USA and Canada

I think if the world was like New Zealand it wouldn’t be a bad place. It certainly wouldn’t be perfect but it would be reasonable. We are blessed, slightly isolated, quite new and a simple democratic governmental system. We have excellent resources and an ethic based on human decency.

Our colonial past may have something to do with it. A terrible system that left us little but a legacy of art and literature, a legislative framework and process that recognises the rights of all and promotes (but doesn’t necessarily succeed) fairness.

All in all though with all its faults it is not a bad place to live. 

Sitting here is we do, it is easy to be smug but it gives us the opportunity to compare. In 1776 the USA was born and a democratic experiment began. The colonial oppressor was overthrown and a new and noble nation was born. Next door Canada continued under the oppressive yoke of British colonialism. It is interesting now to compare the two neighbours and ask the question as an outsider where would I prefer to be living.

I have been to both countries but I can’t say that I have spent much time in either. Generalised impressions of both to me suggest Canada is comfortable in its own skin, at peace with its place in the world, polite caring people who have self depreciating sense of humour. The United States seem more concerned with how others see them, are over confident and perplexed why the rest of the world doesn’t appreciate them. 

Enter Donald Trump, a man who calls a spade a spade and a shovel a shovel but seems to lack the wherewithal to be able to tell the difference between the two. He will make America great again and I look forward to seeing it happen. It is a no lose statement, you can great at being good or you can be great at being useless or ordinary. You can be really great at being really, really annoying. 

Some of the decisions made of late seem designed to annoy everybody. Iran, Jerusalem and ramping up pharmacy costs. Just as well America is making friends with North Korea because they would be lonely otherwise.

Speaking of North Korea doesn’t seem odd that it didn’t have a change of heart and stance until after Kim went to China for the first time. I wonder if a little word wasn’t whispered into his shell like ear?

Getting back to Canada wouldn’t it be nicer to be respected and liked instead of being annoying and an object of derision! Maybe not!