Canada vs. U.S.

 

Canadians are different from Americans if you go by stereotypes. However, stereotypes always hold a grain of truth. 

The difference goes beyond long winters, health care, population sizes and other social measurements of a nation.

One explanation I've heard over the years is that during the American Revolution, those more peaceful, English supporters, migrated north rather than join the revolution. Although I've seen no documentation, conjecture has been made they were a higher class or at least more educated.

Years ago, a Canadian friend pointed out something to me. "Look at your Declaration of Independence. It talks about 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'" 

Not in itself a bad thing. Life is good. Liberty, well that depends on liberty from what and at what price. Pursuit of happiness...well that can be pretty selfish, especially if pursued at the cost of others.

"Now," he said, "In our constitution we talk of 'peace, order, and good government."'

Hmmm. Peace is certainly an admirable goal and order is part of peace. Good government has to be the base for any successful society.

Good government is ephemeral every where. Both the U.S. and Canada have had governments that left much to be desired to those that really worked well for the citizens.

It isn't as a new Canadian citizen that I prefer the idea of peace, order, and good government over life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but if you have the first, the later is easier to obtain.