Quote:
Originally Posted by ***Mr D***
I would like to hear you view on this matter.
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Stating that the idea of a political union in North America is a crock of horse manure is a view .... but to expand: it is ironic that I am talking about the notion of a political union in North America on the day that new regulations about border crossing come into effect. As of today (June 1), I now need a passport to cross into the US. Crap ideas like this arise from fundamental misunderstandings about what Canada is ... (I have to admit that I find much that is confusing in the nature of how politics works in GB, particularly in relation to the EU, so misunderstandings are common). One cannot assume that Canada is a stable, homogenous entity. There are more tensions pulling us apart than you can shake a stick at. The ongoing debates in Quebec about opting out of Confederation. Western separatism. Economic inequities. The list goes on. However, the last thing that Canadians want is a closer political relationship with the US. Prime Ministers who took us too close to America have always suffered at the polls ... one political party, the Progressive Conservatives, a party that had held power many times since Confederation, was anihilated. The US is our friend, our ally, and our neighbour; and there are many instances of co-operation: NAFTA and NORAD come to mind; but even with NAFTA there have been many problems, the softwood lumber crisis comest to mind, which have resulted in acrimonious debate and mini trade wars. Since 9-11, the issues surrounding border security have given rise to heightened degrees of co-operation concerning the world's largest undefended frontier. For example, Canadian Coastguard vessels now have a US Coastguard serving on them, and vice-versa. This means that smugglers etc. cannot avoid a Canadian Coastguard ship by sailing into US waters (and of course vice-versa). A couple of years ago, when the USAF had to ground many of it's fighters because of mechanical problems, RCAF CF 18 interceptors flew defensive patrols over Alaska and the American West Coast ... but stuff like this is not a drift towards Union, merely the activities of friends and neighbours. I'm going to have to stop this ramble because the topic is really too complicated for simplistic answers ... Canada is an independent nation and is proud of that independece. And if you look closely (and to do that you have to shovel away a lot of BS) you will see more differeces between the two great North American democracies than you will see similarities.