[Mr_Canada]

All right. I feel as neighbours to such a powerful country, we should have a discussion of ideas or opinions on our American friends. There always seems to be a wave of focus on Americans and American issues every-so-often here, and I feel we should all simply share our opinions more peacefully for once.

My questions are:
1. What is your opinion of the United States, it's Government (Current or Past), it's Culture, and/or it's People?

2. Also, how do you feel the United States effects Canada? Was Trudeau correct by saying that we feel every twitch of the gentle beast?

3. What do you feel will come of the United States, and in what ways do you believe they effect the world?

4. What do you believe will come of Canada-U.S. relations? Will we always be allies? To the very end?

5. What do you feel of Canadian decisions towards or relating to the United States? Do you feel we effect them?

These questions are suggestions. Answer whatever question you like, or just explain your opinion in general. Positive or Negative. Share your stories too, if you would like.

I won't be sharing my opinions (until possibly later) because I feel it's inappropriate to start this thread off on that kind of note. I don't think I should be the one to set the mood of this thread, many here would oppose that.

American CKA members, please share your opinions on your own country as well.

Thank you.

[BartSimpson]

Mr_Canada wrote:

All right. I feel as neighbours to such a powerful country, we should have a discussion of ideas or opinions on our American friends. There always seems to be a wave of focus on Americans and American issues every-so-often here, and I feel we should all simply share our opinions more peacefully for once.

Mr_Canada wrote:

My questions are:
1. What is your opinion of the United States, it's Government (Current or Past), it's Culture, and/or it's People?

I think the US government, as it was originally envisioned, was well-suited to a free people. I'm afraid that since our Civil War the nature of the nation has changed to where people expect the government to do many of the things that people used to do for themselves. The imperialism you often criticize us for has everything to do with our central government being far too powerful.

Mr_Canada wrote:

2. Also, how do you feel the United States effects Canada? Was Trudeau correct by saying that we feel every twitch of the gentle beast?

No offense, but at this point Canada exists because of its proximity to the USA. Were the USA broken up or substantially weakened I would anticipate other countries to start eyeballing what they think they might be able to steal from you. You've got oil, diamonds, gold, lumber, fish, and land and those kind of things are very tempting for countries who want them.

Mr_Canada wrote:

3. What do you feel will come of the United States, and in what ways do you believe they effect the world?

I *hope* that the USA steps back from being a debtor nation and that we take steps to rebuild our industrial base. Absent these two critical measures the USA will eventually become the UK of North America.

Mr_Canada wrote:

4. What do you believe will come of Canada-U.S. relations? Will we always be allies? To the very end?

I sincerely hope we remain friends and, perhaps, even come together in an equitable union someday. I think our two nations together would be far better than we are separately as the best aspects of both would enrich the other.

Mr_Canada wrote:

5. What do you feel of Canadian decisions towards or relating to the United States? Do you feel we effect them?

You do, but we don't notice. Canada has an impact on the USA on par with California. There's an impact, but in general most of the USA doesn't notice it. No offense, okay, just saying.

Mr_Canada wrote:

These questions are suggestions. Answer whatever question you like, or just explain your opinion in general. Positive or Negative. Share your stories too, if you would like.

I won't be sharing my opinions (until possibly later) because I feel it's inappropriate to start this thread off on that kind of note. I don't think I should be the one to set the mood of this thread, many here would oppose that.

American CKA members, please share your opinions on your own country as well.

Thank you.

Cool post.

Edit: It's nice to be able to post a +1 on your rep.

[Mr_Canada]

Thank you for the post Bart. I sort of expected you to be one of the first to post here, and I'm glad that you did. Thanks for answering my questions.

Also, I should note that I haven't taken part in the poll, yet.

[Gunnair]

Mr_Canada wrote:

Quote:

All right. I feel as neighbours to such a powerful country, we should have a discussion of ideas or opinions on our American friends. There always seems to be a wave of focus on Americans and American issues every-so-often here, and I feel we should all simply share our opinions more peacefully for once.

Interesting and mature approach. Pushing through puberty?

