In terms of safety, social values, laid back attitudes, etc. Well, it's not like I've ever been to either country, I just saw recently Bowling for Columbine and got a bit surprised. People in Toronto dont lock their doors? No homeless people? Those teenage guys saying that the best way to get even with someboy was "tease them", instead of shooting them? (which unfortunately happens quite often in the USA)
So I dont know til what extent this documentary is a fair picture of real life in Canada/USA, or reality is less black and white.
According to the documentary it's all the media's fault, pumping fear 24/7 , and the politicians using that fear to win elections and start wars and keep people armed, scared and paranoid, ready to pull the trigger at the first chance.
I say that's a very lousy explanation, the average citizen secretly knows when he/she is been manipulated, crowds are smarter that what one could think at first sight.
SO, what are the reasons of this Canada/USA contrast? (if Canada really is such a rich peaceful place, which I dont know)
PS, by the way, it's not only Bowling for Columbine, I often hear good opinions about Canada, and I just read an article ranking Calgary number one on living standards in America. (America the continent), and Toronto and Vancouver were close.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/05/26/calgary-eco-quality-living-water-air-pollution-mercer.html?ref=rss
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Why is Canada better than the USA?
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I've been to Vancouver a few times, and I have to say - for the most part, it really is a lovely city. The people are warm and friendly. The food is good, and there are plenty of recreational activities available. If you can stand the rain, it would be a great place to live. I'm guessing that there are advantages to having a business there as well - there's got to be SOME reason so many TV and movie productions film there. If I knew I could get a job there, i'd move in a New York minute...
Alpha Blonde
Quote by chefkathleen
Cause it's too freakin cold up there to want to do anything at all. Not even steal someone's lunch money. Eh?
Actually... I live in Canada and today it's a very balmy and sunny 30 degrees celsius (that's 86 degrees fahrenheit to y'all down there).
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by Dancing_DollQuote by chefkathleen
Cause it's too freakin cold up there to want to do anything at all. Not even steal someone's lunch money. Eh?
Actually... I live in Canada and today it's a very balmy and sunny 30 degrees celsius (that's 86 degrees fahrenheit to y'all down south of the border).
Thanks for clarifying that haha. I get confused with Celsius temperatures.
I've heard Vancouver is a real beautiful place. Well, so is Wyoming, oh I mean Colorado
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Alpha Blonde
Actually to answer the question, I just think both countries are based around very different principles.
Canada has a bit more of a european flavour since it has a constitutional monarchy (although the Queen is merely a figurehead).
We have a very different political structure, and I know some have criticized Canada for having more socialist leanings without understanding what is working well for our country and why.
Yes, we pay taxes, but we also never have to fear that we will get turned away at an emergency room because we can't afford to see a doctor. All physician visits, basic hospital care, and a substantial amount of pharmaceuticals are covered whether you have a job or not. Once you turn 65, you have even more free drugs and healthcare options open to you. It helps keep the country healthy. And helps alleviate the fears (especially in these economic times) that if you lose your job and end up getting critically ill, that you may end up watching a loved one die because you can't afford basic healthcare.
In terms of safety... yes, I'd say we are quite a safe country overall. Like any country, there are areas that have more crime etc. I do know people that don't lock their doors (even in the city), and have never had any issues. That's not to say stuff doesn't happen.
There are homeless people in Canada as well. If you don't have a permanent address there are major roadblocks to getting healthcare and social assistance... but there are shelter programs in place to help with this.
We have a more neutral, tolerant stance when it comes to global issues, war, education (we learn world history in school, not just our own history). etc. Again, I think we take a more european approach to these things.
Canada isn't a glorified utopia by any means... it's just different than our American neighbours (based on differences in historical backgrounds, political structures, and socioeconomic factors).
I love many areas of the US, and travel there often... Wonderful cities and wonderful people...
Canada has a bit more of a european flavour since it has a constitutional monarchy (although the Queen is merely a figurehead).
We have a very different political structure, and I know some have criticized Canada for having more socialist leanings without understanding what is working well for our country and why.
Yes, we pay taxes, but we also never have to fear that we will get turned away at an emergency room because we can't afford to see a doctor. All physician visits, basic hospital care, and a substantial amount of pharmaceuticals are covered whether you have a job or not. Once you turn 65, you have even more free drugs and healthcare options open to you. It helps keep the country healthy. And helps alleviate the fears (especially in these economic times) that if you lose your job and end up getting critically ill, that you may end up watching a loved one die because you can't afford basic healthcare.
In terms of safety... yes, I'd say we are quite a safe country overall. Like any country, there are areas that have more crime etc. I do know people that don't lock their doors (even in the city), and have never had any issues. That's not to say stuff doesn't happen.
There are homeless people in Canada as well. If you don't have a permanent address there are major roadblocks to getting healthcare and social assistance... but there are shelter programs in place to help with this.
