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Report: 1/3 of American 8th graders think CANADIANS live under a DICTATORSHIP

by icoachu
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The new axis of evil

source: U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress AKA the Nation's Report Card
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Well, FIRST of all, it IS a canadian paper, so who knows how true it is about this. That is NOTHING against canada, but they may want their system to look better, and may be looking at a lot of the garbage HERE. ADMITTEDLY, I don't think americans are taught much about canadians, and we don't think about it much, but Canadians ARE called the friends to the north, and DO produce some TV/RADIO programming US citizens see, and some canadian products are sold in the US and PROUDLY declared to be canadian. Up to the 80s, Canada was held up as a sort of primary refuge if america became a really bad country. HECK, I had a relative that wanted to fly and the US drafted him as an infantry guy, in WWII! So he decided to become a draft dodger, and went to canada! Was he coward? HECK NO! He flew with the CANADIAN military, became a war hero, and the US was one government proud to give him a medal, as a US PILOT! It makes you wonder if canada didn't play a bigger role in WWII than others might suspect. After all, most that left to evade war probably wouldn't have done much ANYWAY! We only had ONE war with canada apparently, and that was over 200 years ago! I guess it was sort of a draw, with neither side really winning.

    A swath of perhaps 200 miles of the northern US receives a LOT of canadian programming. Some OTHER programs may appear to be US programs but look closely, and you find out they are CANADIAN! And I am sure most US people can relate well.

    AND, though the US is promoted as if it were the one that honored the constitution, and other governments are sometimes looked down upon as if they are SO inferior, Canada is one of the ones that is considered to be one of the better ones. BTW by "SO inferior", I am NOT saying ANYTHING about the people, or that the government is BAD.

    STILL, it is ODD how people misunderstand things! An australian video once spoke of what thongs means in the US. That is a PARTIAL NEW PERVERTED meaning! The OLD meaning(STILL above the other) is/was the SAME as the australian one! And a canadian video spoke of how milk is sold there. In the US, for larger users/like cafeterias, they do the SAME thing in the US!

    So I am surprised that even 1/3 of 8th graders would think canada is a dictatorship.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    Originally Posted by icoachu View Post

    The new axis of evil

    source: U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress AKA the Nation's Report Card
    1/3rd of American 8th graders really aren't that far off... Canada's a heavily Socialist country, to the point where it can make one's stomach churn.

    Socialism, yuck.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
      Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

      1/3rd of American 8th graders really aren't that far off... Canada's a heavily Socialist country, to the point where it can make one's stomach churn.

      Socialism, yuck.
      Every country in the world uses a mixture of socialism and capitalism.

      Around the world, the most prosperous countries with the highest average standard of living tend to have mixed economic systems with democratically elected governments.

      Mixed economy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

        Every country in the world uses a mixture of socialism and capitalism.




        Mixed economy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
        Well, without the basic idea of capitalism, only the obscenely altruistic and rich countries would EVER routinely supply other countries, and HOW could they have such a surplus? So YEAH, capitalism is a GIVEN! As for socialism, people define it WAY to broadly these days. To take the current definitions, you would have to believe that everything has been socialist everywhere. But THEN, people wouldn't be fighting for the socialist promise. OH, the fights have gone 100% to the GOAL, and ****NEVER**** achieved the promise, but they STILL fight!

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

          Well, without the basic idea of capitalism, only the obscenely altruistic and rich countries would EVER routinely supply other countries, and HOW could they have such a surplus? So YEAH, capitalism is a GIVEN! As for socialism, people define it WAY to broadly these days. To take the current definitions, you would have to believe that everything has been socialist everywhere. But THEN, people wouldn't be fighting for the socialist promise. OH, the fights have gone 100% to the GOAL, and ****NEVER**** achieved the promise, but they STILL fight!

          Steve
          Thanks for the laughs!!!
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          "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

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          • Profile picture of the author seasoned
            Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

            Thanks for the laughs!!!
            YEP, if you relied on such a country, you really wouldn't be laughing, but there WOULD be a lot of laughter! As I said, you should go to russia! They have ALREADY done what you want! HEY, maybe you can simply watch europa europa! It is a drama about a jewish boy that ends up a NAZI, and sees the garbage that happens THERE, ends up defecting to russia, with big hopes, and finds they are really no better! And HEY, it is a true story: Solomon Perel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

            Steve
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            • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
              Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

              YEP, if you relied on such a country, you really wouldn't be laughing, but there WOULD be a lot of laughter! As I said, you should go to russia! They have ALREADY done what you want! HEY, maybe you can simply watch europa europa! It is a drama about a jewish boy that ends up a NAZI, and sees the garbage that happens THERE, ends up defecting to russia, with big hopes, and finds they are really no better! And HEY, it is a true story: Solomon Perel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

              Steve
              First, I laughed because you clearly don't understand what a dictator is.

              And...


              ...you should check out the TV show Continuum since it's about your malevolent strategy of "starve the beast" and more, working to perfection and the governments of the world ceeding total control of all affairs to the large multi-national corporations.

              That will be the net result of your economic philosophy - if it succeeds.

