I was talking to a Canadian, he said he hopes Obama gets elected................

[Beels]

I don't understand how you can say 'lack of commitment by the Canadian Gov't'
The bill for our commitment in Afghanistan (so far) was an election issue until about 15 minutes ago .... and it is amount is staggering. Please remember that we have less than ONE TENTH of the US's population so we can't ever compete on the sheer $$$ with you.

btw... the right party won the election (let's call them the equivalent of McCain's party)

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/10/09/afghanistan-cost-report.html

18.1 Billion

 

[x-guy]

Sorry I don't agree....you don't have the same freedoms...yes you have a lot of freedoms. No I am not a racist and I don't know how I would have implied that...I made no mention of a particular race. What I simply meant is that anyone (including terrorists) can get into Canada claiming to be a re***ee. That was the sole point. ...and yes I know the definition of GNP. I am very patriotic as the Canadians on this thread are. That is something we can agree on....we all love our country. Yes, the US has its problems...sh*t don't think I don't realize that! ...and don't confuse my passion for my country for something else. I too have a problem with ignorance. You can call me a retard or ignorant...makes no difference to me. We disagree on issues....lets leave it at that. I should have known better to talk politics on here and should have learned my lesson years ago on here...it doesn't do any good, we are all gonna believe and feel how we choose despite someone elses opinion. But, I will probably do it again! haha ...and I have to make one apology. I do remember Canada implementing tighter restrictions and hightened security at airports in 2006, a bit slow, but nonetheless it was an improvement.

So can you please tell me what freedoms Americans enjoy that we Canadians don't? Don't take this personally, but I think your very uninformed on global politics and policies, and have tunnel vision on the USA and the my way or the highway attitude on combating terrorism, your way may be the right way, time will tell, but in my opinion alot of civil liberties aka freedoms are being stepped on in the process, I think its worth a look on how we can do it differently, and to be honest, we have taken alot of good steps in my opinion, we just don't step out onto the world stage to beat our chests about it, maybe thats why you have not heard of our efforts on combating terrorism. Canadian troops are currently serving in the Kandahar province, where most NATO allies will not go, we have had numerous Canadian generals in charge of NATO troops including the US, and we currently have the largest long distance howlitzers in afghanistan we are one of the few countries in NATO giving combat troops, and have done all this working with a minority government where as the other parties were generally against sending combat troops, we also had secret combat operatives working along side your American special forces in Iraq, I seem to remember one of the first, and largest terrorist operative caught in Iraq after the war started, was in fact caught by our special forces. And you do realize the USA accepts re***ees as well right?

 

[Weekday Warrior]

I love Canada

and many for you all for electing the right govt, who will insure that I'll continue to spend my bland looking yankee dollars up there shreadin your fine countryside with my nonturbo M8


CHEERS FOR CANADA!!

 

[MPS]

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/10/09/afghanistan-cost-report.html

18.1 Billion

I stand corrected. My apologies. ...and I have never stated Canadians don't contribute forces....but like I said I apologize for stating the government has a lack of commitment. Yes the U.S. accepts re***ees...my understanding is Canada has let them in with no questions asked. That may have changed, so if it has I apologize for not being up to date.

...and I guess I attribute your social medicine to be a lack of freedom...you are taxed at a much higher percentage and that takes away your freedom to choose how to spend your money. Sorry I have a problem being a hard working individual paying for some slob's health coverage when he doesn't work and sits around smoking dope and eating twinkies. That is an issue with me in the US...with the Medicaid program. You also have serious restrictions on gun ownership. ...and I believe Canada's freedom of religion has been in question for sometime. For example.... http://www.ccrl.ca/index.php?id=485


Anyway, better get back to work....BTW, haven't meant to offend anyone here. I just like a good debate and yes I admit my arguments can sometimes be wrong.

 

[motorman]

I stand corrected. My apologies. ...and I have never stated Canadians don't contribute forces....but like I said I apologize for stating the government has a lack of commitment. Yes the U.S. accepts re***ees...my understanding is Canada has let them in with no questions asked. That may have changed, so if it has I apologize for not being up to date.

