“U.S. style...”
“American style...”
And every time these words are spoken by the Liberals, NDP, Greens or Bloc, they are used as pejoratives. And yet, when confronted with this fact, the same candidates who just used the terms to bludgeon the local Conservative will deny any anti-American intent in their usage. And yet, there is no other way it can be understood.
Because of the history of Canada, a certain latent anti-Americanism is to be accepted. This is, after all, a country which had one part invaded by the American rebel armies during their Revolutionary War (Quebec), had another part principally populated by refugees from the nascent United States (and in some cases suffered significant atrocities and economic loss in the process – Ontario) and was then attacked by the still young United States during the War of 1812.
Since then, there have been a few American politicians preaching a “Manifest Destiny” that included Canada, and the influx of thousands of American draft-dodgers and leftists during the Vietnam era. The last of these, often well educated before they came to Canada, have exerted a significant social pressure within Canadian society as they became teachers and assumed other positions of social influence in the decades since.
So it isn't a radical concept to expect that at least some voters might, at least in the right circumstances, might respond to the use of the United States as a land of negative examples. And the opposition parties have done so at every opportunity.
New super-sized prisons are “American style”, arguments against the purchase of new fighters are couched in terms such as “American militarism”, and of course the one of the most over used, abused, and misunderstood quotes in the history of the United States presidency, “military-industrial complex”.
Oppose corporate tax cuts? “American style”, or “Bush-esque”.
Military spending? “We are peacekeepers, not warmongers like the US”
Don't want changes to the current health care system? “US style healthcare, bankrupting people for care...” etc.
Why not just oppose issues based on the interpretation of the merits of a given issue? If the purchase of new fighters is wrong, make the argument logically – don't say “we aren't the US”. Same with health care reform or any other issue.
Canada as a nation has matured since the Trudeau years, when as Prime Minister he took the art of political anti-Americanism to heights not seen since the early years of Confederation. Canada is capable of pursuing policies, or not, based not on any similarity or lack thereof to American policies, but instead based on whether they are good and appropriate for this nation.
So argue the merits of military spending based on costs, missions, and national interests. Argue health care based on what is economically viable and best cares for Canadian patients. Base taxes on what will best work to build Canada's economy and job market.
And leave the name calling to poorly-behaved children. At least, as kids, they have an excuse.
Interestingly, there are still some older people with roots in the Norfolk/Haldimand region of Ontario who grew up on folk memories of the Fenian raids, around the time of Confederation. The border is still mighty close for such people.
ReplyDeleteEven among conservatives like myself who don't buy into the anti-American rhetoric, there is still an entrenched wariness about our neighbour to the south. Still, the anti-Americanism practised by the left is a tired reflex, as is the scare mongering about abortion and public health care. Using fear because they have nothing else to offer us.