              My analysis of what you believe and want for America is much more in line with your reality than yours is mine - meaning you're more of a corporatist than I'm a socialist.

              Starve the beast - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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              • Profile picture of the author seasoned
                Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

                First, I laughed because you clearly don't understand what a dictator is.
                I certainly DO, but YOU clearly don't! HECK, I recently watched a video about Hitler... MAN, I should have kept the URL to give you now. I heard it, and thought of YOU! Remove ALL the video, ALL references to hitler, and even all references to Germany and history, and it was TELLING! It was downright SCARY! It parallels NOW!!!!!!!! Listen to HITLER telling how he got there. Listen to the NARRATOR talking about it. It reminds one of several of YOUR heros, and about things YOU crow about!

                ...you should check out the TV show Continuum since it's about your malevolent strategy of "starve the beast" and more, working to perfection and the governments of the world ceeding total control of all affairs to the large multi-national corporations.

                That will be the net result of your economic philosophy - if it succeeds.

                My analysis of what you believe and want for America is much more in line with your reality than yours is mine - meaning you're more of a corporatist than I'm a socialist.

                Starve the beast - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
                Actually, what I want has done fine for a LOT of countries. The PROBLEM comes when certain people write certain books, or do something similar. ONE of hitlers TECHNIQUES to get to power, that HE HIMSELF said was key! Was to build resentment against a certain "GROUP OR CLASS". With HIM, he figured he needed the rich, so he went against a certain group that TENDED to be rich. Can you guess who THEY are?

                The video I was talking about on youtube starts with a guy that didn't quite make it through WWI. He was gassed, and in the hospital for much of the time. He joins a small group and, according to the video, RENAMES it NSDAP. He creates a silly failed attempt, gets jailed, WRITES A BOOK, etc... Anyway, listening to some of his older stuff, I can see how he may have RECRUITED MODERATES and even THOSE AGAINST HIS IDEALS. Passionate and SURPRISE, as I called it, he DOES mention the TOV, and inflation. Anyway, the party grows to the tenth largest. To put that in perspective, the US may have over 10 parties and many would struggle to name even FOUR. THEN, TAILORING HIS STORY, it grows to second. He is elected(or is it appointed?) VICE chancellor. And, as the video says, he does a lot of stuff behind hindenbergs(The chancellor) back, etc... He THEN MERGES all the power under ONE TITLE, HIS! BTW hitler was basically the candidate for the underclass(made BIGGER by the ......... ideal expressed by the Treaty of Versailles!)!

                RENAMES? WRITES BOOK? RECRUITED MODERATES and THOSE AGAINST HIS IDEALS? TAILORING STORY? APPOINTED and STABS IN BACK? MERGES UNDER ONE TITLE? CANDIDATE FOR THE UNDERCLASS? GOES AGAINST A SUPPOSEDLY COMMON FOE HE CREATES? It sounds familiar to ME!

                As for how you and I see each other? I have called SOOOOOOOOOOOO much you have done, and yet you have yet to call one thing outside of what is openly conservative about me.

                Steve
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                • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
                  Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

                  I certainly DO, but YOU clearly don't! HECK, I recently watched a video about Hitler... MAN, I should have kept the URL to give you now. I heard it, and thought of YOU! Remove ALL the video, ALL references to hitler, and even all references to Germany and history, and it was TELLING! It was downright SCARY! It parallels NOW!!!!!!!! Listen to HITLER telling how he got there. Listen to the NARRATOR talking about it. It reminds one of several of YOUR heros, and about things YOU crow about!



                  Actually, what I want has done fine for a LOT of countries. The PROBLEM comes when certain people write certain books, or do something similar. ONE of hitlers TECHNIQUES to get to power, that HE HIMSELF said was key! Was to build resentment against a certain "GROUP OR CLASS". With HIM, he figured he needed the rich, so he went against a certain group that TENDED to be rich. Can you guess who THEY are?

                  The video I was talking about on youtube starts with a guy that didn't quite make it through WWI. He was gassed, and in the hospital for much of the time. He joins a small group and, according to the video, RENAMES it NSDAP. He creates a silly failed attempt, gets jailed, WRITES A BOOK, etc... Anyway, listening to some of his older stuff, I can see how he may have RECRUITED MODERATES and even THOSE AGAINST HIS IDEALS. Passionate and SURPRISE, as I called it, he DOES mention the TOV, and inflation. Anyway, the party grows to the tenth largest. To put that in perspective, the US may have over 10 parties and many would struggle to name even FOUR. THEN, TAILORING HIS STORY, it grows to second. He is elected(or is it appointed?) VICE chancellor. And, as the video says, he does a lot of stuff behind hindenbergs(The chancellor) back, etc... He THEN MERGES all the power under ONE TITLE, HIS! BTW hitler was basically the candidate for the underclass(made BIGGER by the ......... ideal expressed by the Treaty of Versailles!)!

