Basic things about america and canada:
You can have your canadian flag on your backpack wherever you go in the world. people will smile at you. However, you stick an american flag on your trusty ol' backpack, and you'll probably be given the cold shoulder almost everywhere you go.
America is smaller than canada. Canada has 1/8 americas population. So if you were born in canada, you must have done SOMETHING right in a past life.
Almost every statistic is on canada's side, deathrate, quality of life, quality of cities, resources, all of it.
Taxes? lol, okay. We have a 15% tax rate in canada. Thats normal. America has a 7% tax rate. Why? because they pay for healthcare. OUR healthcare is free. To americans, 15% tax is outrageous and is unacceptable. gasp, oh my god. I have to pay a whole fifteen cents extra for my chocolate bar in canada and complain about how healthcare in my country sucks. DAH. See, its unacceptable to them because -INTHELONGRUN- you're losing lots of money.
(do we live in the "long run"?)
no.
We live in here and now. And if I go and snowbaord down some bigass hill in canada and break 255 bones in my body, I can sit in a hospital for 12 weeks and barely pay anything. But if I go to America and get shot in the head, and somehow survive, I'll be in a hospital in a coma for 20 weeks, wake up with a bullet in my skull, and leave the hospital with a bill that has a number on it I only see when I hear about celebrities and thier houses. I'd probably go back into a coma just looking at it.
In short, when one looks at america, they see an over-rated country that has a cloud of controvery over it so big, there were talks about shipping it to another, (larger) planet. When you look at Canada, you see a wicked snowbaording maple syrup drinking beaver lovin dude with a toque on blazin the rocker sign and havin a good time. thats what you think of when you think of canada. Good times.
That was a great first post....
why thank you. xD Idn't it true though? oi.
Canada's tax rate is comparable and less than most europian countries.
While Canada is larger than the US, how much of Canada is actually liveable? No offense, just that I don't think Canada or the US is THAT great. If I had my choice, I would live in Hawii or something. Does this board really need more US bashing/Canada is better than the US stuff? As much as you all might praise this post, to me it's just the same old, regergitated stuff that is an attempt to insult Americans. Hey, I'll admit, you guys have better social policies, and nice lakes and so on, but I don't think it really makes anyone look the better person when they come around insulting anothers country, not for government policies, but just for the country in general. I know you all will think I'm being serious, but I know the second I come up in here saying a single bad thing about Canada, and saying the US is better at anything, you all will be screaming at me. Also, what is with this packback thing? I laugh everytime I hear that. My dad, an American, recently took a trip to Europe, going to France and the U.K., and he never wore a backpack with an American flag going around everywhere. To me, doing something seems pretty ultra-nationalistic, and un-needed. It's like saying, "look at me, I'm an American and proud of it." If I did need a backpack, I think I would go neutral, maybe jansport or something
I think the funniest thing is that my dad was actually treated very nice in France, even when he told people he was an American. He said in the U.K. the people in general are always in a rush and rude. I'm sure that's not everyone, but just in most cases. I find it pretty cool though that people in France are so nice. The US media would have you believe otherwise.
A lot of canada is liveable.. its just that due to our small (and with that grateful) population, we just don't have canadians everywhere. A lot of us are down here down in ontario. And sure we rant about America a lot.. but the difference is, when we get ranted about, we don't bitch about it like immature babies. We take it and learn off it. Instead of FUCK YOU!! THATS LIES!! We say yeah.. thats one of our problems.. and we're trying to fix it. The problem with america is that they deny almost EVERY one of thier problems, even though theyre right there, and so big.
A lot of america is pretty much immature. Canada has this problemw ith a few of our idiots, but hey- we, once again, we only have 1/8 thier population. So for every one immature person up here, theres eight down there, statistically speaking.
Now I agree Canada Kicks Ass. But, I am going to add no fuel to this fire. All we need is someone like Victicious or Human to read this and they'll be a big ass argument and it will turn into low blows and personal attcks. Canada is great. The USA has high points as well. I don't like seeing big arguments, thats what Rants and Raves section is for. I remember one of my first posts here I started an argument that lasted like 5 pages. So, lets get along.
PS: Welcome to the site Hellhound!
[B](I think it's pretty stupid in general to have such nationalistic pride that you would put a flag on your backpack).
Johnnybgoodaaaaa, I am just curious to know if you have ever travelled outside of the US? Being a Canadian living in a foriegn country (with 3 americans), one of the first things you are asked is "WHERE ARE YOU FROM?". Having a Canadian Flag on your backpack can break the ice and let's other people know its okay to come and talk to me, "like your from Canada, me too!"
Ecuadorians tend to have favourable opinions of Americans. We often hear, its not americans, its your government. But being Canadian has gotten me a lot nicer treatment and smiles than some of my American friends.
And BTW, one of the great things about this site, is it okay to say Canada Kicks Ass (if you didn't gather it from the name). So we want to write that in our subject lines, we are well within our boundries to do so.
well, i've never been to the US except for ghost haunt, montana, but that doesn't really count now, does it? so i can't say that americans are stupid b/c i've met both ignorant and really cool americans...and i can't judge the US on its scenery cuz i haven't seen it...but man oh man...there's nothing i've seen that compares to looking at the rockies!!! i think the next most beautiful scenery i've seen is in wales...
anywho, what i can compare is government, tho... the US gov't is pushy and full of lies. however, canadian gov't (even under chretien) seems to me to be wussy and weak. kinda wierd having neighbors that are completely opposite of each other. i guess reading over what i just wrote, i am starting to understand why there is so much US bashing, not that i agree with it but, i can see why...
interesting, hmmmm?
it's ironic that american students travelling abroad were the first stich a canadian flag on their backpacks. I think it started durinf the vietnam war. I would say that in times when the world is generally opposed to the us, that's when you have way more americans wearing our flag. I don't mind it, just as long as they don't just thow out the flag when they're done, cause that's just a slap in the face.