Canada, stop hating on the U.S.

Okay, sorry for the delay, all, but I finally have some creative inspiration on my hands, and I won't let myself get distracted into not typing it up this time.

As a pseudo-American, patriotism is a touchy subject for me. I consider myself a patriot, and am rather proud of the continent in which I live. I'm optimistic about the future, as long as we keep on track on the liberty front. So long as we have life, liberty, and property, our society's on the right track, just as the Founders intended.

Now, I just got back from two trips to the American northeast. On the way, I met scores of people. Most friendly, some apathetic, a few bad apples, and just a couple who I hope I'll never have to interact with again. Overall, but bad.

But, I did run into one particular type of person: upon my defense of the Constitution, this indefensibly unwise person said to me, this:

"But, Jason, you aren't American, who cares about American values?"

And this from a fellow Canadian, too. It's time for Canadians at large to shape the fuck up, and stop talking shit about our southern neighbours.

Now, first, let me get this straight: not all Canadians feel this way. Many, such as myself, are very happy to share a border with America. However, there is a significant portion of Canadians who harbour unsolicited distaste for our neighbours. This pisses me off.

Isn't it the Americans who powered ahead with the notion of liberty, even when faced with oppression and death? Wasn't it the Americans who coined the phrase "Give me Liberty, or give me death"? Didn't the Americans, by writing the Constitution, invent the idea of such a document, the first ten Amendments of which constitute the Bill of Rights, another American invention? Wasn't it America, and, shortly afterward, France, who was the first to be willing to fight a war and accept the potential for complete and utter destruction if they lost, not for territorial gain, not in the name of a King or Queen or Lord or God, but for the principles of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Is America not still the only officially secular state in the world?

It is because of America's presence that Canada has become as independent as it is right now, not in spite of it. Imagine the tyranny, if the Americans had lost? What if they had never fought the war at all? Would we still be British subjects? Would technology have advanced at the same rate as it does now? Would the philosophy of liberty still apply? I think the answers to these questions are self-evident, but I'll be so kind as to point them out to you, in order: Probably, Certainly not, and No way in hell.

So, why do some Canadians hate Americans? I can't fathom it being because of a dislike for their founding principles, as any idiot can see that Canada's current position relies on the very same premise.

It seems to me that Canadians resent Americans because of some recent foreign-affairs conflicts (Vietnam War, Iraq Wars I and II). Admittedly, even I'm not proud of those decisions. But those do not condone denouncing the entire country, along with its history and influence on the world.

It was America who mainstreamed the idea of Liberty. It was America who gave us the idea of a codified Bill of Rights. It was America who provided us with the advent of an officially secular state. You may not agree with the current political climate, but do not use that to dismiss the entire country. Instead, work to do something about it. Advancing liberty requires courage and should be encouraged, especially since it's easier to just sit on your ass, complain, and do nothing.

So, if you're unhappy with the US' policies, do something about it. But do NOT simply hate indiscriminately.