                  RENAMES? WRITES BOOK? RECRUITED MODERATES and THOSE AGAINST HIS IDEALS? TAILORING STORY? APPOINTED and STABS IN BACK? MERGES UNDER ONE TITLE? CANDIDATE FOR THE UNDERCLASS? GOES AGAINST A SUPPOSEDLY COMMON FOE HE CREATES? It sounds familiar to ME!

                  As for how you and I see each other? I have called SOOOOOOOOOOOO much you have done, and yet you have yet to call one thing outside of what is openly conservative about me.

                  Steve
                  All attempts to parallel Hitler's dictatorial powers with any American POTUS are silly, nonsensical, very irresponsible and frankly kooky ...

                  ...only to be entertained by people who more than likely hold other fringe beliefs like yourself and/or professional political operatives who push the crap on the gullible public.

                  You were (and probably still are) also a big supporter of the birther movement.
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      • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
        Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

        Every country in the world uses a mixture of socialism and capitalism.




        Mixed economy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
        Yea, there's a reason for that: That's because Capitalism is what brings in the dough, and Socialism is what allows corrupt politicians to steal that dough. I think you might be under the foolish impression that "because everyone's doing it, it must be the right thing to do"... but I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume that you don't think that way, as only a moron would think that way, and I'm going to guess that you're not a moron.
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        • Profile picture of the author HeySal
          Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

          Yea, there's a reason for that: That's because Capitalism is what brings in the dough, and Socialism is what allows corrupt politicians to steal that dough. I think you might be under the foolish impression that "because everyone's doing it, it must be the right thing to do"... but I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume that you don't think that way, as only a moron would think that way, and I'm going to guess that you're not a moron.
          You're making the assumption that people here know any more about political structures than the 8th graders who think Canada is a dictatorship. People think that because countries have socialized medicine that they are doing well and people get immaculate care.

          Health care wasn't supposed to be socialized here, either. The problem is that it wasn't supposed to be structured into an industrial complex. Now you have people yelling to socialize it without breaking the industrial complex hold on it. LOL. A lot of these people were alive and adult when the Berlin Wall fell and still don't have a clue what happened. They will rail against "communism" and long for "socialism". They don't know that fascism doesn't always have concentration camps and will call you every name in the book if you call the US a fascist state even thought the rule of law no longer is followed and corporations are actually writing legislation. Maybe they'll finally start to get the clue when the TPPC goes through and we all exist under fascism. Maybe people will "get" it by then.
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          Sal
          When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
          Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author icoachu
      Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

      1/3rd of American 8th graders really aren't that far off... Canada's a heavily Socialist country, to the point where it can make one's stomach churn.

      Socialism, yuck.
      Not all socialist countries are dictatorships. In fact, in Europe most are socialist/capitalist hybrids in terms of economic models but DEMOCRATIC in terms of government systems.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by icoachu View Post

        Not all socialist countries are dictatorships. In fact, in Europe most are socialist/capitalist hybrids in terms of economic models but DEMOCRATIC in terms of government systems.
        All SOCIALIST countries ARE! NAZI GERMANY(The full name of the nazi(AKA NSDAP) party, translated DIRECTLY into english, was National SOCIALIST german worker's party!), EAST BERLIN, USSR, CUBA, NORTH KOREA, ETC.... But Canada is not full socialist.

        The Government of Canada (French: Gouvernement du Canada), formally Her Majesty's Government[1][2][3] (French: Gouvernement de Sa Majesté), is the federal democratic administration of Canada, and by a common authority levies taxes to pay for common goods; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council. In both senses, the construct was established at Confederation, through the Constitution Act, 1867, as a federal constitutional monarchy, wherein the Canadian Crown acts as the core, or "the most basic building block,"[4] of its Westminster-style parliamentary democracy.[5] The Crown is thus the foundation of the executive (the Cabinet, a committee of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada), legislative (the Parliament of Canada), and judicial (various federal courts) branches of the Canadian government.[6][7][8] Further elements of governance are outlined in the rest of the Canadian constitution, which includes written statutes, court rulings, and unwritten conventions developed over centuries.[9]
        QUEEN? DEMOCRATIC? CONFEDERATION? CONSTITUTION? PARLIAMENT? yep, NOT FULL SOCIALIST!

        Socialism is a social and economic system characterised by social ownership of the means of production and co-operative management of the economy,[1][2] as well as a political theory and movement that aims at the establishment of such a system.[3][4] "Social ownership" may refer to cooperative enterprises, common ownership, state ownership, citizen ownership of equity, or any combination of these.[5] There are many varieties of socialism and there is no single definition encapsulating all of them.[6] They differ in the type of social ownership they advocate, the degree to which they rely on markets or planning, how management is to be organised within productive institutions, and the role of the state in constructing socialism.[7]
        READ BETWEEN THE LINES! SOCIALISM means a common party, THE GOVERNMENT, OWNS "PRODUCTION, MANAGEMENT, and the ECONOMY". IN OTHER WORDS, a DICTATORSHIP! Yeah, it all STARTS with the idea of some group being "THE ENEMY", the idea that all are equal in EVERYTHING, a "revolution", and then most end up worse off. As for equality, there are a LOT of things I could never do, and I realize that. They have to do with LOTS of things. HECK, you may have seen the talent shows. What do YOU think of the people that are ANGRY, turned down because they are NOT talented, and them saying that they are the most talented EVER? Socialism STARTS with such people!

