I never understand these Canada vs America e-wars. I can see why they're fun during the Olympics but that's because sport brings out the patriotism in most of us. But really no country is better or worse than the other and both would suffer tremendously if the close relationship shared was somehow fractured. Both are different in some aspects but at the core the average citizen (and that's all we are despite some of us erroneously believing differently about themselves) just wants the same thing: To feel safe when they're walking outside their front door, the chance to make a good life for themselves through hard work while not paying taxes out the nose, the belief that their fellow citizen is more inherently good than evil, the opportunity for their children to receive a quality education, excellent medical facilities to take care of themselves or their loved ones should they sadly need it, the opportunity to share in a democratic election process even if your preferred choice loses, and the hope that the criminal justice system really does work.
I'm a citizen of both countries and they're both flawed in many ways. But I'm very proud of both of my passports and will always defend each against nonsense spewed by those who haven't even lived in both. Or even worse, visited both. If I could take the best aspects of the US and Canada and magically merge them into one place, my gypsy days would finally be over as I'd be living in Utopia. Sadly that's not possible.
Instead of battling with random strangers on a gambling forum, why not look honestly in your own backyard and start to argue with the politicians who have the power to change the things you know are wrong in your own country? No one should be disparaging the other as neither country is perfect. We should be fighting to clean up the mess that these politicians (that we as a majority chose to represent us) have made while ensuring that our own citizens are afforded at least a minimum decent standard of living. That should be our priority. Secondary to that should be ensuring that everyone in this world can eat, has shelter and clean water and can receive medical treatment if necessary. And together both countries should do what they can to ensure those who despise the fundamental belief system shared by both Americans and Canadians are unable to inflict any more damage than they already have. All of this while we stop butting our nose in where it's not only not wanted but isn't really helping to affect positive change.
Happy belated Canada Day and 4th of July everyone. I'm jealous I'm not in that part of the world yet again to experience it but my thoughts are with those of you who are lucky enough to enjoy this holiday weekend.
(sorry for my long diatribe as usual but I've been watching this silently for a few weeks now and thought I'd get it out in one blast
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