Why is Canada so much different from America?

[Mudhammam]

I'm guessing the fact that Canada as an entire nation has less people than the state of California might have something to do with it...

[Mystical]

To me, when I think of Canadians I think of happy, trusting, well provided for people with lots of beer and good medical care.

I believe the stark contrast of that vs America may be a result of the patriotism acquired from WWII, being extended and extenuated long past that time and it has morphed into isolationist supremacy backed up by intentional taught ignorance and church ingrained skepticism of anything that isn't delivered via god blessed avenues of communications pre-approved by the mandatorily religious political leaders. I also believe Americans, all of us, are mentally ill or self medicating. Lack of medical care and workers rights, pretty much, is what gets you a country plagued by violent crime and self detonating behavior.
Not to mention the SPEcial Special people-- 5 million Rush Limbaugh lovin, 16 & pregnant, freedom spoutin beurocrats who are not free but think they're anarchists and Gods gift to the world.

Pretty much Americans are taught to has the dumb while also being taught that they're smart and the world's best. No joke, we are told we are the best of the world.

America is #1?

Maybe 60 yrs ago.

[Minimalist]

when I think of Canadians I think of happy, trusting, well provided for people with lots of beer and good medical care.

Sometimes....





and then they drop the puck.

[Anomalocaris]

The cosmic grand poobah decided in his infinite benevolence that those who were responsible for one United States should not be allowed to build another. That is why Canada is different from the United states.

[Zack]

I always got a laugh out of this.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsqcokevi2A

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[Zidneya]

Something I have been wondering for a while, and perhaps people here could help shed some light on it this, why is Canada so different from the US in many ways?
I mean most of the Canadian population is within a few hours drive of the american border, we watch the same shows, and speak the same language, but our countries are fundamentally quite different. I hope this does not come off s patronizing or bragging but, so many of the issues that plague the US aren't here. We don't have a failing education system, or as much violence, or nearly as many religious nuts trying to influence the government. Despite the fact that separation of church and state is not nearly as enshrined in our laws.
It's enough to make you wonder why? Especially given our longstanding close international relationship.
I seriously don't mean to sound supremacist in this, there are countries that seem to be doing better then canada. And yes I wonder what they did different too.

You make it sound like Canada should be more like America. Or that America should be more like Canada? Whichever way it is that still raises the question. Why should they resemble each other? There are many countries living right next to each other that are very different therefore: why does it surprise you that Canada is so much different from America?

[Dystopia]

I thought the only difference was that canadians were a little more nice, at least that's what stereotypes say... And healthcare, and probably less religious...

[Lemonvariable72]

I thought the only difference was that canadians were a little more nice, at least that's what stereotypes say... And healthcare, and probably less religious...

Our financial and foreign policies are vastly different as well.

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Something I have been wondering for a while, and perhaps people here could help shed some light on it this, why is Canada so different from the US in many ways?
I mean most of the Canadian population is within a few hours drive of the american border, we watch the same shows, and speak the same language, but our countries are fundamentally quite different. I hope this does not come off s patronizing or bragging but, so many of the issues that plague the US aren't here. We don't have a failing education system, or as much violence, or nearly as many religious nuts trying to influence the government. Despite the fact that separation of church and state is not nearly as enshrined in our laws.
It's enough to make you wonder why? Especially given our longstanding close international relationship.
I seriously don't mean to sound supremacist in this, there are countries that seem to be doing better then canada. And yes I wonder what they did different too.

You make it sound like Canada should be more like America. Or that America should be more like Canada? Whichever way it is that still raises the question. Why should they resemble each other? There are many countries living right next to each other that are very different therefore: why does it surprise you that Canada is so much different from America?

The reason it surprises me is because other countries that are very different yet very close are commonly of a much older vintage and speak different languages like say Finland and Russia or France and Germany. And there are few natural barriers on the border. In would expect Canada to be more like america because most of or population is close to the border and the vast majority of our media is American. Not that one should be more or less like the other as they both have draw backs and bonuses. For example the american government system is much easier to understand and easier to manage.

[DeistPaladin]

[bennyboy]

I think Pickup was probably right-- it's largely about population density. But there's one more thing-- the rabidly and deliberate retardation of the Republicans, the Bible Belt folk, etc. just doesn't exist in Canada. I really think America is the only country in the world where so much stupid shit can happen, and be taken as a point of pride. Basically, it seems half of America is stressed because they're fucking retards, and the other half is stressed because they live with fucking retards-- eh?