What do Americans really think of Canada?

Question

Just wondering

Answer 1

I must have become more of a Canadian than i thought, having lived here for nearly 20 years, but i still retain my American bluntness. As an American living in Canada, i am appalled, but not shocked, by the responses to this question. I'm sure that no one who answered has spent more than a holiday in Canada. Yes, Canada is an extremely beautiful country.

As for its politics, the current PM is so far in bed with George Bush it would make both of them blush, esp. since neither of them supports gay marriage. Stephen Harper (how many of you knew his name before now?) is a wuss and has been intimidated by the current US admin. W himself couldn't intimidate a tsetse fly, but that's how the government has developed. They are no better than the Chinese gov't when it comes to "influence" and human rights. Open your bloody eyes and wake up to what's really going on in your own country.

When Jean (not pronounced Gene) Chretien's aide called Bush Jr. a moron, the only reason she got fired, was because the US admin. made such a fuss. So much for Freedom of Speech. I guess the truth hurts. Chretien couldn't stand Bush Jr. I'd say 99.9% of Canadians agreed with the aide.

I will be applying for my Canadian citizenship this year and will then have dual, mostly because all of my family lives in the States too, and most are very misguided about what's really going on politically. If i were forced to choose, and not allowed to have dual citizenship, i would pick Canadian hands down. To see what's really going on, you need to be able to step outside yourselves and your country and see it for what it really is instead of just what the gov't and mainstream media feeds you. I know, we have all been taught in our early years that the US is the greatest nation in the world, and that no one can mess with us. News Flash - USA is not the best country in the whole world. They're just really good at intimidation.

If you think your gov't is protecting you & that it knows what it's doing as far as environmental issues, step back and look again. Look at it all from the perspective of an Iraqi civilian in a small village whose house has been bombed for no apparent reason, by the States, and your children and other members of your family have been mamed or killed. Instead of concentrating on finding bin Laden, they went into Iraq. If you all are so ignorant that you think it wasn't oil-related, then i'm ashamed to be an American, moreso than i already am most of the time.

As for the environmental issues, if your gov't can look at events like Katrina, the 2004 tsunami in Ithe South Pacific, and the weird weather patterns that we have all been dealing with over the last 10-20 years, and still condem the Kyoto Accord as irrelevant, i would make sure that you elect someone who doesn't have their head up their a**. My vote in 2008 will be for HILARY!

Before you start talking about how ineffective or irrelevant a country is (granted, our military could use a boost in a few things, but i'm too much of a pacifist to care about military stuff) look at your own country's faults and bad judgement. The US has so much potential to do good. But if they are, the bad and stupid things that are being done, and the spinning that is going on to make them look good and important, far outweighs the positive deeds that are happening.

Oh, as for the woman who complained about being "rousted" at the border, why do you think that is? It's because the US has forced them to do this. So don't complain about it to the Canadians. Complain to your Homeland Security dept. They are the ones who are making it mandatory to have some sort of federal ID to cross the border, whether it's an actual passport or something else they'll make you pay for to get across. Canadians would rather just keep it friendly and simple. If you don't like the hassle, i guess you should have paid attention and complained before it was actually implemented. Although your individual votes mean nothing, writing to your local Rep.s and Senators might help. DO something to make a difference. Make your actions speak louder than your words!

Answer 2

I imagine it's not much different from us. I ran into a few Canadians when I was in Ireland, and I thought they were American. They sounded more American than the people in the state I live in. They also told me quite a bit about where they were from in Canada and it almost sounded like a mini paradise. Apparently it's warmer in parts of Canada than it is in parts of the states! I'm jealous, but I suppose I could just move south. On the other hand, my state borders Canada and many people have mixed opinions. Some hate Canadians because they come down here to shop and cause chaos. Some love Canada because they can cross the border to get drunk when they turn 18. My favorite word in Canada is "about".

Answer 3

I used to go to Canada quite a bit and I had a lot of fun in Windsor at the outdoor cafes, the casino, the stores, along the riverfront, once seeing the tall ships. I've often thought of moving there, I have friends who have. I want to do a bit more studying on the government first though, the health care system and such. It seems so much cleaner and has so much less crime.
I haven't been to Canada this last year, it used to be a matter of only the 30 minute drive, sail through customs and have a good day there. After getting "rousted" 4 out of 5 trips where my vehicle was searched, I quit going. It seemed preposterous that they would continually put me and my 44 year old best friend through that while those who looked more of a threat sailed through.

Answer 4

I like Canada a lot, granted that I don't know Quebec as well as the rest of it. My Dad has a house up there, and the people are honest and friendly. Your small towns seem a bit more cosmopolitan than ours.

It is a beautiful country, as well.

Answer 5

Great country....great people......great neighbor

we have our difference but can respect each other enough to agree to disagree........

Canada has great history of being in and leading UN Peacekeeping operations around he world...helping nations to heal and rebuild

The only thing that does puzzle me about Canada is their lack of efforts in Human Rights.....Canada works so hard to include their french speaking citizens and Indian native populations with special rules to promote an inclusive society and yet it does not speak out on HUMAN RIGHTS violations in the world to the extent they could.....they are the perfect country...with so much credibility.....many countries in the world with minority disputes could use Canadian advise on thoughts on how to include minorities in their state.........a perfect role i have always thought Canada would be the lead country in this issue.......


Happy New Years neighbor,,,,eh....

Answer 6

I think Canada is a cool place I have never been there but everything I see hear or read is alwasy good so Therefore I have no problems with the Cannadians

Answer 7

I have read about Canada, it has its ups, and downs.
Also I have Trained with the Canadian Military, they seem like fun loving people, and serious too.

Answer 8

As a nation, we couldn't have a better neighbor. As a critic of American policy, Canada couldn't be less relevant.

Answer 9

We love Canada and go in whenever we are near the border. Oh those sausages they have there are to kill for. Nice people and no language barrier except in radical Quebec.

Answer 10

I think you have cute accents, eh.
I think you are more passive then Americans.
I don't think you have a very strong army, and wouldn't be able to defend yourselves without the US.
I think your country is very beautiful. Especially Thunder Bay.