A question that's been bothering me lately.

[medic]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ron Jeremy:
Most Canadians can't even define their culture other than the fact that we are "not American".

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I've always considered Canadians to be fellow Americans due to the fact that they live on America, the same as I do (plus I can be at the border in about 70 minutes). I've always cautioned myself, when discussing currency in Canada, not to call the US Dollar "American", but US.

I also find it interesting that just 6 miles to the north, southwestern New York State, Canadian change (the penny, nickle, dime, and quarter) is accepted at face value. Unfortunatly, due to the near by ski resort town of Ellicottville, NY, many upper class Canadians are giving average Canadians a bad name on this side of the border because of their snobbish attitudes.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

quote:

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Originally posted by medic:
Unfortunatly, due to the near by ski resort town of Ellicottville, NY, many upper class Canadians are giving average Canadians a bad name on this side of the border because of their snobbish attitudes.

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Medic,
This attitude is not confined to upper class types. Our socialist media and intellectual elites have been looking down on the U.S. and touting Canada as morally superior for a generation. Everyone here is indoctrinated with this garbage.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ron Jeremy:
Most Canadians can't even define their culture other than the fact that we are "not American".

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Canada is one of my favorite countries

and in general Canadians are great people, that said... you nailed that one.

Except for poutine

 

[andrews]

Medic,
I know of the village of which you speak and would agree that the Canadians there are snobish. But, look at caliber of some of the locals. Most are uneducated, lower class individuals that can have a tendancy to spend long days in a local bar. Not that this is a reason to act snobish, but one does need to be realistic. Out west the Canadians are similar, even though the area economy is doing well and the locals are much more affluent. Maybe the Canadians are just expressing a long repressed desire to somehow be superior to Americans. Perhaps they are tired of being labeled "northern Americans" instead of having an identity like we do. Years of living with the U.S. getting all the attention, may be causing some Canadians to act snobish. The "Garrison Mentality" type of extistence that Canadians have been living, may finally be coming to an
end. Is this a good thing? Well, for Canadians it may be. While I rarely agree with the Canadian opinion these days, at least they appear to have finally gotten some "gonads"!

 

[Shannow]

quote:

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Originally posted by ekrampitzjr:
Anyway, Shannow, that's some of it in a nutshell. I don't mind people who have something to offer and want to become a constructive part of the culture immigrating. I do mind when they remain clannish, don't learn English, and look down on the rest of us, live off our welfare systems, or actively seek to do harm. That has become the problem.

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Don't worry, I feel exactly the same about the regions of our capaital cities that are becoming "Mini=(name the country)".

 

[Al]

quote:

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Originally posted by Shannow:

quote:

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Originally posted by ekrampitzjr:
Anyway, Shannow, that's some of it in a nutshell. I don't mind people who have something to offer and want to become a constructive part of the culture immigrating. I do mind when they remain clannish, don't learn English, and look down on the rest of us, live off our welfare systems, or actively seek to do harm. That has become the problem.

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Don't worry, I feel exactly the same about the regions of our capaital cities that are becoming "Mini=(name the country)".

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Although I agree completely, I am reminded of my heritage: I am Penna. Deutch (German). In the late 1700's and early 1800's the Pa. Dutch were known to pretty well keep by themselves and a prominent Pa. Politician was heard to say that these Dutchmen will amount to nothing in this country

Obviously he was quite mistaken, as the Hard working and resourceful Pa. Germans helped make Pa. a very wealthy and thriving state and have contributed th the advancement of the country as much as any group.

I view my ancestors contributions in this country with pride. But moreover I vew them as a group of people who ultimately embraced this country as proud and patriotic Americans who moved beyond their Pa. Germans heritage

It seems that many new arrivals in this country have no desire to ever become Proud Americans.

And to those-I would hapily spit on.

 

[rgl]

quote:

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It seems that many new arrivals in this country have no desire to ever become Proud Americans.

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I think that will be seen to be irrelevant -

quote:

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When an opponent declares, "I will not come over to your side," I calmly say, "Your child belongs to us already... What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community."
Adolf Hitler

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(Don't you just love using an author's own quotes to justify a concept the author would have hated?)

 

[Ron Jeremy]

You people had better start to protect your language and culture before you end up like Canada. Most Canadians can't even define their culture other than the fact that we are "not American". English is your national language despite what any namby pamby, multi-culti types would like to con you into believing. Multiculturalism and bilingualism is a road to mediocrity. You had the right idea with the "melting pot". Don't give it away.

 

[Lugosi]

quote:

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Originally posted by Al:
[QB

It seems that many new arrivals in this country have no desire to ever become Proud Americans.

And to those-I would hapily spit on.

[/QB]

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This assumes that "American" is a static state of being, an absolute. Incorrect.

Our Constitution, and each State constitution, is fluid by design, and so too is the definition of "American". As the social/economic slate changes with the influx of new peoples, new social norms and mores, new language, etc., and government representation adjusts to the new constituencies, then the Republic will follow suit. Shifts of power change definitions, just as the Founders wanted. Ward and June Cleaver just ain't coming back.

Do your kids a favor and demand that they study Spanish.

 

[Al]

quote:

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Originally posted by Lugosi:
Do your kids a favor and demand that they study Spanish.

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They already have taken Spanish and they are both grown with successful careers-thanks. Yes the Republic is changing-its dynamic-but it ain't for the better.

 

[andrews]

You got that right Al!