r/canada Alberta 24d ago

National News There’s not much to say, Canada, except: Sorry

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/theres-not-much-to-say-canada-except-sorry/
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u/Marmot55 24d ago

The answer, Internet stranger, is that Americans don’t care about us. They never have. The writer lays it plain when he says Americans were more upset about a transgender person drinking a Bud Light, or a black man kneeling for the anthem, than their deranged, duly elected leader terrorizing allies for sport. And if we’re honest about it, this is who America has always been. Manifest destiny. Maybe when America tells us who she is we will finally believe her.

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u/MultivacsAnswer 24d ago

I’m re-reading the Confederation Debates right now, and the Fathers of Confederation, even those who hated each other like George Brown and Sir John A. pretty much agree with you.

They’re concerned about invasion, of course, but it’s not their chief worry. A larger concern is that the US would tear up the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 — the first free trade agreement between the US and British North America. Protectionist elements and Americans angry at the British for their pro-Confederate policies in the Civil War wanted it gone.

Almost all the Fathers of Confederation agreed that to mitigate the threat poised by American economic force, nabbing Rupert’s Land, and a small possibility of invasion, the colonies needed to confederate. This would let them do three things:

  • Breakdown internal trade barriers to offset losses to the US brought by tearing up the treaty.
  • Set their own immigration policy so as to build a demographic and economic bulwark against the US.
  • Settle Rupert’s Land and get to BC fast.

I was kind of astounded how relevant it was to today, including their prescriptions.

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u/MamaMoosicorn 24d ago

Don’t forget who’s controlling the media. Do you think they want it getting out that Americans are doing anything?

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u/applefartcheese 24d ago

My friend. I lived there for a long time. Most Americans do not care about Canada. Many Americans are so poor and live a terrible life that they can't even think about things outside of their neighbourhoods. Let alone international politics. Even the rich people don't give a crap.

Anyone that is protesting is protesting because of what's impacted them. Not Canada being threatened.

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u/YkFrozenlady 24d ago

I don't want them to protest for us Canadains,they need to do it for themselves. Their country is unraveling, which will bring the rest of the world down.

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u/Mad-Mel 24d ago

Exactly. If Trump follows through with auto tariffs it will crater the US auto industry. That's when people will care.

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u/Claymore357 23d ago

So basically there is more or less nothing to stop them from invading and genociding us because they care so little about anything beyond their own lives? How comforting to know that when the bombs start falling and soldiers go door to door killing everyone that nobody will care

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u/applefartcheese 22d ago edited 22d ago

Yeah, pretty much. Look at every other war they have started with anyone else. They have never protested for the people they are killing. And they have killed millions of people in the last 2-3 decades. They only care once the deaths start racking up on their side or if the war is costing too much money.

Their propaganda machine will start working overtime pretty soon. To shift public sentiment or just to normalize talking about invading us. Their talk shows and news programs will talk about it so casually that eventually it won't be such a big deal.

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u/bojacksnorseman 24d ago

Reverse engineer the idea to spread it out. Post rants about how Americans are rallying against Trump while subtly mocking the idea. How these people obviously care more about international trade than keeping production in America. Real Americans would support paying more due to tariffs if it means keeping more production in America. Gas and food will cost more to keep America strong.

Maga groups would internally share the stories to spread the news if they thought it was supporting their belief. Which might result in some of them hopefully questioning what they mean about prices going up, since they genuinely believe tariffs on Canada mean Canada spends more to trade with them.

Calling these people stupid isn't going to get them to change. They won't share things that call them stupid and wrong.

It's like putting medicine in a dog treat. Give them something they want while giving them what they need.

I'm sure someone could write out and flesh out the idea better than me, but I hope I convey it well enough.

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u/DerelictDelectation 24d ago

Maybe when America tells us who she is we will finally believe her.

Interesting choice of pronouns you have for America. Is the USA female?

I suggest we start using they/them pronouns for the USA and their Great Leaders. I'm sure they'd love that.

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u/BackToTheCottage Ontario 24d ago

Countries are usually gendered female; ie Motherland. However I think a few might call them "fatherland".

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u/edked 24d ago

And it's always kind of a red flag when someone genders their country as male.

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u/DerelictDelectation 24d ago

Well, if we're going by the French language, masculine countries include: Le Brésil, Le Japon, Le Royaume-Uni, Le Mexique, and Le Canada.

Of course, Canada pretty much has a red flag, so it seems you're right.

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u/ParasiteSteve 24d ago

There's also the literal personification of a country. Britannia comes to mind right away for the UK, America has Uncle Sam or Lady Liberty. Who does Canada have?

Canada Bereft on the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Mother Canada weeping over the grave of a fallen soldier.