An interesting personal account of a transplanted American growing up in Canada. It really illustrates that, despite the many superficial similarities, we are two very different cultures.

Yes we speak a similar language, read the many of the same books (although I doubt many Americans read CanLit), watch the same movies and listen to the same music but at very fundamental levels we are truly different. Take patriotism as an example. I can't begin to count the number of times Americans have told me that Canadians aren't very patriotic. A statement that always amazes me. In the US patriotism seems, at least to this northern neighbour, to consist of flying flags everywhere, America love it or leave it bumper stickers, oaths of allegience, bible thumping and a blind belief in the utter superiority of their culture and politcal machines. In other words, it is a very overt in your face type of patriotism. One that doesn't allow for much reflection on right or wrong. Canadians have a much different approach to patriotism.

Canadian patriotism is a very deep, abiding yet quiet love of country. It is a strong love born out of the history, the hardship of building the country and a desire for peace and social justice. Canadians hold a much different view of role of government. By and large Canadians, even conservative Canadians, view the role of government as a means to social equality which by its very nature requires a more "socialistic" approach to managing society. Canadians don't view government as the enemy, to be held at bay, but instead more like rich relative whose job it is to maintain a strong social safety net for the family. In times of war Canadians have always volunteered to defend their country and their allies at a rate that exceeds (with the exception of Quebec) that of their neighbour to the south and that is a demonstration of the degree of partiotism Canadians feel.

For a fine series of essays on Canada and it's politics see the the 19 part series Democracy in Canada