        And in canada, probably most companies, INCLUDING those helping the government, are private. It is the same with many others. With SOCIALIST countries? Look at how East Germany treated Katrina Witt! She was beloved by the populace, a star, an ambassador, and STILL they restricted her, limited her, spied on her, etc....

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post



          SOCIALISM means a common party, THE GOVERNMENT, OWNS "PRODUCTION, MANAGEMENT, and the ECONOMY". IN OTHER WORDS, a DICTATORSHIP!
          Wrong. Read the definition you just posted:

          "Social ownership" may refer to cooperative enterprises, common ownership, state ownership, citizen ownership of equity, or any combination of these.[5] There are many varieties of socialism and there is no single definition encapsulating all of them.[6] They differ in the type of social ownership they advocate, the degree to which they rely on markets or planning, how management is to be organised within productive institutions, and the role of the state in constructing socialism.
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    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
      Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

      Canada's a heavily Socialist country, to the point where it can make one's stomach churn
      Your stomach is churning on misinformation apparently. Have you heard of the Heritage Foundation, Cam? It is a very conservative think tank. Ex senator Jim Demint is the President and Steve Forbes is board member. They are not big fans of "heavily socialist" countries. One of the more interesting things they have done is come up with an Index of Economic Freedom for 178 countries. North Korea is ranked #178. Cuba is 177. Now, those really are heavily socialistic countries.

      Where does Canada rank? #6.

      Just because they have universal health care doesn't make them a heavily socialistic country. They are a great example of what I posted earlier, a very prosperous mixed economy, that the Heritage Foundation considers very free.

      By the way, the top five countries on that list all have some form of universal healthcare.

      Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom
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      • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
        Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

        Your stomach is churning on misinformation apparently. Have you heard of the Heritage Foundation, Cam? It is a very conservative think tank. Ex senator Jim Demint is the President and Steve Forbes is board member. They are not big fans of "heavily socialist" countries. One of the more interesting things they have done is come up with an Index of Economic Freedom for 178 countries. North Korea is ranked #178. Cuba is 177. Now, those really are heavily socialistic countries.

        Where does Canada rank? #6.

        Just because they have universal health care doesn't make them a heavily socialistic country. They are a great example of what I posted earlier, a very prosperous mixed economy, that the Heritage Foundation considers very free.

        By the way, the top five countries on that list all have some form of universal healthcare.

        Country Rankings: World & Global Economy Rankings on Economic Freedom
        I'm a rational person... so big names and their "findings" don't really impress me. I'm only impressed by logic..

        And yes, they're free in general, though if they decide to not pay into Universal Healthcare, what happens? Eventually, people with guns come to their house to force them into a cage. I'm not sure our (America's) founding fathers would've considered that "freedom".
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        • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
          Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

          I'm a rational person... so big names and their "findings" don't really impress me. I'm only impressed by logic..

          And yes, they're free in general, though if they decide to not pay into Universal Healthcare, what happens? Eventually, people with guns come to their house to force them into a cage. I'm not sure our (America's) founding fathers would've considered that "freedom".
          Well, hopefully you will take a look at that index and use some logic next time before saying something silly. Just trying to help ya. By the way, our founders were not big on freedom for all since many were slave owners. Lol
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          • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
            Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

            Well, hopefully you will take a look at that index and use some logic next time before saying something silly. Just trying to help ya. By the way, our founders were not big on freedom for all since many were slave owners. Lol
            They were extremely big on freedom. Yes, many were slave owners, but slaves were governed by a very different set of rules. You should be more respectful of other cultures, past and present.

            And I question the index itself... why does it have any merit?

            Because it was created by those "experts" you mention?
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            • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
              Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

              They were extremely big on freedom. Yes, many were slave owners, but slaves were governed by a very different set of rules.
              What does that even mean? Yeah, the slaves were "governed" by a very different set of rules. "You work to you drop or you get whiped. Plus, you have children, we own them and can sell them for a few bucks" Very different rules.
              should be more respectful of other cultures, past and present.
              What cultures are you talking about? The culture of owning slaves? I don’t respect anyone who owns or owned slaves. Past or present. Especially those who owned hundreds who make lofty statements about freedom.
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              • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
                Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

                What does that even mean? Yeah, the slaves were "governed" by a very different set of rules. "You work to you drop or you get whiped. Plus, you have children, we own them and can sell them for a few bucks" Very different rules.
                What cultures are you talking about? The culture of owning slaves? I don't respect anyone who owns or owned slaves. Past or present. Especially those who owned hundreds who make lofty statements about freedom.
                Dude, I don't care that a few of them owned slaves, the founding fathers were the definition of freedom. They're the reason that MOST countries around the world (including the U.S) are free today.

                They demanded freedom... slaves weren't considered a part of that equation, because that was their culture... It's easy to take the moral high-ground and crap on it now, because you, like most people in our culture, have been brainwashed by the media, and think that your beliefs are uniquely yours... they're not.
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                • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
                  Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

                  Dude, I don't care that a few of them owned slaves, the founding fathers were the definition of freedom. They're the reason that MOST countries around the world (including the U.S) are free today.