Quote:

My questions are:
1. What is your opinion of the United States, it's Government (Current or Past), it's Culture, and/or it's People?

It is generally, a facinating government to watch - almost a spectator sport though, because of its size, its not as folksy as ours. Convoluted and polarized, it appears to be on the brink of big bad things or big good things. Ultimately, it depends on whether or not the base feels it's worth preserving or replacing with another revolution.

Quote:

2. Also, how do you feel the United States effects Canada? Was Trudeau correct by saying that we feel every twitch of the gentle beast?

I woke up after the twitch of Obama agreeing to a Fox News interview.

Quote:

3. What do you feel will come of the United States, and in what ways do you believe they effect the world?

Sadly, as I mentioned earlier, they seem to be approaching a crossroads. I'm not sure which path they will take, but history suggests it might be messy.

Quote:

4. What do you believe will come of Canada-U.S. relations? Will we always be allies? To the very end?

I think they should join us. I think they'd be surprised how much they might learn from us.

Quote:

5. What do you feel of Canadian decisions towards or relating to the United States? Do you feel we effect them?

I agree with Bart. I think we affect them, we just can't see it. I like to think we provide imput into their moral compass at the very least.

Quote:

These questions are suggestions. Answer whatever question you like, or just explain your opinion in general. Positive or Negative. Share your stories too, if you would like.

I won't be sharing my opinions (until possibly later) because I feel it's inappropriate to start this thread off on that kind of note. I don't think I should be the one to set the mood of this thread, many here would oppose that.

American CKA members, please share your opinions on your own country as well.

Nice post.

[Mr_Canada]

Thank you for your post Gunnair. I had absolutely no idea that Obama had an interview on Fox News! I've resolved to turning off my television for at least a week. I'm going to have to watch it online.

I agree with many of your responses, and I wish that the USA joining Canada was more of a feasible possibility,

[Bodah]

Great poll MrC. +1

I'll be back.

[Mr_Canada]

Bodah wrote:

Great poll MrC. +1

I'll be back.

I look forward to your response,

(It appears the website TV Tropes does not allow hotlinking of it's images)

[bootlegga]

Mr_Canada wrote:

1. What is your opinion of the United States, it's Government (Current or Past), it's Culture, and/or it's People?

The government generally tries to what is best for its citizens (like any good government), which sometimes negatively impacts Canada (Buy American policy for example), but is pretty benevolent overall. Under Bush, they squandered an awful lot of goodwill from 9/11 with their invasion of Iraq, and relative ignoring of the conflict in Afghanistan. Obama, so far, has done better internationally, but is getting a rougher ride than Dubya got. If it continues, he may have to hunker down and piss off some allies to get his domestic policies going.

I don't have a problem with American 'culture' (movies, music, food, etc), but would prefer if more effort was made by Canada to provide Canadians with an alternative if they wanted it (due to cuts, CBC is a shadow of what it used to be IMHO).

Americans, in general, are nice and friendly people. I had the pleasure of meeting some truly exceptional individuals while living abroad that really changed my perceptions of Americans. I travelled south when they got married and they came up here when I did. For the most part, Americans quite similar to us, with some notable exceptions such as gun rights, drug paranoia, etc. Generally, Canadians and Americans are similar regionally (BC - West Coast, Prairies - Midwest States, Ontario - Rust Belt, Maritimes - New England).

Mr_Canada wrote:

2. Also, how do you feel the United States effects Canada? Was Trudeau correct by saying that we feel every twitch of the gentle beast?

This last/current recession is proof of that statement. Even though our banking regulations prevented our banks from getting too deep into the subprime foolishness, the US economy being dragged down dragged us down as well.

Mr_Canada wrote:

3. What do you feel will come of the United States, and in what ways do you believe they effect the world?

The US, like all great nations/empires, will eventually decline, probably to be surpassed by China and India in a generation or two. Even then, it will remain a power, much in the same way that the UK or France are now (strong economy & military). The US might be eclipsed by other nations, but alliances of like-minded countries (Canada, Australia, US, UK - maybe NATO) can provide a counter-balance to any attempts by China and India to use strong-arm tactics on the rest of the world. The only question is whether or not Americans will want any part of such an alliance. They learned in the 20th century that isolation is a bad thing, but people (and especially politicians) are prone to forget history.

