why does canada have so much fear and hate??

[Bill Gibbons]

I'd say canadians don't know what they want.

Canada is a great country with wonderful people, but the immigrants are often friendlier than the Canucks, especially in big cities like Toronto.

Don't think that we have freedom of speech here, that is an illusion. Unless you are pro-Liberal and support same-sex marriage, abortion and "gay" rights, you are regarded as an extremist.

I thought the extremists were those who approve of the destruction of our unborn, applaud homosexuals parading through our streets naked, and keep re-electing a semi-marxist government that continues to squander billions of our tax dollars on useless programs like the National Gun Rgistry.

You cannot even discuss these things in the workplace at lunch unless you lean to the left. Freedom of speech is fine if you are politically correct, but if you support Stephen Harper, then you are the worst kind of animal under the sun.

Those who demand "tolerance" and "acceptance" are the most intolerant people I know.

As for the USA, I rather like it there. The people are great, you can speak your mind out without Bill C250 breathing down your neck, and I would have the right to defend my home and family from some violent criminal without going to jail for it. Even if my views are regarded as "extreme" (by whose definition?) I still have the right to have my say.

Canadians are great people, but you are spoiled. No matter how often you bash the USA, 80% of our trade is with Uncle Sam. Do you really want to destroy this?

As for the leadership debate, I'm voting for Harper.

Paul Martin is a liar. He talks about healthcare being "fundamental" to Canadians, but he still cut health transfer payments to the provinces from 50% to 16%. He says that the military will get more money. All he will do is give them back some of the funding he took from the in the first place (a 25% cut when he was finance minister).

Then there is the national daycare program. We've been hearing that for ten years. Indeed, isn't this the same Paul Martin who registered his ships under a foreign flag of convenience to avoid paying millions of dollars in taxes in his own country - yet refused to give the poorest families in Canada a tax break?

Vote for Paul Martin if you want more, scandal, corruption, mis-management, squandered billions and double standards.

I'm voting for Harper. Andif he doesn't deliver the goods - then we can always vote him out - that is, if he isn't "too scary" for some of you nice Canadians.

Bill Gibbons

 

[American Voice]

There was a Toronto journalist, I can't recall his name, who made a film documenting the last running of the Trans-Canada railway, from coast to coast. I remember something he said: The defining moment in the history of the United States was the American Civil War. For Canada, the defining moment was the construction of the Trans-Canada railway.

I guess I could say I love my country, but in saying that I have to add that patriotic people make me nervous.

The one original thought that I ever heard proceed from the lips of President Ronald Reagan was his idea that our national anthem should be changed from "The Star-spangled Banner," to "America the Beautiful." I have to agree. I took a trip to Long Island once, driving across Pennsylvania, in late March. It had rained, and the sky was a bright overcast. As I drove along, I could see the Allegheny Mountains rising above the plain. They were, indeed, purple. There were no amber waves of grain as yet, it being only March, but the vibrant new shoots of winter wheat were an indication of a fruited plain.

"Oh, beautiful. For spacious skies. For amber waves of grain. For purple mountains' majesty, above the fruited plain. America, America, God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea."

This is a wonderul thread.

 

[Haggis McBagpipe]

American Voice, I have always loved those words. They speak of the beauty of the land, not of guns and flag-waving ad nauseum. If one is going to feel patriotism, let it be for the land, the people, not for political ideology.

 

[moghrabi]

good point Haggis

 

[Haggis McBagpipe]

I have always found patriotism - in its typical form - to be a dangerous thing, it is based on a blind and mindless obedience to the rhetoric of government.

When I read 'A Fine Balance' by Rohinton Mistry (my favourite book of all time, and one that should be required reading in school) one of the things that stood out for me was the perfect sense of humanity in the characters, the instinctive reaching out to help others even when one had little to give, the recognition of the condition of others.

It wasn't patriotism, yet clearly there was a love of India. It wasn't political, either. It was simply a love of fellow man. It wasn't blind, either, it was inherent, true and unwavering.

Patriotism (and religion) can and does ruin this perfect natural empathy that exists in us all. The words of America the Beautiful speaks, to me, of this instinctive love.

