The Shotgun Blog
« Apollo and Dionysus | Main | "Destination Moon" »
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Last Acceptable Bigotry
America hating in the Great White North:
It was pretty clear from the beginning that this country wasn't eager to welcome him. "My first night in Canada, I was asked to back my vehicle into the driveway so the neighbours did not see the American licence plate. I'm serious!"
He came here in 2006 and has lived in three small Ontario cities, all west of Toronto. He found them uniformly anti-American. He now takes it for granted that about half the people he meets will, if the opportunity arises, say something that indicates they don't like Americans.
Canadian Anti-Americanism is overwhelmingly a left-wing phenomenon, tolerance or support for the United States a province of the political Right. In the 19th century it was the other way around. It was the Tories who denounced Americans and Americanism. The country was a violent, liquor besotted mobocracy run by extreme secularists. Aside from that last bit, the sneers haven't changed.
Victorian Liberals, while skeptical of the American model - citing slavery, the Civil War and the spoils system - thought the Great Republic a basically noble attempt at creating a free society. Even the most successful Tory Prime Minister of the 19th century, Sir John A Macdonald, praise the US Constitution and its authors, though he believed the Civil War had revealed its latent flaw: state sovereignty. Macdonald was strangely silent on slavery.
America being the Other of Canadian history, we project what we want to see. America sells itself to the world not simply as a free country, but THE free country. Those who believe in smaller government tend to look to America as Exhibit A in their argument for greater freedom. The statist reverses the view, freedom being bad a nation dedicated to freedom as its first principle must be wicked. Canadian anti-Americanism lacks the flag burning theatrics of Middle Eastern despots, this has nothing to do with our assumed natural modesty.
The more intense the statism, the more intense the hatred of America. Those seeking to extort more funding for the CBC, or yet another social services bureaucracy, need only point to America as a horribly atavistic, though still barely civilized society. A victim of too much freedom, usually expressed through the euphemisms of Wall Street, Big Business and the Gun Lobby. Like the biker in a 1950s PSA, the Canadian Left points to America as what Canada might become if it strays from the true path. America the villain, if not exactly the Great Satan, is a necessary prop to Canadian statists. The America that exists in their minds, a Dickensian nightmare ruled by avaricious Robber Barons, is an image that needs to be fostered and broadcast. Without it the logic of the Canadian welfare state losses it most important element, patriotism. Canadian statism isn't just a way of not being American, it's the way of staying Canadian. Wrapping socialism in the flag, or at least the post-1965 flag.
Posted by Richard Anderson on July 20, 2009 | Permalink
Comments
Without it the logic of the Canadian welfare state losses it most important element, patriotism. Canadian statism isn't just a way of not being American, it's the way of staying Canadian. Wrapping socialism in the flag, or at least the post-1965 flag.
Posted by PUBLIUS on July 20, 2009 | Permalink
You NAILED IT!!!
I have people from The US (Texas) here in Calgary working for me right now. I've had them home for dinner and toured them to the mountains.
They can't say enough about Canadian hospitality. With only the odd exception they say they are well recieved.
Just goes to show, that we here in the west are as at odds with the Canadian Middle East as out American counterparts.
Posted by: The original JC | 2009-07-20 8:23:31 AM
The whole world is anti-american. The hate is especially strong in Europe and the middle east.
"America sells itself to the world not simply as a free country, but THE free country."
Perhaps this is true on a relative basis but I would argue it is no longer true in the absolute sense.
Financial industry: fascist with a sprinkle of socialism.
Health care: fascist headed towards communist.
Auto industry: probably fascist (jury still out on this one).
Telecommunications: fascist.
Social freedoms: dwindling.
etc.
I fear America is slowly dying. I'm sure the usual suspects will cheer its demise.
Posted by: Charles | 2009-07-20 8:28:17 AM
America isn't dying, Charles; it's just still dealing with a massive post-1960s hangover, courtesy the baby boomers. In Québec, and to a lesser degree Ontario, it is even worse than the U.S. as a whole.
Canada east of Lake of the Woods is out of the running for the foreseeable future, with Ontario joining the rust belt, Québec awash red ink since the Quiet Revolution (hey, what an irony!), and the Maritimes showing little sign of revitalization despite the offshore oilfields. If you think the U.S. future is bleak, what is to be said for a country with nine have-not provinces propped up by one "have"?
