God bless America

Okay, here's the disclaimer, this entry is a little political, and slightly biased. I would first of all like to admit that I Don't Know Everything, but I'd like to consider myself to be open to ideas, so feel free to comment, as long as you have an open mind too.

In a very short time, the movie 'World Trade Center' will be in theatres everywhere, and that's fine and dandy, but it does make me think....

When Billy and I traveled to Hawaii, it was just after the war in Iraq started, and I have to say, we were treated with a little hostility when fellow travelers discovered we were Canadian. Over a friendly lunch, one guy asked us point blank why the Canadian government wasn't supporting the war in Iraq. What do you say to that? I think I said something like, 'uh, our military consists of 8 guys, a plane and a canoe.' Really I wanted to tell him that we have military in Afghanistan, looking for the dude that attacked your most beloved city, not searching for 'weapons of mass destruction that don't exist. (The US can have those weapons and that's okay... because they are on the good side...)

Now, In My Opinion, Americans love their country the way a four year old loves their mommy. Blind Patriotism. It can do no wrong, just go with what you're being told on the T.V. Remember when the Dixie Chicks spoke out about the war, and they were absolutely banished from American radio? Now it is fashionable to speak out against the President, as long as those same people support their troops. (after all, that is their job)

I could go on and on, but I'm going to jump topics a little, so this blog doesn't take all day to compose...

I love the US. It is a beautiful county, poses many opportunities, and does have a high standard of living, BUT, it is not the greatest county in the world. That's a fact. Believing so is another example of blind, ignorant patriotism. Here's one for you: Canada is not the greatest country in the world either. I like it here, I plan on living here, but, as a Canadian, we are able to objectively look at our country and criticize as You See Fit. (That may translate into 'Free Speech', but I won't get thrown under the bus for it.)

Here's some stats for all you non believers, (compiled from UN Statistics, CIA World Factbook and the BBC) and just for the fun of it, I'll compare Canada and the US:

Quality of Life:
Canada ranked #3
US ranked #6

Cleanest:
Canada #3
US #11

Most Expensive:
Canada is not in the top 20
US is #13

People attending Universities:
Canada #1
US #4

Divorce Rate:
Canada is not in the top 20
US #3

Gender Equality:
Canada is #7
US is not in the top 20

Most livable:
Canada is #5
US #10

Life Expectancy:
Canada: 80.22 years
US: 77.85 years

Pretty surprised? Here's some more:

The United States has a higher GDP per capita than Canada(each household makes more money)
BUT we have healthcare...

The United States has a lower unemployment rate by 1.7%

The US has a higher birthrate, (keep poppin' then out!) higher AIDS rate (of course per capita, I know that there is way more people in the US than Canada)

The United States has 12% of people below the poverty line, whereas Canada does not have an official poverty line, but a Low Income Cut Off of 15.9% (CIA World Factbook admits that this number is higher than average poverty lines)

Okay, that is enough stats, just a couple of more thoughts...

Remember the Saturday morning School House Rocks? There is one depicting the United States as a country. There were all these different ethnicities jumping into a huge pot. The US calls themselves a 'Melting Pot'. Come to the US, and become one of us. Canada embraces 'multiculturalism'. We don't ask immigrants to become one of us. We let people be who they are. They can worship where they want, dress the way they want - whatever. I've heard there is a huge push in the States to have all signage in English as well as their language of choice. Do you really think that me, as an English speaking person would go into a store with only Arabic on their sign? Obviously these store owners know their target market, and are only hurting themselves if they don't advertise in English. So, who cares?

All of our government signage (and institutions) is in both English and French, and that is because we are a bi-lingual nation, with both French and English recognized as official languages. If someone comes to our country and doesn't speak English, then I wish them all the best, because I imagine it would be quite difficult to experience all Canada has to offer without being able to speak either language. Do I care if they don't speak English or French? No, why would I?

There is currently a huge Mexican immigration issue in the States. Many of these immigrants initially came to the US as migrant workers. This didn't bother Americans then, because they needed those low paid employees because no self respecting American would pick tomatoes for minimum wage - but now that these Mexican Americans are making some money, and 'stealing' American jobs, now, it is a problem. It should have been dealt with years ago. Did Americans really think 20 years ago that Mexicans would be happy working in US fields forever? They want to make something of their lives just like everyone else. But now it is a problem.

Canada has issues too. We have a problem with our health care system, (but we have one...) We have slow waiting times, and tough to get specialist appointments or referrals, but we don't leave a hospital with a $500 bill for aspirins and a cast. Canada has high taxation, and an unemployment problem, especially in the automotive sector. We also have problems with government overspending and waste. Our teachers are also underpaid and overworked in a system that is aging, as well as the States. The difference is I, as a Canadian can truly criticize it, and not be a social outcast.

One last point for any Americans reading this, (by the way, my mom and her whole family is American, I own a house in the States, and I watch almost entirely American entertainment, and news), we know that you make fun of us in your media. We know that you think we're backwards and passive. We 'get' the jokes about us made on TV programs. We know who your president is, your chief of staff, and how your political system works. You however, have no idea what we think of you. You have no clue about our way of life, our health care system, or our government. Once again, In My Opinion, the above is a perfect example of the Blind Patriotism, egotism, Ameri-centric ideals that defines the United States of America.