...and I guess I attribute your social medicine to be a lack of freedom...you are taxed at a much higher percentage and that takes away your freedom to choose how to spend your money. Sorry I have a problem being a hard working individual paying for some slob's health coverage when he doesn't work and sits around smoking dope and eating twinkies. That is an issue with me in the US...with the Medicaid program. You also have serious restrictions on gun ownership. ...and I believe Canada's freedom of religion has been in question for sometime. For example.... http://www.ccrl.ca/index.php?id=485


Anyway, better get back to work....BTW, haven't meant to offend anyone here. I just like a good debate and yes I admit my arguments can sometimes be wrong.

I for one am very happy with our medical care system.Ihave a family of 5,and my wife has excelent benefits through her work.Costs less than 1000 bucks a year.My wife has a defective kidney,and had surgery last year.Our cost 0 dollars.my youngest son who was 3 last year had 2 surgeries,minor,tonsils,and adnoids.Our cost 0 dollars.My wife has to take meds daily for her kidney.Our cost 0 dollars.thats social medacine for ya.Works for me.
i read a post on the site not to long ago about a little girl admitted to the hospital with pneumonia(i hope she is allright)the fellow said the families cost was going to be 40000 dollars.I am sure that family,and the thousands,maybe hundreds of thousands of families in the same boat would like better health.
The only people that cannot legally posses firearms in canada are criminals,and people with records of violent behavior(Not so bad if ya ask me)Now there are laws on what you do with the firearm,and how you store it,or how you travel with it,but again,not so bad when you consider guns are for hunting,RIGHT.
i got no views on religon,fukem i say.
Peace

 

[buck50]

I stand corrected. My apologies. ...and I have never stated Canadians don't contribute forces....but like I said I apologize for stating the government has a lack of commitment. Yes the U.S. accepts re***ees...my understanding is Canada has let them in with no questions asked. That may have changed, so if it has I apologize for not being up to date.

...and I guess I attribute your social medicine to be a lack of freedom...you are taxed at a much higher percentage and that takes away your freedom to choose how to spend your money. Sorry I have a problem being a hard working individual paying for some slob's health coverage when he doesn't work and sits around smoking dope and eating twinkies. That is an issue with me in the US...with the Medicaid program. You also have serious restrictions on gun ownership. ...and I believe Canada's freedom of religion has been in question for sometime. For example.... http://www.ccrl.ca/index.php?id=485


Anyway, better get back to work....BTW, haven't meant to offend anyone here. I just like a good debate and yes I admit my arguments can sometimes be wrong.

i appreciate your acknowledgement of being wrong. that's hard to do sometimes times. as for freedom of religion, pretty sure anyone can practice their own religion here, just like in the US! and that article you linked too is about diverting money from a union because they supported same sex marriage and some individuals didn't. they are allowed to have that view, but still have to contribute to their union, OR they can leave. not really a religious infrigemnet if you ask me!

 

[x-guy]

I stand corrected. My apologies. ...and I have never stated Canadians don't contribute forces....but like I said I apologize for stating the government has a lack of commitment. Yes the U.S. accepts re***ees...my understanding is Canada has let them in with no questions asked. That may have changed, so if it has I apologize for not being up to date.

...and I guess I attribute your social medicine to be a lack of freedom...you are taxed at a much higher percentage and that takes away your freedom to choose how to spend your money. Sorry I have a problem being a hard working individual paying for some slob's health coverage when he doesn't work and sits around smoking dope and eating twinkies. That is an issue with me in the US...with the Medicaid program. You also have serious restrictions on gun ownership. ...and I believe Canada's freedom of religion has been in question for sometime. For example.... http://www.ccrl.ca/index.php?id=485


Anyway, better get back to work....BTW, haven't meant to offend anyone here. I just like a good debate and yes I admit my arguments can sometimes be wrong.