Mr_Canada wrote:

4. What do you believe will come of Canada-U.S. relations? Will we always be allies? To the very end?

Given our geography, similar culture & language, I don't see us not being allies. There could come a time in the future when the US has to 'cut us loose' (let another nation dominate us) simply because it will be a battle that they cannot win without being destroyed themselves (if China had an economy similar to the US, it would be able to afford a much more powerful military than the US has now).

Mr_Canada wrote:

5. What do you feel of Canadian decisions towards or relating to the United States? Do you feel we effect them?

Generally, our politicians are too spineless for my liking. I would prefer a firmer stand on some issues (like softwood for example), but it seems our politicians (no matter the political stripe) play it safe when dealing with them. We do affect them, in trade, in defence, in a variety of other ways, but most Americans simply don't realize how deep our ties truly are.

[sandorski]

Mr_Canada wrote:

My questions are:
1. What is your opinion of the United States, it's Government (Current or Past), it's Culture, and/or it's People?

Positive overall, but has been declining steadily for a very long time.

2. Also, how do you feel the United States effects Canada? Was Trudeau correct by saying that we feel every twitch of the gentle beast?

The affects on Canada are undeniable. At the time I thought Trudeau was a complete asshole to do/say what he did, but as I became more informed on things, I find myself increasingly respectful of his attitudes. We need to Think more Independently and make our own way in this World.

3. What do you feel will come of the United States, and in what ways do you believe they effect the world?

I don't know. They have big problems both Foreign and Domestic that will likely cause them to slip behind others or possibly to even fracture into numerous separate Nations.

4. What do you believe will come of Canada-U.S. relations? Will we always be allies? To the very end?

Probably. Geography is the main reason. I think we'll diversify our Trade Relations, but even if the US slips Economically, they'll still remain our #1 Trade partner.

5. What do you feel of Canadian decisions towards or relating to the United States? Do you feel we effect them?

Ya, of course. Probably not a hell of a lot though.

Still Positive, but declining.

[Mr_Canada]

Thank you greatly for the post bootlegga.

I agree that I'd like a Canadian alternative to many things simply as a patriot. I don't know if we should blame a lack of interest or the lack of the option, but I feel the lack of the option is killing us culturally.

You raise another good point about China and the East. As far as they are concerned, with the decline of the USA, I wonder how we will fair. The best I could hope for is peace, but it's impossible to know for sure, especially in the face of what we know about them.

Would a weakened America want to fight with the alliance? I don't see why they wouldn't. Poor or not, they have weapons. If they don't help a possible fight, I don't see why they wouldn't offer excesses to it's allies. But, as you said, cutting us loose is a possibility.

And I'm just as willing as any other to agree that our politicians generally all lack 'cojones',

[Mr_Canada]

Thanks Sandorski!

In the event of a Fractured USA, what do you feel would happen to Canada, or what do you think Canada itself would do?

And I agree, I support independent Canadian thinking in the world.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Mr_Canada wrote:

All right. I feel as neighbours to such a powerful country, we should have a discussion of ideas or opinions on our American friends. There always seems to be a wave of focus on Americans and American issues every-so-often here, and I feel we should all simply share our opinions more peacefully for once.

My questions are:
1. What is your opinion of the United States, it's Government (Current or Past), it's Culture, and/or it's People?

Well first, my opinion of the US government is, they're only in it for themselves and their own self-preservation. I don't mean of the country, I mean themselves, their careers and their party. Then again, as I've said elsewhere, I feel the exact same way about our gov't. As for the people, I've spent a good deal of time in various States and the people, with a few minor fundamental differences, are pretty much the same as us. And even though some are GROSSLY mis-informed about Canada, a lot of them are quite willing to listen and learn about their northern brothers and sisters. All in all, with the exception of the border crossing, for me, going to one of the US states isn't a whole lot different than going to another province.