                  They demanded freedom... slaves weren't considered a part of that equation, because that was their culture... It's easy to take the moral high-ground and crap on it now, because you, like most people in our culture, have been brainwashed by the media, and think that your beliefs are uniquely yours... they're not.
                  Yes, slave owners are the definition of freedom ( it's their culture) and I've been brainwashed by the evil media to think slavery is bad and slave owners are not admirable people. Lol. Too funny.

                  By the way, it wasn't just a few who owned slaves. Of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention about half owned slaves.
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                  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
                    Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

                    Yes, slave owners are the definition of freedom ( it's their culture) and I've been brainwashed by the evil media to think slavery is bad and slave owners are not admirable people. Lol. Too funny.

                    By the way, it wasn't just a few who owned slaves. Of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention about half owned slaves.
                    They wanted freedom for their own people, slaves weren't included in that. Just because they owned slaves, you think you have a complete ad hominem that allows you to disregard their complete love of freedom? Give me a break.
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                    • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
                      Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

                      They wanted freedom for their own people, slaves weren't included in that. Just because they owned slaves, you think you have a complete ad hominem that allows you to disregard their complete love of freedom? Give me a break.
                      Do you know how absurd you sound?
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                      • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
                        Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

                        Do you know how absurd you sound?
                        That was a very rational point...

                        What's next? "My daddy can beat up your daddy?"
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                        • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
                          "Just because they owned slaves, you think you have a complete ad hominem that allows you to disregard their complete love of freedom?"

                          Yes. And thanks for the laugh. smh
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                          • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
                            Originally Posted by TimPhelan View Post

                            "Just because they owned slaves, you think you have a complete ad hominem that allows you to disregard their complete love of freedom?"

                            Yes. And thanks for the laugh. smh
                            And thanks for regurgitating the same beliefs which I could've just as easily had puked on me by turning on CNN...

                            -Cam
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            • Profile picture of the author seasoned
              Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

              They were extremely big on freedom. Yes, many were slave owners, but slaves were governed by a very different set of rules. You should be more respectful of other cultures, past and present.

              And I question the index itself... why does it have any merit?

              Because it was created by those "experts" you mention?
              I saw an index on INTELLIGENCE that said things like "DO YOU BELIEVE IN GW!?!?!?"! If you said YES, you were judged to be smarter. If you said no, you were judged to be DUMBER! NEVERMIND that a lot of sheep will say YES, even if they don't know what GW means. And it isn't a valid question ANYWAY!

              I saw ANOTHER thing judging areas by things like number of libraries and restaurants. Even if they were decent questions, which they WEREN'T, they didn't take into account quality or need. ALSO, their counts were WRONG! It is like presidential polls where a NO to a question like "Do you think we should have gone into IRAQ?" may be expressed as meaning that they believe AL GORE should have been president!

              So YEAH, a lot of these things are DUMB! Still, Canada seems like a nice country, and the people seem nice. STILL, as for health care, it is NOT perfect! There are CONCIERGE doctors there catering to the NON wealthy! AND a number of them at least USED to come to the US for some health care!

              As for slaves? I wonder how many were REALLY slaves! How many were treated OK? At least half the nation was AGAINST slavery! And Ben Franklin? He actually had HIS slaves set free. A number of others did also. Benjamin Franklin . Citizen Ben . Abolitionist | PBS

              But it is always the evil that is noticed. How many know about the GOOD that Danny Thomas did? Even TODAY, though he is DEAD, his daughter is supporting the organization DANNY created, and it is saving MANY lives ALL THE TIME! They pioneered things that have helped OTHERS! I am not in their demographic! I have NEVER met Danny, TTBOM, I NEVER met Marlo(his daughter). I don't believe I have EVER had ANY of their products. I liked their shows though. BOTH were actors. Yet Danny may have saved my life! WHY? Because an organization HE built pioneered the heart valve! Still, that is just one TINY thing that ties back to him. NOW, how many remember HITLER?

              And YEAH, americans having guns kept everyone from speaking german, and a few peoples from being wiped out. But nobody remembers that. The one guy killing a few people in a school, or a few people in a theater, they WILL remember!

              Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

      1/3rd of American 8th graders really aren't that far off... Canada's a heavily Socialist country, to the point where it can make one's stomach churn.

      Socialism, yuck.
      I'm trying to envision what kind of bubble you live in to believe such stuff. Where did pick up that fictional tid-bit? Do you actually know anything about Canada at all? Canada is not "socialist" LOL Do you even know what socialism is, apart from a bogeyman word people throw around to turn off brain activity?
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  • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
    Banned
    Well the 'Dictator' is none other than Obama.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

      Well the 'Dictator' is none other than Obama.
      In all fairness to the current President, beyond simple community organization efforts, he lacks real-world experience or strength of character to hold a position as "Dictator".

      His mass appeal to entitlement-assholes along with his willingness to forfeit the constitution in order to promote an ideology does qualify his position as talking-head of the current Socialist Democratic party.


