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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: 24KT on January 23, 2006, 12:08:27 AM
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Well Folks, it's finally Election Day up here in Canada, and I thought I'd take this final opportunity to share this 2.5 year old article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and reminisce about this beautiful country of mine, ...country that I love and am so extremely proud of, ...at least I will be until later this evening when the poll results come in. Barring a miracle, or an act of God, ...this place is gonna change :'(
It's not just the weather that's cooler in Canada
Pittsburgh-Post Gazette,
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
You live next door to a clean-cut, quiet guy. He never plays loud music or throws raucous parties. He doesn't gossip over the fence, just smiles politely and offers you some tomatoes. His lawn is cared-for, his house is neat as a pin and you get the feeling he doesn't always lock his front door. He wears Dockers. You hardly know he's there.
And then one day you discover that he has pot in his basement, spends his weekends at peace marches and that guy you've seen mowing the yard is his spouse.
Allow me to introduce Canada.
The Canadians are so quiet that you may have forgotten they're up there, but they've been busy doing some surprising things. It's like discovering that the mice you are dimly aware of in your attic have been building an espresso machine.
Did you realize, for example, that our reliable little tag-along brother never joined the Coalition of the Willing? Canada wasn't willing, as it turns out, to join the fun in Iraq. I can only assume American diner menus weren't angrily changed to include "freedom bacon," because nobody here eats the stuff anyway.
And then there's the wild drug situation: Canadian doctors are authorized to dispense medical marijuana. Parliament is considering legislation that would not exactly legalize marijuana possession, as you may have heard, but would reduce the penalty for possession of under 15 grams to a fine, like a speeding ticket. This is to allow law enforcement to concentrate resources on traffickers; if your garden is full of wasps, it's smarter to go for the nest rather than trying to swat every individual bug. Or, in the United States, bong.
Now, here's the part that I, as an American, can't understand. These poor benighted pinkos are doing everything wrong. They have a drug problem: Marijuana offenses have doubled since 1991. And Canada has strict gun control laws, which means that the criminals must all be heavily armed, the law-abiding civilians helpless and the government on the verge of a massive confiscation campaign. (The laws have been in place since the '70s, but I'm sure the government will get around to the confiscation eventually.) They don't even have a death penalty!
And yet ... nationally, overall crime in Canada has been declining since 1991. Violent crimes fell 13 percent in 2002. Of course, there are still crimes committed with guns -- brought in from the United States, which has become the major illegal weapons supplier for all of North America -- but my theory is that the surge in pot-smoking has rendered most criminals too relaxed to commit violent crimes. They're probably more focused on shoplifting boxes of Ho-Hos from convenience stores.
And then there's the most reckless move of all: Just last month, Canada decided to allow and recognize same-sex marriages. Merciful moose, what can they be thinking? Will there be married Mounties (they always get their man!)? Dudley Do-Right was sweet on Nell, not Mel! We must be the only ones who really care about families. Not enough to make sure they all have health insurance, of course, but more than those libertines up north.
This sort of behavior is a clear and present danger to all our stereotypes about Canada. It's supposed to be a cold, wholesome country of polite, beer-drinking hockey players, not founded by freedom-fighters in a bloody revolution but quietly assembled by loyalists and royalists more interested in order and good government than liberty and independence.
But if we are the rugged individualists, why do we spend so much of our time trying to get everyone to march in lockstep? And if Canadians are so reserved and moderate, why are they so progressive about letting people do what they want to?
Canadians are, as a nation, less religious than we are, according to polls. As a result, Canada's government isn't influenced by large, well-organized religious groups and thus has more in common with those of Scandinavia than those of the United States, or, say, Iran.
Canada signed the Kyoto global warming treaty, lets 19-year-olds drink, has more of its population living in urban areas and accepts more immigrants per capita than the United States.
These are all things we've been told will wreck our society. But I guess Canadians are different, because theirs seems oddly sound.
Like teenagers, we fiercely idolize individual freedom but really demand that everyone be the same. But the Canadians seem more adult -- more secure. They aren't afraid of foreigners. They aren't afraid of homosexuality. Most of all, they're not afraid of each other.
I wonder if America will ever be that cool?
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Ok, now I'm really off to bed
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/Judi-sig50.jpg)
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/proud_wp.gif) ...until 10pm EST
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why is this on the main gossip board and not the general topics board?
Jag, I wish you'd stop throwing mice into bonfires...
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Get to bed, Judi ::)
DIV
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Well Folks, it's finally Election Day up here in Canada, and I thought I'd take this final opportunity to share this 2.5 year old article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, and reminisce about this beautiful country of mine, ...country that I love and am so extremely proud of, ...at least I will be until later this evening when the poll results come in. Barring a miracle, or an act of God, ...this place is gonna change :'(
It's not just the weather that's cooler in Canada
Pittsburgh-Post Gazette,
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
You live next door to a clean-cut, quiet guy. He never plays loud music or throws raucous parties. He doesn't gossip over the fence, just smiles politely and offers you some tomatoes. His lawn is cared-for, his house is neat as a pin and you get the feeling he doesn't always lock his front door. He wears Dockers. You hardly know he's there.
And then one day you discover that he has pot in his basement, spends his weekends at peace marches and that guy you've seen mowing the yard is his spouse.
Allow me to introduce Canada.
The Canadians are so quiet that you may have forgotten they're up there, but they've been busy doing some surprising things. It's like discovering that the mice you are dimly aware of in your attic have been building an espresso machine.
Did you realize, for example, that our reliable little tag-along brother never joined the Coalition of the Willing? Canada wasn't willing, as it turns out, to join the fun in Iraq. I can only assume American diner menus weren't angrily changed to include "freedom bacon," because nobody here eats the stuff anyway.
And then there's the wild drug situation: Canadian doctors are authorized to dispense medical marijuana. Parliament is considering legislation that would not exactly legalize marijuana possession, as you may have heard, but would reduce the penalty for possession of under 15 grams to a fine, like a speeding ticket. This is to allow law enforcement to concentrate resources on traffickers; if your garden is full of wasps, it's smarter to go for the nest rather than trying to swat every individual bug. Or, in the United States, bong.
Now, here's the part that I, as an American, can't understand. These poor benighted pinkos are doing everything wrong. They have a drug problem: Marijuana offenses have doubled since 1991. And Canada has strict gun control laws, which means that the criminals must all be heavily armed, the law-abiding civilians helpless and the government on the verge of a massive confiscation campaign. (The laws have been in place since the '70s, but I'm sure the government will get around to the confiscation eventually.) They don't even have a death penalty!
