The Geopolitical Expansion of the Canadian Dream - A Renewed Thought

[dewline]

Every so often, some pundit or other gets it into their noggin that Canada might swallow up, with the informed and pleased consent of the affected populations, some part or another of the current United States. And many of us have, as a matter of course, seen the satirical map of the "United States of Canada" in the wake of the 2004 USA elections.

One of the latest treatises on this subject popped up in the pages of the Toronto Star this past week. Here's the link. Time-limited, it may well be, so read it and save it quickly if you can.

What I'm wondering, if I may, is just how plausible or workable is this currently considered to be? Throw in your thoughts on the desirability of it as well if you like -- some of you are going to do so anyway -- but I'm wondering if the author hasn't misread a few things.

Comments

[mencc1701.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I don't know. It's interesting, to be sure, and well argued, but I have difficulty believing it. I think the author of the article is underestimating the strong belief in federalism that many Ontarians have. Plus, we're 32 million people sitting up here, compared to what? 100 million people, at least, in the Northeast and Pacific states? I know that I, for one, would be very worried about our voice getting lost in the crowd.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Three to one "Newcomers:Original Canadians" ratios...I could see how that gives some of us up here who read such proposals and essays more than a bit of pause on this side of the border.

On the other hand, we may well be talking about people who would already be inclined to share our thinking on a great many issues and willing enough to take a chance on the stuff they remain skeptical about. IF it ever happens, which I still doubt. All we have to do is look at the 2006 election results to see that a lot of things are still "in play" south of the border.

This could yet go in any number of directions.

Back to you...

[mencc1701.livejournal.com]

That's true, but I just can't see it being a marriage of equals, myself. Even in the US North, I find people still tend to believe in America above all else. So while I can see things seeming equal, or us having a strong voice at first, I don't see them staying that way.

Maybe I'm cynical, I don't know, but I think that right now, it couldn't work.

[madlycool.livejournal.com]

We should definitely take northern and eastern Maine, perhaps all of Vermont. And let's get all the French out of Louisiana (Creole and Cajun), and move them up here. Perhaps send some Albertans in return (the ones who think they're wealthy due to their righteousness, rather than geological chance).

[(Anonymous)]

I know there's more than a few Vermonters who'd happily have their citizenship and host-nation traded if it came to that. Not sure yet about Maine, though.

As for the Louisiana angle: are you suggesting a "give Acadia back to the Acadien heirs" scenario here? *raised eyebrow*

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Whups. That was me just now.

Replying anonymously on my own Livejournal! :-(

[madlycool.livejournal.com]

Not literally. Also, the Creoles were never Acadians.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

I recall at least as much, although not knowing as much as I'd like on the topic, I wasn't sure how to comment on the idea. I'd hate to contribute to a forced migration and dislocation in modern times. The karma that would accumulate...

[madlycool.livejournal.com]

Oh, no force, of course.

Another perspective.

[thomasthecat.livejournal.com]

First of all, thanks for adding me to your friends list!

Secondly, I have to say that this is the first time I've ever heard of the notion of an ideologically driven split in the USA to meld with some Canadian provinces. I'm from/living in the Midwestern United States and have center-left political leanings, for the record.

Now, I think this article severely underestimates the national identity expressed and manipulated by any American politician on a federal level. Even from more liberal states a potential senator, congressman, or president would be completely--[i]completely[/i]--unelectable if there was a whiff that he advocated some sort of cessation of territory to any foreign country.

Even politicians that run for office at the state level invest a huge chunk of their campaign budget and media time establishing a "pro-USA" stance. They are always obligated to effusively praise the "idea" of America as she is and her development. No American that I can think of, except for those with far-far-left leanings and no political aspirations, would even [i]consider[/i] dividing the USA into new pockets of comfortable ideological homogeneity.

...Sorry if all that sounded so vehement, but while occasionally a frustrated liberal might grumble something about "moving to Canada" the reason most of them don't is because an underlying sense of national identity is hardwired into Americans at a very early age. I can't see this bit of speculation coming true in the next four or five hundred years.

Re: Another perspective.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

First off: glad to have you here and I'm hoping you'll stick around for a good long while!

Second of all, I share that skepticism. You've covered a fair bit of the ground for why I have my doubts that it's going to happen anytime soon yourself, and some of the Canadians here have already covered their side of the aisle for the reasons why the idea would be rebuffed up here as well.

Still, the idea has some traction among right-wing circles under the cover of "kick the leftist scum Blue-Staters OUT". I wish I could recall the exact URL of the precise think-tank column pushing for an Expulsion of the several "offending" states, off the top. I'll have to dig through my e-mails to see which one it was I mentioned to Gwynne Dyer (http://gwynnedyer.net/) when he was in town a year or two ago for an event organized by the same people who put WritersFest (http://writersfest.com/) on. The suggestion got a good laugh out of him, as I recall.

Re: Another perspective.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Quick correction: I just found that column...

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=5652

Beware of the pop-up windows.

Re: Another perspective.

[thomasthecat.livejournal.com]

I hadn't heard that rhetoric before, but it really doesn't surprise me that there are gasbags trying to catch ears with such extreme silliness.

Needless to say that's just a few people making noise and I seriously doubt anyone could get elected (or stay in office) if they admitted to embracing such a point of view.

It's a good thing to keep in mind that political maps of the United States are intended to show extreme polarity where in fact gradations are present. Even states that traditionally vote "red" or "blue" always have a significant (sometimes 49%) portion of dissenters.

Re: Another perspective.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

*nods affirmatively*

I've seen a few of those "mostly purple" maps where the USA's divvied up by county/voting district as well.