Foreigners are fascinated with our politics. Why?
- Thread starter Ivanovich
- Start date
I didn't read all of the posts thus far, but let me respond.
I am Canadian. When previously asked, I have often responded that the US is Canada's largest trading partner, accounting for about 90% of Canada's exports. Some people don't seem to appreciate the significance of this response. Because of this substantial trade relationship, Canada's monetary policy needs to be fairly closely aligned with that of the US. Canada's prosperity would be affected materially if the US should ever decide to go protectionist. In general terms, when the US sneezes, Canada catches cold. The argument can be made that US politics has as much of an effect on Canada's general economic prosperity as does Canadian politics. So when the US looks like it's going off the deep end, only a Canadian wearing blinders would not take notice or be concerned.
Scientific progress was held back when, for religious reasons, Bush decided against federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. The US is a leader in scientific research and this bone-headed decision affected everyone. It was a stupid decision. A lot of illegal weaponry in Canada comes from the US, in part because of the more relaxed availability of firearms in the US. Our media is saturated with American content (I'm okay with that), but we do have alternatives. The list goes on.
The Tea Party is both a laughable and frightening phenomenon. I think it is absurd in the main, and its origins are tainted with racism and religious fundamentalism. I am not convinced by its recent makeover. The signs and slogans may be different, but the people are the same, and we already saw them with their hair down. And so, I don't know how this cartoon is going to play itself out. It may just amount to a benign, annoying cyst. It may morph into something more malignant. Canada is right next door.
I am Canadian. When previously asked, I have often responded that the US is Canada's largest trading partner, accounting for about 90% of Canada's exports. Some people don't seem to appreciate the significance of this response. Because of this substantial trade relationship, Canada's monetary policy needs to be fairly closely aligned with that of the US. Canada's prosperity would be affected materially if the US should ever decide to go protectionist. In general terms, when the US sneezes, Canada catches cold. The argument can be made that US politics has as much of an effect on Canada's general economic prosperity as does Canadian politics. So when the US looks like it's going off the deep end, only a Canadian wearing blinders would not take notice or be concerned.
Scientific progress was held back when, for religious reasons, Bush decided against federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. The US is a leader in scientific research and this bone-headed decision affected everyone. It was a stupid decision. A lot of illegal weaponry in Canada comes from the US, in part because of the more relaxed availability of firearms in the US. Our media is saturated with American content (I'm okay with that), but we do have alternatives. The list goes on.
The Tea Party is both a laughable and frightening phenomenon. I think it is absurd in the main, and its origins are tainted with racism and religious fundamentalism. I am not convinced by its recent makeover. The signs and slogans may be different, but the people are the same, and we already saw them with their hair down. And so, I don't know how this cartoon is going to play itself out. It may just amount to a benign, annoying cyst. It may morph into something more malignant. Canada is right next door.
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(this is not meant as an insult) I find it interesting that you went the polar opposite way I did, I went to U.S. citizenship for tax reasons, and because the U.S. is far more conservative, also because i like the free markets, if you dont mind me asking, what made you decide to go to Canada and go to by far the most heavily weighted conservative province?
So your issue is that ultimately "foreigners," that log into this site and speak about American politics are somehow abnormal? There are many that debate all kinds of issues all over the world (with varying degrees of vitriol) that do not affect this site or American polictics. As a citizen of the world I'm surprised you would fall into that trap.
Quote from Ivanovich:
Marginally, I suppose. But not nearly enough to log on to some site related to that news and debate it. I read periodicals that are relevant to the trades I make because it's worth it to do so to be informed. I do not care to debate it.
I wonder how many of them are as verbally violent as this P&R forum?
I'm rather enjoying the beer discussion, yes.
I really wish iTunes would put your movie up for rent. In the meantime I'd like to point out that the OP, if you'll reread the opening post, does not have an "issue", he's just asking.
It's a good post, and it got phenomena busy going through my post history, which can only raise his IQ.
; )
That's gotta be some sort of Alberta funny.
However, my advice to you is to ignore all who have appeared within the last year, they should be ignored.
However, my advice to you is to ignore all who have appeared within the last year, they should be ignored.
Thanks for pointing this out. I have noticed more angry miscreants in US society in general lately. Difficult economic circumstances can bring out the worst in people and if we were to have anything resembling what happened in the 1930s today, yeah as a Canadian you would probably have a lot to worry about. I don't plan on going to any tea parties, but these people have legitimate concerns. The US is changing, I can see it and by default so can you. You just hope it is for the better.