And yet ... nationally, overall crime in Canada has been declining since 1991. Violent crimes fell 13 percent in 2002. Of course, there are still crimes committed with guns -- brought in from the United States, which has become the major illegal weapons supplier for all of North America -- but my theory is that the surge in pot-smoking has rendered most criminals too relaxed to commit violent crimes. They're probably more focused on shoplifting boxes of Ho-Hos from convenience stores.
And then there's the most reckless move of all: Just last month, Canada decided to allow and recognize same-sex marriages. Merciful moose, what can they be thinking? Will there be married Mounties (they always get their man!)? Dudley Do-Right was sweet on Nell, not Mel! We must be the only ones who really care about families. Not enough to make sure they all have health insurance, of course, but more than those libertines up north.
This sort of behavior is a clear and present danger to all our stereotypes about Canada. It's supposed to be a cold, wholesome country of polite, beer-drinking hockey players, not founded by freedom-fighters in a bloody revolution but quietly assembled by loyalists and royalists more interested in order and good government than liberty and independence.
But if we are the rugged individualists, why do we spend so much of our time trying to get everyone to march in lockstep? And if Canadians are so reserved and moderate, why are they so progressive about letting people do what they want to?
Canadians are, as a nation, less religious than we are, according to polls. As a result, Canada's government isn't influenced by large, well-organized religious groups and thus has more in common with those of Scandinavia than those of the United States, or, say, Iran.
Canada signed the Kyoto global warming treaty, lets 19-year-olds drink, has more of its population living in urban areas and accepts more immigrants per capita than the United States.
These are all things we've been told will wreck our society. But I guess Canadians are different, because theirs seems oddly sound.
Like teenagers, we fiercely idolize individual freedom but really demand that everyone be the same. But the Canadians seem more adult -- more secure. They aren't afraid of foreigners. They aren't afraid of homosexuality. Most of all, they're not afraid of each other.
I wonder if America will ever be that cool?
------------------------
Ok, now I'm really off to bed
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/Judi-sig50.jpg)
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/proud_wp.gif) ...until 10pm EST
i would be living in quebec if i were canadian
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Then you wouldn't be Canadian.
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Then you wouldn't be Canadian.
lol ;)
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Too bad your country is being over run by undesirables. People of European descent will soon be a minority. Your government is a joke. You have no history as a nation. Your flag dates from 1968 and means nothing. Your country has no foreign policy. Someday soon Canada will dissolve and just be assimilated in the USA.
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Our government is a joke? Bush is the butt of half the jokes on the Daily Show, used to snort coke and dodged the draft by having his daddy pull strings to get him a cushy spot in the national guard, and even that he couldn't handle...... We have no foreign policy? you douche, how is invading a soverign country foreign policy? I am a Canadian that respects America, I honestly do, but it seems that half of Americans don't seem to want to take an honest look in the mirror...... They vote a man in for a second term because they can't stand the thought of same sex marriage. "Nation Building" is nothing more then a apple pie expression for puppet state. Stephen Harper is a douche.
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Too bad your country is being over run by undesirables. People of European descent will soon be a minority.
well at least you don't mask your racism :-\
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In Ontario, we have the right to bear breasts. I take that any day over the right to bear arms :D
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Canada's a better country right now, in that the values are more balanced. Nothing to to with the people themselves, but overall Canadian values have stayed about the same (more moderate) over the years, but look better as the US slides downhill in various areas. We used to be able to see full nudity here in NYC, now the conservatives have changed that.
As far as quality of life, Canada's near the top. The only proviso is of course brutal winters in many areas, depends whether you appreciate and can deal with that.
The Conservatives winning will be good just for a change of pace, to freshen up the liberal party during a relatively short minority government. Minority governments in Canada tend to be productive because of the compromises and middle ground that is required of the ruling party in policy creation.
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The Conservatives winning will be good just for a change of pace-minority governments in Canada tend to be productive because of the compromises and middle ground that is required to create policy.
I don't agree with change for the sake of change.
In theory, you're right about minority governments in Canada. But this time, which other party is going to prop up a Conservative minority? The Liberals, NDP and BQ all strongly oppose the Conservatives on most major issues. Other than a few initiatives to "clean up government," there will be little common ground between the governing Tories and the opposition parties . . . unless the Conservatives completely sell out to the Bloc Quebecois.
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Too bad your country is being over run by undesirables. People of European descent will soon be a minority. Your government is a joke. You have no history as a nation. Your flag dates from 1968 and means nothing. Your country has no foreign policy. Someday soon Canada will dissolve and just be assimilated in the USA.
Yes, but at least we are not hated by the rest of the world.
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Even though I am Canadian, I am still pro American. I love your country, some of your policies, and your hardline stance against crime. the only thing that bothers me is the arrogance, and the cockiness of some of the americans that I have met.
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Get a real healthcare system in Canada and im there!
Like the one U.S have?
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Get a real healthcare system in Canada and im there!
sure, okay, but you'll be able to leave your credit card at home
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Fine with me... as long as I dont have to wait for 2 years to get an emergency takin care of, im not standing in a line a mile long to see a Dr
wait, that's how it is in Can, or in the USA?
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Healthcare in Canada is better than what the Americans are stuck with, which is why they've been talking for years about re-vamping the American model, even about copying the Canadian model. Probably don't like the idea of appearing to copy it though.
I don't agree with change for the sake of change.
In theory, you're right about minority governments in Canada. But this time, which other party is going to prop up a Conservative minority?
Actually, change for it's own sake is worthwhile when the party's stale-it will probably even regenerate the Liberals by being out for a while. As far as which parties will vote with the Convervatives, it'll depend on the issue. Finding compromise is why minority governments are often more productive than what is seen with majority rule.
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Fine with me... as long as I dont have to wait for 2 years to get an emergency takin care of, im not standing in a line a mile long to see a Dr
I think you have your facts mixed up. We wait in emergency room at hospitals for non life threatening injuries, but we don't wait long at doctors office.
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Fine with me... as long as I dont have to wait for 2 years to get an emergency takin care of, im not standing in a line a mile long to see a Dr
They're workin on cuttin down on waiting times, but if you can get someone to hold your spot in line maybe you could kill a couple of hours in a strip bar. Ever been to a strip club in Canada?
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What I hate about Canada is our laxed criminal and immigration laws, and our high taxes. Other then that, its a nice place to live and raise a family.
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no body goes to Canada for healthcare lol they all come to the United States
You're just ignorant. Did you know that alot of American doctors go to school in Canada?
You are the typical ignorant American that people around the world detest.
What I hate about Canada is our laxed criminal and immigration laws, and our high taxes.
It's true, but there is no perfect world. Higher taxes in Canada = better quality of life-better/cleaner streets, etc.
I agree with you about immigration, hopefully they'll change that soon but the reason it happens in the first place is that Canada's a more welcoming society in general, which isn't a bad thing even though it's gone too far.