 

[Kannata]

First Visit - What I've seen so far

First time here . . . :hello2:

It seems that a lot of people spend much of their energy pigeon-holing other people and passing judgement. I think the right to open debate is very valuable to our society and should be treasured.
Each person's opinion obviously makes sense to that person, for whatever reason, based on theiir experience.
Let's just be VERY careful before we ever criticize, judge, or label another person, province, country, etc. We're all on this globe together. I know it sounds simplistic and people will label me naive, but if we just try to understand why certain things exist, rather than jumping to conclusions and quick solutions.
When I read many of the posts on this site, I seriously worry for our society and for everyone's welfare in the future. We should always be careful not to get swept up in the passion, frustration, anger, resentment, constant need for revenge in this ever-maddening world we all live in.

 

[American Voice]

Welcome, Kannata.

As for your point about the wisdom of respecting the opinions of others, my feeling is this: I already know what I think, I want to hear what you think. 8)

 

[Giraldi_Theirrey]

One thing about Canada for sure is that:

1) Canadians fear responsibility. It is ALWAYS the government's responsibility, the government always get fingered at.

2) Crime rate: How a child is raised determines the crime rate, it is not necessariliy the government's blame. Japan, for example has less crime but their laws are much nicer than Canada. Even if you behead every single criminal for something small like minor theft, the criminal could care less. Look at Texas for example. Its MORE than JUST the government and the law. why can't canadians get at LEAST this much into their heads??? When it comes to crime only 3 out of 4 things get blamed. Government, video games, movies. PARENTS is ALWAYS left out. Alot of parents don't even seem to care about their kids.

3)Whats with Canadians always treating authorities as if they are a messiah, god or something?? Why do people who disagree with the government are shunned?? In what way are they Special? In what way are they superior?? Why does the Canadian culture so familiar with a facist culture??

4)Great people?? Canadians are only nice because they are afraid.
If you talk to them long enough they will probably die from a heart attack because of the fear or phobia of humans. Its no wonder why heart disease is so common in Canada. But then again, Canada doesn't want to admit their chickenism so they blame the fast food industry. You can scare away a Canadian more easier than a bird, squirrel or any small animal. On the other hand, Canadians can also be VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY scary. Why? Because, forgiveness, mercy and tolerance is something that Canadians dispise to the very very very very core.
The good thing though is that Canada's scaryness probably helped won World War II. The Canadian does not need to fire a single shot. A Canadian's presence alone is enough to scare away an entire battlion. Thats why the Axis never invaded England, just the word "Canadian" alone is enough the make even the bravest of German Generals piss their pants and cower in fear. Would they even dare to attack?? Hell, maybe even Osama bin laden loss his nerve cause he and his men are too afraid to attack Canada as they might lose it for being near Canadians for too long.

 

[researchok]

I can't say I agree with much of your post-- I do think Canadians are much like anyone else. I don't think they aren't so distinctive in their humaness.

Canadian reliance on govt doesn't come from a place of wanting to be dependant on govt, but rather from wanting a better society for themselves.

Having said that, Canadians, like everyone else, don't always get it right. Well, so what? It isn't the intent of most Canadians to create a welfare society. If things need working out, over time, they will be improved. That's called progress.

Now, I do agree with you on some issues.

I do agree that at some point, the individual must take responsibility for his actions and inactions. When accountability is no longer demanded, you have the beginnings of a crumbling society.

I also agree that healthy debate is good for society. There is no one monolithic ideal that works. Good governance is a result of cooperation, collabertaion and compromise-- something a healthy opposition encourages.

 

[Haggis McBagpipe]

A country rich in social programs is not a country of citizens expecting the government to do everything for them, but rather a country of citizens working together to support the country and one another.

The job of the government is to create and maintain social programs that can carry out this goal of helping one another. It isn't government money that pays for these programs, it is tax money, paid by citizens. I think people tend to forget this, that it is our money, not the government's. The tax money is used (and yes, imperfectly at times) for the good of all.

The government is, if you will, the bank. It takes your money and invests it in you, your fellow citizens, and your country.

 

[Numure]

But every party denies opposition. You know what every party is campaigning on in Québec? "Don't for the Bloc. They will never be in Power". Simple, no? The opposition is a vital part of our Democracy.