I am Canadian

[Bernardo de La Paz]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the General Discussion forum).

I am Canadian

It is now one year to the 2020 election and I would like to be clear about something I have not spoken about here before. I am Canadian, a Canadian citizen. Because of recent foreign interference in 2016 I want to avoid even the appearance of something I have no part in.

I lived for many years in California and loved it, and began posting on DU while there. Now I live in Nova Scotia and love it. I never took out US citizenship. Canada is a good country to be a citizen of.

In Canada, I have voted Liberal in every election I could since I feel their governance and policies are progressive but more measured than the New Democrats or the Greens. All except for my first vote which was for a woman, way back when. She won.

The Democratic Underground is a wonderful place to hang out. Without trying to be flashy, our site creators and admins have made it run very smoothly and solidly. Of all the sites I post in, and even of all the sites I visit, DU has the highest ratio of civility compared to the rancorous environment around it.

It is kinda Canadian that way. Thank you for having me.

I support Elizabeth Warren. In a field of strongly intelligent candidates she is anyone's equal in that department. I think she has some innovative proposals and has the skills to make some of it happen, in a tough political environment.

2020 is an election year when, because of self-inflicted wounds, the GOP is unlikely to win the Presidency. Therefore, Democrats should choose a candidate that represents their views and vision without regard to "electability". With the party united behind them, and a lot of hard work, any of the top tier of 5 or 7 candidates can win. Simply being not-tRump might lose. Now is the time to go with forward looking vision.

I have changed my avatar for now (couldn't find the Trudeau one) but might change it back in a year because I have always admired Mark Twain's incisive wit.

Be of good courage, Americans. The progressive, liberal, Democratic majority in the United States of America is on the right side of history. America will never be perfect but it will be better. I love you.

[Hekate]

1. Thank you, Bernardo

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. You are very welcome

[leftieNanner]

2. Some days lately

I wish that I were Canadian too.

Thanks for your good thoughts, your kind words, and your always interesting posts.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Your words are kind too. Thanks!

[Karadeniz]

3. Thanks for the shout-out! Good to touch base with one of the nice people up north!❤

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Glad to be a part of it!

[roamer65]

4. Some parts of the US are more "Canadian" than others.

For the most part, DU is one of them.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. True dat!

[roamer65]

55. NY, New England, Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest are very similar to Canada.

Seattle feels like its part of BC, literally.

[bdamomma]

5. Thank you Bernardo

you can post us anytime you wish. Love Canada, my daughters are up there in University.

Yes we hit a low, but we will rise.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. Rise you shall, personally and nationally.

[marble falls]

11. Just for you ...

[Bernardo de La Paz]

17. Brought a smile to me!

[marble falls]

49. Remember back in the good old comedy days when rapier wit was more common than a knife attack?

There were a lot of parody versions but the original Molson's ad (Molson's is highly under rated here in Texas) might even have been the best.

I worked in Montreal on contract over a couple of years and I remember a news article about an American GI who got arrested at the Underground and he blamed it on the weak beer he drinks in the US, that the Molson's just plain got away from him.

[trof]

12. And I envy you.

I wish I were Canadian.
I didn't feel that way until I witnessed the slow motion train wreck that was the 2000 election 'result' in Florida.

That's when I lost all faith in my country, it's politics, and the supreme court.
Obama was a nice respite but he was hamstrung by the repug dominated (for the most part) congress.

I like your form of government.
To me it seems to be much more fair than ours.
Minority parties can be heard from in parliament.

If I weren't so damn old I'd be considering a move.

Je me souviens

[Bernardo de La Paz]

18. There are strong headwinds, but I hope we all never forget there is much that can and will be better

[trof]

24. Spoken like a true Canadian.

[Left-over]

30. My wife and I have even discussed Canada.

Like you, I am retired and the wife is nearing her retirement. If we were younger the adventure would be on. We live in rural Virginia where 80% of the voters have turned their backs on our ancestors and vote for the corporate rulers. The gop.

[safeinOhio]

13. Thanks for being here.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

19. You too. The Dalai Lama is an inspiration.

[babylonsister]

14. Aww, thanks for writing this.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. Well, shucks, you're a great poster on DU! Thanks

[blm]

28. baby_sis is as awesome as it gets

((BdLP))

[defacto7]

15. I'm always happy to hear opinions from the North.

That reminds me of my favorite CBC radio documentary, "The Idea of North".

[Bernardo de La Paz]

21. Ah. There is a great radio show in evenings here called "Ideas". Wide ranging.

[defacto7]

23. I'll give it a listen!

[FM123]

16. Thanks for all the love!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

22. It's been earned, the old fashioned way, which is new again!

[genxlib]

25. Nova Scotia is a beautiful place

My wife's family is from there and she still has relatives around.

I work for a big Canadian company. I am secretly hoping they will transfer me there someday.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

33. Don't let it be a secret within your company. Much beauty in the US.

[Vinca]

26. Nice post. My husband was born in Antigonish.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

34. I hope you visit NS from time to time. Thanks.

[peacefreak2.0]

27. I was in Halifax a couple of weeks ago.

The kindness of the Haligonians always blows me away. One of my favorite places because of its people. We could learn a lot from our neighbors.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

35. Good folk here. I wish I could combine American entrepreneurism with Canadian culture.

[Raftergirl]

29. I live in Upstate NY and we go

to both Montreal and Toronto several times a year. I always feel like I’m at peace when I’m there - having escaped our national nightmare - even if only for a wee bit.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

36. Yup. We have our problems but we also have good ways, peaceful ways.

[Chuuurles]

45. I just wanna sat

I am also Canadian and for some reason two tears ran down my cheek as I read your post. Really feel for you down there right now, I have always admired America.

