With apologies to Canada

[KT2000]

This past weekend I helped man an environmental booth in a US town directly across the strait from Victoria BC. As it turned out, it was Thanksgiving weekend for Canada so we had many day visitors from Victoria.

A very sweet older couple from Victoria stopped at our booth because the man had been a tug captain for barges that delivered chips to the mill site that was the subject of our booth. I could tell he was proud of the work he did and the transnational aspect of his job. It was soon obvious though that he did not want to talk about the site - he wanted to talk about healthcare.

He explained that his daughter was dealing with a complicated and recurring problem with breast cancer. He wanted me to understand that she was receiving quality and timely care for which she would not be charged. He wanted me to know that he and his wife were able to get supplemental insurance for $90-some for three months coverage for the both of them. He wanted me to know that they used to spend winters in Arizona but had to give that up because they could not afford to purchase US health insurance for the months they were there. He wanted me to know that the attacks on the Canadian healthcare system that have been coming from the US were just not true.

My heart sank when I realized that the hideous attacks on the Canadian healthcare system by our politicians, lobbyists and corporations have become the face of America to some in Canada. I tried to explain that those attacks were coming from the insurance companies and not the American people. I said my hope was that the US would find its heart and provide healthcare for all.

After they left our booth, I felt ashamed for this country. These were decent people who had been maligned by a US corporate PR campaign. In no uncertain terms I was shown that the gutter fighting that has become the norm in American politics, has branched out into foreign policy. It is bad enough that America has shown the world its cold heart in our healthcare debate, but to attack other countries like Canada with lies to discredit their attempt to care for all crosses a line.

When all is said and done in our healthcare debate, I hope someone in our government offers an apology to Canada for allowing lies about their system to be broadcast through our media. I hope in the future, when corporations attack any systems of other countries, they be fact checked before they are allowed to air. I hope when such attacks are found to be false, I hope our government denounces them publicly and immediately. Then, maybe such tactics will stop instead of escalate.

[gateley]

1. I'm hopeful that Canada (and other countries) will see through the RW

bullshit just like they saw through Bush and Cheney. They never blamed us, and I hope they know WE know the truth.

Wonderful story - thanks for posting it.

[JimWis]

2. I agree. Thanks for the story. Well said.

[Canuckistanian]

3. Yeah, we're pissed - but we don't blame ALL Americans

We're pretty well informed about the issues in America and we realize that it's REPUBLICANS and INSURANCE COMPANIES that are spreading these lies about us.

We just get pissed off that we don't see the REAL story on American TV stations, except for Rachel or KO or Jon Stewart.

It's an old problem in America, but we're still shocked to see NEWSCASTERS talking about "months-long waits" to see a doctor and other such bullshit.

We don't think the American government owes us an apology. Republicans and their corporate masters do.

[KT2000]

4. You are right

but believe me - standing eye to eye with an older gentleman who does feel insulted feels really bad. It should have been a republican or insurance executive in my place.
He was kind, did not attack the US, but just wanted me to know the truth.

I do feel that the Democrats have been lax in setting the record straight though. And I do feel that allowing this free for all - not hold barred battle to spill over into our relations with other countries should have been addressed, or rather stopped by our government when it involved lies. Depending upon libel laws to stop this would not be effective.

[Canuckistanian]

7. Well, I have confidence that you explained things to him

And let him know that not EVERYONE in America believes this BS.

After all, you're a DUer!

[KT2000]

9. You bet! n/t

[polly7]

5. I feel pissed when I see the lies all over the web ......

I try, but there are only so many places I can be to try and discredit them!! I'm not quite as pissed as I was when friends who live near the border and have shopped there for years, had their cars keyed and windows broken after Chretien declared 'show us the poof!' before the invasion of Iraq ... and Bushco couldn't supply anything convincing ......... but it's still disheartening to see what we've worked so hard for maligned and unfairly represented this way ........ and that so many are willing to believe it ....... and some very HAPPY to report these lies back to Canadians like some neener neener weenies. I wish people would use their brains. Rant over. Thank you.:) But I know most of us do realize it's the small minority of those in the U.S. who think this way.

[daleo]

6. Canadian right-wingers slag Canada all the time

We realize American right-wingers will lie and run down Canada when it suits their purpose, just like our home grown variety. We hope that non right-wingers don't fall for it, though.

[snagglepuss]

8. The way Americans feel about their flag is the way most Canadians feel about their healthcare.

It defines us as a country. So when this symbol of our country is maligned many of us might feel hurt and/or miffed. However IMO there is a bright side to these smears: Canadians who are uninformed about US private healthcare have gotten alot wiser to the advantages of public healthcare.

snagglepuss
citizen of Canuckistan

[KT2000]

10. Hurt was what I saw

and it really struck me. Canadian healthcare is something to be really proud of.
Thanks for your comments.