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Thats bull crap... no body goes to Canada for healthcare lol they all come to the United States
Yes, that is true, people go to the U.S, so they can avoid waiting months for MRI's.
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You dont have Drs in your emergency rooms? ???
Doctors in emergency rooms? Yes, of course. But not "family doctors."
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Yes, but I'm talking about when you go to Dr.'s office. There isn't much of a wait there.
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Ok ur a typical " Canadian" always saying americans are ignorant
Typical Canadians, who can be boring, don't live in NYC for 15 years as I have.
I think some of you should visit Montreal & Toronto before you make any more silly comments.
There aren't many cities in the US as modern as either of those two, and the girls in Montreal can't be beat.
As far as going for life-saving surgery, you're only reading American based stories, which obviously involve bringing someone to an American hospital! Be more international and read foreign publications and you'll see the names of foreign hospitals, genius.
You have no clue-Microsoft recruits heavily in Canada. IMAX and Pam Anderson are Canadian..
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Anyone who lives in more than one country's more interesting-internationalists rather than having the sensibility of a particular country.
Trying to introduce something new to someone who only knows their hometown is a lot of work.
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You're just ignorant. Did you know that alot of American doctors go to school in Canada?
You are the typical ignorant American that people around the world detest.
It's true, but there is no perfect world. Higher taxes in Canada = better quality of life-better/cleaner streets, etc.
I agree with you about immigration, hopefully they'll change that soon but the reason it happens in the first place is that Canada's a more welcoming society in general, which isn't a bad thing even though it's gone too far.
You're absolutely right about the typical ignorant American. he is exactly what I hate about the states. With high taxes, we could make some cuts, instead of giving all that money to special interest groups. I agree you need a welfare system, but ours could be a little stricter. On immigration, I I think it is bad right now. We do need more immigration, but it's the type that bothers me. Right now it's easy to get into Canada if you are from a 3rd world country, but if your from Europe forget it. Did you know that that terroist that got into a shoot out withy American soldiers in the middle east, and is now crippled in a wheelchair, we are paying for him and his family on welfare, and his medical bills. Thius is the kid that his father died in the shoot out an dhe lived.
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One last thing for the Americans:
How do you explain the obsenity of the numerous 3rd-world SLUMS in the US, especially in the northeast-Detroit, Compton, Newark, Baltimore, Philly, Los Angeles, etc.? Drive from modern Toronto over to Detroit if you really want to be depressed!
This doesn't even exist in Canada-Canadian "slums" are laughably clean-cut in comparison, hardly anything, because people have too much pride to ever let that happen.
The American slums are absurd-New Orleans is actually a blessing, now all those horrible 3rd world houses will be replaced with civilized housing that should've been done years ago.
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Under the system of socialized medicine in Canada and Europe, people die because waiting lists to see doctors are too long to permit them to receive cardiac care in time
Sure, in a highly-educated country like Canada, people are virtually dying in the streets! That makes good newspaper fodder. The system isn't perfect but no one in serious need is ignored.
Much much better system than the Americans are stuck with & have put off adopting.
You should get out more, go and visit Montreal in the summer. You'll probably want to move there afterwards.
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Too bad your country is being over run by undesirables. People of European descent will soon be a minority. Your government is a joke. You have no history as a nation. Your flag dates from 1968 and means nothing. Your country has no foreign policy. Someday soon Canada will dissolve and just be assimilated in the USA.
Well stated. Undesirable is an excellent choice of words.
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So a kid suffers cause he is born poor.
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well that's one of the main philosophical differences between Americans and Canadians right there:
is health care a commercial service like everything else or is it more like a universal human right?
your bang on!
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Funny shit. To get treated for beast cancer or have a heart transpant you have to wait in line a mile long. But for seeing your locate family doctor or seeing a doctor in the hospital for a broken leg you don't wait any longer then you would in the States.
And as a reminder, Canada already has a two-tier health care program installed. Our current PM has his own private jet and doctor from private clinic
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Unless somebody is severely mentally ill and thus cannot act in his or her own best interests, there is no reason for anybody to be living on the streets in Canada. Food banks, free shelter etc. exist for those who are struggling with the basic necessities of life.
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Funny shit. To get treated for beast cancer or have a heart transpant you have to wait in line a mile long. But for seeing your locate family doctor or seeing a doctor in the hospital for a broken leg you don't wait any longer then you would in the States.
And as a reminder, Canada already has a two-tier health care program installed. Our current PM has his own private jet and doctor from private clinic
Thanks for chiming in Stephen Harper. :)
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The women in Montreal are hot. ;D
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It is treated the same. It is called a food garden. You grow your own food in your backyard. And if you are too poor to do that there is always cows somewhere in a field.
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Because................. .....instead of restaurants being free, we have food banks. Why do restaurants have to be free in order for the poor to be fed? That is my point! You sound like a broken record.
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Too bad your country is being over run by undesirables. People of European descent will soon be a minority. Undesirable is an excellent choice of words.
Look out the window-it's the US that has been mongrelized by any number of foreign illiterates!
Do your homework and you'll find that the immigrants entering Canada for the most part have something to offer, rather than coming in and immediately weighing down social welfare as seen in the US. There aren't the same racial problems because the work ethic is similar between foreign nationals and Canadian citizens.
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Actually it's the US that has been mongrelized by any number of illiterates. Do you homework and you'll find that the immigrants entering Canada for the most part have something to offer, rather than coming in and weighing down social welfare as seen in the US.
I'm Canadian, and I beg to differ.
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So am I-come and live here in the US for a while and Canada will seem like paradise re: undesirables & immigrants.
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I have alot of Canadian friends who now live in the U.S, and they love it. I guess for now. They all make more money then me, pay less taxes, and have a better standard of living. Here in Canada, its hard to get ahead, because the more money you try to make, the more they punish u with a higher percentage of taxes.
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Canada is largely a nation of immigrants. Historically, immigration has been a net benefit to Canada. One of the main problems now is that immigrants are applying to Canada with good foreign academic credentials but when they arrive they're stuck in jobs like driving cabs etc. because it's a very slow process for their professional requirements to be recognized in Canada.
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Canadians living in the US generally come here with existing good job offers and live in yuppie communities that shelter them from the bad.
The overall quality of life in the US, especially in the northeast, is much lower considering all the bad neighborhoods, ones that your friends tend to ignore & don't live anywhere near.
They'll have less taxes, but the standard of living's not as good in many but not all US cities. Also, the economy in Canada's been better than in the US for years now.
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So, if you are born into a poor family, is it fair that you get second rate health care, as oppose to someone born into a rich family.
i bet anything you're a geekaholic communist
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Go Green Party! :-X
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i bet anything you're a geekaholic communist
Neither a geek or a communist.
