I think the most important thing to be said here is that Canadians blow our problems completely out of proportions, (AKA the parroting on this thread of "Harper's a dick, so we're no different from the U.S.") and the debate, on the rare occasions we have one, is far different than in the U.S.
My jaw literally drops when I see what passes for politics in the U.S. (Disclaimer, the following may be unintentionally offensive and not mention Canadian ills, but that just how I roll my D20.)
Debates over genetically modified food? Whether or not global warming is caused by humans? Whether or not creationism is true? Should the "other side of the debate" (evolution, global warming) be taught in schools? Debate over the morality of homosexuality or abortion? You might have a columnist who has to pump something out once a week write about the morality of abortion once or twice in their career, but I am pleased to report that these debates are effectively non-existent here.
Right not we're debating how best to provide adequate housing for our first nations people, and what we can do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. I think if you really want to understand a country, see what they're talking about, what they have talked about, and when they've talked about it. My fellow Canadians will be modest and with laid back patriotism to excess, but when we look at what goes on in the U.S., we all shake our heads collectively. Someone saying she would rather have Hitler then that socialist-facist Obama?
As for being gay, (sorry, bisexual with a strong preference for males. Don't worry about it, the concept of homosexuality is only 1 or 2 centuries old anyway, don't fit yourself into one of those "sexuality" categories) anyone who sayes something which might sound even remotely like an anti-gay slur is torn to ribbons by the media and society in general.
Another thing I will mention is how I see differences of opinion expressed in the U.S. (picked up from media, Americans commenting on their country's politics) is an extremely us versus them, good versus evil level of ideological division. I've noticed (as a black and white, good versus evil, hardline ideologue myself) that people place a lot of importance on expressing ones opinion in a civilised and respectful manner. Being able to shake hands and smile after a fierce debate is a well regarded quality. What I see in the U.S. is almost a war of different ideologies, many of them believing themselves to be exclusively in the right.
If you don't like people being able to carry guns with themselves at all time, come to Canada. I find it deeply disturbing how much Americans seem to think they need a gun, and even more the belief that "a gun on the wall is a man's instrument of freedom" or whatever. I don't think we will all be safer if we all have guns, I believe the Canadian state can be trusted to have a monopoly on the means of coercion.
Something I don't like about the U.S. is the irrational fear of government. It really can't be that bad. If you don't like what it does, vote for someone else.
Ok, I'm tired, have a final on Monday, time to stop typing. The previous was probably poorly organised with poor grammer, just off the cuff stuff.
