Happy Independence Day to our neighbors to the south.
At a time like this it's a good time to remember that the United States of America is not only Canada's largest trading partner and most important military ally, but also our best friend.
So for today at least, let's put aside our past differences -- the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Fenian Raids, and the Carolina Hurricanes -- and extend a happy 230th birthday to the American Republic.
3 comments:
I find it interesting you go after Canada Day on July 1st never having anything nice to say about Canada while always praising the United States. I don't disagree that we need to have a mature and professional relationship, but there is a difference between having a professional relationship and a cozy one. I like most Canadians oppose the latter. Secondly I would not describe the Americans as our best friend. Someone who always bullies you is no friend. The United States is our neighbour and closest trading partner. And yes at a personal level many Canadians have American friends, but on the whole, no I don't regard them as our best friends.
Finally I don't want to be more like them, I won't to be less like them. This is not about anti-Americanism, I believe it would benefit both countries to have more distance between the two of us. We have a different set of values and both country's should be able to maintain those distinct values.
Wow. He took exception to the holiday being called "Canada Day," not the existence of the day itself. Do you just stay in "Let's hate America" mode and look for reasons to say "Let's distance ourselve from them?" And what does Canada have to benefit from doing so? 80% of Canada's economy depends on trade with the US. The Canadian economy would collapse if your advice were followed! I happen to suscribe to the idea that a strong Canada is good for the US, and a strong US is a good for Canada. The latter has been the case for some time, and after the arrests in Toronto a couple of weeks back, I think the former is proving to be true. You show remarkable anti-Americanism, and I suspect you've never actually taken the opportunity to speak to any Americans- or at least not in a way that is respectful and courteous. You're too busy looking for reasons to hate them.
Anonymous - Since when is wanting an independent nation, an independent foreign policy, and being less politically aligned with the United States anti-American. I respect the right for the Americans to be who they are, but I wish Canada would take a different path. Secondly a strong US doesn't necessarily benefit Canada. A strong US economically does, but not militarily as their aggressive foreign policy makes the world less safe, never mind it means there is less we can do if the United States ever decides to attack us, which I hope they wouldn't, but one never knows.
As for 80% of our trade being with the US, I don't believe this has benefitted us at all. That means when their economy goes into a recession we do to. Instead we should have a diversified trade with many countries including the United States. Countries that have more diversified trade such as Britain generally do better than those who rely on one country.
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