I'm proud of being Canadian . And the existence of the USA or Americans have absolutely nothing to do with it . Being American , like Canadian ,does not disqualify anyone from being stupid , ignorant or violent. As a point how many posts on this thread are stupid ? Show ignorance toward Canada ? How many suggest violence as a reaction to the article? On the other hand I notice that on FR a huge % of the articles posted regarding Canada are taken from Canadian sources and if the subject is in any way connected to the US then some opinion , positive or negative , is offered about the American connection . Maybe, to some that comes across as being a lecture . But it sure doesn't mean we think about you all the time .
Canadians here are told we depend on the US. You are a good market place. But we take 23 % of your exports. That's 32 million people taking 23 % of the exports produced by 300 million Americans. That fact alone is deserving of some thought .We sell you 80-85 % of our exports , a huge percentage of which are raw materials and power that demand world prices in a world market . Only it's more convenient to ship to the US, The USA happens to be closer .
As for protecting us. From whom? Americans are the only ones who have ever invaded us. Not once but four times . Maybe that has something to do with us not wanting to be American.
The good people of Canada will have by undying thanks for many things.
Most of all, they will have my thanks for welcoming in thousands of my countrymen (and people on their way to my country) on September 11, 2001, and for being most gracious hosts to all of them.
I glad that you are amongst those who actually takes pride in their country. I'm the first to admit there is ignorance and bigotry amongst posters here at FR (after all, Freepers are notorious for "eating their own"). I too, believe that we economically depend on each other and if I gave you any indication that I didn't (which I don't think I implied by by earlier post), I do apologize. I also never asserted that you think about us all the time (I'm sure you have your own problems to worry about). I wasn't trying to offend anyone, I was merely trying to understand.
As for the protection issue, well I never brought that up either, but if we are going to go there... I highly doubt you really believe that the U.S. is ever going to attack Canada (at least I hope you don't), but you also can't ignore the fact that because Canada sends 85% of its exports to the U.S., terrorists would see Canada as a viable target--especially given their desire to bring down the U.S. economy. So, just as we rely on you economically, I think a case can be made that you rely on us too (for protection).
Quite frankly, I would love it if we didn't even need to have threads like these. :)