Unpopular opinions you have

[CaptainCrunch]

I believe that some Liberals run on a platform and theory of non-inclusion and non debate and some conservatives run on a platform and theory of pandering to the lowest common denominator and fear.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Could that possibly be the many years of American's views/attitudes/actions towards Canadians?

Maybe, I don't know. Personally I never found Americans to have negative views/attitudes/actions towards Canadians at any point in time. I don't think Americans in general ever spent much time thinking about Canada, let alone thinking about Canada in a negative way.

[jayswin]

I don't think we have an infuriority complex towards Americans. I think many if us just can't believe how behind the US is in so many ways. I don't see it as smugness either, it's more like disbelief.

If anything I think most of us want the US to be better, to he one of the best countries in the world again, because that benefits us mire than any other country in the world.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by flameswin

I don't think we have an infuriority complex towards Americans. I think many if us just can't believe how behind the US is in so many ways. I don't see it as smugness either, it's more like disbelief.

If anything I think most of us want the US to be better, to he one of the best countries in the world again, because that benefits us mire than any other country in the world.

On what issues? Gun control? Gay rights? Canada is certainly ahead in those areas, but that lead is pretty recent when it comes to gay rights (and US States are rapidly catching up), and the gun control issue, while more extreme, isn't all that different than some of the issues Canada had around the gun registry. The division among the populace on most issues is likely pretty close, the difference is the US is much bigger, and therefore has a lot more difficulty changing course on a national scale.

[jofillips]

yea many people seem to stray into the nationalist-type point of view when it comes to the US (eg.EVERYTHING they do is inferior to us), especially political lefties.
As far as i see, the US is a pretty darn good neighbour that allows a lot more free trade its way (but not always the other) and has enabled Canada to only speand a few quarters every year on its military commitments since the 60s.

oh and ask diefenbaker and chretien how useful US-animosity is to getting elected...

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by valo403

Maybe, I don't know. Personally I never found Americans to have negative views/attitudes/actions towards Canadians at any point in time. I don't think Americans in general ever spent much time thinking about Canada, let alone thinking about Canada in a negative way.

I mean to a point I agree, but the names America Jr. and America's Hat didn't come out of thin air. Americans have almost always viewed themselves as superior to us. I mean for Christ's sakes there's still a strong portion of Americans (conservatives/Republicans mostly) who view Canada as a socialist nation, even as America ranks below many countries (including socialist Canada) in terms of freedoms.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Sure they do, but I believe that Canadians' are becoming incredibly arrogant.

maybe. But maybe it is because the US has become so polarized in so many issues.
I admit when I discuss Americans in a negative manner, 99% of the time, my comments are directed at right wing Americans. They are a very vocal demographic, and maybe I should differentiate, but I don't.

I'm not sure arrogance is the right word for how I feel towards them. My feelings towards them and their ideals are like trying to understand a brainwashed or ######ed person, or an Al-Qaeda or Islamic extemist. I simply don't understand their God Guts and Glory attitudes of the 18 th and 19 th centuries.
Maybe it is arrogance because when I look at them I think they are uncivilized and want to avoid evolving, personally, and as a nation.
Now remember, this is how I feel about the right wing, racist, religious, gun obsessed, homophobic, red neck, paranoid, xenophobic, arrogant part of their society.From what I figure that is about 50% of the American population.

So forthwith, I would like it known, I like at least half of Americans, and have nothing bad to say about them.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I mean to a point I agree, but the names America Jr. and America's Hat didn't come out of thin air. Americans have almost always viewed themselves as superior to us. I mean for Christ's sakes there's still a strong portion of Americans (conservatives/Republicans mostly) who view Canada as a socialist nation, even as America ranks below many countries (including socialist Canada) in terms of freedoms.

Yeah those names came from somewhere, they're called jokes. It always blows me away that Canadians can claim to have such a great collective sense of humor and then get offended about things like that.

Far too many Canadians look at what they see on the 24 hour news channels and call that America.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

maybe. But maybe it is because the US has become so polarized in so many issues.
I admit when I discuss Americans in a negative manner, 99% of the time, my comments are directed at right wing Americans. They are a very vocal demographic, and maybe I should differentiate, but I don't.

