"How Canada Stole the American Dream"

[Kathryn41 3,205]

An interesting article in the Canada Day edition of Maclean's Magazine:

http://www.macleans.ca/canada/national/art...625_50113_50113

[thetreble 19]

Very interesting article. I see mostly truths in it. I never thought I would be working 40-45 hours a week, and my husband anywhere between 55-70. It is interesting to know that even someone with great health insurance in the US still owed almost 10,000 dollars when their baby was born. That is insane.

I agree that canadians also have more vivacious social lives. I didn't even notice this until I was back in Toronto a few weeks ago and I had an absolute blast.

[Cassie 8]

very interesting article!

[milwaukeegirl 0]

I don't understand why there are so many forums on visa journey centered on Canada vs. America topics. Why so much competition as to who is better? As an American (like many of my friends), I live within my means, do not have a huge debt, and I have an active sex life, thank you very much. I guess I'm just feeling offended by all of the Canada is better posts that I've been reading today. Reading this article has just offended me further. I've been wanting to ask, "If Canada is so amazing, then why don't you move back?" This remark would just bring on defensive remarks though, which I don't really want.

The only foreign country that I ever lived in was England, but even when I found things about England that I disliked in comparison to America, I always tried to be respectful. I don't know any Canadians besides my husband's friend Jess. In all honesty, I never took the time to get to know her. She immediately separated herself from myself and my American friends when she snottily announced at Universal Studios "Americans love their theme parks." She spent the day bashing Americans and complaining about how fat and uncultured we were. Funny how she was at Universal Studios, along with huge amounts of British and other foreign tourists. How hypocritical.

I'm not going to bother defending American culture, because I'm not going to change anyone's views. But it's very rude and unfair to generalize Americans into stereotypes.

[Cassie 8]

I've been wanting to ask, "If Canada is so amazing, then why don't you move back?"

Don't worry, I plan on it.

I have a question -- why is it that when a pro-US topic / opinion / comment is posted here, it's patriotism, but when positive things about another country is brought up, it's classified as US-bashing?

I'm not sure where all the rest of the articles you are reading are found, maybe I've missed them. Usually we have to sit and defend ourselves against the typical liberal hippie socialist commie comments we get thrown our way.

Edited July 2, 2008 by Cassie

[thetreble 19]

I'm not going to get defensive over your comments but I will say a few things. First of all, we are commenting on an article that provided facts. Facts are not equal to generalizations. To say "all americans are fat" is a stupid generalization that a silly girl made. That obviously is just not true. But again, we are commenting on an article and not generalizing. We are also speaking from experience, as having seen and lived both sides of the coin.

Most Americans are not aware of the Canadian VS American battle because it is unfortunately our own insecurities as a people that fuel it. I also think some Americans are not aware of this constant dual because no one south of the border seems to really care or even pay attention to Canada in the first place. My now husband knew nothing about my land at all, but I sure as hell knew about his land. He was willing to learn which I love him for but it wasn't easy. When you live right next to the most powerful country in the world, you often feel like the little guy who is always getting rubbed the wrong way. There are many Americans here that I have met that think to be Canadian is almost a joke, like it's almost a non-existent nationality. After the jokes about our non-existent police force, government, economy, etc., how much can you take? And likewise, many Canadians think to be American is to be many negative things. We want to be taken seriously, but it seems like we never can be because of our geographical location. We are force fed American culture from the day we are born without having a choice. However, some times we do say things that aren't fair out of pure ignorance. I won't be tagged as rude or unfair. I think that is unfair of you to come here and say that.

I think it all depends on where you live, milwaukeegirl. To say that you have seen a lot of topics on Canadians not enjoying America or Americans, well that is part of OUR lives and OUR forum. I'm of course not saying you are not allowed to participate, but you are knocking how some of us truly feel. As far as saying "if you like Canada so much, why don't you just leave or go back?" Well it is easy to say that, isn't it? Our lives have been complicated by international relationships. I have noticed that for the most part, is it Canadian women moving to America for their husbands. One of the reasons seems to be that women think with their hearts and some times, we react too quickly for our own good! That is an example of me. It hasn't been horrible here for me, but it has been different in a not-so-great way and I feel I made a mistake. We all make mistakes. We all miss our homes. The major difference I have had time to think about and gather since I have lived in America is the way we feel about where we come from. Canadians are very in tact with their landscape. We are close to our land. We feel it in our bones. This is not the same as having pride for your country, which obviously many Americans have and deserve to have.