Mr_Canada wrote:

2. Also, how do you feel the United States effects Canada? Was Trudeau correct by saying that we feel every twitch of the gentle beast?

You bet he was. It may not always affect us directly, but we still feel it. But that just has to do with our geo-economic juxtaposition and their huge industrial/economic base.

Mr_Canada wrote:

3. What do you feel will come of the United States, and in what ways do you believe they effect the world?

I can't help but think of the prophecy that stated, the nation that tries to be the World's big brother, will be the World's ultimate doom. I paraphrased it cuz I don't remember the exact wording but that was the gist of it.
I don't actually believe that though. However, I can see the US fracturing along geographic/polictical/idealogical lines in the future. But I see the same thing happening in Canada too.

Mr_Canada wrote:

4. What do you believe will come of Canada-U.S. relations? Will we always be allies? To the very end?

As long as no one does something incredibly fucking dumb, I don't see us parting ways anytime soon.

Mr_Canada wrote:

5. What do you feel of Canadian decisions towards or relating to the United States? Do you feel we effect them?

[/quote]
Nah, not really, but if we wanted to be real pricks, we could

[Mr_Canada]

I agree No9, Politicians of all strips are generally slimy, and I suppose we can be thankful for the transparency we have in our governments that ensures less overall corruption. I doubt we'll ever be able to stop politicians from being selfish and irresponsible, but perhaps a cure can be found soon, hehe. Thanks for the post

[Scape]

"America... just a nation of two hundred million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns and no qualms about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable." - Hunter S. Thompson

Mr_Canada wrote:

My questions are:
1. What is your opinion of the United States, it's Government (Current or Past), it's Culture, and/or it's People?

It's an EMPIRE in every sense of the word and suffering from stagnation as a result. Innovation is what has created its greatness and has the potential to save its future. There is great disparity in the US and vast wealth. The wild west was never won it is always just beneath the surface. The politics is a bloodsport with the two major parties holding on to power to the point that they choke out or absorb any and all takers. Thus ensuring innovation, America's most powerful talent, is stunted. This leads to bursts of radical action made possible only when a major party is hijacked by a radical fringe elements within their own party. Action which is both dangerous and short sighted.

2. Also, how do you feel the United States effects Canada? Was Trudeau correct by saying that we feel every twitch of the gentle beast?

Yes, without question. It's a tempo we have become subconscious to and have taken for granted to our own peril as their interests are not always our own. That same effect is upon the whole world but here it is far more pronounced as our proximity demands it.

3. What do you feel will come of the United States, and in what ways do you believe they effect the world?

The US has passed its apex but not its prime. Hard times are ahead but they will be fine. People think the US will lose power but in fact it will only be a matter of perspective as the rise of the rest of the world put the US in a position of prominence just not with the same superpower reach as before. That can only be a good thing for all of us as the rest of the world learns to use its own voice rather then depend on the charity of others.

4. What do you believe will come of Canada-U.S. relations? Will we always be allies? To the very end?

Canada needs the US and the US needs Canada. That will not change and it is in both parties interests to maintain a symbiotic and not a parasitic/predatory relationship. A union beyond that is meaningless labeling. The biggest threat and greatest opportunity to the US/Canada relationship is economic. If we were to merge our dollar with the greenback we would end up the same as Greece has in the EU. Bankrupt, destitute and without meaningful representation.

5. What do you feel of Canadian decisions towards or relating to the United States? Do you feel we effect them?

Yes and we do a lot of good, far more then bad for them but not as dramatically as they do good and bad for us. The US has been made a far better nation with Canada as its neighbor then if any other nation was there without a doubt. That's something all of us should be proud about but not complacent to. We can always strive to be better.

[Mr_Canada]

Thank you Scape for your reply. Hunter S. Thompson should be considered an American hero, Also, have you read the book "The Betrayal of Canada" by Mel Hurtig? Your reply to my 4th question reminds me of him, and I do agree with you.

You've raised excellent points, and made me think of some another questions.

What do feel towards U.S. decisions towards Canada? Such as the Softwood dispute?