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 9:05:51 AM
P.S. The world hates America because America is stronger than they are, and they are powerless to change this. The world fostered the same attitude towards the British in the 19th century, and America is far less interventionist and colonial than Britain was.
There's also the fact that unlike other international "tough guys" like France and Russia, America is actually sensitive to criticism, and her enemies know this; thus the howl-fests. Nobody mounts PR blitzes like this against France or Russia because they already know that neither of those countries will listen. America and Canada, however, are favourite targets.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 9:10:01 AM
"America sells itself to the world not simply as a free country, but THE free country."
Charles, I find that more and more I'm meeting enlightened Americans who feel that their government in no way represents them on the world stage. In fact it could be said that the US public feels, in a general sense that they are grossly misrepresented by a government with an agenda all its owm...and they would be right about that.
We're living in interesting times where we seem to be reaching critical mass on a number of levels. I'll be watching our neighbors to the south because as the US goes...world wide liberty goes.
Posted by: The original JC | 2009-07-20 9:35:30 AM
Unfortunately anti-Americanism is not the only generally accepted bigotry left. Corporations are fair game as well, as are people who are rich and sucessful.
Posted by: Farmer Joe | 2009-07-20 10:16:25 AM
Farmer Joe, you've hit upon the fuel that drives all these diverse hatreds: envy. Envy is forbidden to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. And yet no character trait plays a more powerful role in their political affairs. The same is true in secular countries. Truly a universal force.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 10:25:44 AM
"in a general sense that they are grossly misrepresented by a government with an agenda all its owm...and they would be right about that."
I really hope you are correct.
Posted by: Charles | 2009-07-20 11:26:15 AM
Shane,
America was built as a classic liberal republic. That's what made it great. Liberty brought prosperity.
But that all changed in the early 20th century with the creation of the FED. Hoover and FDR, both statists, created the modern welfare state and subsequent generations have been all too willing to march down this sorry path. I see no evidence that this generation is any different.
Even using the gov'ts bogus inflation numbers, standards of living for 90% of the US population has gone absolutely nowhere in the last 40 years or so. America is dying. Hopefully it can be revived.
Posted by: Charles | 2009-07-20 11:34:19 AM
Standards of living in the United States remain among the highest, if not the highest. So realistically, Charles, how much higher could it go?
Keep in mind that until quite recently, America had no real competition internationally, as Asia was not yet industrialized and Europe was still recovering from World War II. Their only significant competitor was Russia, and until recently that rivalry was military and political, not commercial.
The pre-FDR "glory days" would probably still be history even without the New Deal and Keynesian economics. Don't believe me? When was the last time the average American bought a stereo or TV manufactured in the US? Or a domestic automobile? Or much of anything except niche products?
There is simply too much competition out there now willing to provide the same merchandise for less.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 12:05:17 PM
@ Shane "There is simply too much competition out there now willing to provide the same merchandise for less."
You say this as if competition is a bad thing. Historically, every society had its golden age when competition flourished. All the best art, litature, technology and thought developed in these periods.
Of course these periods weren't great for everybody but on average, the quality of life improved for the majority of people. And you are always saying that the majority should rule.
Without these periods, you would not have your freedom to freely criticize society. Collective rule, knocks down the inspired so every one is equal, while the principle of individuality allows for an even playing field by allowing those with ability and ambition to rise.
I will always choose freedom for all over freedom for the few.
Posted by: Doug Gilchrist | 2009-07-20 12:48:41 PM
Sir John A. was no fan of the U.S..
He structured Canada as a stong central government over the objections of many others as he was afraid of the decentrailization of 'state's rights' gave too much freedom to 'the rable' in the U.S.. Also Google his "National Policy": his anti-american election platform (1878?) when trying to deflect attention from his scandals with the railroad. It was the 1960s before that protectionist damage was undone. It was also that strong central government that made the growth of big government so easy to force on people here as compared to the U.S. where there was competition between states.
Sir John A's party was the liberal-conservative party from 1864-1873: hardly just a Tory. Conservatives now like to forget the liberal part of that coalition now of course.
Posted by: V. M. Smith | 2009-07-20 1:03:59 PM
"National Policy": his anti-american election platform (1878?) when trying to deflect attention from his scandals with the railroad. It was the 1960s before that protectionist damage was undone.
And that theme might suit the Parliaments of the last 20 years as well. "Deflection" away from paying too much attention to matters at home.
