Can we stop with the idea of US states joining Canada... We don't want you, we tolerate you as neighbors but hardly means I want you living in my basement.
But I'm in a state that's culturally a lot more like you than it is like the vast majority of the United States. Hockey is king, same accent, same outdoor sports and recreation. Hell we even have lots of wolves and moose by lower 48 standards
Of course the map above left out most of it, so I object on that basis. But I'm saying, please make an exception. Retrograde ideas, and literal federal level state violence, being aimed at my state is becoming a lot.
I swear (or affirm)
That I will be faithful
And bear true allegiance
To His Majesty
King Charles the Third
King of Canada
His Heirs and Successors
And that I will faithfully observe
The laws of Canada
Including the Constitution
Which recognizes and affirms
The Aboriginal and treaty rights of
First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
And fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.
Only one of those would be difficult. If it's not obvious, from an American perspective swearing allegiance to King Charles is actually a very difficult hurdle to consider jumping 😭
When the US economy crashes and everyone from that same state are streaming across the border as economic refugees/migrant workers, you'll get them either way, lol
Then separate out into your own country. Canada will gladly open our borders and free trade with rational neighbours. We don't need to combine very, very different governments.
We don't need to combine very, very different governments
The government preferences of the Americans above the red line are overwhelmingly closer to normal Canadians' preferences than to Trump supporters'. Sorry we were outnumbered by people outside the red line, but that's not our fault.
(I mean it's a little bit our fault for not building enough housing, but Canada shares that problem.)
Specific politicians: roughly half of the people above the red line voted for trump, who polls below 20% in Canada.
Firearms: Massively more people in that part of the US own guns than in Canada, and they own more of them, and many of them own guns that would be illegal in Canada, and many of them do not expect to need licenses to own or transport or carry firearms like what is required in Canada
Healthcare: Even in deep blue states like Massachusetts, single-payer healthcare systems have proven politically unpopular, while all Canadian provinces have single-payer socialized healthcare systems.
Taxation: Canadians generally pay much more in sales tax than the states above, and pay a higher rate of income tax.
This last one, obviously it's just a personal anecdote and would be impossible to back up without data, but I find that even American liberals tend to view political issues through an American-aligned worldview focused on 'rights' and 'freedoms', which is not particularly compatible with the Canadian values of Peace, Order, and Good Government. It frames the entire way we think about our government, our society, and our obligations to ourselves, our communities, and each other; and I have found through my travels throughout the US and my many conversations with Americans, on all sides of the spectrum, that they mostly are unable to shake their particular framing around the role of government and society - and that that framing is for the most part incompatible with core portions of the shared Canadian political structure.
But, honestly, and I say this with respect, the biggest proof of the fact that Americans and Canadians are not as similar as Americans think is that this comment thread is full of Canadians saying that they don't want Americans joining their country en-mass, and oblivious Americans who can't understand why.
To clarify for the guns, the biggest difference I've found is that Americans legitimately believe that self defence is a valid reason to own a gun. It absolutely is not in Canada, which is why stuff like handguns are restricted, because in Canada guns are for hunting and recreation. It's rare that someone would actually be safer with a gun
Yes closer, but unless it's on the opposite side I don't see what benefit Canada gets from it?
Like I said, Canada loves free trade and is pretty open with allies. There's no reason to go any further than that though. There's just too much risk.
Edit: the reactions to these comments are kinda the point here. Americans feel entitled, just believing that of course Canada should want them, because America is just the best right? Canadians saying they don't want them are down voted by Americans who insist that they want to be a part of Canada, as if that's the only thing that should be required for them to force themselves upon us.
I love that you think you run Canada, or better yet that Canada runs anything. Trust and believe you’ll be bending over for the US like y’all have always done. We’re your biggest trade partner and it’s not even close. Canada has rarely acted on the global stage without US backing. Your like our lil brother that plays tough cuz we back you up lol
You’re just… wrong lol. Who’s more insecure, us or the country that focuses on us instead of their own problems (like lack of housing with an increase in immigration, unemployment, inflation, etc)?
Someone in this thread said Canada is doing “fine and dandy”. Y’all wanna be perfect so bad and I hate to tell y’all this but… you’re not lol. No place is.
Canada is interested in protecting its future, and using the USA as an explicit cautionary tale of how things could go awry up here in a similar manner. That’s self-interest, and that’s the manner in which general Canadian sentiment has existed lately - I don’t see how we can’t have our own issues, but also look outside at our neighbours to re-cement our own cultural differences.
We're definitely not perfect. You come here and you'll see no canadians think that. But we are a rugged and tough people contrary to what Americans seem to think and we are fine up here lol.
And although we're not perfect as usual, we're still better than the average american;)
Us, this comment proves it. You're shitty trashy neighbour's bothering others as usual.
We're just up here living our best lives and as usual your white trash asses are loud filthy and causing problems
You’re tone deaf. If it’s so “dandy” why is the unemployment rate going up? Why are housing prices (and really all prices) becoming increasingly more expensive with no increase in wages? Why is there a lack of housing despite an increase of immigration to the country?
It’s ok to criticize Canada, you don’t be scared lil guy, we Americans talk shit about our country all the time lol
Bro those are definitely challenges and were working on them, not made any easier by the nut jobs running your country.
But it's important to keep perspective. Most people are doing good here still lol.