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I just voted. Liberal. So don't blame me for what happens to Canada over the next 2-4 years.
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I just voted also, conservative........time for a change, I think.
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I just voted also, conservative........time for a change, I think.
fair enough. any Canadian who is committed to Canada is alright in my book.
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i don't know if im gonna vote yet...still debating.
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I don't agree with change for the sake of change.
In theory, you're right about minority governments in Canada. But this time, which other party is going to prop up a Conservative minority? The Liberals, NDP and BQ all strongly oppose the Conservatives on most major issues. Other than a few initiatives to "clean up government," there will be little common ground between the governing Tories and the opposition parties . . . unless the Conservatives completely sell out to the Bloc Quebecois.
I agree with you 100% Tom. The Liberals did get alot done with 12 years in office, and Martin's skill as finance minister put us at the top of the G7/G8 nations. They accomplished alot, balanced the budget and brought in record unprecedented surplusses. The challenge was their accomplishments weren't seen or felt by the common man on the street. Martin's minority government also did alot, and Jack Layton's 11th hr deal with Martin during the first non-confidence vote in Parliament made me proud to be a Canadian. I always thought of Layton as a blowhard opportunist, but I had so much respect and admiration for him that day... and Belinda Stronach's move I thought was just fabulous! But if Jack Layton thought Martin's social spending didn't go far enough, ...how could he possibly think Harper is gonna do any better? When Layton got together with Harper & DuCeppe, I thought he made a deal with the devil that Canadians are going to be suffering for, for years to come. It was political grand standing and opportunism at it's worst.
If Harper wins a minority, he will have no choice but to partner up with DuCeppe and Lord help us then. If Harper wins a majority, he won't need any opposition members in Parliament, ...and Lord help us even more.
I can see why Gilles DuCeppe would want an election. With Quebecois seething over Gomery disclosures, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain... and all of them red Liberal seats. Federalists in Quebec have no where to turn but to Harper, ...either way Martin's Liberals lose, and we are another step closer to separation. I remember when Martin screwed Chretien at his famous crossing the Rubicon press conference speech. Looks like Chretien got the last laugh on Martin, and some of Chretien's long time members who could have won seats for the Liberals have since been ousted or squeezed out. Jean Augustine could have easily taken Etobicoke. With all the controversy I don't think Ignatieff is gonna do it. I wonder how Belinda Stronach is doing right now? I do think Carolyn Parrish will keep her seat in Mississauga. The only thing that'll save us now, is if everyone that was pissed off about having to go to the polls again votes for the one guy who didn't want this election. I doubt that's gonna happen though 'cause people have such short memories. Do you know that Jack Layton actually said in one of his stump speeches "I don't even know why Mr. Martin called this election anyway? " ??? ::) The only good thing I have to say about Harper is... he ran a damned good campaign this time around, ...and bringing out the big guns with Bill Davis ...frikkin genius! Oh well, ...I'm off to vote.
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Typical Canadians, who can be boring, don't live in NYC for 15 years as I have.
I think some of you should visit Montreal & Toronto before you make any more silly comments.
There aren't many cities in the US as modern as either of those two, and the girls in Montreal can't be beat.
As far as going for life-saving surgery, you're only reading American based stories, which obviously involve bringing someone to an American hospital! Be more international and read foreign publications and you'll see the names of foreign hospitals, genius.
You have no clue-Microsoft recruits heavily in Canada. IMAX and Pam Anderson are Canadian..
Pam Anderson, miss tailer park trash, cocksucking, plastic tits whore. That tells you about Canada right there.
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Tons of people come here to for life threatening surguries. We have one of the best Children's Hospitals in Toronto. Don't be so ignorant, I'm excepting the good points about the U.S. You sound like you just ahve a big mouth.
Pump, in America we have a 100% capitalistic economy. This includes healthcare. Healthcare makes a profit here. Doctors and nurses and related healthcare workers make a lot more money in the USA than in Canada. Hospitals have way more money to pump into technology, equipment, and manpower. Doctors and nurses leave Canada by the boatload to come to the states to MAKE REAL MONEY. You don't have a clue.
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One last thing for the Americans:
How do you explain the obsenity of the numerous 3rd-world SLUMS in the US, especially in the northeast-Detroit, Compton, Newark, Baltimore, Philly, Los Angeles, etc.? Drive from modern Toronto over to Detroit if you really want to be depressed!
This doesn't even exist in Canada-Canadian "slums" are laughably clean-cut in comparison, hardly anything, because people have too much pride to ever let that happen.
The American slums are absurd-New Orleans is actually a blessing, now all those horrible 3rd world houses will be replaced with civilized housing that should've been done years ago.
Fuck your clueless. Lots of people in Canada still have no electricity and use outhouses.
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Too bad your country is being over run by undesirables. People of European descent will soon be a minority. Your government is a joke. You have no history as a nation. Your flag dates from 1968 and means nothing. Your country has no foreign policy. Someday soon Canada will dissolve and just be assimilated in the USA.
The only thing I like about Canada are the pale white women who can't tan because it too damn cold! >:(
French Canadian women..........nice.
DIV
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Unless somebody is severely mentally ill and thus cannot act in his or her own best interests, there is no reason for anybody to be living on the streets in Canada. Food banks, free shelter etc. exist for those who are struggling with the basic necessities of life.
Its the same here in the states.
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Look out the window-it's the US that has been mongrelized by any number of foreign illiterates!
Do your homework and you'll find that the immigrants entering Canada for the most part have something to offer, rather than coming in and immediately weighing down social welfare as seen in the US. There aren't the same racial problems because the work ethic is similar between foreign nationals and Canadian citizens.
Oh bullshit. Canada has so few people that every year 10% of Canada's population is allowed to immigrate. So you have 30 million people now. Thats 3 million third world people who will never be assimilated in the population as a whole enter Canada each year. These people start their own enclaves. The USA has 300 million people, has a higher birthrate. We will not be over run with muslim's and the likes. Your "friendly, mellow" country is just another word for having sackless leaders who are selling you out.
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montreal must be a wonderful place to live
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the liberals were leading until the RCMP leaked that Gooddale would be investigated. America is the greatest country in the world to live if you are rich..... if you are poor you are SOL...... you are worth more locked up in a prison then on the street, because at least the state can use you for cheap labour instead of giving you food stamps and welfare.
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The only thing I like about Canada are the pale white women who can't tan because it too damn cold!
You'd be in heaven thanx to reverse discrimination. Plenty of white women with men of color there, as in Europe. You're ignorant on the weather, like most Americans. Weather's not much different than being in Chicago; most of the population there lives within 100 miles of the border. Actually i'd say the genetics & skin are generally superior in Canada, because there's not the mongrelism seen in the US.
