Why Doesn't America?

[darkendless]

Why does the military industrial complex leave such a bad taste in your mouth?

Canada can afford the luxuary of foregoing the expenditure of a military budget. We have you all covered, right?

Oh, I know. You think that you are safe because you all are a nice country and no one would ever try to do you wrong, right?

So, would Canada be better off without it's neighbor to the south?

Do you really believe that enemy combatants are innocent civilians?

The cowards hide among the innocents and put their lives in jeopardy.

Who is really responsible for their deaths?

If Canada is so superior and insightful, why did you all fight along side of us in many conflicts that you mentioned in your OP?

A lot of hatred towards westerners is really hatred of Americans.

If America wasn't so confrontational and didn't have a press conference every time the price of sheep imported from New Zealand went up 0.6 cents then they wouldn't be such a sweet target.

 

[Vile Atheist]

Why does the military industrial complex leave such a bad taste in your mouth?

Because it literally profits off the killing of people.

Canada can afford the luxuary of foregoing the expenditure of a military budget. We have you all covered, right?

This is plain wrong. Canada does not "forego" a military budget. Canada spends plenty on defence and has a highly trained military. The difference is, we tend to spend more on our citizens than on bombs.

Oh, I know. You think that you are safe because you all are a nice country and no one would ever try to do you wrong, right?

That generally helps, yes. You know...being diplomatic and working with other countries. Sheesh. What was I thinking? Thank you for setting me straight on that one /sarcasm.

So, would Canada be better off without it's neighbor to the south?

Where did I ever say this was the case? Where did I suggest this?

Do you really believe that enemy combatants are innocent civilians?

Did you even read the sources for the links? Did you even read the OP?

The cowards hide among the innocents and put their lives in jeopardy.

I agree. And? You're completely off on a tangent, discussing things I did not bring up.

Who is really responsible for their deaths?

The people who killed them.

If Canada is so superior and insightful, why did you all fight along side of us in many conflicts that you mentioned in your OP?

Let's break down what I mentioned:

Vietnam -> Canada was non-belligerent.

Status of Cuba -> Not even a conflict

Iraq -> Canada does not participate in the Iraq War

Global Financial Meltdown -> Not a military conflict. If anything, it is "fought" between US and Canadian banks. But in terms of economy, competition is good.

Northwest Passage -> Is not a military conflict. If anything, it is "fought" between the US and Canada, in the diplomatic sense. This isn't even "alongside" the US. It's literally AGAINST the US.

International Rankings -> Not a military conflict.


To summarize: What the hell are you talking about?



And I just need to make a point here. I always hate it when Americans feel that they are the magic protectors of Canada as if Canada is completely incapable of defending itself.

Fact: There are no American troops assigned to Canada, other than those who are participating in training with the Canadian Forces, and those involved with NORAD, etc.

If America "protects" us, it's because it is in their interest to. If by "protecting", you mean consistently violating our airspace and waters, sure. If by "protecting", you mean by virtue of the US spending an ungodly amount of money on its own defence and by virtue of geographic location the US "protects" Canada, sure.

But the US does not directly defend Canada. We're capable of doing that ourselves.

 

[Vile Atheist]

What? I control my mind. What are you talking about? I have opinions on stuff, but I'm not the grand magical decider, so I don't get to say something is right or wrong, and neither does anyone else. My definition of what is right could be very different from everyone elses. There is no way to have universal rights and wrongs.

If you control your own mind than you are your own authority on what is right and what is wrong. That's kinda being...subjective? Meaning you can have your own opinions on what is right and what is wrong. I'm just operating on the basis that most people think killing civilians is a horrible act, here....

 

[Vile Atheist]

What amazes me is I explicitly said the point of the OP was not to say "HA, HA! We're better than you!" but to ask a legitimate question of why the American people aren't the main influence of the government. If they were, the incidents I mention in the OP probably would not have happened.

And yet, people like Rev. Rick. honestly believe that I think "Canada is superior". In some regards, yes. In some regards, no. My point is that we learn from each other. We ask "What are they doing better than us?" and we emulate that. In these respects, I think Canada is doing a lot better than the US. I could go on with more incidents (like the softwood lumber dispute), but I decided it was long enough.

Your country had a friggin debate as to whether or not your military should be torturing people. Combatants or not, that's sickening. Canada finds out that the prisoners it captures and hands over to Afghani officials are being tortured? They immediately stop transferring prisoners to the Afghanis and monitor the prisoners themselves to ensure they DON'T get tortured...you know...like international law would have us believe should be the case?

Don't tell me there aren't some respects where Canada IS superior because that's a blatant lie. And once you accept that and find out that we can learn from each other and make our countries and the world a better place to live, the better off we'll all be.

 

[whereismynotecard]

If you control your own mind than you are your own authority on what is right and what is wrong. That's kinda being...subjective? Meaning you can have your own opinions on what is right and what is wrong. I'm just operating on the basis that most people think killing civilians is a horrible act, here....

