What Does This Election Mean to Canada?

[dogriver]

So what does the recent US election mean to Canada? The answer, for me, is a resounding I don't know.

You see, we're the little country next to the most powerful country on Earth. This has implications that no other country in the world has to face. For whatever reason, the American government regards Mexico as the good guys, and Canada is one step away from being a part of the axis of evil. How many troops does Mexico have in Afghanistan again? And the United States government has the power to make or break us as a country in so many ways. Yes, in many respects that's Canada's own fault, for making ourselves so dependent on the United States as a trading partner. Yes, we're also the United States's biggest trading power, but the American government doesn't need to worry about losing us, because we need them, and they have the power.

The result is that Canada doesn't even show up as a blip on most American politicians' radar screens. They get attacked on 9/11, we take their people in, and gladly, and Bush makes a big show of thanking all the other countries for their assistance and omitting Canada. Small thing, of course, but it's indicative of a much larger picture of utter indifference toward us. Just as our premier has an utter disregard for our farmers, because that's not where the votes are, so too America has an utter disregard for Canada, because we just don't matter, we're just not important enough. Who can blame the American government, really? but that doesn't make it an easier pill to swallow.

So is Obama good for Canada or would McCain have been better. I really don't know. We didn't come up in the discussion. Okay, Obama has a sister in Canada, McCain has a brother in Canada, that's all the pundits could come up with. It's just not a lot to go on. So what's in the future for us? I dunno.

Comments

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

"They get attacked on 9/11, we take their people in, and gladly, and Bush makes a big show of thanking all the other countries for their assistance and omitting Canada."

Not that it matters, but I want you to know that I sent the Prime Minister's office an email thanking Canada for being there in our time of need and how much it meant to *this* American.

[masterofmusings.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Gary. I hope and pray that any Canadian would gladly do the same thing again in a heartbeat, and I also hope and pray that you are never again put into a situation where we have to. The American people are wonderful people.

[dahlia-and-balu.livejournal.com]

Canada? Where is that? Oh, wait, isn't it over there by Iceland somewhere? Or maybe it's that country Palin can see from Alaska or something? It's full of bears, right? Geography: Not the average American's best subject.

[masterofmusings.livejournal.com]

You know, that country near Toronto. Just ask Caroline sometime what is directly north of North Dakota.

[dahlia-and-balu.livejournal.com]

Oh, wait, I know--it's that country Americans lie and say we're from when we travel internationally.