Pam Anderson, miss tailer park trash, cocksucking, plastic tits whore. That tells you about Canada right there.
You idiot-she gained all those "traits" after living in wholesome LA.
Hate to rub it in but, as shown on 60 Minutes, the US will soon be relying on Canadian Tar Sand oil.. :-*
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The Liberals did get alot done with 12 years in office, and Martin's skill as finance minister put us at the top of the G7/G8 nations.
Calm down, you're showing clear Liberal bias in wanting the same party to remain in power indefinitely. In that long-winded dissertation that no one read, you neglected to mention that the Liberals have basically been in power more or less for decades already. That is not a healthy scenario for any country.
Canada's stable, fairly boring politically except for the separatist lobby. A change of pace will be good for the country, given a minority government that will provide for balance and prevent extremist conservatist tendencies. Minority governments are often more productive and are relatively short-lived 1-2 years.
Too bad about Martin leaving though. Now the party can begin healing the divides and be in a better position for the next election.
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Ahahahhahha, oh god. Like the U.S has a better health care system than Canada. NOT LIKELY. My wife is a RN "nurse" hear in Canada and we know quit a bit about the American health care system. It's actually really scary what goes on down there. ::)
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the liberals were leading until the RCMP leaked that Gooddale would be investigated. America is the greatest country in the world to live if you are rich..... if you are poor you are SOL...... you are worth more locked up in a prison then on the street, because at least the state can use you for cheap labour instead of giving you food stamps and welfare.
And the only reason Goodale was being investigated, was because the Tory opposition requested it. The RCMP publicly stated they had no reason to suspect him of any malfeasance, and they didn't even have any evidence of such, however, when, a request is made for an investigation, they are required to comply. It was a very successful smear attempt which was the straw that broke the back of much Liberal voter support.
I can't believe Michael Ignatieff pulled it off. Who'd have thought? And Belinda Stronach was able to hang onto her seat, despite having crossed the floor, and despite the Conservatives attempting to smear her as well. They went after her first and she adamantly went on the air to vehemently deny any truth to the allegations and to emphatically swear she was not under investigation at all. I guess that's when they decided to make sure an RCMP investigation went underway before they smeared the next candidate.
Calm down, you're showing clear Liberal bias in wanting the same party to remain in power indefinitely. In that long-winded dissertation that no one read, you neglected to mention that the Liberals have basically been in power more or less for decades already. That is not a healthy scenario for any country.
Who ever denied I have a clear Liberal bias? I admit it, ...I do. The only conservatives I have ever had a lick of respect for are Bill Davis, and Belinda Stronach. Now Belinda is a Liberal, ...and quite possibly the next leader of the Liberal party.
Canada's stable, fairly boring politically except for the separatist lobby. A change of pace will be good for the country, given a minority government that will provide for balance and prevent extremist conservatist tendencies. Especially so if the NDP make it to 43 seats. Minority governments are often more productive and are relatively short-lived 1-2 years.
This will be interesting indeed. Harper campaigned as a red Conservative promising to govern from the centre, so thankfully his victory is only a minority. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, ...they were predicting a Harper majority, and that is just an unfathomable thing. The last time the Conservatives had a majority, the next election, they won only 2 out of 308 seats
Too bad about Martin leaving though, he came across well. Now the party can begin healing the divides and be in a better position for the next election.
I agree, but it's for the best. His announcing it tonight is a good thing in that it allows candidates the time to become known because I believe we're going to have an election very, very soon. I predict getting things done will be a nightmare because Harper won't want to give DuCeppe an international platform, and DuCeppe doesn't want him making any inroads with Quebecois. He won't make any inroads in Montrealers cause they're all Liberal. Harper is too far to the right, and his ideology is too far removed from the Liberals or the NDP, and even the BQ on many issues. Furthermore, he has publicly stated he won't work with the BQ because they're not federalists. <shrug>. I predict the minute he goes after daycare, the opposition defeats the government, and the next election begins.
We're still as regional as ever tho. The vote still broke down the same rural voters went conservative, while urban and suburban votes went Liberal, with the NDP picking off Liberal voters. I also predict that Albertans will turn on him as soon as he sells out Alberta oil interests to the US.
So who will be the next Liberal leader, ...the Harvard intellectual, or the Billionaire's daughter? Based on some of the Liberal acceptance speeches I heard tonight, the campaiging and posturing has already begun. :D
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Stronach's so obviously an opportunist that I'm not sure that she can enlist sufficient support amongst voters.
The leader who didn't change
MONTREAL
Standing among the very few Liberals who bothered to come out to show their support for Paul Martin in his home riding last night, I couldn't help but think back to the last time I was in Montreal witnessing a little slice of political history. It was 10 months ago, and the Conservatives seemed to be falling apart at the seams. As the local media snorted contemptuously at the party's decision to hold its first national convention in a province where it was a non-factor, dissidents patrolled the convention floor's hallways campaigning against Stephen Harper while social conservatives handed out anti-Charter buttons. Deputy leader Peter MacKay was openly picking fights with Harper while his equally ambitious girlfriend, Belinda Stronach, threw a lavish party designed to upstage the rest of the weekend's events.
Through it all, Martin's cadre of advisors were having a good laugh. What they didn't realize was that the Tories had one big advantage: They were capable of learning from their mistakes. And that weekend was their turning point.
It started with pulling back from the brink midway through the convention -- everyone making nice while delegates voted for a moderate package of policies that helped the party shed its extremist tag. But it was what happened to their leader afterward that made the biggest difference.
Accused of running an unprofessional shop, he made wholesale changes to his office -- from firing his communications team to hiring a new chief of staff. Accused of being a poor team player, he learned to delegate. Accused of being too angry, he learned to smile. The ability to embrace change set Harper apart from his Liberal counterpart.
When he solemnly promised last election night to "do better" because Canadians "expect more from us," it was mistakenly assumed that Martin realized his own performance had been lacking. We now know it was just another veiled shot at his predecessor. Even having been reduced to a minority government, the Martinites had no concept that they'd had a middling first few months in office, that shallow rhetoric didn't amount to a coherent vision and that their party was suffering from years of internecine warfare that they'd initiated. In their fantasy-land version of events, Martin had heroically overcome Jean Chretien's sins.
Incredibly, the Martinites had an even more triumphalist reaction a year later, when their foundering government was rescued only by an unsavoury bit of floor-crossing. On the night their government held on by a tied vote in the House of Commons, they should have been contemplating how to turn things around. Instead, they threw themselves a raucous party at which the prime minister's chief of staff danced atop a table with Stronach herself.
