Posted on 12/10/2002 7:46:46 AM PST by quidnunc
Irony abounds. At the same time Canada and the United States were secretly negotiating a defence pact that allows U.S. forces to operate here in an emergency, a public opinion poll claims that most Canadians believe the Americans have "no business" telling us to increase our defence spending or pressuring Ottawa to back their foreign policies.
Face it: Of all the countries in the world, Canada has the most reason to be thankful for the United States.
Yet, of all the countries in the world, none is more jealous of that reality than Canada.
And so it is that a poll conducted by EKOS Research — commissioned by The Toronto Star/CBC/La Presse, among the most virulent anti-American media in this country — we discover that 65% of Canadian respondents think Washington has no right to comment on our defence spending.
One wonders what that number would be had the question been reversed, i.e., do Canadians have any right to comment on Washington's defence spending and/or foreign policies, since it is quite clear that many Canadians feel an inherent right to consistently dump on our southern neighbours, a foul mixture of Canadian insecurity, leftish rhetoric and full-frontal jealousy.
Just to make it clear, your correspondent is a Canadian, and damn happy to be one. My ancestry dates back on both sides of my family to the United Empire Loyalists, so we're not talking about any Claire-come-lately.
But it does not take much genius to understand that while it certainly is legitimate to criticize American policy — just as it is for Americans to criticize our policies — the growing band of anti-Americans out there might want to take a break from their hostile attacks and put the matter in perspective.
Canada is undoubtedly one of the best countries in the world in which to live, but surely it must be obvious to all that one of the major reasons why we can afford to offer the comforts we do to our citizens is directly related to our proximity and access to the world's greatest marketplace, i.e., the United States.
How is it possible that a public opinion poll — to the extent that these increasingly questionable polls actually reflect true public opinion — can show, for example, that on the question of who is a greater threat to world peace, George W. Bush or Saddam Hussein, some 38% of Canadian respondents said it was Bush (compared with 56% for Hussein.)
If you're in the Bush-is-more-dangerous-than-Hussein camp, here's an interesting historical parallel for you to ponder. In July, 1942, during the lead-up to the conscription crisis, the Gallup organization asked Canadians to name "the greatest man living in the world today." A total of 19% of French-speaking respondents and 2% of English-speaking respondents chose — are you ready? — Adolf Hitler, relegating Churchill and Roosevelt, in their minds, to also-rans.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalpost.com ...
How is it possible that a public opinion poll — to the extent that these increasingly questionable polls actually reflect true public opinion — can show, for example, that on the question of who is a greater threat to world peace, George W. Bush or Saddam Hussein, some 38% of Canadian respondents said it was Bush (compared with 56% for Hussein.)
The question comes to mind, why would someone even ask such a question in the first place?
A new deal would allow American troops to be deployed on Canadian soil in the event of a terrorist attack or other threats to the continent. What do you think?
37.82% – It's great. The plan will keep everyone safer.
31.51% – I don't know, why can't our military protect us on its own?
30.67% – No way. This is just a ploy to make Canada the 51st state.
Hah! Foolish American. You have been defending Canada since before WW I. Do you actually think the US would allow a foreign power to invade Canada?
No, no, no, no, no. If we ever decide to formalize our control over you, we'll pick and choose. You have to keep Quebec and Ontario; we'll take the prairie provinces. We'll have to think about the Maritimes and BC.
Let's see...because it's from a CBC/TorStar survey perhaps? Or course you already know that. You've been posting these poll results everywhere you possibly can ever since they came out.
I don't think so. When unification happens (notice I said when, not if) it will be all or nothing. Despite all of the separatism rhetoric, it's not even been decided whether or not Canada is legally divisible.
Unification is inevitable. And it will happen at the baraining table, not the battlefield.
The economies of Canada and the US are too interdependent to try what you have proposed. The effects of no trade between us would be devasting to BOTH economies. Not to mention that some of our exports are (oil, gas, and electricity for starters) vital to the continued well-being of the USA.
Nope, the only way that would happen would be for Canada to become a U.S. territory like Puerto Rico, Guam or American Samoa and even then it would be a bad deal for us.
Canadians are too enamored of the nanny state to assimilate into American society and the last thing we need down here are another 30+ million Democratic-Party voters clamoring for a welfare state.
I think you're wrong. Time will tell.
I'm not sure if under the terms of NAFTA (and the FTAA, set to kick in in 2004) any participant is even allowed to close their borders to trade. You'll be glad to know that I've noticed a marked increase in security at the border (actually airport) when travelling to the US. Even when showing full documentation (birth certificate, passport, driver's licence, return ticket, hotel and car rental confirmation) the questioning is still much more involved than before 9/11. I can remember times crossing the border before 9/11 (land crossings) when I was not even asked for ID. That's not happenng anymore. The border that seriously needs the most attention is your southern one.
"I can't see a depression in the US because of it."
Then you're not taking into account the ripple effect. When energy prices spike, your manufacturing sector will be even less competetive with the third world. Plants that rely on just-in-time delivery of parts from Canadian partners will have to be idled until another source of these parts can be found. American companies operating in Canada who rely on materials from their head offices back home will be out of luck too. Imports that come from Canada that can be replaced likely will cost much more. I don't even want to THINK about how much a gallon of gas will cost at the pump.
"As for the effects on Canada, I could not care less..... "
Really? Canada is one of the very few countries in the world that doesn't receive humanitarian assistance from the US. Your plan would likely change that.
An interesting read, too, though the premise was a bit far-fetched.
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