Politics in the US

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

The longer I am here, the more I find myself becoming less and less tolerant of some of the political attitudes that I encounter, both online and out and about.

Is it just me or does political affiliation in Canada affect people much less concerning everyday issues, thoughts and opinions?

[ceriserose 1]

Canada has a tenth of the population of the US, so it's less magnified. I think, too, that the overall cultural attitude is much more easy-going there than here.

At least that's my take on it.

[Cassie 8]

that, and when our politicians make fun of themselves on Royal Canadian Air Farce and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, it's hard to take politics too seriously.

[Buttons 0]

Funny thing you mention it. I was watching Good Morning Canada last week while visiting. I noticed that not one political issue or war issue was mentioned. Unlike here (US) this is all I hear everyday every channel. I had to chuckle at our news compared to the US news. I'm from a border town so use to the US channels but just decided to watch a Canadian station that day. OH, how different the countries are in this aspect !

[clloyd 0]

Canada has a tenth of the population of the US, so it's less magnified. I think, too, that the overall cultural attitude is much more easy-going there than here.

At least that's my take on it.

You've never seen The Daily Show or The Colbert Report?

[Jersey Girl 2]

I was raised in the States, where there's a lot more "Civics" injected into the curriculum: history, pride in one's country, the importance of freedom, and your responsibility to vote. I was also a student teacher in Canada, where the emphasis is on multiculturalism and tolerance. Huge difference.

Americans identify with political groups and can be fiercely passionate about their beliefs. Canadians are live-and-let-live, which is important in a small country (population) with vast geography and often severe weather.

Frankly, I'd rather be in a place where people are engaged and involved, instead of disinterested or cynical. Democracy works better that way.

(Let the debate begin.)

[Emancipation 2]

The longer I am here, the more I find myself becoming less and less tolerant of some of the political attitudes that I encounter, both online and out and about.

Is it just me or does political affiliation in Canada affect people much less concerning everyday issues, thoughts and opinions?

*Sigh.. I hear you Jane.. I have thought a lot about what you are vocalizing the past few months. I lived in SC for a short time a few years back and really struggled on the "Southern" way of thinking and living. I left there thinking.. I'll NEVER come back, but alas, life had a few more tricks up her sleeve. Now here I am at 30 turning my face southward again (mind you not QUITE so south). Me & my fiance have talked extensively as he's quite a bit more "right" in political thinking than I am.

I'd have to say that I think CDNS love politics, and are interested in politics, but it's more for making fun and water cooler talk, than actual hard core "opinions".. I don't know many politically active individuals, but we all love to make fun of Liberals, or Conservatives, or whoever is in power. We don't hold our politicians up in the same regard. Our Prime Minister often bears the brunt of jokes, not the esteem that the President enjoys. Oh well.. I think some of it goes back to Canada being formed out of a party weekend, and the US actually being a little bit more deliberate about their politics? I dunno...

[ceriserose 1]

Canada has a tenth of the population of the US, so it's less magnified. I think, too, that the overall cultural attitude is much more easy-going there than here.

At least that's my take on it.

You've never seen The Daily Show or The Colbert Report?

Yes I have. I'm not sure what that has to do with my post though?

Did you misquote? Cassie mentioned political satire in tv.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I was politically active in Canada and in fact, worked for an MP for a number of years before I moved to the States. While Canadians can be very strong-willed as well about their politics, fewer of them seem to be so black and white as they are in the States. Part of this is because Canada does have a multi-party political system and you don't have to 'register' your political affiliation when you are enumerated or placed on the voters' list. While there are more than 2 parties in the US, basically the States is a two-party system and it becomes all or nothing - no representational percentages at all - 51% is the same as 100% so there is less flexibility in the system for varying political perspectives. Americans on a whole are a lot less able to laugh at themselves or see any humour in some of their positions or their politicians. That is not to say that it doesn't exist - it does - and there are some hilarious satires by Will Farrel of President Bush - and the Jon Stewart Show and the Colbert Report help to break that bubble of political smugness. Still part of the problem -at least from my perspective - is election overkill. There is virtually never any time when there is not some sort of election campaign going on. Here in Henry County Georgia there was a run-off election - and a voter turn out of less than 5% to decide who will be the winner. 5%? Somewhere along the lines of trying to vote for everything democracy got lost and voters have become extremely cynical of any and all political perspectives. They have become either rabid supporters or disillusioned non-participants in the political process. There doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground. They know they are in for a 4 year term basically no matter what. In Canada, a minority government faces the very real possibility that the House will fall in a non-confidence vote so there is a lot more incentive for 'listening' to the people as well as practising co-operation with political colleagues. The whole Canadian identity is much more geared towards tolerance and diversity, where in the US the main focus is on homogeneity - everyone must be the same American. It is unfortunate and the country is the one that suffers in the end. The US political system was designed for a world that existed over 200 years ago. It is folly to believe that the US is the same today as it was then. While there have been amendments to the US constitution, what it really needs is an overhaul to become better alligned with today's political reality. With the political system of this country, however, I don't see that happening - the best that happens is inertia as each party blocks any of the recommendations or advances proposed by the other. Stalemate. The US could definitely benefit from a little bit of self-depricating political humour to allow it to see what is wrong - and perhaps make people more willing to find a way to 'fix' it rather than continue to defend what doesn't work anymore.