And so the Martin Liberals came to this election exactly as they came to the last one -- with a lacklustre policy record and a campaign strategy that revolved entirely around demonizing Harper. When the new and improved Tory leader was unveiled, it became clear that only one party had been treading water.
It will be Martin's inner circle that will shoulder much of the blame for the Liberals' humbling fall from power. But that blame should be directed at the man who accepted their mediocrity.
After years of rallying around their leader, one gets the sense that even most Liberals now know that. Sure, there were the usual senior Martinites here last night going down with the ship. But the scene around him told a different story.
Even in Liberal-rich Montreal, there were more journalists in the room than supporters of the erstwhile PM. There was little sense of coming out to pay tribute to the guy who 90% of Liberals elected to the leadership; just a sense of grim resignation.
It was hard to blame them, considering how they'd been let down. Martin needn't have won, necessarily. But he could have at least done something other than stick with a 2004 strategy frozen in amber.
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You'd be in heaven thanx to reverse discrimination. Plenty of white women with men of color there, as in Europe. You're ignorant on the weather, like most Americans. Weather's not much different than being in Chicago; most of the population there lives within 100 miles of the border. Actually i'd say the genetics & skin are generally superior in Canada, because there's not the mongrelism seen in the US.
You idiot-she gained all those "traits" after living in wholesome LA.
Hate to rub it in but, as shown on 60 Minutes, the US will soon be relying on Canadian Tar Sand oil.. :-*
Yeah, sure she did. Her parents still live in a trailer in Vancouver somewhere. They were on one of those tabloid tv shows the other day.
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You'd be in heaven thanx to reverse discrimination. Plenty of white women with men of color there, as in Europe. You're ignorant on the weather, like most Americans. Weather's not much different than being in Chicago; most of the population there lives within 100 miles of the border. Actually i'd say the genetics & skin are generally superior in Canada, because there's not the mongrelism seen in the US.
You idiot-she gained all those "traits" after living in wholesome LA.
Hate to rub it in but, as shown on 60 Minutes, the US will soon be relying on Canadian Tar Sand oil.. :-*
Yeah, like Canada has relied on the USA for its security and defense since 1945. Sounds like a good deal for Canada to me.
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I have alot of Canadian friends who now live in the U.S, and they love it. I guess for now. They all make more money then me, pay less taxes, and have a better standard of living. Here in Canada, its hard to get ahead, because the more money you try to make, the more they punish u with a higher percentage of taxes.
Pumphard, my wife is from Fort. St. John, BC. She loved Canada but she loves the USA more. She bristles at the thought of having to ever live in Canada again. A couple times I threatened to send her back. ;)
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Ahahahhahha, oh god. Like the U.S has a better health care system than Canada. NOT LIKELY. My wife is a RN "nurse" hear in Canada and we know quit a bit about the American health care system. It's actually really scary what goes on down there. ::)
Yeah, you or her ever been down here to see it for youselves? I doubt it. Get a grip. Doctors and nurses leave Canada to come to the USA to work not vice-versa.
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hhahahah four posts in a row...
that's a certified meltdown from bmacsys
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Because the healthcare is already paid for from taxation....i would've thought that was obvious, you are discussing nationalised healthcare afterall.....
....hypothetically, if people want to pay more taxes then i'm sure the government could set up its own chain of restaurants and offer 'free' food too, only it wouldnt be free would it?.....its paid for from taxation.
Waiting lists exist all over the world...including the US, if you dont have insurance but need a minor/non life threatening condition treated you will have to save the money, join a list, go without or appeal to the better nature of the directors at the hospital.
In europe its no different, if you want to pay for your treatment you can be seen in a private hospital immediately or you can go to a state hospital and join a waiting list (if there is one, its only certain operations that have high demand).....life threatening conditions are treated immediately whichever system you are under....
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What cracks me up most about this thread is the fact that majority or Americans (and I don't mean all, but most) are 100% completely ignorant about Canada, so anyone in here posting their opinions or talking about the way government works or health care, and they are from the States, doesn't really mean shit to us Canadians, because we know you are talking out your asses. For the most part, get an American to show you where Canada is on the map, and they might as well be looking for the Congo. And God help you all if a cold snap hits the world, because aside from Russia, we'll be the only ones standing. Canadian winters make most Americans cry...while we're out in t-shirts shovelling our drive-ways.
In the end, there are pros and cons for Canada and the US...of course you will get your hard line supporters on both sides, but to talk trash about either country is just closed minded ignorance.
Oh, I will give this to Americans though...they have the HOTTEST college girls anywhere in the world!!!
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i'm please the eastern maritimes held liberal and BQ didnt do too bad(projected worse) either. wait until halleburton trys to steal manitoba and alberta :) my cousin dick cheney is drooling over it. yes, good looking rulers are much better than truckdrivers. ::)
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Pump, in America we have a 100% capitalistic economy. This includes healthcare. Healthcare makes a profit here. Doctors and nurses and related healthcare workers make a lot more money in the USA than in Canada. Hospitals have way more money to pump into technology, equipment, and manpower. Doctors and nurses leave Canada by the boatload to come to the states to MAKE REAL MONEY. You don't have a clue.
our hospitals are funded heavily by our government, and we are also rated high amongst the world, you don't have a f****n clue.
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f**k your clueless. Lots of people in Canada still have no electricity and use outhouses.
Why, they don't in some of your 3rd world states..........lol. Drive through Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.....then come talk to me.
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Pumpster,
That article is pretty accurate. I think everyone except Martin have been working on their campaigns, and from the start Harper came out swinging and setting the agenda which they hammered home with a vengeance. Their last attempt was such a horrendous fizzle he cleaned house well, and the man never stopped smiling. It drove me nuts every time I saw his picture on the front pages of newspapers right beside Martin. He had that perpetual smile on looking calm, clear, cool and relaxed, while Martin always looked tired, grim, and scowling. And this time around, the reporters couldn't get within 10 yards of him for a sound byte. As Vaughn reported "We couldn't get a microphone in front of Harper unless the Conservative party put it there first".
They set the agenda from day one, and kept Martin on the defensive the whole time. Harper's campaign did to Martin what Martin did to Harper in the last campaign, flat out pulled the rug right out from under him and kept him off balanc the whole time. They did a good job, and he performed superbly throughout this campaign. Now let's see how he does in Ottawa. I can't see him touching the deal for cities tho. He was completely shut out of every single seat from the countries 3 biggest cities. All 28 Toronto seats went Liberal, all the Vancouver seats went liberal, and all the Montreal seats went liberal. The entire opposition membership in the house of commons will be from urban ridings. His platform numbers just don't add up at all, and now he's got the keys to the piggy bank. :( Oh well, ...let's see.
