America...thoughts

[Ian]

Why do so many people give a shit about what happens in the US, anyway? It's none of your facking business unless you live there. Go away! Shoo! Shoo, now, I say!!!2

Because no one cares about what happens in wherever they are from but themselves
Everyone in the World knows who the American President is, but I bet most Americans have no idea who the president of Canada is

How much does it really matter? Canada has a smaller population than California, but I wouldn't require all Americans to know the name of the governor of California.

Here's a comparison of how the GDPs of the various American states equate to foreign countries:

Trigger Warning!!!1! :

So all you non-Yanks ought to be impressed that there are some of us Merkins who even bother to learn some foreign heads of state. I can probably list more foreign heads of state than US governors. I think some gratitude is in order.

[Coito ergo sum]

I love how the non-Merkins think it's some big deal that they know who the President of the US is, or the premier of China. I mean -- it's one thing to know the heads of state of the largest and most powerful countries. I wonder how many Ozzies know who the President of Brazil or Estonia is, or whether the average Ozzie or Yerpeein can list more foreign heads of state than a 'merkin. It's probably close.

[Animavore]

I don't even know who the king of Ireland is

[Red Celt]

It's funny, the folks from Yerup and Oz that talk about how bad it is in the US seem to be the ones who have never been here. The folks that actually come here, my experience is almost all of them are quite pleasantly surprised by what it is like.

I've been to New York, Philadelphia, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. America is a shithole (I'd say "shit hole" but, like applesauce, you seem to like to forget about spaces now and again).

Ah, but I jest. No, it isn't really a shit hole. Many of the people are as likable/horrible as in any other country in the world. It is the actions of the U.S. government (in their foreign policies, mainly) which makes people see the place in a negative light. Similarly, I'm sure that there's plenty of Israelis that I'd like just fine - but their government? Nah.

[Coito ergo sum]

Ah, but I jest. No, it isn't really a shit hole. Many of the people are as likable/horrible as in any other country in the world. It is the actions of the U.S. government (in their foreign policies, mainly) which makes people see the place in a negative light.

A bit funny coming from a denizen of the UK.

[Jason]

The US sucks. The only good thing about it is that it is dying. A slow, lingering, death, but inexorable. I expect the US to collapse by 2050.

[Bella Fortuna]

Ahhh, one big happy family here, as ever.

[Coito ergo sum]

The US sucks. The only good thing about it is that it is dying. A slow, lingering, death, but inexorable. I expect the US to collapse by 2050.

If we go, Canada goes with us. If the US is a sinking ship, Canada is the ballroom on the Titanic.

[Ian]

The US sucks. The only good thing about it is that it is dying. A slow, lingering, death, but inexorable. I expect the US to collapse by 2050.

If the US ever shits the bed, Canada will play the role of the mattress.

[Jason]

Not really. We've been shifting our trade agreements away from the US for some time now. Much our oil will be exported to China in the next ten years, much of our softwood already is. We actually lose money by selling you the electricity to power California. There would be no loss. Besides, we have huge oil reserves. You do not.

[Coito ergo sum]

Not really. We've been shifting our trade agreements away from the US for some time now. Much our oil will be exported to China in the next ten years, much of our softwood already is. We actually lose money by selling you the electricity to power California. There would be no loss. Besides, we have huge oil reserves. You do not.

LOL -- shift away! Canada exports about 88% of its exports to the US. The rest of the world divvies up the remaining 12%. Roughly. You've got a lot of shifting to do.

Canada exports more to the State of Michigan, than to the rest of the world combined (except the rest of the US). And, Michigan exports almost as much to Canada as the rest of the world combined (except the rest of the US)

[Ian]

If the world were a prison and all the countries were inmates, Canada would be America's bitch.

Bow down before my awesome powers of analogy.

[Thinking Aloud]

I've been to the US a few times. The bits I saw were lovely.

[Kristie]

I've been to the US a few times. The bits I saw were lovely.

That's exactly what Tigger said. You must've seen similar sights.

[Thinking Aloud]

I've been to the US a few times. The bits I saw were lovely.

That's exactly what Tigger said. You must've seen similar sights.

I believe there were some parallels in our experiences.