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I’ve spent the day thinking about this trending article, which was written by a Canadian. It argues that “rugged individualism” is one of the factors that rendered America incapable of dealing with the pandemic, and it contrasts American and Canadian attitudes in doing so. https://twitter.com/mjblair/status/1292141170999660547
I even ended up talking with my kids about it. Canadians often have trouble articulating what makes us different from Americans. The pandemic, among other issues, has made it clear that the main difference is that we believe in taking care of each other.
To put it another way, we both believe in freedom. But Americans believe in freedom for me, and Canadians believe in freedom for us.
That’s a simplified take, but it speaks to the architectures of our respective systems - and to what freedom really is, and where it comes from.
That’s a simplified take, but it speaks to the architectures of our respective systems - and to what freedom really is, and where it comes from.
When my son and I got tested for COVID-19 at a Toronto hospital two weeks ago, it didn’t cost us anything. I explained to my kids that in the States, we would have had to pay thousands of dollars to get those tests. https://twitter.com/cephira/status/1288862834043035649?s=21 https://twitter.com/cephira/status/1288862834043035649
I explained that the tests are still expensive in Canada, but the government pays for them, using the money we pay in taxes. Not only is that cheaper for everyone...
“...But it means that poor people can get tests too,” my daughter said.
“...But it means that poor people can get tests too,” my daughter said.
Which means that anyone who thinks they might need a test can get one. Which means that we can track and prevent the spread of the virus much more effectively than a country where millions of people can’t afford to get tested - or take time off work if they test positive.
The reason our tests are “free” and theirs cost two grand is because we decided decades ago that our health care system should be based on need, not ability to pay.
And the reason we made that decision, and America didn’t, is because of “freedom for me” versus “freedom for us”.
And the reason we made that decision, and America didn’t, is because of “freedom for me” versus “freedom for us”.
“Freedom for me” means that you can’t make me wear a mask in your store.
“Freedom for us” means we can all go to your store with a relatively low risk of catching COVID-19 (or of being accosted by an adult throwing a tantrum because she was asked to wear a mask).
“Freedom for us” means we can all go to your store with a relatively low risk of catching COVID-19 (or of being accosted by an adult throwing a tantrum because she was asked to wear a mask).
“Freedom for us” is better, more effective, and farther reaching. I like to think it’s what distinguishes us from Americans. It’s certainly a much better standard to aspire to than “Better than America,” which is no standard at all. May it be our identity and our duty alike.
The terrible open secret, by the way, is that whenever America says our systems and solutions “could never work here,” that’s why.
“But we have the Second Amendment.”
No, you have the inability to put an “us” (the lives of children) ahead of a “me” (the wants of gun owners).
“But we have the Second Amendment.”
No, you have the inability to put an “us” (the lives of children) ahead of a “me” (the wants of gun owners).
And again, we as Canadians do need to work on this. We can always do better. In many ways, particularly when it comes to our definition of “us,” we can do a lot better.
