[Marcarc]

I don't even know that I belong here, because as it currently stands I am not a canadian sovereigntist, and know enough history to know that the 'nostalgic' vision of canada never existed. I also grew up by a reservation and know full well how racist many canadians are, and still see it in the media with things like Burnt Church. <br /> As I've said elsewhere I ran for municipal council with a platform of direct democracy and will again in two years. Currently I am working on an environmental website and a documentary on Switzerland (which has a system of direct democracy-and SEVEN presidents!) When the next election comes around I plan on making sure every person in the ward knows about direct democracy and how easy it is for them to get involved. At that point it really is off my shoulders, since a person can only do so much. However, I will run provincially and federally after that, simply because many people may not feel municipal politics are worth their vote (only about 30% do). Since I'm not a people person I'm getting it out of my system while we're stuck here in southern ontario for the next six years or so (my wife has a dream job); then I can say I've done my part before we move to northern ontario, get a farm, build off the grid and be self sufficient. I know, that's kind of selfish right?

[Kory Yamashita]

Marcarc, Welcome to Vive le Canada. <br /> <br />It looks like you have your life all planned out. Hopefully you can squeeze a little time into your schedule to share your experiences and the fruits of your labour (website, documentary) with fellow Vive Members & Guests. <br /> <br />And if you're of the belief that you have some of the answers but not ALL of the answers, please continue to work with us here on Vive. We welcome new perspectives and new ideas. <br /> <br />You'll notice a lot of differing viewpoints on these boards, so it's sometimes difficult for us to reach agreement on some issues. Often we 'agree to disagree'. But if you have insights to help bridge the gaps in perspective, please share. Or if you have a perspective you want others to consider, we welcome that too! <br /> <br />

[Perturbed]

[QUOTE BY= Marcarc] I don't even know that I belong here, because as it currently stands I am not a canadian sovereigntist, and know enough history to know that the 'nostalgic' vision of canada never existed. I also grew up by a reservation and know full well how racist many canadians are, and still see it in the media with things like Burnt Church. <br /> As I've said elsewhere I ran for municipal council with a platform of direct democracy and will again in two years. Currently I am working on an environmental website and a documentary on Switzerland (which has a system of direct democracy-and SEVEN presidents!) When the next election comes around I plan on making sure every person in the ward knows about direct democracy and how easy it is for them to get involved. At that point it really is off my shoulders, since a person can only do so much. However, I will run provincially and federally after that, simply because many people may not feel municipal politics are worth their vote (only about 30% do). Since I'm not a people person I'm getting it out of my system while we're stuck here in southern ontario for the next six years or so (my wife has a dream job); then I can say I've done my part before we move to northern ontario, get a farm, build off the grid and be self sufficient. I know, that's kind of selfish right?[/QUOTE] <br /> <br /> <br />You could say nostalgia is false in every country--big deal, let's make better myths.

[Marcarc]

We don't need myths. I personally prefer to build a better reality than to make up myths.

[Macdonald/Borden]

I started REALLY caring at about the age of 12 during the 1999 Ontario provincial election when the teachers were on strike and were playing Dalton McGuinty's speeches over the PA system trying to brainwash us and even pulled a fire drill to force us all outside, our local newspaper came, took a picture and said that we were out there in solidarity against Mike Harris. Im not a huge fan of Mike Harris, but I think it was those acts of abuse that sparked my political activeness. <br /> <br />About then I became a rebel and I've never looked back! <br /> <br /> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/cool.gif' alt='Cool'>

[merlin]

As for myself,i was 3 years old it's parental influences that got me involved, i grew up in political offices my father was a big election organiser in my neighborhood (municipal,provincial and federal elections)every couple of years i had my birthday party in an electoral office. after my father lost his last election (he worked for sen.Joyal) i stopped working elections until Turner came around. I became even more concern with the faith of Canada after 9/11 and most recently with the invasion of Irak by bush, then i saw <a href="http://www.unitednorthamerica.org/"> this website</a> that was the final drop in the bucket for me, i had to get more involved in stopping this to happen, i've always been a federalist and always will be, i love my Canada and nobody's gonna change that! <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/smile.gif' alt='Smile'>

[whelan costen]

Merlin, welcome to vive...and thank you so much for the link. That is the most blatant and scary site I have ever seen, I cannot believe a Canadian could ever develop such a site and sleep at night! I really was so naive as to think it was just the corporate led politicians that wanted to sell us out, but now I see...and what I see is not pretty! <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mad.gif' alt='Angry'>

[whelan costen]

Merlin I just went back to have another look at that site, http://www.unitednorthamerica.org/, sorry I don't know how to make he link like yours, but everybody should take a look at what this site is saying and especially the comments. I note that they are not posting any readers comments recieved after Feb 2004, I wonder why? <br /> <br /> This person really believes and is promoting that Canada become part of the U.S., that each province would act as a state, with the ability to rule, on gun laws, language laws etc, noting that the U.S. doesn't have an official language. He points out that the U.S. will have this great advantage of our resources, few people, but more of a tax base, and that we will have less taxes to pay. Total b.s. but now I am off topic, so think I'll start another post to discuss this further! It is so shocking to me, really, even after all this time on vive.

