The Freedom Bank of Georgia

When I heard today that the latest bank to fail in the United States was the Freedom Bank of Georgia, Josh and I decided that we really needed to learn more about the whole idea of "freedom." What does freedom mean to you, individually, as a nation? (to both Canadians and Americans, and well anyone else that finds this!) What does it mean to you in terms of history and at this moment in history? How does a government function in your idea of freedom? Why is the concept so integral to the American identity? Is there a similar component in Canadian identity? Do you feel that you are free?

Debate history

Did you talk about politics and social matters as a family growing up? Do you talk about these things as a family now? What inspired a desire in you to think about the world and care about what is happening in the halls of power? What hang-ups do you have about conversations like these?

Inagural hoopla

No one (ok, no one I know) in Canada cares or watches when our PM gets sworn in. Why is there SUCH a difference? Why all the money every 4 years? There certainly does seem to be a direction change. Is it like this every year?
What is with all the talk surrounding the inauguration? "This couldn't have happened anywhere else!" said by educated people makes me wonder where the line between patriotism and myth is drawn. (Hmm.. if that sounded mean, please don't take it that way! I'm not sure how else to word it.) Why is there all this emotion?
After the election there were so many editorials either hating Obama or thinking he was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Is that because there won't be any chance for change for 4 years? In Canada we (or at least the people I know) go "Oh, well that was disappointing. (no matter who gets in :) ) Well, it won't be long before we're back at the polls." But our PM doesn't seem to have the same power as the US President to change the people of a great majority of the important positions. Although, I must say that with the last few years of Canadian politics, I've been amazed at the powers our PM has exercised outside of Parliament.

Israel

Why?
Why does the US turn a blind eye to what is happening?
Why is Canada suddenly turning it's back on decades of inparitality to fully support (more than any other country) Israel?
Why is Israel so determined to kill so many people? What happened to "an eye for an eye"?

Also, I'm sorry this doesn't sound more impartial, after so many weeks I'm having a hard time not yelling about all of this.

Welfare Systems

A branch from the ""Free" market" debate which now requires much scrolling! :)
What should a welfare system look like?
What should the role of money be in our society?
How does the Protestant Work Ethic play into our views on money and capitalism?

Gay marriage

A branch of the Coalition? No coalition? debate. Who would have ever thought! :)
Hmm... questions: Should gay marriage be allowed? Do we have secular governments? Should churches have to marry gay people? Should government officials have to marry gay people even if it goes against their conscience? How should marriage be recorded by our government? What priviledges should married people receive from the government, if any? And... why is this debate happening now in North America?

Poverty in Canada

Vancouver Sun editorial "We ought to be ashamed" December 19th
I agree with this editorialist's opinion that, while we are doing something, it isn't enough. I have long felt that our priorities are not correct when we have money to fund Olympics and the like, without addressing the more basic issues.
I know this isn't particularily a question, but it fits into a discussion here about socialism and such, but please feel free to comment if you like.

My Dad (in law) wrote a book!

and it's GOOD!
The first four chapters can be read at http://hells-fury.blogspot.com/
If you would like to get the rest, contact him at tciado@gmail.com. The cost is $19.95 Cdn and all profits are being given to support Family Violence shelters and programs.

Public financing of political parties

Good idea? Bad idea? What is it saying to have it or to get rid of it? If this was the Conservative's plan, why was it not part of their election platform or throne speach? What will the implications be for small parties (both possibilities)?

"Free" market

What should be the government's role?

Coalition? No coalition?

Just because we've become used to a regular version of our democracy, do we take that to be what should be done, or do we stick to age-old rules? What is democracy? What is democracy in Canada? What do you think is going to happen? Should happen?

Abortion conversation

Continued from the conversation on HM's blog...

expatriot votes

Ok, Americans...
How do you feel about expatriots voting? I am one, but I have yet to go through all the paperwork that will allow me to vote. I'm not sure it's worth it, especially since I'm not really American, and as you can see, have a lot to learn about Americans. However, it is my right, and rights are a big deal. So... what do you think? Should I vote?

Great Campaign Commercials

Hello all,
I couldn't resist adding my favorite of the election campaign commercials I've seen lately. The Ed one is from the last campaign but it's quite wonderful.
Let me know if you guys find anything that we just all have to see.

it's all in the name...

