[Robert]

Something I've noticed for quite sometime is that here in Canada, we seem to have a much more relaxed attitude between citizens and the government. As an example, we have this weekly comedy series here called This Hour Has 22 Minutes in which many of the "reporters" walk right up the government official and start asking questions, etc.

Anyway, one of the favorite characters on this show is named Marg Delahunty, Princess Warrior. Hehehe, and our Prime Minister is in the following clip endorsing her as a Liberal candidate in the forthcoming election.

I just cannot see any US President taking the stick outta their arse long enough to lighten up like ours do here in Canada. (This is not US bashing folks... its just to illustrate a difference in how our two countries differ when it comes to politics).

http://www.22minutes.com/marg/

 

[GhostUser]

Actually, I think the Democrats are more relaxed than the Republicans. I mean, look at how much fun Clinton had in office? He was even on SNL playing Sax (or was that Letterman). Then there's his lovely interns...

Besides, it's kinda hard for our elected officials to cut loose when they are trying to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.

 

[Robert]

Ruthie, that's actually one of my points. I think the US would really be better off saying to hell with everyone else and focus more money and effort on your own country. You guys have taken the lead in helping out other coutries with food, supplies, etc. Your war budget for IRAQ alone is probably bigger than all of Canada's entire budget, including Medicare, for the entire year.

I just think your gov't should consider putting some of that money and effort into your own people.

 

[GhostUser]

That's what we keep trying to tell them, but they don't listen. They have their blinders on. We don't have enough money for schools, prescriptions for the elderly, etc. Yet, somehow the government has managed to spend a mind boggling amount so far on the upcoming war and earmark an ungodly amount to continue it through. Where has this money been? Stuffed in a mattress somewhere? Ah, we actually don't have it you say? It will be added on to our deficit. Well, that's just dandy to some as long as they get an extra $300 bucks in their yearly tax refund.

Although there are some good things going for it and the originial intentions of government are admirable, somewhere along the lines everything went out of control. The priorities seem to be all screwy, IMO. I mean, let me narrow it down a little to relate to it on my personal level. I don't have food in my refridgerator or cupboards, can I give away food to my hungry neighbors? I don't have any money in my checking account; as a matter of fact, I am running in the hole. Can I take out funds to give to the grocery store to buy food? How would the bank feel if I wrote a bogus check. What about I just go take what is not mine because I can screw anyone that get's in my way. Or, in the process of saving several people across the street I run over and kill 5 others. None of this makes any sense to me when I try and narrow what the government does down to a personal level. Yet, there are people who blindly back them 100% no questions asked in the name of Patriotism. And if you do question the motives or means, you may be viewed as un-American.

I agree with you 100% that the gov't should do alot of things differently. I wonder how we ever ended up in the parental role for other countries.

And not to sound like I'm disrespecting Cananda or anything, but don't they have some problems with their current governmental systems and programs? Each country has their own issues with their government. I can't imagine that any system would ever run smoothly and on 100% approval of it's citizens.

 

[Robert]

Oh geez, yeah... we have problems with the various programs and not everyone approves of the government. We have a lot of abuse of the social programs here (welfare, unemployment, etc) and everytime you turn around theres a new special interest group popping up out of the woodwork.

Most folks on the outside think its great that we have a "free" medical system. I can tell you, its not free and it has a lot of issues. But it does provide the medical care for all Canadian Citizens equally, regardless of income level or insurance. Of course, its not perfect, but the emergency ward won't turn you away if you don't have insurance and require medical attention either.

Anyway, it was just an observation. I think our two country's politicians are a bit different in that ours seem to be a bit more lighthearted and more approachable by the public.

 

[GhostUser]

I'll admit, I'm pretty in the dark when it comes to how your government works. For the longest time I thought your country was run by a Queen. Go figure...I know one thing though. Those metric measurments sure screw me up when I come to visit (it's actually only a 3 hour drive from my house to Niagra Falls). Kilometers and stuff..yuck

Am I speeding or going to slow?? I can never tell. One of these days I'm going to make it a point to learn more about Canada, being so close and all. I do like your flag though. Maple is one of my favorite flavors.

 

[LadyFaile]

you'd never see someone run up and pie the president in the face on camera. everyone would be all "ohhh hisssss he's the president you can't DO THAT"

whereas when it happened to Chretien everyone just pointed and laughed. he's a dope, a joe schmoe, and that's why we like him.

 

[Robert]

LF: I think he's a pretty good sport too. I find it humorous when I see some of the rapport he has with various reporters and such, especially this bunch from This Hour. He's a bit of a bumbler, but I guess that's why I like him. Then again, after the Mulrooney era, anyone would have been an improvement.

 

[LadyFaile]

yeah but they sure make fun of him too. nothing's sacred with those guys, i love it.

 

[GhostUser]

I love the Canadians, especially their ice skaters.

I also think we should be taking care of the people in our own country and stop butting into other countries business. The reason we know that saddam has weapons of mass distruction is that we sold them to him. Now we are paying other countries billions of dollars to let us set up air bases in on their land to fight with him over them when we have poor homeless people living on the street and hungry children in our own country.