[yuiyoshida]

31. I am native Hawaiian...

Aloha...(And Japanese, Gokigenyo!)

Born in San Francisco!...
I don't eat Rice a Roni...but Appreciate Tony Bennett

[Bernardo de La Paz]

32. I fell deeper in love in Hawaii, kind of a pre-honeymoon! Mahalo & Arigato gozaimasu

[yuiyoshida]

37. dou itashimashite!

どういたしまして。

[Corgigal]

38. Good for you.

While I support Pete Buttigeig , I will vote for whoever is on the ticket.

However, if Trump wins again, Canada sounds nice. Our retirement funds travel with us.

Hopefully, without disrespect, I hope to never be your neighbor.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

40. You are my neighbor on Earth. But like you, I wish for you to live where you want in peace.

[bucolic_frolic]

39. I have a couple what were I assume Tories in my ancestry

Apparently both their parents with tots in their arms fled Massachusetts colony pre-Revolution 1760s, and they weathered it all in Liverpool, Queens Colony, Nova Scotia. That branch returned to the US 2 generations later in the midst of the Civil War.

Enjoy your posts BDLP, almost sounds like you're going on hiatus. Can't blame you if that's true, nothing much is going to change until Election 2020.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

42. Thanks. I expect to be posting as robustly as ever!

[bucolic_frolic]

47. That's good news, you're a vital cog in the daily wheel here

DU is educating generations on issues, political thought, strategy. All need to keep pulling this train

[chia]

41. I love you too!

What a great post. Thank you.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

43. Kind words. You are welcome!

[Richluu]

44. Thanks we love you too!

And your beautiful country. Thanks for setting such a good example for us!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

63. You are welcome!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

46. Thanks for your important participation in DU, Bernardo.

Diversity is very important to DU and having input from other parts of the planet helps keep us informed, our heads straight and our minds open.

KY................ ...........

[Bernardo de La Paz]

64. I'm a strong supporter of diversity too. It is a strength. Thanks

[paleotn]

48. Howdy, Nova Scotia!

We're 1.5 hours from the Quebec border. My wife spent a month in Halifax two summers ago and loved it. When I could get away from work, I spent 3 days with her there and loved it too. Amazing....people actually stop and let you cross the street. I never could get use to that. In the back of my mind I kept thinking...it was a trap...and they'd floor it as soon as I was in the middle of the road.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

66. It is a trap! To get you to come back! You are welcome

[George II]

50. I am Canadian, too. Even though I was born in NYC, due to a law passed in 1947...

....(I was born in 1948) since my mother was Canadian I have Canadian citizenship, too.

I've been traveling to Toronto since I was a little boy to visit family (I've probably seen Niagara Falls 30+ times!). I'm reminded each time how nice the people are in Toronto, and so much happier than many Americans.

One year I was up there the week before the National Election. I was shocked at how civil the campaigns were, nothing like we have down here. The candidates discussed issues and their positions, they didn't get into the character attacks like American campaigns do.

I'm envious of you. Had I known of my Canadian citizenship back then, there's a good chance I would have moved there when I was much younger. Alas, it's late in my life and moving is out of the question. But I'll never pass up a chance to visit!

[tclambert]

51. You talk like Canada is a foreign country. I've been to Canada. It's less foreign than Texas.

There are grown-up men in Texas, businessmen, who wear cowboy hats, cowboy boots, string ties, rodeo-size belt buckles, and have silver tips on their shirt collars, in other words, all dressed up like cowboys, yet they've never ridden a horse.

The most foreign thing about Canada is they have poutine rather than chili cheese fries.

[FakeNoose]

52. Thanks for being up-front with us

I'm sure that nobody on DU would ever question your integrity or intentions. Also ... I'm glad you haven't given up on us. We'll need lots of help from our northern friends when it's time to sort this out.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

53. oh, yeah? prove it: say something in Canadian.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

54. ❤️ 🇨🇦

[luvtheGWN]

56. I gathered you were a fellow Canuck from some of your posts, Bernardo!

I've never lived in the US (but did live in England many years ago). Where I live now, I can see Fort Niagara in Youngstown NY from my back deck. But after the election in 2016, I vowed never to cross the Niagara River until that "thing" is no longer in the White House.

I don't know any Canadians who think he deserves to be President, but perhaps it's because I only know good and decent and kind people! I listen to and support the local NPR station (Buffalo), not just because I enjoy the programming but also because I'm fearful that it might one day be axed by the philistines.

I have many friends and relatives who are American. ALL the friends are Democrat; sadly some of the relatives are not. One can only hope they will see the light sooner rather than later.

Bernardo is absolutely right: this site is a super comfy place to hang out. I'm so glad you let me in.

[Susan Calvin]

57. Spacebaw [sic], prof.

[IronLionZion]

58. Have you registered as a foreign agent?

Trump will claim you're proof of foreign influence helping Democrats!

[pnwmom]

59. I love Canada and Canadians.

Thanks for caring, and for the encouragement. We need all we can get!

[amuse bouche]

60. Awww..so sweet

I have some Canadian Snow Bird clients and love them to pieces

[BobTheSubgenius]

61. Me too, paysan...

...except I'm on the other coast. I love living here, and I love DU as well.

Cheers!

[crickets]

62. Thanks, Bernardo!

It's lovely to hear such kind and encouraging words from a neighbor up North.

[Omaha Steve]

65. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

Per the decisions and instructions of the DU Admins, all OP's regarding Democratic candidates for the Party's nomination for President are to be posted in the Democratic Primaries Forum. Please post your OP there. Thanks