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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

        In all fairness to the current President, beyond simple community organization efforts, he lacks real-world experience or strength of character to hold a position as "Dictator".
        WAIT A SECOND! You think Hitler, the NK guy, castro, etc.... have strength of character in order to be dictator? That is a laugh. HECK, most dictators INHERIT it or, control certain types of groups through enticements. Ever notice?

        His mass appeal to entitlement-assholes along with his willingness to forfeit the constitution in order to promote an ideology does qualify his position as talking-head of the current Socialist Democratic party.
        WHY is a lot of that true? I DID say enticements! Did you notice how the same thing is at work HERE?
        The constitution is, by its nature, *****AGAINST***** such enticements, SO, OF COURSE, they want to TRASH IT!

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
          I left a response that no longer seems to be here...

          Anyway, there is some difference between quality of character and strength of character.


          Joe Mobley


          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

          WAIT A SECOND! You think Hitler, the NK guy, castro, etc.... have strength of character in order to be dictator? That is a laugh. HECK, most dictators INHERIT it or, control certain types of groups through enticements. Ever notice?



          WHY is a lot of that true? I DID say enticements! Did you notice how the same thing is at work HERE?
          The constitution is, by its nature, *****AGAINST***** such enticements, SO, OF COURSE, they want to TRASH IT!

          Steve
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          • Profile picture of the author TimPhelan
            Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

            I left a response that no longer seems to be here...

            Anyway, there is some difference between quality of character and strength of character.


            Joe Mobley

            I almost gave a thanks to Seasoned for pointing out your ridiculous claim that dictators have a strength of character. Then I read his next paragraph... :/
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    LOL. It is hilarious how some American perceive Canada. Here's the thing: Canada has a far smaller population and history than the United States, so Americans getting their knickers into a sweaty and antsy twist over what Canadians do, can relax. What works in Canada probably wouldn't work in countries such as the United States and its de facto Communist owner China, with far larger populations, different cultural context, etc.

    News Flash: Canada is the United States friend. Is China?

    "In total, China owns about 8 percent of publicly held U.S. debt. Of all the holders of U.S. debt China is the third-largest, behind only the Social Security Trust Fund's holdings of nearly $3 trillion and the Federal Reserve's nearly $2 trillion holdings in Treasury investments, purchased as part of its quantitative easing program to boost the economy."

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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

      LOL. It is hilarious how some American perceive Canada. Here's the thing: Canada has a far smaller population and history than the United States, so Americans getting their knickers into a sweaty and antsy twist over what Canadians do, can relax. What works in Canada probably wouldn't work in countries such as the United States and its de facto Communist owner China, with far larger populations, different cultural context, etc.

      News Flash: Canada is the United States friend. Is China?

      "In total, China owns about 8 percent of publicly held U.S. debt. Of all the holders of U.S. debt China is the third-largest, behind only the Social Security Trust Fund's holdings of nearly $3 trillion and the Federal Reserve's nearly $2 trillion holdings in Treasury investments, purchased as part of its quantitative easing program to boost the economy."

      U S Debt To China Surges $12 Billion In One Month, Hits Record $1 3 Trillion Stuart Varney YouT - YouTube

      Hate to break it to you, but most NORMAL Americans think of Canada hardly at all, much less get in a twist about it. In fact, generally speaking, they are seen as those polite neighbors to the north. And are generally well liked by us clueless Americans (at least the people I know)
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      • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        Hate to break it to you, but most NORMAL Americans think of Canada hardly at all, much less get in a twist about it. In fact, generally speaking, they are seen as those polite neighbors to the north. And are generally well liked by us clueless Americans (at least the people I know)
        Yes, I rarely think of Canada or Canadians, but have generally positive feelings towards our brothers and sisters in the north. They generally seem (to me) like polite, kind, decent people... and aside from those traits, their not much different than Americans, lol.

        -Cam
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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        Hate to break it to you, but most NORMAL Americans think of Canada hardly at all, much less get in a twist about it. In fact, generally speaking, they are seen as those polite neighbors to the north. And are generally well liked by us clueless Americans (at least the people I know)
        Right? I don't know anyone who doesn't like Canadians. Their gov is going the same direction as ours is, unfortunately. I'm kinda wondering if people don't have more personal freedom up there than we have left, though.
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        • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
          Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

          Right? I don't know anyone who doesn't like Canadians.

          Their gov is going the same direction as ours is, unfortunately. I'm kinda wondering if people don't have more personal freedom up there than we have left, though.
          Since you've never denied being a member of the Sovereign Citizen movement - that does not believe in the concept of the U.S.A. (among other things), I don't think you should be using the term we and us when referring to the people of the U.S.

          Them and theirs would be much more appropriate.

          Sovereign citizen movement - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

          I've given you multiple opportunities to deny you're a part of that movement - and you've declined.