I'm not sure arrogance is the right word for how I feel towards them. My feelings towards them and their ideals are like trying to understand a brainwashed or ######ed person, or an Al-Qaeda or Islamic extemist. I simply don't understand their God Guts and Glory attitudes of the 18 th and 19 th centuries.
Maybe it is arrogance because when I look at them I think they are uncivilized and want to avoid evolving, personally, and as a nation.
Now remember, this is how I feel about the right wing, racist, religious, gun obsessed, homophobic, red neck, paranoid, xenophobic, arrogant part of their society.From what I figure that is about 50% of the American population.

So forthwith, I would like it known, I like at least half of Americans, and have nothing bad to say about them.

You do realize that there is a significant percentage of the population in Canada that could be similarly classified, right?

Also, maybe you should start differentiating.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by valo403

Yeah those names came from somewhere, they're called jokes. It always blows me away that Canadians can claim to have such a great collective sense of humor and then get offended about things like that.

Far too many Canadians look at what they see on the 24 hour news channels and call that America.

Actually we look at Honey Boo Boo and Jersey Shore and think that's America. Because those have both transcended pop culture (and obviously not in a good way).

As to the humour, sure it's funny if you have the Adam Sandler level sense of humour. We just have a better sense of humour than that up here and find it to be unoriginal and lame. I prefer the "If this were prison you'd be our bitch because we're bigger and on top" line.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by valo403

You do realize that there is a significant percentage of the population in Canada that could be similarly classified, right?

Really? when the day comes when we have the likes of Santorum, Bachmann, Romney/Ryan, Gingritch, and Perry, with their ideals from the 1800's have a legitimate chance of actually running this country, I will believe that.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

People who buy in the outer boondocks suburbs like Tuscany, Auburn Bay, Chapparel should stay there on the weekends. Don't come down and clog up the roads and sidewalks in the trendy, cool neighbourhoods like Inglewood, Kensington and Marda Loop. We paid a premium to live in those kind of neighbourhoods, and you didn't, so get lost.

You made your bed, now you eat at Applebees beside it.

You should petition to make your community a gated community so the riff raff are kept out.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Really? when the day comes when we have the likes of Santorum, Bachmann, Romney/Ryan, Gingritch, and Perry, with their ideals from the 1800's have a legitimate chance of actually running this country, I will believe that.

Ha, when did any of those people (save Romney) ever have a legitimate chance of running the US? And Romney is far from the image you painted above.

There is a small percentage of the US population that fits the image you painted, it is nowhere near 50%. There is a small percentage of redneck jackasses in Canada too, I've worked with a number of them.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Actually we look at Honey Boo Boo and Jersey Shore and think that's America. Because those have both transcended pop culture (and obviously not in a good way).

As to the humour, sure it's funny if you have the Adam Sandler level sense of humour. We just have a better sense of humour than that up here and find it to be unoriginal and lame. I prefer the "If this were prison you'd be our bitch because we're bigger and on top" line.

You're joking right?

[HOOT]

valo, I don't know why you put yourself through this all the time.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by valo403

You're joking right?

Of course, its that great sense of humour us Canadians have! Actually, I mean if you have to choose between Michele Bachmann and Honey Boo Boo, at least Honey Boo Boo has youth on her side and maybe she can turn it around.

[WilderPegasus]

Originally Posted by HOOT

valo, I don't know why you put yourself through this all the time.

Them damn Americans think they know everything! That's why!

[valo403]

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

Them damn Americans think they know everything! That's why!

Just for the record, I'm not American. I spent 24 years in Calgary before moving for school, and then work.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by valo403

Ha, when did any of those people (save Romney) ever have a legitimate chance of running the US? And Romney is far from the image you painted above.

Romney changed his stance on most everything, more than I change my socks, so he can be whatever you want him to be.

As far as the rest of them go. The fact that they are elected governement officials, and even got down to the final 6 candidates, says something.
Could you see any of the rest of them being the premiere of Alberta? I can't, and you know why? because of their extreme ideals.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Romney changed his stance on most everything, more than I change my socks, so he can be whatever you want him to be.

As far as the rest of them go. The fact that they are elected governement officials, and even got down to the final 6 candidates, says something.
Could you see any of the rest of them being the premiere of Alberta? I can't, and you know why? because of their extreme ideals.

nm