However, there ARE Canadians here that absolutely LOVE living in America and wouldn't trade it for the world. There are a lot of pro-American Canadians around to balance us all out! Believe me on that.

Edited July 2, 2008 by thetreble

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I don't think you are going to find a lot of angry, defensive statements in response. The Canadian American identity 'crisis' is something Canadians have grown up with and the comparison between the two countries is as natural for us as breathing. We have spent our lives having to try and define ourselves when faced with the 'oh, there is no difference between Canadians and Americans" comment - all Canadians will immediately know what I am talking about and the Americans will all sort of look there puzzled and say 'huh'?. We have all spent many years of our lives trying to educate others that there are differences. That is why it is interesting to read articles like this one published on Canada Day - Canada's 141st birthday as a country - continuing to define the differences between Canada and the US.

I actually find it interesting that you are viewing this as American bashing - that is a novel perspective. Perhaps it means we have come of age and are being taken seriously, now:-).

You will find that most Canadians are here in the States because the person we love lives here and it was more practical for us to move here than for our US spouse to move north. Many of us are still in love with our Canadian identity and feel great pride and love for the uniqueness that makes us Canadian. I can appreciate that never having been exposed to the unique relationship that exists between Canadians and Americans it would be hard to understand this perspective. It is why I chose to post this in the Canada forum rather than the Off-topic forum. I knew that Canadians would understand. It was not meant to provoke a flurry of pro/anti American sentiment. It is just an 'interesting' article.

Edited July 2, 2008 by Kathryn41

[derekkj 0]

I don't understand why there are so many forums on visa journey centered on Canada vs. America topics. Why so much competition as to who is better? As an American (like many of my friends), I live within my means, do not have a huge debt, and I have an active sex life, thank you very much. I guess I'm just feeling offended by all of the Canada is better posts that I've been reading today. Reading this article has just offended me further. I've been wanting to ask, "If Canada is so amazing, then why don't you move back?" This remark would just bring on defensive remarks though, which I don't really want.

The only foreign country that I ever lived in was England, but even when I found things about England that I disliked in comparison to America, I always tried to be respectful. I don't know any Canadians besides my husband's friend Jess. In all honesty, I never took the time to get to know her. She immediately separated herself from myself and my American friends when she snottily announced at Universal Studios "Americans love their theme parks." She spent the day bashing Americans and complaining about how fat and uncultured we were. Funny how she was at Universal Studios, along with huge amounts of British and other foreign tourists. How hypocritical.

I'm not going to bother defending American culture, because I'm not going to change anyone's views. But it's very rude and unfair to generalize Americans into stereotypes.

Huh, you do realize you are in the CANADA forum, right?

And, Kathryn, interesting article. We like living in the US but have discussed going to Canada. This give us more to think about!

[Ontarkie 14,221]

Very Good article.

And I also didnt see it as bashing America, its just showing what the stats are and how times are a changing.

[wowswift 3]

Article isn't too interesting since most their facts are a few years old. I guess I'm lucky to have a Canadian that prefers America (of course he probably wouldn't want to go there if it wasn't for me, but we don't plan on coming back)

Edited July 2, 2008 by wowswift

[thetreble 19]

The Canadian American identity 'crisis' is something Canadians have grown up with and the comparison between the two countries is as natural for us as breathing. We have spent our lives having to try and define ourselves when faced with the 'oh, there is no difference between Canadians and Americans" comment - all Canadians will immediately know what I am talking about...

That is exactly what I was trying to say. haha

[Krikit 1,164]

I don't understand why there are so many forums on visa journey centered on Canada vs. America topics. Why so much competition as to who is better? As an American (like many of my friends), I live within my means, do not have a huge debt, and I have an active sex life, thank you very much. I guess I'm just feeling offended by all of the Canada is better posts that I've been reading today. Reading this article has just offended me further. I've been wanting to ask, "If Canada is so amazing, then why don't you move back?" This remark would just bring on defensive remarks though, which I don't really want.