          I'm giving you another opportunity now.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    I don't care.
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      I don't care.
      Not caring is one thing. Ignorance is another, if you know what I mean.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron C Farrow
    Just read through the posts on this thread and at the risk of being accused of an interfering old worlder you all really need to get a grip of your shared history. Quote " We only had one war 200 years ago". Maybe so but Canada was a Dominion of the British Empire up until the 20th Century so technically at war with the States during the "misunderstanding" of 1812.
    Furthermore Confederate raiders holed up in Canada and attacked Northern border states at will. At the turn of the 20th Century the US tacitly supported the Fenians who crossed the border at Niagra to murder, burn and loot farms and settlements in Southern Ontario until BRITISH troops marched down from their base at Toronto kill those that resisted and hang the rest.

    As for who saved who from speaking German, Canada's contribution during both world wars was way ahead of other participating nations as a proportion of its population.

    On the subject of Canadian politics it has tended to mirror those of its European roots rather than of its nearest neighbour.

    Having spent time in both countries it surprises me not that so many 8th graders think as they do. The US is very inward looking and not really that interested in anything beyond its borders. The Canadians I met and worked with viewed American ignorance of their history, culture, even climate with mild amusement.

    All in all its good to hear that by and large Canadians are viewed with affection by their neighbours today.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
      Originally Posted by Ron C Farrow View Post

      The Canadians I met and worked with viewed American ignorance of their history, culture, even climate with mild amusement

      You mean there's more to know about Canadians than that they all love donuts and are afraid of the dark?
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      • Profile picture of the author icoachu
        Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

        You mean there's more to know about Canadians than that they all love donuts and are afraid of the dark?
        Or that they pronounce "ABOUT" AH-BOOT?
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        • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
          Originally Posted by icoachu View Post

          Or that they pronounce "ABOUT" AH-BOOT?
          no they don't - only those with Scottish heritage do.
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      • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
        Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

        You mean there's more to know about Canadians than that they all love donuts and are afraid of the dark?
        Canadians are weirdly fond of donuts, namely at Tim Hortons. Why? I don't know (I was actually born in Mexico). Afraid of the dark?
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        • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
          Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

          Canadians are weirdly fond of donuts, namely at Tim Hortons. Why? I don't know (I was actually born in Mexico). Afraid of the dark?

          The whole post was a "How I Met Your Mother" reference.


          Not the best clip explaining the reference, but the best I could find quickly:


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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      Originally Posted by Ron C Farrow View Post

      As for who saved who from speaking German, Canada's contribution during both world wars was way ahead of other participating nations as a proportion of its population.

      On the subject of Canadian politics it has tended to mirror those of its European roots rather than of its nearest neighbour.
      thank you for your post! Europeans shaped our country, Canada. My parents came over in the 1950s. Most of my friends from high school were of European descent, mainly Italian, Polish, and Lithuanian.


      My only comment about the 8th graders' knowledge about Canada is this: I don't blame the kids - I blame the educational systems in both the USA and Canada who are deliberately dumbing down our children. They are not being taught properly, imho. It is quite sad.
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      • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
        Originally Posted by Karen Blundell View Post

        thank you for your post! Europeans shaped our country, Canada. My parents came over in the 1950s. Most of my friends from high school were of European descent, mainly Italian, Polish, and Lithuanian.


        My only comment about the 8th graders' knowledge about Canada is this: I don't blame the kids - I blame the educational systems in both the USA and Canada who are deliberately dumbing down our children. They are not being taught properly, imho. It is quite sad.
        I would think it is more the responsibility of the parent than the education system. I'm not sure depending on the education system was ever a viable way for a child to gain knowledge. Mark Twain didn't think so. He said, "'I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." tt certainly wasn't when I was a child. I was actually once punished for contradicting a teacher who had asserted that the Maya had no written language.

        I encourage my son, 5, to pursue his own inquisitiveness. Mostly that means NOT saying, "Stop asking so many questions" but simply admitting when I don't know something and looking it up with him. His knowledge is growing exponentially. Recently, he's been discussing how dinosaurs never went extinct. They're just called "birds" nowadays. He pointed out that bats are closely related to primates, but actually appeared on earth before monkeys did. He wondered if monkeys possibly evolved from bats. I don't think so, but I found that to be a cool line of questioning. He picked up the word "evolved" on his own. School will doubtless intrude upon his educational path.
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        • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
          Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

          I would think it is more the responsibility of the parent than the education system. I'm not sure depending on the education system was ever a viable way for a child to gain knowledge. Mark Twain didn't think so. He said, "'I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." tt certainly wasn't when I was a child. I was actually once punished for contradicting a teacher who had asserted that the Maya had no written language.

          I encourage my son, 5, to pursue his own inquisitiveness. Mostly that means NOT saying, "Stop asking so many questions" but simply admitting when I don't know something and looking it up with him. His knowledge is growing exponentially. Recently, he's been discussing how dinosaurs never went extinct. They're just called "birds" nowadays. He pointed out that bats are closely related to primates, but actually appeared on earth before monkeys did. He wondered if monkeys possibly evolved from bats. I don't think so, but I found that to be a cool line of questioning. He picked up the word "evolved" on his own. School will doubtless intrude upon his educational path.

          the Internet has made it possible for children to get a much better education at home than at school, no doubt. So I do agree that schools may become detrimental to many children's educational path if they are not properly monitored by their parents.

