I don't see this view at all. That line of argument seems to sell well amongst the ardent anti-American type Canadians, but as I noted above, these are a minority - though, from the perspective of a US discussion forum, I could well understand how you might perceive it so.

Rather, if Canada has a popular or political delusion, it is that we are always nice people!

One thing I should mention- I do believe that Canada has some strong suits over the U.S. (and vice versa)

However, some of Canada's strong suits come from the fact that it is smaller than the U.S., it's sort of like if the richest and most liberal states could form a separate union. (I would want to live in that union, most likely)

Agreed and noted. I realize that not all Canadians feel that way- sorry if I over-generalized.

Yes, scale produces problems. Smaller populations are more managable.

No need for apologies. You were just sharing a reasonable viewpoint.

Exactly. If the U.S. had lost the Civil War, I would imagine it would look and feel a good bit like Canada. Even without the South, the U.S. would take a big tumble leftward- then imagine all of Texas (back then) not being there. (off the subject, but still kind of fun to consider)

~Ben

That's right - We don't take kindly to people who inflict pain on Americans, and sometimes nothing hurts more than the truth! (Or at least scathing analysis that's not Too far off the mark!)

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Today's forecast: Government corruption.

Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of more 'politics as usual'

Maybe it's finally time to vote Libertarian

Well, my Mum is Canadian, and I have citizenship, so I try to keep up a bit on what is going on.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

I'm to conservative in my personal life to win.
People look at your personal beliefs and life.
I can seperate the 2 although the masses can not. look at the whole Romney issue for example.

i dont drink smoke or do drugs. not even a little . Although in office i would look at what the masses need want.

I dont feel it is my right to take away others freedom. I would actually legalize and tax whats illegal now. Sounds strange from a conservative

I feel if alcohol is already legal pot is the same thing in my eyes.i would also use that revenue for other byproducts of excessive behavior. Rehab and for people that are not responsible enough though of age to handle the effects of these drugs. Alcohol is also a drug. We cant silence freedom for the fact there are dregs of society that cant handle it.

I am very pro gun. I would have a 100% no tolerence policy though. you commit a crime you lose your rights to gun ownership 100%. Right to have guns ends when you commit a violent act on any level or any mental health issues. Domestic violence etc... You want a gun think before you get angry.
I would allow all weapons to include those evil assault weapons. If a guy never commits a crime who am i to say he cant have them.

I would secure the border... period. by executive order if i had too. it is a security risk im not willing to take and we can deal with immigration issue afterwards.

I would not have free health care. Sorry i beleieve in the free market. I would however come down heavy on tort reform. I would also make if someone was wronged they have repercussions in the form of actually sanctions to closing companies. not business as usual and pay them off to shut them up.

I just lost all my lobbyists.

I would abolish the tax system as it is... I would have to figure out what version of consumpton tax would work. This stops the rich from hiding money off sure and invest in america. No exemptions except food. If you dont want to pay a tax dont buy it. yes even clothes would have tax.

i would not go off invading other countries etc. We have to many of our own problems to solve before opening up other cans of worms.

Social security would not be pushed off another 4 years into someone elses lap I would tackle that as well. I would be honest and up front not lie and sugar coat with false promises.

i would try to get my message on the mass media as much as possible and though it might not be politically correct i would name by name those that are playing the ear mark game. Constantly and with fervor until it stops.

I would veto pork everytime in front of me. Eventually they would see that it wont get by me.


There is a zillion other issues but those seem the most important to accomplish first

order would be borders, income tax, social security, tort reform

That platform would have 0 chance of winning

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Hardcore Conservative !

I said Conservative not necessarly Republican or Democrat. Liberals are in both of those parties.

I'm not sure on the relevant citizenship law down there.

All I know is that I lost my US citizenship the day I first voted in a Canadian election. I was forced to choose between Canadian and US citizenship (my father was American). US normally does not recognize dual-citizenship (or at least it didn't use to).

How long ago was that? These days, the U.S. recognizes dual-citizenship.

~Ben

Thats what I was worried about too. I've contemplated running often but I'd have to destroy this website first lol. As for Jason's rant about the US...he does reflect the view of quite a few people I know I'm afraid. I think most Canadians' opinion of the US population took a nose dive after the 04 election. I think people just can't fathom why anyone would vote for GWB. And I don't think this is limited to Canada either. You'll probably find similar sentiments in the UK, and the rest of Europe. I think there was a poll done on this.

That being said, I'm disgusted at how much Canadians take the US for granted. Almost everything we do revolves around the US (movies, tv shows, things we eat, things we buy, vacations we take, companies we work for, national security etc). I appreciate this and consider Americans brothers and sisters. You may have hit a bump but I think you'll come back even stronger as a result.

Nope. As most people do, I have a lot of ideas that I think would be great, in terms of policy, but I'm also so jaded as to believe that, in order to get into office, I would have to abandon all of them. Bureaucracy and "playing the game" are soul-crushing forces

Oh, absolutely. I'm Mother f-ing Theresa.

Yeah, just kidding. I think my "skeletons" would probably frighten most people reading this... lol.

Personally, I don't really give a rat's ass what people know about my past history, provided it won't damage me in any sort of meaningful way (i.e. losing my job). I tend to be very paranoid about such things, and, as such, tend to be a bit reticent about discussing it in this (or any other such) forum. However, if I were out in a bar and we met, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions frankly, however "bad" said answers might make me look.

Honestly, I think it depends on the candidate, the candidate's base, and the campaign machine designed to help him get elected. From what I can tell (and this is anecdotal - don't as me for citations because it's just my perception), Dubya was a hard-partying playboy who probably snorted coke off of strippers' boobies until he was about 40, at which point he was conveniently "born again" and decided to run for office. I'd imagine that aspects of his past put my own to shame, and yet, he had no problem (well, arguably) getting elected, with the GOP machine in full spin mode behind him. However, if some real "leftie" Dem type were to run, and cop to anything (as opposed to "deny 'til you die"), he'd probably be crucified and run right out of the race. And then, take someone like Nader... how many people take that guy seriously?

It might sound overly cynical, but I think that, these days, your past and your skeletons aren't as a big a deal as how much your political machine can deny and spin your past. With the right combination of gullible would-be voters, spinmeisters, and other assorted characters, you might be able to make Keith Richards into a viable candidate Reality isn't "real" - only the people's perceptions thereof.

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson

I might vote for Keith.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

I certainly share a lot of your views and cynicisms regarding America (specifically popular culture). But, your willingness to issue unwarranted blanket insults is duly noted. As an American, I'm ashamed when other American posters make posts like yours toward Canadians. I've no doubt that some of the Canadian posters reading this can sympathize with my position.

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson