My wife and I had the good fortune to attend the 2012 World Future Society Conference in Toronto at the end of July. We spent two weeks in Ontario prior to the vent, which included visits to our favorite places like Leamington, Fergus, Elora, and Saint Jacobs. We also overnighted in Windsor, Guelph, and of course downtown Toronto. In short, we had a chance to sample public feeling.
Compared with the USA today, where Americans are anxious because they know "the wheels are coming off" the system, the Canadians in Ontario with whom we interacted were calm, optimistic, in comparison with their American cousins. For example, Toyota planned to open 400 new jobs in it Woodstock, Ontario plant. Overall, we heard good news about Canada in Canada. It was a stark contrast with the doom, gloom, and foreboding about the future we left behind in Wisconsin.
The gang shootings in Toronto, of course, jarred with the overall calm of the Canadians with whom we interacted. It was frankly a reflief to be away from the dread of impending doom in America that we left behind when we cross the Ambassador Bridge into Canada at Windsor. In fact, it was hard to come back to the depression that Americans rightly have about their country. They do not deserve what has happened to them; they know it. Canada is a vibrant reminder that countries do not have to cater to economic terrorists, engage in overseas wars for oil profits, and go without healthcare for all.
The Canadians whom we met were not aware of the difference in social psychology between them and their American cousins. My wife and I became aware; we thank Canada for its example. Americans need to look North to their Canadian counsins for lessons on how to nurture healthy systems - and not suffer economic and political terrorism.
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