Yep. I have my own opinions, but I don't expect everyone, or anyone, to agree with me. Sometimes my opinion on what is right and wrong is very much against the majority. So on the cases where my opinion is the majority, I can understand why other people might not agree, and that doesn't make them wrong. Most people think killing innocent people is wrong, but it's only an opinion and should be seen as such. Just like I might think a painting is beautiful. Is it beautiful? There is no "yes" or "no" definate answer. Just like every subjective opinion.

 

[freethinker44]

Why doesn't the United States listen to Canada more?

Two words:

Canadian bacon



ITS JUST HAM

 

[whereismynotecard]

Australian bacon is just ham too. That's what my sister says anyway.

 

[Vile Atheist]

But boy howdy is it good.

 

[linwood]

Any ideas? Is it that America has sold out to corporations that don't give a damn about the interests of the people? Is it corruption in the government? Is it the brainwashing and fear-mongering of the mass media? Is it a failure of the American education system? You tell me.

Yes.

It`s simple really.

We`re stupid.

You just don`t rationalize this much idiocy without being stupid.
It can`t be done.

HUGE amounts of stupidity are required to so seriously get almost everything wrong all the time.
Luck isn`t this consistent.

This is impeccable stupidity.

Have you ever talked to one of us?
We`re complete idiots.

Eight out of ten of us couldn`t pass a GED test and the other 2 out of ten can`t spell GED.

I`m smothered in viscous idiocy daily.
Day after day after day after day.

I`m not kidding and this post isn`t sarcasm.

 

[linwood]

Why does the military industrial complex leave such a bad taste in your mouth?

Canada can afford the luxuary of foregoing the expenditure of a military budget. We have you all covered, right?

Oh, I know. You think that you are safe because you all are a nice country and no one would ever try to do you wrong, right?

So, would Canada be better off without it's neighbor to the south?

Do you really believe that enemy combatants are innocent civilians?

The cowards hide among the innocents and put their lives in jeopardy.

Who is really responsible for their deaths?

If Canada is so superior and insightful, why did you all fight along side of us in many conflicts that you mentioned in your OP?

SEE?

I told ya.

 

[Vile Atheist]

Yes.

It`s simple really.

We`re stupid.

You just don`t rationalize this much idiocy without being stupid.
It can`t be done.

HUGE amounts of stupidity are required to so seriously get almost everything wrong all the time.
Luck isn`t this consistent.

This is impeccable stupidity.

Have you ever talked to one of us?
We`re complete idiots.

Eight out of ten of us couldn`t pass a GED test and the other 2 out of ten can`t spell GED.

I`m smothered in viscous idiocy daily.
Day after day after day after day.

I`m not kidding and this post isn`t sarcasm.

Obviously there are some people with a head on their shoulders in your country. But why are the majority of them so powerless and not leading the country? How can so many fools make their way to the top? Especially when their corporate interests are so transparent.

 

[linwood]

Obviously there are some people with a head on their shoulders in your country. But why are the majority of them so powerless and not leading the country? How can so many fools make their way to the top? Especially when their corporate interests are so transparent.

My best guess is that we`re simply too comfortable to be bothered.

They keep us medicated on cable TV and in public schools indoctrinate us to the greatness of our perfect shining nation better and greater than any nation before or after while creating magical rationalizations for our plethora of shortcomings and unethical culture.

It`s a joke that sickens me daily.
I can`t read a news paper without mourning for my country.

The transparency of our government screwing us doesn`t bother us but it`s actually far worse than you as a Canadian even realise.

You see it on an international level.

You only get to hear/read about the really big idiocy that affects the rest of the world.
You should get a taste of the stupidity up close and personal on the local level.

It`s even more amazing.

Words truly cannot express the levels we sink here in the good `ol US of A

 

[Jackytar]

I'm asking a legitimate question (in a subtle way) of why doesn't the US even attempt to emulate some of what we do if it's quite obvious if you look at the numbers what we're doing in terms of domestic policy and foreign policy and foreign relations is pretty damn good.

What you are witnessing is a phenomenon called American exceptionalism.

Jackytar

 

[Herr Heinrich]

I'm asking a legitimate question (in a subtle way) of why doesn't the US even attempt to emulate some of what we do if it's quite obvious if you look at the numbers what we're doing in terms of domestic policy and foreign policy and foreign relations is pretty damn good.

Any ideas? Is it that America has sold out to corporations that don't give a damn about the interests of the people? Is it corruption in the government? Is it the brainwashing and fear-mongering of the mass media? Is it a failure of the American education system? You tell me.

America tis a silly place.

 

[.lava]

I got to thinking of Canadian and American history the other day. A strange thought started creeping into my mind. Why doesn't the United States listen to Canada more?

that would be destiny factor. each person has his own destiny and in the same way each nation has its own destiny. so USA is fullfiling its own. doing what USA is suppose to do.