We have a more neutral, tolerant stance when it comes to global issues, war, education (we learn world history in school, not just our own history). etc. Again, I think we take a more european approach to these things.
Canada isn't a glorified utopia by any means... it's just different than our American neighbours (based on differences in historical backgrounds, political structures, and socioeconomic factors).
I love many areas of the US, and travel there often... Wonderful cities and wonderful people...
Quote by Dancing_Doll
Actually to answer the question, I just think both countries are based around very different principles.
We have a very different political structure, and I know some have criticized Canada for having more socialist leanings without understanding what is working well for our country and why.
I wish our would take more of this kind of stand with healthcare. It works for several countries.
Quote by dancing_doll
Yes, we pay taxes, but we also never have to fear that we will get turned away at an emergency room because we can't afford to see a doctor.
Ours doesn't either. If they can't afford to pay then they just don't. They ignore the bills that come in the mail.
Quote by Dancing_Doll
All physician visits, basic hospital care, and a substantial amount of pharmaceuticals are covered whether you have a job or not. Once you turn 65, you have even more free drugs and healthcare options open to you. It helps keep the country healthy. And helps alleviate the fears (especially in these economic times) that if you lose your job and end up getting critically ill, that you may end up watching a loved one die because you can't afford basic healthcare.
In terms of safety... yes, I'd say we are quite a safe country overall. Like any country, there are areas that have more crime etc. I do know people that don't lock their doors (even in the city), and have never had any issues. That's not to say stuff doesn't happen.
It's more like this in our rural areas. The cities are another story.
Quote by Dancing_Doll
We have a more neutral, tolerant stance when it comes to global issues, war, education (we learn world history in school, not just our own history). etc. Again, I think we take a more european approach to these things.
We have world history in our schools as well. We just don't take things neutrally when we see things happening in the world we don't like we take a stance. Korea and Viet Nam are a good example of us putting our noses in other places. LOL I've noticed many times canada will stand with us as well.
Active Ink Slinger
Here is one of the many reasons. lol.
Alpha Blonde
Quote by chefkathleen
We have world history in our schools as well. We just don't take things neutrally when we see things happening in the world we don't like we take a stance. Korea and Viet Nam are a good example of us putting our noses in other places. LOL I've noticed many times canada will stand with us as well.
Very true re the military alliances. Canada is part of NATO and has fought alongside the US in most major conflicts (ie. Korea, Gulf War, Kosovo, and Afghanistan). The only wars the Canadian government has opposed have been Vietnam and Iraq.
Re world history. This is a question that I genuinely have no idea about but have always been curious: Is Canadian history taught/discussed in American schools? The reason I ask is that when I talk to American friends, they usually don't know much about Canada or how the country evolved. I was told that high schools primarily taught US history and only that world history where the US had a direct involvement in it (not things like Canadian history, China vs Tibet, Russian Revolution etc). I've always wondered if this info was true or not.
Quote by Dancing_DollQuote by chefkathleen
We have world history in our schools as well. We just don't take things neutrally when we see things happening in the world we don't like we take a stance. Korea and Viet Nam are a good example of us putting our noses in other places. LOL I've noticed many times canada will stand with us as well.
Very true re the military alliances. Canada is part of NATO and has fought alongside the US in most major conflicts (ie. Korea, Gulf War, Kosovo, and Afghanistan). The only wars the Canadian government has opposed have been Vietnam and Iraq.
Re world history. This is a question that I genuinely have no idea about but have always been curious: Is Canadian history taught/discussed in American schools? The reason I ask is that when I talk to American friends, they usually don't know much about Canada or how the country evolved. I was told that high schools primarily taught US history and only that world history where the US had a direct involvement in it (not things like Canadian history, China vs Tibet, Russian Revolution etc). I've always wondered if this info was true or not.
Nope not true we learn about world history to as a matter of fact history in general is one of my favorite subjects and I learned a few things about Canada though American history for obvious reasons always had a big interest to me.
But for the main point of this thread I think both countries have threir good points and bad points about them ya know? Shit doesn't every country?
Active Ink Slinger
I've often heard it said that if an American and an Australian have a baby, that child would make a great Canadian.
I think there are a lot of stereotypes about Canada that aren't really true. First of all, we aren't all really nice and polite. After all...I'm Canadian. Am I nice and polite?
And you have to realize that Canada is a huge country with many different climates and cultures. I live in Vancouver. It doesn't snow here, and it is far warmer than New York, Chicago, Detroit or many of the cities in the Midwest or Eastern USA. The lifestyle here is very "west coast", similar to Seatle or San Fran. Pot is not entirely legal, but everyone smokes it and its pretty much accepted. And the strippers here get completely naked!
The myth that there is no crime or homeless people is false. Vancouver has a HUGE number of homeless and many, many heroin addicts. (google downtown eastside) Violent crime is far lower than the US, but property crime is quite high.