          Unfortunately we live in an age where most of the time, both parents have to work and often don't have time to spend on educating their kids beyond what they are being taught at school.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
    Report: 1/3 of American 8th graders think CANADIANS live under a DICTATORSHIP
    That's okay. Most Americans still think we live in a Republic...

    We don't.


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  • Profile picture of the author GforceSage
    Originally Posted by icoachu View Post

    The new axis of evil

    source: U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress AKA the Nation’s Report Card

    1/3 of the 8th graders that happened to have been asked, answered that way.

    If you go to the inner city or places where we have lots of newcomers or students who have limited access to news outside where they live, then you will get a limited view of the world.

    How many 8th graders even fully understand what a dictatorship is if their school district is more History concentrated in High School and has somewhat limited coverage in Middle School? There is a variance.

    Depending on which 8th graders you ask, you can skew the poll anyway you want. We know there are a lot of ignorant kids and adults out there.
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by GforceSage View Post

      1/3 of the 8th graders that happened to have been asked, answered that way.

      If you go to the inner city or places where we have lots of newcomers or students who have limited access to news outside where they live, then you will get a limited view of the world.

      How many 8th graders even fully understand what a dictatorship is if their school district is more History concentrated in High School and has somewhat limited coverage in Middle School? There is a variance.

      Depending on which 8th graders you ask, you can skew the poll anyway you want. We know there are a lot of ignorant kids and adults out there.
      I KNEW IT!!!!!!! THIS IS BUNK!!!!! THIS IS GARBAGE! In that article, GForceSage linked to:

      Asked on a national standardized test what the current governments of the three countries have in common, 23 per cent of the 29,000 teens tested chose “they have leaders with absolute power” from the four options available. Another 10 per cent chose “they are controlled by the military” while 12 per cent picked “they discourage participation by citizens in public affairs.”
      OK, FIRST of all, national standardized test? WHICH ONE!?!?!? I don't believe I heard of ANY! They speak of "U.S. National Assessment of Educational Progress". Apparently THEY have a bunch of SURVEYS where they try to assess level.

      SECOND, they ADMIT they are LYING! You mean to tell me there are ONLY 29,000 teens, or even 8th graders in the US? DOUBT IT! 8th graders are about 13 years old. The USA CIA FACT book says that about 62 million people are 14 or younger. Assuming even distribution, in 2013, over 4 MILLION kids were in 8th grade! To give you an idea of the coverage, that means that about 283 were 64 or younger. The CIA page says it is about 274.34. So things are pretty close. So they tested less than 0.725% of those they originally claimed to have tested!

      THIRD, they say this asked a VAGUE question about "WHAT THE THREE GOVERNMENTS HAVE IN COMMON"!

      FOURTH, ********WHICH THREE********?

      FIFTH, they ask VAGUE questions about THREE things!

      SIXTH, they TWIST that to THEIR agenda!

      So those students may simply have picked ANY answer! SOME may have picked RANDOMLY! On most tests, a blank is a ZERO, but a correct answer improves the score. So it is better to mark ANY answer!

      OK, let me answer these three questions for the US.....

      1. they have leaders with absolute power? YEP! Congress is even passing laws against the constitution and is unchecked. When congress and the current pres were the same party, they voted as ONE! Taxes go up, freedom goes down! CHECK!
      2. they discourage participation by citizens in public affairs. CHECK! HECK, say a wrong word at the airport, and you could get ARRESTED! Land on the white house lawn, you can be arrested! Ask a question in a PTA meeting, you can be arrested! Stand up on a plane within 30 minutes of Ronald Reagan airport, and you could be arrested! You can effectively FORGET about the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th,9th, and 10th amendments! CHECK! Did you know that the whitehouse used to be an open area to a STREET that allowed you to take a tour of much of it if you wanted? TODAY, it is barred, with a security guard in front, the street is shut down, and you can't go in unless it is preplanned as a group! https://www.whitehouse.gov/about/tours-and-events
      3. they are controlled by the military. OK, there is one that is not quite there yet, but who knows how the kids were treated, etc.... They don't say WHERE the kids were because they are trying to make one believe this is the WHOLE COUNTRY! HEY, the military CAN DRAFT! Military like agencies ARE controlling traffic, and spying!

      BTW, for the US, constitution limits power is obviously not the correct answer since it is so often false!


      MORE EXCLUSIONS?

      SEVEN: Only 23 per cent of teens scored at or above proficient on the civics portion of the test in 2014, from which that question was drawn; only 18 per cent did the same for U.S. history.

      OK, so they CHERRY PICKED!

      Do Americans know little about Canada? PROBABLY! I don't believe they covered that much when I was in school, but I wasn't blind, and Canada isn't much different from what I thought it was. THEY can easily come to the US, and people in the US can easily go there. And MOST Canadians here kind of blend in. HECK, look at Hollywood stars, or Disney stars. There are a number that are Canadian, and you may never know it. And they don't leave Canada, so you know it can't be THAT bad.

      Steve
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