I was listening to NPR this morning... the discussion rolled around to how "fear" is a way of controlling people. That started me to thinking about the differences between Canada and the US. (I forget why exactly I made that leap, but I did.) I think I stumbled across an insight this morning. Feel free to disagree with my conclusion... I'm interested to hear your opinion on this.
I should get to my point. I was wondering about one of the fundamental differences between Canadians and Americans... like how Canadians are more socialist (free healthcare, etc), and Americans are more capitalist (the American dream... to become rich). I've been wondering for a long time about why, with so many poor people in the US, they aren't able to pressure the government into things like a better healthcare plan, etc. I realized it has to do with dreams.
The American motto is something like "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", whereas the Canadian motto is something like "peace and good governance". (Boring, yes, which is probably why most Canadians don't know about it.)
My understanding of the "American dream" is that you can come here with nothing, but still become rich and happy. (I know money doesn't buy happiness, but it's not my beliefs here that I'm talking about.) I see so many people that aren't rich, and never will be rich. How can they believe in the American dream? Wouldn't they be so much happier with a more socialist government?
However, there *are* still some success stories. I think this is the key. People see that it *is* still possible, no matter how unlikely.
How does this tie into a dislike of socialism? Let's continue with the health care example.
In Canada, part of our taxes goes towards health care. (No, we don't seem to pay more tax in Canada... I think that's a misconception.) Thus, in Canada, everyone gets the same health care. Unfortunately, the government hasn't been putting quite enough in to health care lately, so the wait times have been annoying. However, if you're sick, there's hope of getting well.
In the US, people pay for their own health care (either directly, or by paying for health insurance). A lot of people can't afford health care. Those people suffer. Those who can afford health care can buy the best that they afford... and thus, those with more money get better treatment. If they were in Canada, they couldn't do that. The rich don't want to pay more taxes for health care (even though it would probably work out to the same or less than what they're currently paying in premiums), because that interferes with their "right" to get as much for themselves as they can. The poor would like health care, but they have the dream of making it rich to sustain them, and they know that when they're finally rich, they want to stay rich, not support the other "bums" out there.
I think maybe that's why Canadians tend to look down on other Canadians who choose to defect to the US... it's like trading your morals for greed.
Of course, a lot of what I've said here has been oversimplified, but it makes sense to me, and I should get back to work. ;) Feel free to rant back what you think about my little epiphany. I reserve the right to decide whether I'll change my mind. ;) Now back to my rigid clusters... I have a great idea for displaying them!
7 comments:
I totally see where you are coming from. I too have dreamed of a health care system "all for one and one for all" style. . . however, being the wide eyed optimistic American that I am:
Americans values have gotten twisted i.e greed and impatience, but the bigger picture of America and what it means and what it can do is mind blowing. In a country where you can succeed beyond expectation comes with it responsibility. Granted, that responsibility is not acted upon as it should be, but the possibility (which is what America really is) is there. The possibility that those that have will see their responsibility and reach out to those who are struggling and give assistance. They will make it possible for those in need to succeed and pursue and realize their dreams. Though it may not always look like we are doing the right thing, the fact remains, that Americans have Choice and in the end isn't that what we all want; the CHOICE to decide for ourselves and not to be TOLD. There in lies freedom and with that freedom comes responsibilies and hopefull one day the vast majority of Americans that have achieved their dreams will also realize they have a duty to help others achieve theirs.
Wow, that totally sounds pie in the sky, but without hope lies darkness and chaos.
This was very eye opening...Thanks Andrea. Sorry I was so long winded.
Welcome & thanks. And you weren't nearly as long-winded as I was. ;)
We have a choice up in Canada too... there are those that want to privatize health care. We choose to elect governments that do not do so.
And there are Americans that do good for others... I know this. ;)
Basically I've been pondering the cultural differences between here & Canada... these aren't obvious differences, but became noticable to me living in this foreign country.
I appreciate your perspective. It's always interesting to have someone else shed light on what you thought you knew.
Thanks~ DAWN
Thank you. It was a bit of an eye-opener for me this morning. Looking at it this way helps me understand a few things that confused me before. I'm not saying I like this system any better, but it's nice to understand where it comes from too. ;)
i have a couple of things to say here .. isnt it true.. that in canada.. you CAN get separate health care insurance that is different than the socialized care for all .. so the rich can get "better" care than the average joe? with that said that makes it not so different than here.. people that cant afford health insurance in this country can get medicaid or some sort of help from our government...dont misunderstand me.. i think the idea of solicized medicine is a great thing.. but implementing such a plan will probably never happen in this country because too many people dont understand the whole concept...
now i have to go on about the life liberty and pursuit of happiness.. no where in there says you have to come to America and "get rich" it says you have the right to live the way you want.. pursue what you want.. and be happy doing it.. i love america and all the choices and freedoms we have.. there is opportunity here that doesnt exist in some parts of the world..
it is an insight to see how "foreigners" view us.. i am not saying America is perfect by any means.. but I dont think I would want to live any where else
Hey 3olives,
You can buy separate health care, but it's still different... everyone gets the same healthcare, but you can pay more for "extras", and there are some things that aren't covered. Things that aren't covered include drugs... prescription and otherwise (but our price controls mean these are cheaper than in the US), dental, optometrists, and I think ambulance visits. (Although my brother had to take an ambulance, and I don't remember him having to pay... but I never asked him about that.) Things you can pay extra for include private rooms at the hospital. There are also some private clinics that charge. Or, if you don't like the wait, you can pay for medical care in the US. So in a way, the rich in Canada also benefit from your health system. ;)
I've been to the hospital several times, and never had to pay. I don't have to pay to go see the doctor. According to the commercials on TV, down here, even if you *have* health insurance, you still have to pay extra for doctor visits and stuff. My student health plan covers the whole cost of doctors visits only if I visit student health. I remember one night here having a *really* bad cold, or something, and was having trouble breathing when I lay down. I propped myself up to sleep, and wondered how bad I should let it get before I went to the hospital. I probably should have gone, but I knew I get charged after regular hours, and I didn't know how much it would cost, and whether I could afford it. It was a scary night. I kept my phone by my bed in case I had to call 911... I had a roommate, but I wasn't sure if I would have been able to call to her in the next room.
I didn't say it said somewhere that people had to go to America to get rich... and the American motto certainly doesn't say that, but that's the understanding I have of what "the American dream" is... and looking at answers.com, it seems that "prosperity" plays a big role in the American dream. People don't have to believe in "the American dream", but it's advertised for the US, but not for Canada. So those wanting to get rich are more likely to look to the US than Canada.
Although "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" isn't the Canadian motto, we still have all that. In fact, I think I feel more free in Canada than I do here... here there's more racism, sexism, whatever-ism. I'm white, so the racism isn't against me personally, but I am female, and I am athiest. There are more religious hard-liners to criticize my beliefs and way of life. When I first came here, I was told by my Jewish roommate that I shouldn't say too loudly that I'm an atheist. Indeed, there are people in the department that I do not speak freely with. It's gotten better recently, but there were several women in my department, *friends*, who were treated differently because they were female... and not in a good way. My race, religion, and sex were never an issue at my undergraduate, or at the graduate school I started at.
And remember... I'm a bit strange... not all foreigners view you this way. But then again, some might. ;)
Thanks for debating with me. :)
Hey 3olives... I remembered last night after I went to bed... there are some differences in how the health care works in different provinces. In Manitoba, we don't pay anything in addition to our taxes. In BC, you have to pay premiums... but a friend worked out his taxes for both provinces, and found out that the difference, for him, at least, was the same as the health care premiums. I'm not sure how it is in other provinces.
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