In general, Canada is more "left wing" than the US, although it differs depending on what part of the country you are in. We have public health care although it is definately not "free". Canadians pay about 2000 bucks per person per year for our health care. Definately worth it though, in my opinion.
Better that the US? I'm not sure I'd say that. I love BC, but I've lived in Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon and those places sucked balls. I hate the cold though.
The US is great is you have money, but can be pretty shitty if you don't. (Which is why most Canadians with talent or money migrate there). If I could transplant Canada's culture into America's climate, I think it would be a perfect country.
Although there would be less guns and more hockey.
And you have to realize that Canada is a huge country with many different climates and cultures. I live in Vancouver. It doesn't snow here, and it is far warmer than New York, Chicago, Detroit or many of the cities in the Midwest or Eastern USA. The lifestyle here is very "west coast", similar to Seatle or San Fran. Pot is not entirely legal, but everyone smokes it and its pretty much accepted. And the strippers here get completely naked!
The myth that there is no crime or homeless people is false. Vancouver has a HUGE number of homeless and many, many heroin addicts. (google downtown eastside) Violent crime is far lower than the US, but property crime is quite high.
In general, Canada is more "left wing" than the US, although it differs depending on what part of the country you are in. We have public health care although it is definately not "free". Canadians pay about 2000 bucks per person per year for our health care. Definately worth it though, in my opinion.
Better that the US? I'm not sure I'd say that. I love BC, but I've lived in Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon and those places sucked balls. I hate the cold though.
The US is great is you have money, but can be pretty shitty if you don't. (Which is why most Canadians with talent or money migrate there). If I could transplant Canada's culture into America's climate, I think it would be a perfect country.
Although there would be less guns and more hockey.
Artistic Tart
Quote by DamonX
Pot is not entirely legal, but everyone smokes it and its pretty much accepted. And the strippers here get completely naked!
Hey, strippers get naked here too- if you pay enough money in VIP
But it's also all-nude even in the main area in clubs where you bring your own booze, like the one where I work.And pot's not legal at all here- but we smoke it anyway, same with all drugs. I miss the west coast- I'm not sure you want north Texas' shitty-ass climate. Cold in the winter, and 90+ degrees and humid from May to October- and some of these idiots like it!
Vancouver sounds cool- if it's anything like SF then I can definitely see it.
I wouldn't say one is better than the other. While Canada has public healthcare, the availability of health services is higher in the US (for those who have money I suppose). For example, here in Winnipeg, where I live, we have 3 MRIs. But, in Minneapolis, it's like there's an MRI on every street corner. So, there may be a longer wait to have an MRI done in Winnipeg but it would be covered in taxes paid.
Winnipeg may get pretty harsh winters but we can have absolutely beautiful summers. Well, not lately, I'll admit. It's my home and I love it here.
Winnipeg may get pretty harsh winters but we can have absolutely beautiful summers. Well, not lately, I'll admit. It's my home and I love it here.
Active Ink Slinger
Quote by roccotoolI agree!
Pitting one country against another is rather insulting.
I'm proud to be an American. Nuff said.
Rookie Scribe
I'm a Canadian and very proud to say it...
I am also a child of the world. That's why I love my city (Toronto). Toronto has embraced so many diverse cultures that I can walk down the street, and, in ten blocks experience 10 different cultures.
I have the world at my doorstep and, although I do travel, I wouldn't change it for anything!
I am also a child of the world. That's why I love my city (Toronto). Toronto has embraced so many diverse cultures that I can walk down the street, and, in ten blocks experience 10 different cultures.
I have the world at my doorstep and, although I do travel, I wouldn't change it for anything!
It's not a question of better or worse. It's a matter of differences, as among all of us. I have noticed you can't see those silly borders from space. I consider myself a terrestrial who currently resides in the US. I would disagree with Shygeek however on MRIs. I live in Minneapolis and we do not have them on every ccorner by any means. I did just have to have a couple of CT scans in January. Even with the high insurance premiums I pay, I had to fork over a lot of cash. I like the same thing about Canada that I like about the US. All those pretty women!
Quote by darkchallenger
It's not a question of better or worse. It's a matter of differences, as among all of us. I have noticed you can't see those silly borders from space. I consider myself a terrestrial who currently resides in the US. I would disagree with Shygeek however on MRIs. I live in Minneapolis and we do not have them on every ccorner by any means. I did just have to have a couple of CT scans in January. Even with the high insurance premiums I pay, I had to fork over a lot of cash. I like the same thing about Canada that I like about the US. All those pretty women!
Well, there's one border you can see from the space: the Great Chinese Wall. (actually its the only man made building you can see from the space)
I read an article about Minneapolis, and has the highest percentage of people who volunteer their time on social activities: 40 per cent, which is very high, it must be quite a great city.
Artistic Tart
Quote by mastermind4u
I travel to far away exotic places meet interesting people then kill em. I love America
You kill people in other countries?