Reply #50: Of Broad Brushes and anti-Americanism

[outinforce]

"This ain't the US. Not that there are not "wings" to our politics, just that they aren't the 18th century wings that the US has preserved. We're part of the modern world. We're actually engaged in the politics of that world, where someone other than the big rich white guys get a little bit of a voice in what goes on, and there are actual issues of concern to ordinary people on the table."

I confess that I don't know much about Canadian politics. That is why I (wisely, in my own view) refrain from speaking about the Canadian system.

But I simply cannot let this comment of yours, iverglas, pass without comment.

Your comment reveals not only a profound ignorance of the United States, but also what could be considered a jealous hatred for the country on your southern border.

The US is not, as you seem to think, mired in a political system that preserves 18th century wings of politics. LIke it or not, most Americans occupy the center of politics. The job of our two major parties is to try to persuade the center to vote for our party.

And to suggest that the United States is not engaged in the politics of the world is, well, just plain silly. The United States tried isolation in the 1920's and 1930's, and it (among other things) brought the world Adolph Hitler and the horrors of WWII. We are engaged in world politics -- not in the way in which you or I might like, but we are engaged.

You are justifiably proud of your country. Fine. But please do not belittle the United States with silly statements that only reveal your profound lack of knowwledge about how things are down here.