I can agree with alot of what you say, but on the other hand hand you need to think about the flip side, for example

would you rather have a system that you have to pay for a few people who abuse the medicare system? (I agree, its a piss off) or would you rather watch a family struggle to survive, scratching and clawing, losing everything they have to pay some medical bills? I don't want to see a fellow Canadian go through this, never mind my own family and would rather have the few rotten apples out there to support, than good people having to struggle. You can also argue this gives us more freedom, we have the freedom to choose hospitals, surgeons, etc. where in the US, if you cannot afford the best care, you dont get it, your level of care goes about as far as your pocket book.

Gun control, yeah its definetly more strict, but this is an issue for Americans alot more than Canadians, we need guns for hunting and sport, not to feel safe, we don't need guns for safety here, so in my opinion thats a greater sense of freedom.

The link you provide, its interesting, but at the same time, one freedom or the other will suffer (gay marriage vs religion) so its really hard to compare, but I do know, that religeous freedom here goes to far in my opinion, not the other way around we had a court case a couple years back where some muslims wanted to bring Shariah Law to Canada, and we actually heard it! that was too far in my opinion

I think we can both find freedoms that vary in each country, but the bottom line is Canadians and Americans are different in ways, and our freedoms reflect this, we have some you dont have, you have some we don't have, but in the end we are both free countries.

 

[framus]

So can you please tell me what freedoms Americans enjoy that we Canadians don't? Don't take this personally, but I think your very uninformed on global politics and policies, and have tunnel vision on the USA and the my way or the highway attitude on combating terrorism, your way may be the right way, time will tell, but in my opinion alot of civil liberties aka freedoms are being stepped on in the process, I think its worth a look on how we can do it differently, and to be honest, we have taken alot of good steps in my opinion, we just don't step out onto the world stage to beat our chests about it, maybe thats why you have not heard of our efforts on combating terrorism. Canadian troops are currently serving in the Kandahar province, where most NATO allies will not go, we have had numerous Canadian generals in charge of NATO troops including the US, and we currently have the largest long distance howlitzers in afghanistan we are one of the few countries in NATO giving combat troops, and have done all this working with a minority government where as the other parties were generally against sending combat troops, we also had secret combat operatives working along side your American special forces in Iraq, I seem to remember one of the first, and largest terrorist operative caught in Iraq after the war started, was in fact caught by our special forces. And you do realize the USA accepts re***ees as well right?

A while back a journalist who works for Macleans...I believe his name is Mark Steyn.... the Canadien Islamic Congress sued to silence him and filed the complaints with the Canadien Human rights commision.

Those are mighty powerful words right there...

The Islamists didnt like what Steyn was writing and got your goverment to go after him. I remember seeing a clip of a goverment official interviewing/interogating Steyn and the whole thing was pretty serious because the entire issue IS free speech. It's rather ironic since even the most left wing garbage is acceptable in your country but go aginst the grain and you may be investigated.

As of now the issue's been droped but still should be cause for concern for you guys up north. In certain circles around here it was seen as shameful and dangerous, free speech is the cornerstone of your "free" society.

 

[Mad Max Performance]

Good point Framus!

Nicely worded, and some real valid points, that I agree with. That is a cause for concern.

MPS.... it never ceases to amaze me, how you stoke the fire on the stereotypical loud mouthed, dumb ***, uneducated American. One stereotype that is going away, thank goodness. But, there are a few of you left. Read a book, the papers, and educate yourself a bit. Its embarassing to see how uninformed you are, spouting off, then appologize for the stupidity.

Its better to be thought an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Even still, thanks for your service to your country, there is no replacement or enough thanks for something like that.

Just think a little bit before you post, or open your mouth. There are idiots every where. Here, there, everywhere. There are good folks everywhere.

Funny thing, how any of the Military personel that I have talked to, say its usually the quiet, calm guys that are the best in a bad situation. They stay calm, think about the situation, and methodically fight.

 

[x-guy]

A while back a journalist who works for Macleans...I believe his name is Mark Steyn.... the Canadien Islamic Congress sued to silence him and filed the complaints with the Canadien Human rights commision.

Those are mighty powerful words right there...

The Islamists didnt like what Steyn was writing and got your goverment to go after him. I remember seeing a clip of a goverment official interviewing/interogating Steyn and the whole thing was pretty serious because the entire issue IS free speech. It's rather ironic since even the most left wing garbage is acceptable in your country but go aginst the grain and you may be investigated.