[Dino]

When I go on that website united northamerica I reminds me why the NDP NEEDS to come to power. Most people in this country need to wake up! But before this upcoming election there needs to be some way to educate people so that they don't vote conservative or liberal.<br /> <br /> I started really caring about this country after I read Mel Hurtigs book " The Vanishing country." If only every Canadian was forced to read the book the Liberals and conservatives would be kicked out of office since they are the biggest sellouts of Canada.<br /> <br /> I wonder how people get elected into office and get to stay there so long when they have no love for this country at all. The liberals are constantly like " National Unity!!!" Whenever they say that I think it's bulls**t because if they really cared about national unity then they would realize they have to stop intergrating english Canada with the United States and let us be a country where the people get to shape how this country turns our NOT the Capitalists and Corporations who are destroying everything in this country!

[Spud]

Dino that is the problem.Nobody wants to wake up!We on Vive are a minority,a token minority!The public does not care!We can scream and yap and get 'active' all we want.The public does not give a rats ass to hell and back about this country,deep integration,medicare or anything else.Canadian interests are;suv`s,wallmart,tv,cell phones,looking important while talking on a cell phone,fast food.<br /> Sorry,but that is the way it is.<br /> Bush,Martin and their business pals are going to succeed at the corporate takover of Canada because the public will not stand up.They know the public is docile and lazy.More reality tv keeps them that way.If I was in the position to do the same I would and so would you.If people are that stupid they do not deserve better.<br /> We always get the government we deserve.Always!<br /> We have not had good government in over 30 years.The freaking public still votes for the same idiots!!!!!!!<br /> That should show you how stupid the public is!<br /> How can anyone believe the public wants to be part of the democratic process,when the public shows they don`t? <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/evil.gif' alt='Evil'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/twisted.gif' alt='Twisted Evil'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/confused.gif' alt='Confused'> <br /> When did I start caring?Long time ago.Do I care now?<br /> I am not sure.I see so much wrong,and so few willing to do anything to change it.Ever try getting someone involved?Get someone to view this site?In all reality I think this country is finished.We don`t even have 2 years left.Bolivia cares.Which means that life is too good here for our own good.How can a third world country care more than Canada?Perhaps the people are smarter?

[Perturbed]

[QUOTE BY= Marcarc] We don't need myths. I personally prefer to build a better reality than to make up myths. [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> Yeah me too, but the "two founding nations" thing would be a good thing for federalism, rather than all 100 cultures are equal.

[Perturbed]

[QUOTE BY= Spud] Dino that is the problem.Nobody wants to wake up!We on Vive are a minority,a token minority!The public does not care!We can scream and yap and get 'active' all we want.The public does not give a rats ass to hell and back about this country,deep integration,medicare or anything else.Canadian interests are;suv`s,wallmart,tv,cell phones,looking important while talking on a cell phone,fast food.<br /> Sorry,but that is the way it is.<br /> Bush,Martin and their business pals are going to succeed at the corporate takover of Canada because the public will not stand up.They know the public is docile and lazy.More reality tv keeps them that way.If I was in the position to do the same I would and so would you.If people are that stupid they do not deserve better.<br /> We always get the government we deserve.Always!<br /> We have not had good government in over 30 years.The freaking public still votes for the same idiots!!!!!!!<br /> That should show you how stupid the public is!<br /> How can anyone believe the public wants to be part of the democratic process,when the public shows they don`t? <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/evil.gif' alt='Evil'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/twisted.gif' alt='Twisted Evil'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/confused.gif' alt='Confused'> <br /> When did I start caring?Long time ago.Do I care now?<br /> I am not sure.I see so much wrong,and so few willing to do anything to change it.Ever try getting someone involved?Get someone to view this site?In all reality I think this country is finished.We don`t even have 2 years left.Bolivia cares.Which means that life is too good here for our own good.How can a third world country care more than Canada?Perhaps the people are smarter? [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> <br /> No, it is because Bolivians are poor as hell.

[whelan costen]

You have to remember that in order to care, you have to know what is happening. I don't believe that the majority of Canadians simply don't care, as a blanket statement. I think they don't care because they have been smothered into a sleepy daze and we have to wake them up, but you won't do it by saying, hey you are all stupid, I know and you don't because you are lazy and stupid! Nobody will listen to that kind of approach, I know I wouldn't. Before I started paying attention, I would have thought somebody paranoid and nuts, if they told me what I believe today. You can't attack people, you have to educate them, give them a bit of information and let them find the rest themselves, just like most of us did, then people will start caring. <br /> <br /> Remember we are working against, many decades of propaganda, big money, media and mind lulling techniques, it's in our education system, and everywhere. We are also working against fear, and very tired people, who work all day and try to pay their bills, raise their kids, feed their kids, and really this stuff is work, hard work to find real answers and many simply don't have the time. Some are afraid of finding out, they are afraid of consequences like getting arrested. Really there are many factors involved and I think we need to be aware of what we are up against, and try to find solutions. <br /> <br /> So I think the approach has to be slow, not too slow, or find a way to expose the whole thing, with concrete evidence that will shock them into action. Either way, we can't insult people into caring, with an attitude of arrogance, because really, they are victims and so are we. My opinion for what it's worth. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/smile.gif' alt='Smile'>

[Spud]

Well.I don`t know. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/confused.gif' alt='Confused'> <br /> Talking to some is liking talking to rocks,just that rocks are smarter <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/cry.gif' alt='Cry'> <br /> By the time the masses get educated....well...... <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/eek.gif' alt='Eek!'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/neutral.gif' alt='Neutral'> <br /> Canada will be a fading memory. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/frown.gif' alt='Frown'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/rolleyes.gif' alt='Rolling Eyes'> <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/question.gif' alt='Question'>

[paulMartin]

I started to care back in 1987 when I left Québec and lived 1 year in Canada, (Victoria, BC). I found what Canada was all about and became a separatist.<br />