I remember watching a TV mini-series on Benedict Arnold when he led the attacks during the Invasion of Canada and Battle of Quebec. He was shot in the leg and he supposedly kept the bullet throughout his life. The program depicted to me that because of this one bullet, Canada didn't fall into the hands of the Americans.
Today, I stumbled upon a website of a non-profit group dedicated to the unification of Canada and the U.S.
http://www.unitednorthamerica.org/
Then there's also this blog. Or just search this for other N.A. Unionist websites. And this idea.
If you asked me several years ago when the Liberals were running this country, I was seriously considering the benefits of a North American Union. But we now have a Stephen Harper-led Conservative government that's doing a pretty good job of securing our sovereignty, especially in the North, and from the Americans, who believe the Northwest Passage is international waters--which is most certainly is not.
But let me further explain to you my reasoning as to why there should NOT be a North American Union and why this would not benefit Canada. I believe the U.S. would benefit much more from this. All that said, in knowing history, no empire lasts forever and I do believe in the distant future that a North American Union is inevitable in order to compete with Europe, India, and especially China. But perhaps we can stave it off for as long as possible.
As some of you know, I travel in the U.S. for work quite often and have been to Seattle, Vegas, California, Kansas, Chicago, Ohio, and Virginia/DC. I've met lots of Americans and many are dear, dear friends of mine--truly wonderful people. That said, many other Americans I've met are unknowingly ignorant of Canada. I could go on about all the cute things they say about Canadians, but let's move on...
Here's WHY Canada should NOT join the US to form a Union.
- Compared to the U.S., Canada's natural and oil resources are so vast, they will sustain our energy needs for a long time. I actually tell Americans that they invaded the wrong country.
- Would Canadians then be mired in the Iraq war? Who's next, Iran?
- On defense, Canada and the U.S. mutually already use the Distant Early Warning (DEW) system and NORAD to monitor missile attacks. That said, it is a little known fact that Canadian troops are some of the best trained in the world, especially in regards to fighter pilots and snipers.
- The current U.S. economy, with the sub-prime mortgage fiasco, trade-deficit, massive government deficit and debt (mostly owed to Chinese banks), and weak dollar aren't exactly as appealling as the healthy provincial economies, rising house prices, oil revenues, trade-surplus, lowered debt to GDP ratio, and strengthening dollar. Yes it's true that Canada relies heavily upon trade with the U.S.
- I'd also guess that due to the weather, many Canadians would flock to the warmer climates during winter, badly hurting tourism and local economies in Canada.
- The Canadian education system and gov't funding for it is superior to that of the U.S.
- Federal income taxes are actually LOWER in Canada than in the U.S. The difference is with each individual state compared to provincial taxes.
- On arts and culture, I believe there are vast differences. I'm a firm believer that Canadian comedians, musicians, and actors, per capita, are much, much, much funnier, more talented, and more creative than Americans. Canadian arts and culture has continued to blend the best aspects of British and American ideas into a new and fresh style that I find most appealling.
- Would a new union then make each province a state? There are vast differences between the federal-provincial and federal-state relationships that would be difficult to negotiate. Would Prince Edward Island, with a population the size of Topeka, Kansas really get two senators, or would some provinces have to get together with others?
- Internationally, Canada is distinct from the U.S. Always has been. Canadian soldiers in WWI and WWII really put Canada on the map in terms of respect with the liberation of our European allies.
- Wouldn't a union be then seen as a greater threat to China? What economic power that China already has over the U.S. then influence the entire N.A. Union?
- Would Canadians accept the U.S. constitution and their stance on gun rights, the Bill of Rights compared with
- What about the legal system? Would U.S. precedent dominate over our British/Canadian common law system?
- Would Quebec continue to be as independent on several issues within such a union? Then why couldn't new Canadian states?
- Beer, beef, and hockey. I just had to say it. There's nothing better.
Overall, it seems that those touting a North American Union would see the U.S. totally dominate over Canadian history and tradition, essentially erasing whatever Canadians have fought for for their OWN country. The Russians tried to do this with Ukraine (and continue to do so). The English tried to do this with Scotland (although they have a union of their own now). There are numerous examples. But while the British under Wolfe did defeat the French under Montcalm at the battle on the
Plains of Abraham in 1759, French culture is still preserved in Quebec and other parts of Canada to this day.
Most of all, mutual competition is a good thing as it's human nature to compete and make things better than the next guy. It's how we evolve. Monopolies aren't good, whether it's corporate or governmental, or we all just become thoughtless drones dictated by unaccountable bureaucrats, agencies, and executives, and democracy fades.
So let's say, for example, that a Union was negotiated between our leaders, or let's say that it's been happening for years already, but coming to head. I really don't think Americans would mind it at all, but how much would Canadians oppose such a deal? Would there be protests? Definitely. Would Canadians rise up militarily?
Let me ask you fellow Canadians... Is Canada still worth fighting for?
What if the U.S., a la
Canadian Bacon invaded Canada? With 90% of the Canadian population living within 100 miles of the border, would we be able to pull their jerseys over the Americans' heads and give 'em a hockey wollop, stave off attacks in snow bunkers for days on end, while our world renowned fighter pilots and snipers pick the invaders off one by one?
Or will one bullet in the leg of an American general do?
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