Seems to have worked too doesn't it?
Posted by: The original JC | 2009-07-20 1:38:11 PM
Americans are well received, west of Manitoba. They should understand, people in Ontario are being influenced by the high numbers of radical muslim immigrants.
Maritimers have a bad attitude toward Americans, as well. Some American tourists had their cars vandalized in Halifax, a couple of years ago. That's an old grudge, from years past, that's being instigated by the high number of draft-dodgers in that area.
I had some trouble in the States, because of my Alberta license plates. It was in 2004, and we weren't popular that year. I don't hold it against a few trouble makers. Running me off the road is not an easy task. Aggressive driving is my forte.
You want to see real hospitality? Go to Montana. I love that place. It's like a western movie.
Posted by: dp | 2009-07-20 1:48:58 PM
Doug, I agree with you competition breeds excellence. However, spreading the standard of living North America now enjoys evenly over the entire globe would put us in the same boat as several South American republics, standard-of-living–wise. To say nothing of being socialist.
The rich standard of living we now enjoy derives from an economic preeminence that will, at best, be sorely tested by increased global competition. Perhaps we can adapt; perhaps not. But I don't even want to begin to guess what fuel would cost if everyone in the world consumed it in the quantities we do.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 1:51:14 PM
"And that theme might suit the Parliaments of the last 20 years as well. "Deflection" away from paying too much attention to matters at home.
Seems to have worked too doesn't it?"
Hey, it works for Syria and other Middle Eastern dictatorships, so why not? The voters have no one but themselves to blame for swallowing these bread-and-circus charades without question. The politicians may lead, but it is the people who decide whether to follow. If enough people refuse to budge, the politicians will change direction. The shepherd serves only at the behest of the sheep.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 1:54:56 PM
Ain't that the truth, dp. I find I have more in common with Americans from western states than I do with Canadians from Ontario eastward. I really don't get this whole anti-American thing...it's so silly to define yourself based not on who you are, but on who you aren't.
And Canadians who feel superior to Americans based on their history of racial strife should remember our ongoing difficulties with the Indians or, for that matter, the Americans themselves. In America, at least, there has not been an armed Indian insurrection for over 100 years. In Canada, they're a contemporary reality, taking over whole towns while our so-called governments tuck tail and run.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 2:54:37 PM
Shane said, "Envy is forbidden to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. And yet no character trait plays a more powerful role in their political affairs."
You can go outside of the religious world and find the same. Ayn Rand had a lot to say about envy as well, which she defined as:
"hatred of the good for being the good."
and
"It means hatred of a person for possessing a value or virtue one regards as desirable.
If a child wants to get good grades in school, but is unable or unwilling to achieve them and begins to hate the children who do, that is hatred of the good. If a man regards intelligence as a value, but is troubled by self-doubt and begins to hate the men he judges to be intelligent, that is hatred of the good."
"They do not want to own your fortune, they want you to lose it; they do not want to succeed, they want you to fail; they do not want to live, they want you to die; they desire nothing, they hate existence, and they keep running, each trying not to learn that the object of his hatred is himself . . . . "
Envy is one of the strongest and most destructive emotions used by the left today.
Unfortunately too many Conservatives, instead of denouncing this destructive behaviour when they see it, also latch on to this mechanism to try and get votes. Conservative politicians today love getting the chance to punish rich and successful people for being just that. The only real difference is that they just pretend to feel bad about doing it or blame the opposition parties for 'forcing' them to do these things while they are the ones holding power.
Posted by: Farmer Joe | 2009-07-20 4:56:08 PM
The shepherd serves only at the behest of the sheep.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-20 1:54:56 PM
Well said.
Posted by: The original JC | 2009-07-20 5:52:10 PM
As a canadian, I can honestly say that we don't hate you for your freedoms. This mantra is getting old. Your constitution (in my opinion) is wonderful and sets an important precedent. Too bad it's not followed anymore. The reason america is resented (not envied), is that it has become an imperial regime in all but name. You're shitting in everyone's sandbox. Don't get me wrong, every country is to blame, but at it's root the problem is American corporatism and it's pandemic spread across the globe. What started out as a free market has been so perverted that even calling it a free market is laughable. It's controlled, managed, manipulated, and the 'invisible hand' is deep inside the cookie jar. America used to be admired as a nation of laws, not men. Recent history has shown this is no longer the case. We're sad for you all - it's like watching someone die and being helpless to do anything about it.
