Confused Canadians

Josh Claybourn has posted on the Alan Gregg comments and Maclean's poll. He summarizes with this,

Perhaps the problem is that Canada has looked to the U.S. for its identity for much too long, and since Sept. 11 Americans have been talking more and more about the values that define us - freedom, diversity, and hard working capitalism. Perhaps, in all this talk, Canadians felt left out and confused. What, exactly, defines a Canadian? Sadly, rather than carve their own niche, they're turning more into Europeans - not exactly a unique path.

Despite the fact that Canada has never embraces the vocal and extroverted patriotism that the United States has, it has developed a strong and unique identity of its own that is unique of both the United States and of Europe. We have managed to combine strong economic growth (out performing the US economy while maintaining a high level of social services and balanced budgets), free markets, and a social safety net that allows people left behind to catch back up again. Of course a country with the same population of California would be influenced by its neighbor to the south. At the same time as Americans define their values, Canada is also seeing their values more clearly as well... and they are different then American values.

I have never liked the labels like "naive socialism" as they assume a common context and foundation. I was watching Crossfire tonight as Ann Coulter retreated to a position of labelling Tucker Carlson and James Carville again and again. It makes for funny television but really doesn't advance any debate. As hard as it is for some to understand, Canadian can be socialist and capitalist at the same time. The government and the markets can co-exist and help each other and its residents. A government can be left and right at the same time and be branded as both or neither and take a path that is different than the United States and still be doing the right thing.