"Liberal"
What does that term mean?
to Canadians?
to Americans?
How do we see Liberals in each other's country?

There are Republicans and then there are Republicans!

It has come up that there are many different ideologies under the Republican umbrella. For those of you who shelter the rain there, how do you view Bush? Cheney? McCain? Palin? the religious right? the founding principles? the diversity within the party? the party's future?
(This would be the essay portion of the blog! :) )

Food stamps

How does the Food Stamp program work in the United States? Is it the same everywhere or does it differ state by state? Is it connected to the Welfare system? (and how does that all work?)
What is society's feelings around the system? Are these feelings the same in both the Democratic and Republican political camps?

Israel

Why is it important that both VP canidates "love" Israel? (quotations used not that they meant something else, but that they used that actual word.)

News or commentary?

While I realize that all news it biased to some degree, are all American news channels like CNN and Fox?

Where is the information coming from?

It seems that the majority of the American Congress is thinking one thing while the majority of citizens (or at least the most vocal ones) are thinking something very different about the bailout package, or at least the need for one. Where are both groups getting their information? Where is this disconnect coming from?

Chruch and State in Canada

We've been looking and found a REALLY old book (1887) that was very difficult to understand. Anyone know how the seperation of church and state works here? We don't tend to have endorsements by anyone during campaigns so possibly it's more the tradition that any law. Any ideas?

Church and State in the United States

How does the seperation of Church and State work in the States? We've already had some discussion on whether that is consitutional or not and if people would like to discuss that in more detail, go to. My question is more in terms of the peachers that endorsed a political candidate this past Sunday. From what we could understand, that is illegal because churches pay taxes to the Federal government (oh wait, what do American's call their central government if state politics are considered federal?) It sounded like they would now have to pay those taxes. Does that really make it a law. Apparently not one that they were too concerned in breaking...? Does anyone know more about those churches and who they were all endorsing (I have a good idea, but don't want to assume :) ) What is the general feeling about what occured?

Conservative gain

How is it that the Conservatives (Canadian election) are gaining in numbers? Is the sweater really changing people's minds? Why are the opposition parties not laying out the many things that Harper has done in the past two years that went directly against what he ran for? What does this mean for our political system and campaign promises if he gets re-elected?
Is this why American candidates refuse to put out much of a platform?

Independents- the first question!

I always assumed that "independents" meant people who were not registered with either the Republican or Democratic parties. However, after watching Lou Dobbs tonight, I'm suddenly wondering if perhaps, like many things, I have assumed too much. He seems rather libertarian to me. Is that the case with all "independents"? Does the term more closely link to the idea of American federalism?

Then a little history

I am a Canadian who happened to be born in the United States. As a Christian, I always assumed that I understood Christians everywhere. As I learned to think independently of my parents, I also learned that I was thorougly perplexed by the "Religious Right" both in Canada and the States. Through CNN and election news, I have learned how very unknowledgable I am about this group of people whom I consider my brothers and sisters in Christ. Very interesting! Through a Bible School friend's blog, I have met a few other lovely people who have been so kind as to answer many of my questions. However, I've begun to feel bad about hijacking their blogs any time they mention governmental politics or social conventions with my numerous questions! Time for a site of my own to indulge this great love of mine.

As the topic of the conversation has been talk about the Conservative/Libertarian movement and how it is followed in the Christian community, that will likely take up some of the space. I've also been asked to explain Canadian politics, so that will hopefully happen as well. I'm currently stuck trying to figure out how to explain that we have a centrist (according to our political spectrum) party that is proud to call itself "Liberal." Canada is also under and election right now, so that will also likely take up some space. I'm currently watching a talk show/political news show where the host is promising the Prime Minister a kitty if he will come on the show (every other leader is) and harm to the poor cat if the PM won't show! Got to love "The Hour!"

Anyways, welcome! Feel free to answer questions and ask questions to your heart's content. Basically any topic is fair game.

First a thank you

to my wonderfully handy husband
-who spent the last hour fiddling with the template to create exactly what I wanted!
-and who listens to my questions and learns and debates with me every day!