The only foreign country that I ever lived in was England, but even when I found things about England that I disliked in comparison to America, I always tried to be respectful. I don't know any Canadians besides my husband's friend Jess. In all honesty, I never took the time to get to know her. She immediately separated herself from myself and my American friends when she snottily announced at Universal Studios "Americans love their theme parks." She spent the day bashing Americans and complaining about how fat and uncultured we were. Funny how she was at Universal Studios, along with huge amounts of British and other foreign tourists. How hypocritical.

I'm not going to bother defending American culture, because I'm not going to change anyone's views. But it's very rude and unfair to generalize Americans into stereotypes.

Well, aren't you just a little ray of sunshine?

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

I don't understand why there are so many forums on visa journey centered on Canada vs. America topics. Why so much competition as to who is better? As an American (like many of my friends), I live within my means, do not have a huge debt, and I have an active sex life, thank you very much. I guess I'm just feeling offended by all of the Canada is better posts that I've been reading today. Reading this article has just offended me further. I've been wanting to ask, "If Canada is so amazing, then why don't you move back?" This remark would just bring on defensive remarks though, which I don't really want.

The only foreign country that I ever lived in was England, but even when I found things about England that I disliked in comparison to America, I always tried to be respectful. I don't know any Canadians besides my husband's friend Jess. In all honesty, I never took the time to get to know her. She immediately separated herself from myself and my American friends when she snottily announced at Universal Studios "Americans love their theme parks." She spent the day bashing Americans and complaining about how fat and uncultured we were. Funny how she was at Universal Studios, along with huge amounts of British and other foreign tourists. How hypocritical.

I'm not going to bother defending American culture, because I'm not going to change anyone's views. But it's very rude and unfair to generalize Americans into stereotypes.

you gotta watch them canadians. they are evil. they show up with tim horton's, tire money, and i'll never forgive them for introducing the usa to celine dion.

[Cassie 8]

you gotta watch them canadians. they are evil. they show up with tim horton's, tire money, and i'll never forgive them for introducing the usa to celine dion.

I don't apologize for much, but I do apologize for Celine Dion -- she's a nice lady and all, but dang I can't stand listening to her sing.

[KarenCee 3]

I don't understand why there are so many forums on visa journey centered on Canada vs. America topics. Why so much competition as to who is better? As an American (like many of my friends), I live within my means, do not have a huge debt, and I have an active sex life, thank you very much. I guess I'm just feeling offended by all of the Canada is better posts that I've been reading today. Reading this article has just offended me further. I've been wanting to ask, "If Canada is so amazing, then why don't you move back?" This remark would just bring on defensive remarks though, which I don't really want.

The only foreign country that I ever lived in was England, but even when I found things about England that I disliked in comparison to America, I always tried to be respectful. I don't know any Canadians besides my husband's friend Jess. In all honesty, I never took the time to get to know her. She immediately separated herself from myself and my American friends when she snottily announced at Universal Studios "Americans love their theme parks." She spent the day bashing Americans and complaining about how fat and uncultured we were. Funny how she was at Universal Studios, along with huge amounts of British and other foreign tourists. How hypocritical.

I'm not going to bother defending American culture, because I'm not going to change anyone's views. But it's very rude and unfair to generalize Americans into stereotypes.

*laughs softly* This IS a Canadian Forum, yes? As the USC half, I *DO* plan on moving to Canada in the future because I am much happier when I am in my husband's country than my own!!! Of course, this begs the question of why you felt it necessary to come here and plant your little flower of rudeness. No one that I know of from here has gone into the UK forum to proclaim something like this...nor would we. Maybe if you lurk a bit more in the Canada Forum, you might see why we are all here. My husband, a proud Canuck, will tell you pretty darn quick he moved here to be with ME and for no other reason...which is the reason most of us are here as well. Believe me, if it were at all legally possible for me and my daughter to have emigrated there, we would have done it. It just seems that you're basing your opinion on the basis of your experience with ONE PERSON. Now that's a sweeping generalisation m'deah.

By the way, it IS rude, IMHO, to ask the question I've bolded in red. Have a good day m'deah!

you gotta watch them canadians. they are evil. they show up with tim horton's, tire money, and i'll never forgive them for introducing the usa to celine dion.

I don't apologize for much, but I do apologize for Celine Dion -- she's a nice lady and all, but dang I can't stand listening to her sing.

Aye, but of course all is forgiven as long as a cuppa Timmy's is involved. Oh and gotta love Canadian Tire Money, eh?