Posted by: canadiangal | 2009-07-23 7:14:28 AM
The reason america is resented (not envied), is that it has become an imperial regime in all but name
Yep.
Posted by: Scott Carnegie | 2009-07-23 7:58:36 AM
I would also add that there are still other forms of "acceptable" bigotry; against overweight people and athiests
Posted by: Scott Carnegie | 2009-07-23 7:59:34 AM
"The reason america is resented (not envied), is that it has become an imperial regime in all but name."
Envy is one hundred percent of it. This "imperial" mantra is what is getting old. You can stop fancying yourself as Asterix the Gaul versus America's Rome, because it just doesn't hold water.
"Don't get me wrong, every country is to blame, but at it's root the problem is American corporatism and it's pandemic spread across the globe."
This anti-globalist, anti-corporatist, anti-capitalist mindset is getting long in the tooth, too. Corporations provide both jobs and goods. Please, share with us your alternative plan that will presumably increase both the quality and quantity of both.
"What started out as a free market has been so perverted that even calling it a free market is laughable. It's controlled, managed, manipulated, and the 'invisible hand' is deep inside the cookie jar."
Uh huh. Should we be playing the "X-Files" theme right now? No wonder Americans think Canadians are commies, after listening to bat barf like this. And I say that as a Canadian.
"America used to be admired as a nation of laws, not men. Recent history has shown this is no longer the case. We're sad for you all - it's like watching someone die and being helpless to do anything about it."
Yes, and Canada is in such better condition, isn't it? Nine of ten provinces are now officially have-nots. Equalization, the one thing that has held the country together for thirty years, is pretty much trashed. A lot of those lost jobs in Ontario aren't coming back. Québec hasn't been in the black since the Quiet Revolution. The Maritimes are an economic basket case, having seen both their shipbuilding and fishing industries close. And people have lost all respect for the justice system as it waters down sentences for even murder to just about nothing.
Yeah, we have free health care. When it isn't on strike.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 8:17:43 AM
P.S. And given the marked lack of enthusiasm of provincial and civic authorities and police for enforcing the law in several jurisdictions, it's hard to hold Canada up as a superior case of "a nation of laws."
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 8:19:20 AM
"I would also add that there are still other forms of "acceptable" bigotry; against overweight people and athiests."
And people who can't spell?
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 8:19:57 AM
@ Shane
Envy is one hundred percent of it.
Envy? Do you think the 9/11 hijackers were envious of the U.S., and that's why they did what they did?
Yeah, we have free health care
No we don't, it's paid for through taxes and user fees.
And people who can't spell?
Ahhh, the sign of someone who has no valid argument to make, criticizing spelling...
Posted by: Scott Carnegie | 2009-07-23 8:43:48 AM
America is no longer. America Inc. has replaced the high ideals we once admired. America Inc. has garnered the good people of the US so many enemies world wide they are becoming difficult to count. And the people there are being misled about the reasons for the animosity they face around the globe.
Its past time to rip the lid off the whole farce and let the people of the US see how corrupt their own system is and how it uses them as cannon fodder...for profit.
Posted by: The original JC | 2009-07-23 8:51:35 AM
"Envy? Do you think the 9/11 hijackers were envious of the U.S., and that's why they did what they did?"
The 9/11 hijackers were fanatics. There is no reasoning with madmen, so they are not a valid example.
"No we don't, it's paid for through taxes and user fees."
But you don't pay half a million for your lung transplant, do you?
"Ahhh, the sign of someone who has no valid argument to make, criticizing spelling..."
Like it or not, your spelling is a fairly reliable indicator of education, intelligence, work ethic, and certainly your literacy level. Was it you who said he graduated cum laude? I don't see how that's possible, unless you paid someone else to write all your papers for you. Nobody should be able to make it through college with his basic skills so lacking, certainly not with honours.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 9:21:18 AM
Where have you been, JC? America, Inc. is far less ruthless than it was in 1900. And when did it become shameful to turn a profit? Or are recessions and massive unemployment more to your taste?
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 9:22:43 AM
@Shane "There is no reasoning with madmen, so they are not a valid example."
They had motivations. So do all of the other people in those countries who fight against what they see as foreign invaders.
"But you don't pay half a million for your lung transplant, do you?"
Socialized is not the same as "free", you are mistaken.