As of now the issue's been droped but still should be cause for concern for you guys up north. In certain circles around here it was seen as shameful and dangerous, free speech is the cornerstone of your "free" society.

Well I mean again, it goes both ways, and if it has not gone through it must mean our system is working, although it may need some tweaking, did you hear about the proven innocent canadian citizen that the US government sent overseas to get tortured in Syria? Or how about innocent people being wire tapped under the patriot act? Dosnt sound like much freedom there either, we can both dig up tons of evidence to support both calls, all I am saying is its happening on both sides, Canada gets unfairly labelled as being soft, but we don't have to sell the war on terror to the world like the US does, it does alot more than alot of you Americans know, you hear the bad about us, but not about the good.

 

[motorman]

and we dam good beer

 

[motorman]

we dont dam it,but we do make it

 

[steveo10]

BLAH... too long of post to read

elect black guy = no oil from alberta
elect old gut = keep flowing that black gold!!!!

 

[XC700116]

I've read this thread top to bottom and can agree with some things on both sides. However you cut it Canada should be and is our strongest and best ally in the world at large.

You guys have some seriously crazy liberals running some things in the eastern parts and it is with some of their Ideas that I don't agree. but once again it's really none of my business. And we have the same going on in many different places here. (large metropolitan centers like southern California, New York, Chicago ect.) Whatever your politics, no place and no one is perfect.

One question I have for the Canadians (no offense meant) but doesn't it take a ton of hoop jumping in order to obtain a handgun? I know that many say there's no practical use for one outside of crime and personal defense, but I have 3 of them and have good reasons for having them outside of those 2 reasons.

1. I love taget shooting with all types of firearms.
2. I actually hunt with one of my handguns.
3. I use one of them for Bear/Mtn lion coverage when Bow Hunting.

Plus I do have one for home defense / personal carry in a time that I feel that I want the added margin of self defense and I just like them. To me enacting laws that don't allow gun ownership of all kinds and responsible use is like making it illegal to play basketball or football. It's just my game.

Just looking for another perspective on it that's all.

 

[catmandoo]

XC700 I agree with your last post but please understand that for target practice we can buy handguns but with much more red tape than the US. I would like to see it with a little less red tape but am concerned with all the crazy road rage people pulling out guns rather than the middle finger. Yes we have crazy liberals in our eastern provinces but even the US has a few of those but I guess that's what makes the world go round and round.

I totally disagree that Canada has less freedoms than the US

 

[XC700116]

Realistically the only "less freedom" that I can even think of is the handgun thing if it could even be called that and that's just how I look at it. Like I said to me it's like making football illegal.

Canada is a great country and if I were ever move out of country that's the only one I would consider.

Also I must say that I understand catmandoo's post that it isn't totally off limits it's just that it's much more difficult to acquire.

I lived in Minnesota for the majority of my life and a little over a year in Texas. I was truly amazed at how much easier it is to purchase handguns from dealers in Texas than in Minnesota. Not that I find it bad as I used to sell guns as part of my employment and understand how the system works.

I also understand that if the system wasn't broken then the Virginia Tech shooter would have to have obtained his weapons illegally. They failed to file the proper paperwork in previous occurrences that would have denied him the ability to obtain them with the NICS background check. These were cases completely unrelated to firearms in the way that they were cases involving mental stability and weren't followed through on due to not wanting to add a "stigma" to this young man that could possibly put in place barriers in his education or other areas of his life. What they overlooked is the one barrier that absolutely needed to be put in place. When it comes to things like this you must call a spade a spade period.

I also recognize the fact that Guns are merely tools. If someone wants to hurt someone else bad enough they will find a way to get it done. The single biggest problem with gun crimes in this country is the penalties for illegal use, sale, and trafficking are not harsh enough and/or they are not enforced because it's not popular to execute murderers and lock up for life those that commit other crimes with guns. Along with that the laws vary so much state to state that it's hard to understand and keep track of them all which only further muddies the water of the issue. These are all things that are core values of the NRA that go along with unrestricted ownership of firearms for law abiding citizens.

