I'm sorry if i insulted you SW. But if the tables were turned and it was America that was about to be swallowed up by Canada and loose all sense of self identity you would surely feel the same way. You of course never have to fear this happening.

I suppose that would depend. One of the difficulties is that I've NEVER met a Canadian who could define what being Canadian meant other than "not American". Seriously.

Indeed, I think *I* can define it better than most Canadians can - and that's mostly due to the outside perspective.

In order to be patriotic, one must have a national identity. And too much of Canada's is "We're not American". Which, unfortunately, doesn't say what Canadians ARE.

As to Canadians being loved and respected I think some of it just may be due to the fact that Canadians are polite respectful and some what knowledgable about the countries that we visit. Also that we are known as peace keepers?

Certainly Canadians are (overall) more polite than the average travelling American. No question about that. The Israelis make the US look like pikers in the @$$hole department though. And their rep - outside the Arab world, still isn't as bad as the US. Simply because, again, they aren't significant enough.

Taking our resources, of course if a crisis came up and say the south western states were in desparte need of water there would be no hesitation of you taking our fresh water and shipping it down, with very little to no concern for what it would do to our environment. Lets be real, do you really think anyone in the States would hesitate to take what it needs from Canada? That you guys would think about us before your states?

They do anyway. But you really don't understand. You've a very "Canadian" view of the US - but it's not accurate. Truth to be told, Canada, by and large just isn't important to most Americans. It's not big enough to be important to any save those that regularly deal with it. Remember, we (I do live here) have less population than Greater New York City. And a fair bit less of an economy as well, I'd bet, given how much high profile economic stuff happens there. Anything the US REALLY wants from Canada, they can just buy. They've plenty of money.

To an American, Canada just isn't very important. Not because it's a nasty place or anything. It's as important as, say, what goes on in St. John's is to a Vancouver resident.

Living in the shadow of a giant isn't always pleasant. It does at times make we Canadians a little paranoid and defensive. I think for the most part most Canadians appreciate America and the indirect protection we recieve by living in your shadow. But that does not mean we want to loose our identity and become little more than second rate cousins to America.

Actually it makes Canadians a LOT paranoid and defensive. Which is silly when you think about it. If the US WANTED to gobble up Canada, it could do so in about a week. But why? Canadians are excellent neighbours. Why bother?

As to Canadian identity, that would be defined how? Seriously! I can define US identity quite easily in a couple of sentences. Can you do so for Canadian identity?

Also from many arguments in chat what I have found from the Americans is that you already think of us as little more than a satelite to you. When I say I'm Canadain and proud of it I'm mocked and told that Canada is pathetic and pretty much an awful place to live. How do you think that makes me feel? I know most of it is done injest and humour but there is a kernel of truth in their statements.

It's by no means a pathetic or awful place to live. It's very nice (which is why I live here). Truth to be told, I think BOTH countries could seriously benefit from lessons learned by the other. The Canadian medical system is far superior to the US one, for instance, even with its warts. And cheaper as well. Conversely, the US governmental system is much better and considerably more streamlined and fair. The Canadian Senate is a sick and expensive joke, for instance. And, strangely enough, the Canadian Cabinet is about twice the size of the US one. Odd for a country with 1/10th the population! The Canadian military has a much better series of systems that the US should emulate. The list goes on and on. Both countries would benefit much from the other - if they would just swallow their pride and be willing to admit that maybe someone else is doing it better.


Again I'm sorry for any insult I gave you, but talk of Canada being part of America is upsetting to me.

Truth to be told, I think it's pretty much inevitable, although not likely in our lifetime (unless they finish off those anti aging drugs they're working on).

What would be best, though, would be a merger of the two countries taking the best elements of both. Quebec and Ontario would get screwed in any such merger as their "special status" would be lost, while the maritimes and the west of Canada would gain. There are both good and bad elements. I've had too much trouble with the darned border to think it's a good thing that serves much real purpose. I think it just makes everyone's lives harder to no real advantage - to either country.

Finally - as to regional identity - that's an unfounded rumour. Many regions of the US have very much their own identity. There's no reason to think that Canada would be any different. Truth to be told, the differences between Ontario and New England are FAR less than the differences between New England and, say, Arkansas or Alabama.


Silver Warder

Warder to Rebelaessedai

Risk everything - or gain nothing.
Geoffrey de Charney - 1356

Deeds - Not words

Remembering Joe (CrazedWeasel)