"your spelling is a fairly reliable indicator of education"
Ahh, the personal attack, the sign of someone who has no valid argument to make.
Posted by: Scott Carnegie | 2009-07-23 9:26:47 AM
I find it laughable to see Canadians calling America unfree. It's the freest nation on earth, and yours is the second.
Posted by: Zebulon Pike | 2009-07-23 9:30:58 AM
"They had motivations. So do all of the other people in those countries who fight against what they see as foreign invaders."
Fanatics are, by definition, highly motivated. That doesn't make them rational.
"Socialized is not the same as "free", you are mistaken."
If you want to get as literal as all that, Scott, nothing is free, so we may as well remove the word from the dictionary.
"Ahh, the personal attack, the sign of someone who has no valid argument to make."
Ahh, the indifferent shrug of the mediocre.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 9:41:08 AM
P.S. Dust off those degrees, Scott. That is, if you can still read them.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 9:42:36 AM
Where have you been, JC? America, Inc. is far less ruthless than it was in 1900. And when did it become shameful to turn a profit? Or are recessions and massive unemployment more to your taste?
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 9:22:43 AM
If you're trying to sell me on the "nobility" of what the US government is doing abroad or domestically...you're wasting your time and mine.
I'm all for free markets turning a profit. But a free market is not what we have. We have economic fascism being exported by way of governmental foreign policy and military manouvering backed by corporate players. And that's a fact.
Those soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq aren't dying for anything other than someone else's bottom line and its disgusting.
Posted by: The original JC | 2009-07-23 11:34:11 AM
"But a free market is not what we have. We have economic fascism being exported by way of governmental foreign policy and military manouvering backed by corporate players. And that's a fact."
No, that's an opinion. Economic fascism suffers no competitors. The U.S. may not appreciate competition but it will accept it, provided it doesn't come in the form of guerrilla and terrorist nutbags flying airliners into office buildings, pirating peaceful merchantmen, funding suicide bombers, and flooding American streets with crack, smack, and dope.
"Those soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq aren't dying for anything other than someone else's bottom line and its disgusting."
So those giant holes where two 110-storey office buildings used to stand never entered the equation, then? Or Saddam Hussein's intensely disruptive local wars or his funding of suicide bombers?
P.S. If you object to blood for oil, I trust you don't use any.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 11:53:05 AM
@ Shane
So those giant holes where two 110-storey office buildings used to stand never entered the equation, then? Or Saddam Hussein's intensely disruptive local wars or his funding of suicide bombers?
Saddams local wars aren't my business. Attacks on America happen becasue American politicians have been interfering in the matters of the Middle East for a very long time.
Posted by: Scott Carnegie | 2009-07-23 12:03:21 PM
You know, the whole anti-Americanism could be something to do with the fact that they voted for a death penalty champion president twice, who subsequently killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of Iraqis for nothing other than “political capital” and thought torturing and detaining people indefinitely without trial is okay. And that there were millions of gullible schmucks in the country ready and willing to go along with the sullying of their country’s history, all in the name of fear, who only turned against him when their economy went south as a result of utter incompetence.
Just a thought…
Posted by: Ool | 2009-07-23 3:16:02 PM
I'm amazed that anyone could still delude themselves about the rubber-stamped-as-official conspiracy theory surrounding 9/11. Government plants, I suppose.
American-style mercantilism aside, the vilest anti-freedom activists out there are the nationalists and internationalists. John A. McDonald crying that Canada must have a strong central government in order to [paraphrase] "remain Canadian at heart" and Lester B. Pearson crying that Canada must become supine to the UN in order to [paraphrase] "remain Canadian at heart." Both were lowlifes.
Posted by: Todd | 2009-07-23 4:07:33 PM
"So those giant holes where two 110-storey office buildings used to stand never entered the equation, then?"
Don't get me started on THAT BS.
Shane, in this regard we are diametrically opposed.
It was over that, that I lost all faith in our system, because I believe its a lie.
Posted by: The original JC | 2009-07-23 4:39:38 PM
"It was over that, that I lost all faith in our system, because I believe its a lie."
You believe 9/11 was a lie? However did they manage to bamboozle eight million New Yorkers?
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-07-23 6:55:52 PM
Please! No 9/11 Truthers here. They're as bad as Holocaust deniers and people who think the CBC is objective.
Posted by: Zebulon Pike | 2009-07-23 7:01:36 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.