Sorry for the long winded post but I just felt the need to clarify where I come from on this deal.

 

[Mad Max Performance]

XC700116, excellent points.

To answer that question, properly, Id have to say, that handguns are too hard to aquire here. Drives me nuts. But, I have my rifles, and my shotguns on the farm. I just wish we were more free to pack heat when we wanted to.

They can be attained, but it takes a full criminal check and all that, etc.

But, trust me when I say... we can still get the handguns, if we want...

And, Alberta is a bit of a different world, in regards to provinces here, than most. Pretty redneck. Sask is too. But, simple, hard working people that pretty much keep to themselves. BC has alot of good people too, but you get down near the coast, and theres a PILE of bleeding heart hippies, that have crippled that province. I feel bad for the hard working types from BC. They are getting the shaft, big time.

I can say, some of my best sledding freinds are American guys, who love thier country, and love mine. Great guys, and Id drop everything to back them up in a pinch. Like I said, there are good people everywhere. Even in IRAQ. And, there are frikkin IDIOTS everywhere too. But, to close your eyes, and paint everyone with the same brush, is foolhardy. You will also find, that it gets you in alot of trouble, and they will start doing the same thing right back at you.

 

[MPS]

Nicely worded, and some real valid points, that I agree with. That is a cause for concern.

MPS.... it never ceases to amaze me, how you stoke the fire on the stereotypical loud mouthed, dumb ***, uneducated American. One stereotype that is going away, thank goodness. But, there are a few of you left. Read a book, the papers, and educate yourself a bit. Its embarassing to see how uninformed you are, spouting off, then appologize for the stupidity.

Its better to be thought an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Even still, thanks for your service to your country, there is no replacement or enough thanks for something like that.

Just think a little bit before you post, or open your mouth. There are idiots every where. Here, there, everywhere. There are good folks everywhere.

Funny thing, how any of the Military personel that I have talked to, say its usually the quiet, calm guys that are the best in a bad situation. They stay calm, think about the situation, and methodically fight.

LMAO Nice assumptions! Ya know I haven't called anyone names on here...but I have been called a few. It never ceases to amaze me Mad Max how you and others resort to name calling because you lack intelligent things to say. I admitted my one wrong in this little debate. I admitted I am not always right when I debate things and I learn from it. That is most of the reason I debate with people, I like to learn. Not to prove I am right, unlike people like you. But you had to insist on using that to prove your point that I am a loud mouth dumb a$$. Ya that goes a long ways for your character. I'm not going to waste my time defending my character or my education with you....thanks for appreciating my service....but that was not my point to get praise for my service, now I wish I wouldn't have brought it up. I agree about the hardworking quiet soldier. But, there are also leaders that need to be bold and vocal to get things done. You would understand that if you served. I also agree with what someone else said....if I couldn't live in the US I would definitely live in Canada, but don't take that as a compliment intended for you....something you might do because of your arrogance.

 

[Mad Max Performance]

Nobody assumed anything. No assuming necessary.

And, by education, I wasnt implying school or post secondary education. I was talking about a balanced viewpoint. Try seeing both sides to something when you can.

I dont think you are stupid. I bet you are pretty "smart". But trust me when I say, you make alot of people on here wonder sometimes.

 

[MPS]

are you kidding me,are you completly ignorent on how WE CANADIANS live.WE dont have to fight for freedom because we are free,have been for over a hundred years.And who cares about people comming to our country in hopes of a better future,more power to them,lots of work to go around here.Are you a racist?
You wanna know about are gnp,read up http://www.canadianeconomy.gc.ca/English/economy/gnp.html and http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/10/08/imf.html?ref=rss
God bless america,yer gonna need it

Another thing ...you say you don't have to fight for your freedom? For the most part that is true! Do you recall World War II? Yes, Canadian forces contributed, but do you think your country would be in the condition it is in today without brave Americans giving their lives to fight Hitler's and General Hideki Tojo's armies?!!!! You would be speaking German or Japanese....that may sound arrogant, but that is the damn truth!