I believe it is a stretch to believe you can run a super power like a wannabe Switzerland.
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Why Doesn't America?
- Thread starter Vile Atheist
- Start date
Herr Heinrich
Student of Mythology
Smoke
Done here.
But ya are, Blanche, ya are.
The main problem in American politics is hubris. We know God's will, we know God is on our side,we know the free market will solve all our problems, and before Vietnam we thought we couldn't lose a war. The second biggest problem is greed. Deadly combination.
There are more than nine times as many Americans as there are Canadians. A union would just screw up Canada.
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Smoke
Done here.
Right. If it weren't for the valiant Americans covering Canada's back, Ottawa would be called New Ho Chi Minh City today.
Most of our wars and military adventures have been aggressive and have been directed against imaginary threats.
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Vile Atheist
Loud and Obnoxious
If I am, it is unintentional and I apologize. I meant in these specific cases that I pointed out, if the United States had a similar mindset to Canada (or another similar country), the world would have been saved from a few wars and much lost life.
I am not suggesting the rest of the world has nothing to learn from the US. Obviously to get to be a superpower, you do some things right.
Who suggested this?
Even so, does the United States not have anything to learn from Switzerland? By the last body count of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, I think some neutrality would be good for you guys for once. But hey, it's your brave young men and women dying. I mourn their loss with the knowledge that their deaths could have been avoided with a different mindset and foreign policy.
Smoke
Done here.
Because ... ?
Smoke
Done here.
Actually, I meant that Canada really is better than the US, at least in the areas you were talking about.
Vile Atheist
Loud and Obnoxious
Not really. And I figure you're probably just joking, but most people forget who Canada's Head of State is....
Zephyr
Moved on
Vile Atheist
Loud and Obnoxious
I'm not sure how to respond to that.
Zephyr
Moved on
Seriously though, I agree. We have a lot to learn from our Northern neighbors.
Edit: Hail Cascadia!
Vile Atheist
Loud and Obnoxious
Seriously though, I agree. We have a lot to learn from our Northern neighbors.
Edit: Hail Cascadia!
It's just surprising that if you compare the two countries, you'll find the problems in the US currently were resolved by Canada decades ago. And nobody (or very few) is looking up here for the solution to those problems. Take the global financial crisis.
I found it hilarious. Prime Minister Harper was often interviewed at the beginning of 2009 by a lot of American TV networks and the hosts all asked him the same question. "Why is Canada's banking system so strong? What are you doing differently?"***. You could tell he was very uncomfortable answering the question and he tried to give non-answers most of them time because he didn't want to say the R-word (regulation), what with him being a Conservative. He did manage to get it out once, though. (I think it was an interview wih ABC, but I'm not 100% sure on that)
***You may think "Well isn't that a counter-example to the ultimate point you're making?". Well, if nobody is going to listen until the country gives hundreds of billions of dollars to crooks and you are in massive, unimaginable debt...you might as well not listen at all.
Vile Atheist
Loud and Obnoxious
Or take the issue of the Northwest Passage. The United States is all about "securing" North America. I actually agree with that and I wish Canada would spend a lot more on its own defence (one of the reasons I vote Harper).
So they declare the Northwest Passage as international waters? Does that make any sense at all? They are actually in favour of declaring what is clearly Canadian waters as international waters, allowing foreign countries to march warships up through the Arctic. And they want to "secure" North America? Start with that, for crying out loud.
At least in Canadian hands, we would be able to prevent warships from going through the Passage. And does the US really think Canada will deny it passage? Really now...
So they declare the Northwest Passage as international waters? Does that make any sense at all? They are actually in favour of declaring what is clearly Canadian waters as international waters, allowing foreign countries to march warships up through the Arctic. And they want to "secure" North America? Start with that, for crying out loud.
At least in Canadian hands, we would be able to prevent warships from going through the Passage. And does the US really think Canada will deny it passage? Really now...
Vile Atheist
Loud and Obnoxious
Not lately. Harper is far ahead in the polls and the Liberals are plummetting.
Canada emphasizes Liberal values. But many find the Liberals a lot more corrupt than the Conservatives and their leadership a lot more incompetent and I'm bound to agree.
If the Liberals had stronger leadership and had a better idea of how to handle the economy, they would win landslides. But though there are stances the Conservatives have that many Canadians disagree with (like they are against gay marriage and against legalizing pot), they do some things right.
A lot of Liberals I know currently vote Conservative because of the reasons I just outlined. Harper isn't doing a half-bad job. I think it would be a lot worse with any other party leader at the helm.
Canada emphasizes Liberal values. But many find the Liberals a lot more corrupt than the Conservatives and their leadership a lot more incompetent and I'm bound to agree.
If the Liberals had stronger leadership and had a better idea of how to handle the economy, they would win landslides. But though there are stances the Conservatives have that many Canadians disagree with (like they are against gay marriage and against legalizing pot), they do some things right.
A lot of Liberals I know currently vote Conservative because of the reasons I just outlined. Harper isn't doing a half-bad job. I think it would be a lot worse with any other party leader at the helm.
Tiapan
Grumpy Old Man
You lot and my lot are in a union of democratic states, and america is not.
Its called "The Commonwealth".
Cheers
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Vile Atheist
Loud and Obnoxious
Headed by a Queen?
Daemon Sophic
Avatar in flux
You seem to have hit the (very large and obvious) nail on the head. :yes: Or, in less words == "Conservative Republicans".
Unfortunately, the corruption is self-sustaining. Megacorps fund and control their charismatic pawn politicians -- Mr. PawnA gives deals and power to the megacorps -- the press and the church (also profit-oriented megacorps with vested interests in Mr. PawnA plus the well-being of othere megacorps) tells the public that Mr. PawnA is doing the right thing, and all who oppose him are both foolish and evil (say it with me now ---> "propaganda")-- megacorps fund and provide good press (over facts) for the next Mr. PawnB --- public votes for the next Mr. PawnB. ....and on....and on....and on.....
A few positive thoughts.......
-- The press and the church are the weak points - there are a few idealists with brains left among their ranks, and it is only through educating the public that a publically demanded change can come about.
-- The internet is just beginning to allow alternative news than the megacorp's propaganda; but this is still in its infancy (i.e. - Huffpo, Media Matters, etc..)
-- Only a grass-roots level uprising can change the status quo. Unfortunately, in modern times does not promote/allow truly significant real grass-roots uprisings (Obama's election was a minor flare of hope, but the tea-parties are clear examples of how such "uprisings" can be bought and sold)
-- If even the blatantly stupid American voting public can be made to fully understood lobbyists, corporate legal standing as human citizens, and the true depth of institutionalized corruption, then even the 30% who still think Iraq has WMD along with the rest of us who try to actually use our brains now and then might have a chance to disrupt the cycle.
Good luck to us all.