Edited December 14, 2006 by Kathryn41

[KarenCee 3]

that, and when our politicians make fun of themselves on Royal Canadian Air Farce and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, it's hard to take politics too seriously.

Oh how I miss seeing those two shows...and I'm the USC! I'm not a fan of US Politics by no means...they have NO sense of humour at all. Yeah, I've also seen The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. They just don't have it for me, not like RAFarce and This Hour. There IS a difference in the satire.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

There are some interesting differences in many other ways. Religion seems so very intertwined with politics in the US. Something you don't see a whole lot of in Canada. I really wonder if religion to many of these politicos is just another tool to get a vote.

I do enjoy some of the political debate and there are some great people who are very well informed that share a lot of information - it is just as that as Kathryn says, it's so black and white.

Edited December 14, 2006 by jane2005

[girl 37 7]

Frankly, I'd rather be in a place where people are engaged and involved, instead of disinterested or cynical. Democracy works better that way.

Maybe it depends on where you live. In Vancouver, my friends & family and I were always discussing and debating political issues. Here in Tennessee I've found myself in a lot of hot water for discussing lack of gay rights, environmental issues, sharing my opinion of the war, lamenting the lack of maternity / paternity leave, commenting on the incredibly sugary and fatty meals served in my step-child's elementary school cafeteria, etc. I've learned to keep my mouth shut (for now).

There are some interesting differences in many other ways. Religion seems so very intertwined with politics in the US. Something you don't see a whole lot of in Canada.

TOTALLY agree. It's sad and frightening.

[Carlawarla 1]

Frankly, I'd rather be in a place where people are engaged and involved, instead of disinterested or cynical. Democracy works better that way.

Maybe it depends on where you live. In Vancouver, my friends & family and I were always discussing and debating political issues. Here in Tennessee I've found myself in a lot of hot water for discussing lack of gay rights, environmental issues, sharing my opinion of the war, lamenting the lack of maternity / paternity leave, commenting on the incredibly sugary and fatty meals served in my step-child's elementary school cafeteria, etc. I've learned to keep my mouth shut (for now).

There are some interesting differences in many other ways. Religion seems so very intertwined with politics in the US. Something you don't see a whole lot of in Canada.

TOTALLY agree. It's sad and frightening.

Wow, you hit the nail on the head...thanks for putting my thoughts on your post! The black and white thinking is SO annoying.

Carla

[hockeygal 0]

Well, most people I know in Canada are very passionate about politics. We just agree on it, so it doesn't make as big a stir when we talk about it. I think the Reform party in Canada has changed things a little though.

But sometimes I get uncomfortable by how black and white the politics seem to be in the US. Liberal versus Conservative. If you are liberal you are this way. If you are conservative, you are that way.

Are the majority of Canadians more liberal than conservative? I don't know. I would tend to say yes, or at least more live and let live. But I base that completely on having grown up in Quebec! I've discovered the west is more conservative. People who support the Reform party and I have had some pretty heated arguments at times!

When people I don't even know find out that I am moving to the USA, they ask me how I will deal with the conservatives. I find it funny that they just automatically assume I am liberal. I don't wear a sign! Common assumption though, especially in the government world I work in, where we have even celebrated gay marriages in the office with cake and fizzy drinks!

[Carlawarla 1]

Well, most people I know in Canada are very passionate about politics. We just agree on it, so it doesn't make as big a stir when we talk about it. I think the Reform party in Canada has changed things a little though.

But sometimes I get uncomfortable by how black and white the politics seem to be in the US. Liberal versus Conservative. If you are liberal you are this way. If you are conservative, you are that way.

Are the majority of Canadians more liberal than conservative? I don't know. I would tend to say yes, or at least more live and let live. But I base that completely on having grown up in Quebec! I've discovered the west is more conservative. People who support the Reform party and I have had some pretty heated arguments at times!

When people I don't even know find out that I am moving to the USA, they ask me how I will deal with the conservatives. I find it funny that they just automatically assume I am liberal. I don't wear a sign! Common assumption though, especially in the government world I work in, where we have even celebrated gay marriages in the office with cake and fizzy drinks!

Some assumptions made here as well eh? I'm from Saskatchewan, where the Father of universal healthcare came from, and the LONG history of NDP comes from. Conservative? Westerner? Yikes....

What I don't get in MO anyway, is that people running for school board office declare, or have to declare their party?? I don't care WHAT party anyone is from, I want to hear their ideas, their creative thinking, their fairness, insofar as the school district, board, and education is concerned. I don't give a ####### if they're a R or D. And running for such an office should have NOTHING to do with what party you support. Just my opinion....

Carla