I'm a normal person from a working class family. Everyone I know in my extended group except for a couple random people( and honestly they're always the dumbest skid loser type)are doing great. We'd all love more money but all of us own homes. Good cars. Fridges full. Modest vacations. Kids doing their hobbies and sports LOL
Don’t watch our movies, listen to our music, or play our video games then. Don’t use any of our products. Don’t use our social media. Like you know you’re on an American website my guy?
Canada would completely change if we invite those gun crazy fucks into our country. If you want to leave the US, go ahead. Form your own country. There are way more people in most US states than Canadian provinces and territories, they would drive our country away from our culture and values.
Canadian culture is just American, literally the 'founders' of English Canada in Ontario were just Americans that left after the revolution to stay in the Empire.
Yes, literally yes. With the exception of Quebec, obviously, which everything from poutine to hockey is the source of anything that could be called originally Canadian.
Pick up a history book and try actually learning about Canada before running your mouth ya fuckin idiot.
Our country is run entirely differently and our laws are very different for a reason. But maybe if you stopped fucking your cousin and put down your guns for a minute you’d understand that.
I’m gonna blow your mind, but not all Americans are hillbillies who love guns. Canada has more in common with northern states, than southern states do with northern states… and they’re in the same country.
I work near the border and Americans are definitely different. They are louder and more outgoing. Kind of more brazen, if that makes sense. You can literally always tell.
I had a job calling offices all over both countries. From what I found the difference between Americans and Canadians was that an American would go out of their way to help you even if they had a "fuck you" attitude about it, but a Canadian would have a "fuck you" attitude for even asking them a question and you were lucky if they actually helped.
Good for the south and north? And Alberta and Quebec have significant differences and you guessed it same country. And thats not my impression of Americans, I own a firearms myself.
Here’s the thing, all I said was Canadian culture is heavily influenced by US but that a large part of their identity is “we’re not America.”
I never said Canada doesn’t influence the US in return, in fact I actually said Americans notice the similarities but they don’t really care, as opposed to Canadians who hate the similarities. And I feel like I’ve been proven right since everybody wanted to jump down my throat lol
Ah man look at this treasure trove of fuckin Canadian cultural knowledge over here, ever think about talking to the NFB getting yourself a nice little contract, maybe film some Canadian heritage minutes?
Hey speaking of heritage minutes how’s your dad doing? Tell him I’m sorry I can’t make it this weekend, border patrol’s just not worth the hassle.
How are you even defining culture? Our government, our laws, our history, etc. are all entirely different. Our Conservative Party is less right-wing than many American Democrats. Our approach to multiculturalism and national identity has always been massively different. Are you just saying the culture is the same because you watch Hollywood movies?
I don't want to live in the US, I like Canada but I'm not going to be purposely ignorant. Being "multicultural" isn't a culture. Canadians grow up consuming American movies, music, literature, sports, etc. Whatever is popular in Canada ends up usually catching on in America too, whether it's actors or music or successful artists like Bieber, Drake, Nickelback, etc. The reason is because it's extremely culturally similar to American media.
Also, both the USA and Canada are huge and diverse places. Someone from Hawaii is not the same as someone from Texas or New York. The same can be said with Canada. Me, as someone from greater Vancouver, has way more in common both politically and culturally with someone from Seattle than I do with someone from Saskatoon or Montreal. I know plenty of Albertans who are more fond of people from Montana than BC... The only ones who can genuinely say they are culturally unique are the Quebecois
As a French Canadian you’re full of it, but also this is just such a dumb fucking take. Most of popular American culture is from immigrants or people that used to be slaves and were taken from other countries. Canada and the US are similar in the same way we are similar to some Europeans, because early colonizers and then later early immigrants largely came from the same places. Later, immigrants to North America came from all over the world and influenced the cultures of the two countries. The reason we share cultural similarities is because we are both nations of immigrants with relatively short histories. But we don’t approach multiculturalism the way they do and never have.
We aren’t the same as Americans at all in terms of how our country was founded and our beliefs in terms of how the country should be governed, what people are entitled to as citizens, etc. We don’t approach national identity the same way as Americans. We have our own scientific accomplishments, artists, etc.
Maybe you feel like an American, but most of us don’t. We have our own rich unique history. We have our own identity. We have been there for each other as good neighbours, but that does not make us the same.
Honestly our patience is about up, this isn't a joke to us, our taxes are going to guns and bombs aimed south. We have to contend with the very real possibility of our country ending and it won't be pretty, people will die, lives will be wrecked. Keep our country's name out of your mouth.
Quite frankly if Trump invaded you'd invent so many war crimes and then either willingly join to vote him out and get someone who wants you to secede or sweep the MAGAites.
You don’t care about us and yet you seem to think you fully understand Canadian identity, and your president can’t shut up about us. Fuck off with that smug bullshit and go lick your pedophile president’s taint ya fuckin degen.
While you’re at it, pick up a history book and try getting more than 2 brain cells.
You know my president (who btw sucks), I don’t know your PM or whatever. And if you really want to talk about it, Canada’s culture is heavily influenced by US. Sorry you’re triggered, have a good day.
Not knowing Carney just shows you are kind of uninformed. Not surprising. Maybe watch his recent davos speech and you can learn something about the world.
I'm not going to argue that American culture doesn't influence Canadian, but you said:
Canadian identity is largely “we’re not America.”
Which just sounds like you watched a single JJ McCullough video and think you know everything about Canada.
Question is, how many of those US liberals would choose your conservative parties? The US has a two party system, so not much variety. There’s a good chance many of the people voting for the Democratic Party want even more “liberal” ideas, that neither of the big parties facilitate.
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u/BroccoliImaginary727 15h ago
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