.

 

[Dezzie]

It's because the American government wants to take control of the entire world. I swear they are hiding something. They have done nothing but put this Country in disputes. Believe me people... I AM Amercian! Do I trust my government? Not really.

 

[OmarKhayyam]

The only insightful answer in this entire thread is Jacktar's. (Sorry Linwood.)

We believe we ARE exceptional. In very best sense of the word we ARE superior to other peoples and nations. We DO have the better systems and we SHOULD do all we can to insure others in world adopt them. And if that takes blood and treasure so be it!

That is still the attitude of MOST American voters. And until that changes we will act as the world's policeman enforcing what WE think is best for everyone else. And if you want to take us on - get in line. History is littered with the corpses of folks who did. We will give you a place in that company.

Now let me quickly add I personally do not subscribe to that view. I opposed 'Nam and I have the bumps on my head to prove it. I did and do oppose the Iraq war and all that follows from it.

BUT

The nation as a whole does not agree. And all this blather about the military industrial complex controlling government is male bovine feces. Despite all its flaws this is STILL a country controlled by the electorate. We are/were in all those places and support all those policies because most voters WANT it that way. And as further evidence of that I cite the present health care debate. The plain and simple truth is that MANY Americans don't WANT a single payer system. MOST are quite happy to pay more out of their own pocket provided they can CHOSE their own health care professionals. We are STILL a very rich nation with many very rich and a great many more comfortable folks who can afford and are willing to afford expensive fee for service health care for the option of individual choice it gives them. And they simply do not CARE about those who must do w/o. They just DON'T.

There is STILL a large number Americans who view poverty as a personal failing. If you ain't got no job and no $ it is because you are lazy or worthless or both. And they REALLY believe that. And they deeply resent their tax $ being used to support folks who are really just failures and are getting what they deserve. It they are hungry or sick or ignorant them let them get off their lazy ***** and WORK. Like we did.

 

[Vile Atheist]

And as further evidence of that I cite the present health care debate. The plain and simple truth is that MANY Americans don't WANT a single payer system. MOST are quite happy to pay more out of their own pocket provided they can CHOSE their own health care professionals. We are STILL a very rich nation with many very rich and a great many more comfortable folks who can afford and are willing to afford expensive fee for service health care for the option of individual choice it gives them. And they simply do not CARE about those who must do w/o. They just DON'T.

This is just my speculation and probably isn't worth much since I'm not from there. But from what I observe, I think it's the lack of integrity in the American media.

When the American media talks about healthcare, for example, and looks up north to point out "Look at that socialized medicine! They're still doing blood-letting!!!", why don't they ever report the polls that show Canadians are satisfied with their healthcare?

It's not in their interests to promote something like that. Granted, there are a few "commentators" that are for it and back up their position with numbers. But bias is evident.

Look at this woman's claims. How can anyone take her seriously? She claims there are no neonatal units in Canada from B.C. to Saskatchewan. She tells the story of this woman who had to be flown to a small clinic in Montana because there are no neonatal units. Let me give you a breakdown of just how far off she is:

Alberta has 6 neonatal units. British Columbia has 11. Saskatchewan has 2.

Edit: I was going to post the addresses of all of them, but since they are in columns on my source, they got all jumbled up when I pasted them. But this is an interactive map where you can click on each province and get that same list: http://www.preemieinfant.ca/canada.cfm

Double Edit: I examined that source further and it is SLIGHTLY out of date. I know this because there is a neonatal unit in the city I live in. There used to be two hospitals here - one on either side of town - but they both got torn down and a larger one was built in the middle. This source still lists the old torn-down hospital as the location of the neonatal unit when it is located now in the new hospital. The new hospital was built several years ago.

...Yeah...she was off by a little, don't you think? So how credible does this make her Montana story? What motive would there be for this person to be flown to a neonatal unit in Montana when there are many much closer?

This Sally C. Pipes is a class A liar. I've seen her on Fox several times doing the same thing. This is the exact thing I'm talking about. Her claims are ridiculous at face value and people like her are given airtime and treated like an authority on the issue. And this leads to people being fed the wrong information. They say "Oh look! There's a Canadian telling these hellish stories of Canadian healthcare! I'm against universal healthcare!" without bothering to fact-check.

It took me 0.7 seconds of my time on Google to prove her wrong. Don't even get me started on her other claims in that video alone. There's just way too much BS to wade through.

 

[Sunstone]

And what do you propose a good solution is to rid of the influence of the military industrial complex?

I think it's a lost cause to talk of getting rid of the military industrial complex.

 

[kai]

Looking at mother englands children canada is the quite one, the sensible one, the one that doesntlike to upset anyone, or take risks, it always takes its coat in case it rains and always wears clean underwear in case it has an accident. America its brother was the rebel, is outspoken and a little reckless at times,stays out late grazes its knees, stands up to the Bullies and doesn't mind a scrap when it has too.