What Canadians think of America
Put simply, we’re in mourning.
It’s difficult to explain how Canadians have always viewed the United States. Pierre Trudeau, father of our current prime minister, once described it as being like a mouse next to an elephant. Me, I picture us as a family. We’re the younger sibling, nice, sweet, inoffensive, but massively outshone by America: the older sibling who’s school valedictorian, cheerleader captain/quarterback and homecoming king/queen, fabulous, loved, able to achieve anything. We couldn’t hate that older sibling, we couldn’t even feel envy (at least not much) — we could only look on and say “wow.”
Sadly, however, and to continue the metaphor, that blessed, fantastic older sibling has fallen victim to a disastrous mental illness of some kind. We can’t smirk, we can’t laugh, we just feel sad. We’re left wondering how the hell something so awful could happen to someone so wonderful.
That, I think, is how Canadians see America.
We Canadians know you folks very well. We’ve always watched your TV and movies, listened to your music, read your history, and followed your politics more closely than even our own. We’ve experienced generations of brain drain as our best and brightest headed south to make it big.
Don’t ever think we look down on Americans, because we don’t. Yes, in the past we were a bit smug because we had universal health care and less crime, but that smugness is fading away. Truth is, it’s impossible not to look at the US and feel a sense of horror.
Even the most basic functioning of governance appears to be falling apart; incompetence seems rampant; meanness, cruelty and permanent outrage have swept away hope and ambition. Society itself seems to be cracking.
We’ve always loved Hollywood, and tons of Canadians have found careers there over the years. Now? #MeToo and allegations of widespread pedophilia. Washington was the informal capital of the planet, but now seems to have fallen into a nightmare pit of pointless partisan fury. Everywhere we look we see anger, conflict, and outright murder on a scale that boggles the mind.
The worst part is that it doesn’t seem to be a passing fad. We outsiders look on and can’t see a way out. We have no help to offer, no advice to give. Our magnificent older sibling has falling into madness.
It’s impossible to feel smug about it. We can’t feel superior. It’s just too sad, too awful. We love Americans. We always have. You folks are fun, outgoing, brash. When you see something you consider wrong you stand up and fight it. We’re much more mild, much more don’t-rock-the-boat, much more apologetic. We want the best for you. We hope you figure it out.
Get well soon, America. Because as we look on and weep, and still cling to hope for your future, we can’t help but ask one terrifying question.
Are we next?
