the American Quiz - How Much Do You Really Know About the U.S.?
attempts to find humor belittling Americans about their apparent lack
of knowledge regarding Canada. This has left a lot of Canadians with a
holier than thou attitude, thinking that they have much more knowledge
about the U.S. than Americans have about Canada. Most Canadians have
misconceptions about the United States, and this quiz will prove it:
1. True or False: Canada spends more on public
health care per capita than the U.S..
2. True or False: Canada has less property
crime per capita than the U.S..
3. True or False: Canada has a higher standard
of living than the U.S., measured in G.D.P. per capita.
4. True or False: Canada has a greater
geographical aptitude than Americans.
5. True or False: Canada produces less CO2 per
dollar of GDP than the U.S.
6. True or False: Canada has won more gold
medals in men's Olympic ice hockey than the U.S. over the past half
The answer to every one of these questions is "false." Click on each
question to see proof.
of Canadian Bigotry Towards Americans
embarrassed themselves with their bigoted statements about Americans.
In most places, bigots tend to be ostracized, on the fringes of
society. In Canada, unfortunately, they tend to be in power:
M.P. Carolyn Parrish made the bigoted statment: "Damn Americans. I hate
Senator Laurier LaPierre made the classless statement: "Screw the
Americans" while in the Senate.
P.M. Paul Martin desperately tried to save his campaign by saying the
U.S. "lacked a conscience" for not signing on to the Kyoto Accord.
Aside from this being insulting to Albertans who oppose Kyoto, it is
very hypocritical to criticize the U.S. over CO2 emissions since over
the past ten years, Canada's CO2 emissions have grown at a faster rate
than the U.S.' Martin's comments were taken to task by U.S. Ambassador
to Canada Wilkins who noted that it would be naive to think that
continued insults of the U.S. would lack consequences. Whatever one
thinks of U.S. policy, it is juvenile to question one's ethical
background in purporting that policy.
Toronto mayor David Miller excused his own incompetence for providing
for the safety of his own citizens by ignorantly proclaiming that:
"The U.S. is exporting its problem of violence to the streets of
Chretien admitted the purpose of his bigotry was to appeal to
small-minded Canadians: "I like to stand up to Americans. It's
popular." A sad, but true statement. One should also note that Carolyn
Parrish is also in a heavily Muslim riding - which also explains her
anti-Semitic statements; they are well-received.
Could you imagine the reaction
if such statements were made towards blacks or Jews? Why is racism
acceptable if the target of bigotry is Americans (or Albertans)?
We've observed elections being fought over whether the policies of one
party or another are "American," as if something being American is
supposed to be bad. Several parties have railed against U.S. medicine
because it is supposedly an entirely private system of health care. As
seen above, the U.S. spends more on public medicine per capita than
Canada. If the comparison being made is entirely without merit, what is
the purpose of it? This is nothing more than a base attempt trying to
capture Canada's bigot vote.
This anti-Americanism existed prior to Medicare being institutionalized
in the 1960s, and also prior to the U.S. playing the role of the
world's policeman. So Canadians shouldn't criticized the U.S. as being
soulless for not having a universal healthcare system unless they wish
to bestow the same judgments on Canada for most of her history. The
U.S. was criticized for not entering World War I - even though the U.S.
wasn't attacked and there wasn't a madman like Hitler that needed to be
stopped. Those are the same reasons why the U.S. is criticized for
being in Iraq. Heads, I win; tails, you lose.
Many Albertans have immigrated from the United
States. The energy industry, as well as the ranching industry, has
attracted many Americans. Attacking
Americans attacks the family background of many Albertans. Prominent
Albertans have American roots. Senator Ted Morton is originally from
California. MP Myron Thompson is from the U.S..
Consequences of Canadian Bigotry
have deteriorated in recent years. A large part of this has been due to
Canadian politicians making bigoted statements concerning the U.S..
Ambassador Wikins warned Martin (although not by name) that Canada
could not continue to expect U.S. silence on Canada's antagonism
towards the U.S.. And with deteriorating relations, we've seen many
trade issues surface. Albertan beef could not be imported to the U.S..
Softwood lumber remains an ubiquitous issue. Canadians are likely to
need passports entering the U.S. in the near future. Canada's action
have resulted in costs to Canada - needless costs that could have been
avoided. Around 80% of Canada's trade happens to be with the U.S. -
needlessly criticizing the U.S., regardless of what you think of U.S.
policy, is a shortsighted and foolhardy move. Canada needs the U.S..
The U.S. does not need Canada - except
for Alberta's energy.
Ironically, the most pro-American area is
Alberta, and Alberta has arguably been harmed the most by the U.S.
response. The Alberta beef industry was crippled by being unable to
export live cattle. While softwood lumber harms Quebec and B.C., it
also has hampered the Alberta forest industry. And how has the Canadian
government chosen to respond to these American actions? One public
proposal was that cutting off Albertan energy exports to the U.S. could
be possible. And who would bear the brunt of this? Alberta.
It is doubtful that needless antagonism of the U.S. would occur. While
Canada's leaders have been insulting the U.S., Alberta's have been
praising the U.S.. While Canada's leaders have difficulty arranging a
telephone call with leaders in Washington, Alberta's leaders have no
problem getting an audience with American leaders. An independent
Alberta would facilitate friendly relations and the ability to deal
with the Americans.
Also, unlike Canada, Alberta has something the U.S. wants: energy.
While protectionist trade disputes are not in the U.S.' interest - even
with Canada - Alberta's exports are much more crucial to the U.S.
economy than Canada's.