[tritium]

The US has the most powerful military in the world, is home to some of the largest corporations on the planet, has a strong economy and has huge political influence.

Yet the the US goverment and many of it's citizen's seem to be so fearful. For example, the US has the largest armed population on the planet.

Compare this to their Canadian cousins, which has a much smaller economy, military force and international political influence.

Why has this apparent insecurity come about, and is it justified?

Has Canada/US relations suffered because of this insecurity?

Is the United States becoming a Big Brother society, monitoring it's citizens movements, telephone conversations, financials... and will Canada follow?

[sasquatch2]

Switzerland is the most militarized population and the most heavilly armed civil population on earth. It's armed neutrality (paranoia if you prefer) has guaranteed it's independance since it separated violent from the Hapsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1848. It has also managed to maintain neutrality since 1848.

[tritium]

Great so you agree that both The United States and Switzerland is paranoid. ;O)

[BartSimpson]

Yes, the USA is paranoid. We have no actual enemies.

[BartSimpson]

Everyone loves us. Especially Canadians like Streaker and Swedes like OPP.

[xerxes]

What's the fourth picture from Bart? I recognise the first three.

[canuckns]

xerxes xerxes:

What's the fourth picture from Bart? I recognise the first three.

I believe the 4th is of the Iran Hostage crisis in 79.

[BartSimpson]

canuckns canuckns:

xerxes xerxes:

What's the fourth picture from Bart? I recognise the first three.

I believe the 4th is of the Iran Hostage crisis in 79.

Bingo!

[xerxes]

Ah. Thank you.

[stokes]

Americans are paranoid because since the war of 1812 no one that has attacked the US has declared war first.

WWI - A ship full of Americans was torpedoed
WWII - Sneak Attack by the Japanese (Pearl Harbour)
WOT - Sneak attack by Al Quaida

having said that, if the world would ignore the US, the US would ignore the world. The ignorant have created this monster and now this monster cant be stopped!

[sandorski]

Yes, the US is largely paranoid, but it is of their own doing. It flares up worse from time to time. 9/11 was one such flare up, fortunately that is beginning to subside.

Not sure how the Swiss got thrown into this discussion. The Swiss may be heavily armed, but they are not paranoid by any stretch. They have few if any enemies. Largely due to their Neutral position in the grand scheme of things. The US is the exact Opposite and is why the US has so many enemies.

[tritium]

Gee it's not like all this paranoia (posted photos above) has not been brought on by the United States uncanny ability to be sticking it's nose in everyone else's business and occupying nations that don't want them there??

[Reverend Blair]

Well, since there's a picture of the hostage crisis up in this thread, why not have a look at the USA's history in Iran, Halo? Do you think destroying their attempts at starting a democracy and backing a dictator might have had a little something to do with what came later?

[sandorski]

Reverend Blair Reverend Blair:

Well, since there's a picture of the hostage crisis up in this thread, why not have a look at the USA's history in Iran, Halo? Do you think destroying their attempts at starting a democracy and backing a dictator might have had a little something to do with what came later?

Nah. One morning the Iranians realized Americans were "Free" and just decided to attack their embassy. That's all you need to know, because up until that time America had made Iran a paradise!