It was certainly was a break from tradition tho. The first time in 27 years that a Prime Minister was elected from outside of Quebec. I was really surprised to see that the Bloc actually lost seats. I thought for sure they'd gain, but they lost 4 seats. Oh well, ...at least we finally got someone good looking in office. He and his wife make a strikingly good looking couple.
<sigh> Is it too much to ask that we have a Liberal majority on Parliament Hill, at the same time we have a Liberal majority at Queen's Park? ??? It doesn't even have to be a majority, ...but just once in my lifetime, I'd like to see a Liberal Prime Minister AND a Liberal Ontario Premier in office at the same time with stability >:(
Enjoy your conservative victory all of you who voted Tory.
Sorry if I don't celebrate with y'all. I'm too depressed :(
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And thank god for that victory.
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The victory really doesn't mean as much cause its a minority government.
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Pam Anderson, miss tailer park trash, cocksucking, plastic tits whore. That tells you about Canada right there.
Why are you dissing you favourite porn star, don't lie you have all her Movies on your cpu.
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Pump, in America we have a 100% capitalistic economy. This includes healthcare. Healthcare makes a profit here. Doctors and nurses and related healthcare workers make a lot more money in the USA than in Canada. Hospitals have way more money to pump into technology, equipment, and manpower. Doctors and nurses leave Canada by the boatload to come to the states to MAKE REAL MONEY. You don't have a clue.
Your right, Most american doctors and nurses were canadians once upon a time.
Just like in 4 years how my wife and I are moving down to the States just for her career. I know she won't have a problem finding a job. Plus will our 'health care' taken care f from her job, gives me to chance to find a great job in the valley. You know Pam's tits valley.
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f**k your clueless. Lots of people in Canada still have no electricity and use outhouses.
stereotyping!!
But for real, most northern parts have power that just runs off gasoline. And yeah I'm sure there have out-houses to, because who f**k in their right mind would pay $4 million to put down pipes for a village of 21 in the most remote area in the wild, so their can shit in a bowl instead of a hole in the ground?
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Pumpster,
That article is pretty accurate. I think everyone except Martin have been working on their campaigns, and from the start Harper came out swinging and setting the agenda which they hammered home with a vengeance. Their last attempt was such a horrendous fizzle he cleaned house well, and the man never stopped smiling. It drove me nuts every time I saw his picture on the front pages of newspapers right beside Martin. He had that perpetual smile on looking calm, clear, cool and relaxed, while Martin always looked tired, grim, and scowling. And this time around, the reporters couldn't get within 10 yards of him for a sound byte. As Vaughn reported "We couldn't get a microphone in front of Harper unless the Conservative party put it there first".
They set the agenda from day one, and kept Martin on the defensive the whole time. Harper's campaign did to Martin what Martin did to Harper in the last campaign, flat out pulled the rug right out from under him and kept him off balanc the whole time. They did a good job, and he performed superbly throughout this campaign. Now let's see how he does in Ottawa. I can't see him touching the deal for cities tho. He was completely shut out of every single seat from the countries 3 biggest cities. All 28 Toronto seats went Liberal, all the Vancouver seats went liberal, and all the Montreal seats went liberal. The entire opposition membership in the house of commons will be from urban ridings. His platform numbers just don't add up at all, and now he's got the keys to the piggy bank. :( Oh well, ...let's see.
It was certainly was a break from tradition tho. The first time in 27 years that a Prime Minister was elected from outside of Quebec. I was really surprised to see that the Bloc actually lost seats. I thought for sure they'd gain, but they lost 4 seats. Oh well, ...at least we finally got someone good looking in office. He and his wife make a strikingly good looking couple.
<sigh> Is it too much to ask that we have a Liberal majority on Parliament Hill, at the same time we have a Liberal majority at Queen's Park? ??? It doesn't even have to be a majority, ...but just once in my lifetime, I'd like to see a Liberal Prime Minister AND a Liberal Ontario Premier in office at the same time with stability >:(
Enjoy your conservative victory all of you who voted Tory.
Sorry if I don't celebrate with y'all. I'm too depressed :(
how do you handle depression.
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I've spent a fair bit of time in the states, never been to canada.
Overall I like the US.
It has some massive problems but at the end of the day life is about survival of the fittest I'm afraid and once you try to put everyone on a level playing field everyone gets dragged down and not up unfortunately...
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how do you handle depression.
<lol> Bigdumbell,
I'm not depressed. I was merely being flippant. I am disappointed with the results, however I truly expected the outcome to be worse. I thought Harper would get a majority, so I am somewhat relieved his leash is a rather short one.
Many I've spoken to who did go NDP have stated they did so simply to give the Liberals time to regroup & refresh the Liberal organization. That being the case, the Liberals should be back in the driver's seat in short order.
I've spent a fair bit of time in the states, never been to canada.
Overall I like the US.
It has some massive problems but at the end of the day life is about survival of the fittest I'm afraid and once you try to put everyone on a level playing field everyone gets dragged down and not up unfortunately...
I too like the US, and enjoyed my time there, but I agree it is a place for the rich. That fact cannot be ignored. I have a hard time with that. Being a have, surrounded by have nots, doesn't sit easy with me. I've been there and done that, and it's not fun. I believe it is the survival of the fittest mentality and exclusionism that leads to the types of injuries and ailments that a society like America suffers from overall. And as an Ontario resident who has survived mike Harris' Common Sense revolution, I know the symptoms of the disease takes time to manifest. Toronto residents are seeing that now as a result of the Tory's, and I don't want to see that occuring on a national level. If it does, I might as well just move back to Beverly Hills, ...at least the weather would be better. Unlike others who feel the need to pick up and move tho, it won't be a challenge for me. Unlike those who have a job as employees, or who own a traditional business, my life & lifestyle are extremely portable. I can be transplanted tomorrow without having to sacrifice a darn thing or leave behind years of hard work.
I have lived in both the US and Canada, and I prefer Canada. Ironically enough, I believe that both in thought & deed, Canada best exemplifies "The American Dream", as well as all the egalitarian ideals of freedom, liberty, justice & equality for all, the pursuit of happiness, etc., espoused by the US, but rarely seen in practice.
PS - I believe societies cannot be exclusionary. They do so at their own peril. It has to work for EVERY member of that society, if not, every member of that society will feel the impact.
