National pride is a good thing. All around the world, love of one’s country has been a staple of good citizenship. Except, of course, in 21st century America, where national pride is synonymous with arrogance.
Watching the opening weekend of the Winter Olympic Games has been like watching one long infomercial for Canada. Oh, the majestic mountains and icy lakes. Tom Brokaw, who left Canada to come to the United States where he became a multi-millionaire, managed to work in a snarky comment about Canada having a more solid economic foundation than California.
I can’t help but wonder: If Canada is so great, why doesn’t anyone live there? Canada is larger than the U.S., but its population is 1/10 ours. Why are Mexicans passing through the US on their way to Canada? Why are refugees from all over the world flocking to our northern neighbor to overcrowd their national health care system?
Don’t get me wrong. I want to state clearly that I like Canada. They’ve been a good neighbor and partner to us for many years. But let’s not forget that they are the junior partner. Canada is the Robin to our Batman, the Tonto to our Lone Ranger. To paraphrase the great philosopher Chris Tucker: The US is Michael Jackson; Canada is Tito.
So, why is it perfectly acceptable, nay, encouraged, for any other country to boast, but not for the US? Is it just because we have the most to boast about? Our First Lady has stated publicly that she has NEVER been proud of her country until her husband became the Democratic nominee for president! What a shameful disgrace that is. Yet we accept her stance because she’s black, and the rest of us just can’t understand the hardships that an educated, filthy rich black woman has to go through.
Canada, by all means you should enjoy your moment in the spotlight. I don’t begrudge you one bit for bragging on your landscape, your people, and your economy. Even though I think it is weird that your official head of state is the Queen of another country, I accept your for who you are. Just remember that we’ve got bragging rights, too.
