently represents many of the philosophies Canada and its government wish to shed in order to preserve their nation in peace and productivity. The various reasons people list as their "dislikes" against the U.S. are almost sad to me, as they cast about for the right words to express and vent against the huge noisy "arrogant" group to the south.
I have no idea if successful accomplishment of goals through imagined "competitive anger" towards a shared border nation is going to work..... too much energy is expended on looking for negatives instead of taking advantage of all the positives Canada stands to gain by sharing with the U.S.
If Canada chooses further separation, focusing future growth east and west across the seas..... my good wishes go along with it.... and the U.S. has lost a long time friend and partner forever.
Still...the U.S. has no aggressive intention toward Canada or Canadians in any way.... but is reviled because it chose another path of development...which is Canada's right too. The U.S. has never expected nor demanded of Canada any more than it has offered to give and share, especially in battle and other matters of the most consequence to a nation trying to exist under a peaceful flag.
NATO exercsises by the U.S. Naval fleet have become a recent cry of "spying trying to take over the northern trading coast" .... the latest fearmongering by the anxiety driven hordes.... when NATO is and has been one of the few successful ventures the military of both nations conduct in tandem.
My constant question over the years has always been: What has the U.S. done to Canada?
The lame answers I get with the problems of trade which are miniscule when compared to the profits and success of the trade we never consider because there are no glitches....takes me by surprise .... because Canadians seem to ignore all of the good the nations share and seek to resurrect the "bad"
over and over with the same old worn out snipe.
The great treck to the south by the snowbirds here often makes me smile because there are no grand press or media stories about how unfaithful the Canadians are - those who seek a bit of sun and escape from the cold and snow.... who spread out like little birds across the southern landscape doing their
part to promote peace and goodwill and discovering how similar everyone is..... friendships to be made for life....another annual exercise in peace which is roundly ignored by the vocalists.
Canadians are proud people, and the defeating identifier which is used more often when Americans seem to be present comes out: We are not Americans...is in fact a most impotent of all statements, the saddest, the most short-sighted, the seeking to blame, and truly un-Canadian.
I am Canadian is sufficient, enough, and the only true and valid statement from a wholly proud people.