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yes, good looking rulers are much better than truckdrivers. ::)
It's just that we Canadians have never had a sexy Prime Minister except Trudeau and he was only cerebrally sexy. You Americans have been spoiled, first with John F. Kennedy, and then Clinton, y'all had a national leader that women could look up to and drool, ...while we've been stuck with Chretien and Martin. They were good leaders, ...but the hunk factor just wasn't quite there. lol
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It's just that we Canadians have never had a sexy Prime Minister except Trudeau and he was only cerebrally sexy. You Americans have been spoiled, first with John F. Kennedy, and then Clinton, y'all had a national leader that women could look up to and drool, ...while we've been stuck with Chretien and Martin. They were good leaders, ...but the hunk factor just wasn't quite there. lol
i'm more secure with former tank commander ariel sharon
than some sexy appeal leader
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Never realized how sickening this Judi trick could be.
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I love how this thread has been hijacked from people who put Canada vs USA, when in the begin we [canadians] were talking about the election.
Doesn't matter anymore. Tories won! and UN-officially Canada is now the 53 state of American. [53 if you minus the islands and that northern chunk of land.]
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Its too bad some people just don't realize that both countries are in fact close friends, and instead of bashing one anothers government policies, we should respect each other instead. Who wants to have both Canada and the U.S. exactly the same anyway? I like the fact we are different in subtle ways, but i at least respect other nations. I don't always agree with what other nations do, but thats ok.
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Its too bad some people just don't realize that both countries are in fact close friends, and instead of bashing one anothers government policies, we should respect each other instead. Who wants to have both Canada and the U.S. exactly the same anyway? I like the fact we are different in subtle ways, but i at least respect other nations. I don't always agree with what other nations do, but thats ok.
Sadly, Canadian-American relations have never been the same ever since the split of the Can-Am Connection (the tag team of Rick Martel and Tom Zenk) in the late 1980s. :'(
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hhahahah four posts in a row...
that's a certified meltdown from bmacsys
Its called "I work all day" and have to catch up on things at night dickwad.
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i'm more secure with former tank commander ariel sharon
than some sexy appeal leader
I hear that.
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Why, they don't in some of your 3rd world states..........lol. Drive through Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas.....then come talk to me.
I have been to those states. Rural electrification came to these areas in the 1930's.
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Why are you dissing you favourite porn star, don't lie you have all her Movies on your cpu.
She is a dog. Got to give her credit. Her 15 minutes of fame has lasted a long time.
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stereotyping!!
But for real, most northern parts have power that just runs off gasoline. And yeah I'm sure there have out-houses to, because who f**k in their right mind would pay $4 million to put down pipes for a village of 21 in the most remote area in the wild, so their can shit in a bowl instead of a hole in the ground?
Like the whole of the USA. Whats more important in life than a good dump?
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Sadly, Canadian-American relations have never been the same ever since the split of the Can-Am Connection (the tag team of Rick Martel and Tom Zenk) in the late 1980s. :'(
Rick Martel used to work out at my gym in Hamden, CT. In his pre-model days.
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I too like the US, and enjoyed my time there, but I agree it is a place for the rich. That fact cannot be ignored. I have a hard time with that. Being a have, surrounded by have nots, doesn't sit easy with me. I've been there and done that, and it's not fun. I believe it is the survival of the fittest mentality and exclusionism that leads to the types of injuries and ailments that a society like America suffers from overall. And as an Ontario resident who has survived mike Harris' Common Sense revolution, I know the symptoms of the disease takes time to manifest. Toronto residents are seeing that now as a result of the Tory's, and I don't want to see that occuring on a national level. If it does, I might as well just move back to Beverly Hills, ...at least the weather would be better. Unlike others who feel the need to pick up and move tho, it won't be a challenge for me. Unlike those who have a job as employees, or who own a traditional business, my life & lifestyle are extremely portable. I can be transplanted tomorrow without having to sacrifice a darn thing or leave behind years of hard work.
I have lived in both the US and Canada, and I prefer Canada. Ironically enough, I believe that both in thought & deed, Canada best exemplifies "The American Dream", as well as all the egalitarian ideals of freedom, liberty, justice & equality for all, the pursuit of happiness, etc., espoused by the US, but rarely seen in practice.
PS - I believe societies cannot be exclusionary. They do so at their own peril. It has to work for EVERY member of that society, if not, every member of that society will feel the impact.
How about every member of that society working for that society, as opposed to (too) many in that society expecting it to work for them? I firmly believe in the (largely) capitalist American society, where the "survival of the fittest" mentality causes industrial and technological revolutions, incredible wealth of the nation and individuals, national defense strength and economic power, etc, etc. Yet we still take care of those unable to care for themselves, and offer those who can care for themselves but who are traditionally "disadvantaged" in one way or another a level playing field through apprenticeship programs, financial aid, affirmative action, etc.
I could sit here all night and talk about people I know personally who were born without a pot to piss in, and were able to make something of themselves - people who didn't finish high school yet became millionaire business owners; inner city kids who used either brains, athletic ability, or financial aid (or any combination thereof) who became successful - and not just as pro athletes - many as doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. In most cases, about the only thing these people had going for them that their peers on the farms, streets, and trailer parks didn't is desire, along with perhaps a bit of extra savvy (or athletic ability) in some cases, though not all.
We can't all be the prettiest, richest, the smartest the best at what we do, or whatever. Those who are the best at what they do should reap the rewards; just as those who have skills which are rewarded the most by whatever demands the free market deems most desirable should. Those who are in these positions should not be dragged down to mediocrity in terms of rewards, recognition, or whatever.
Here in the US, you can usually be fairly certain that the brain surgeon who finished at the top of his class, works like a dog, and is thought of as a top performer in his field is making more money than the guy who barely completed his schooling and is working for the DOD, where the quality of his work will unfortunately matter little, and malpractice suits (accountability) are nonexistant. Of course it goes without saying that both surgeons will make more money and enjoy more prestige in life than unskilled laborers. That's the way it is.
Hell, there are many journalists on the national networks who make millions a year simply because they have pretty faces. Life is not fair - a capitalist society recognizes this, and uses this to its advantage. Other types of societies try to force life to be fair, which is clearly far more detrimental to the society long term.
As for America's international aggression, again this is a function of accepting reality, and doing what is necessary for the greater good of the world. I have to wonder what would happen to Canada and many other countries if America suddenly dropped off the face of the earth.
*Edit - my sermon forgot to cover those lucky(?) individuals who were born wealthy - again, life ain't fair. They have every right to enjoy whatever they inherit, and hopefully make more with it.
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It's just that we Canadians have never had a sexy Prime Minister except Trudeau and he was only cerebrally sexy. You Americans have been spoiled, first with John F. Kennedy, and then Clinton, y'all had a national leader that women could look up to and drool, ...while we've been stuck with Chretien and Martin. They were good leaders, ...but the hunk factor just wasn't quite there. lol
Judi,
You're not exactly making alot of friends on here. Your attitude is not going to help you sell products here if that's your final means. You are intelligent enough to realize that. Settle down.
DIV