Tiberius
[webpage]
I received an e-mail recently, with the subject line of "Canada...the 51st state." In the e-mail the writer states that she "truly believe[s] that Canada is merely an extension of the U.S."
Here is my retort. Please feel free to get involved. I'm interested to see what other people think.
--==--
As for your...view...with regards to Canada. Were I you, I wouldn't tell too many Canadians that. As I'm sure you are aware, many Americans have a stereotypical view of Canadians, that being that we are polite and nice and whatnot. Well, many Canadians also have a stereotypical view of Americans, but I can assure you that it is by no means polite or nice. In fact, we, as Canadians, have a tendency to hold a view more along the lines of "ignorant, stupid, greedy, self-centered..." You get the picture.
Furthermore, I feel that your statement is false. I don't believe that Canada is an extension of the U.S., but rather I believe that in many respects the countries can be considered as one. It is unfortunate that your country uses the common name of "America," for were this not the case, Canada and the U.S. could be collectively referred to as "America," rather than North America or even worse: "Canada and the U.S."
While admittedly, Canada does rely heavily on the U.S., the reverse is also true. Lumber, fish and electricity immediately come to mind. Indeed, the state of California could not operate without the entirely too generous assistance they receive from British Columbia in the form of hydroelectric power. They are literally screwing us, as they are not paying the already low price we are trying to charge. They are also screwing with Fair Trade laws by making things unfair, but of course to their benefit. You can understand how our stereotypical view gets reinforced.
So with this in mind, you could stretch your statement and say that Canada is merely an extension of the U.S., but in order to do that, you would have to add that the U.S. is merely an extension of Canada, as well. I hope I've changed your view, and if I haven't, feel free to retort and prove me wrong.
Comments? Please retort with your views. Thanks.
|
10:45 pm - Sunday, August 18, 2002
|
|
