Primer on Canadian Politics
contest entry39 total reviews
Comment from sweetwoodjax
this is very well written, spiritual echo, a great job writing this essay on the fabric that makes up Canada and the government that mandates the country aand how it is run
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2011
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this is very well written, spiritual echo, a great job writing this essay on the fabric that makes up Canada and the government that mandates the country aand how it is run
Comment Written 17-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2011
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I always appreciate your interest in my posts. Thanks very much.
Comment from Shirley B
What a lovely essay. You have taught me much about Canada. I have forgotten much of my history lessons from school. I have always felt Canada is our friend. Thank you for this educational reading. I would love to visit Canada one day. Since I live in the southwest of the USA, I would want to visit in the summertime. I don't like snow. Have a great night, Shirley
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2011
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What a lovely essay. You have taught me much about Canada. I have forgotten much of my history lessons from school. I have always felt Canada is our friend. Thank you for this educational reading. I would love to visit Canada one day. Since I live in the southwest of the USA, I would want to visit in the summertime. I don't like snow. Have a great night, Shirley
Comment Written 17-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 17-Nov-2011
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I hate snow! And I get an annual dose of cabin fever stuck indoors. But other foolish Canadians seem to embrace all seasons. Thanks for your generous review.
Comment from missy98writer
Spiritual Echo,
your Non-Fiction contest entry is very informative. You did a splendid job writing your essay. I learn something about Canada I didn't know. I have to admit I'm one of those Americans' that know little about Canada. I've been watching Travel TV over here and learning more about Canada. It's beautiful country. I watch a rerun of Rachel Ray on her $40 dollars a day and she ate on that amount of money in Vancouver. I digress, your narrative and descriptive writing are both excellent. The art work you used is exquisitely beautiful. I'm glad to know you get three TV stations. I notice on HGTV and Cooking Channel that some shows come from Canada. I enjoyed this point you made: < Canadians are interested in what America has on her mind.> Do you like puttee? I've like ketchup with my fries like most Americans, but they are good with homemade mayonnaise. I did an essay to French Fries two years ago and learned the originate from Bellum where they are called frets. I immensely enjoyed learning from your essay about Canada. I know you have brouhaha going on in your government as we do over her in USA. We're tired of all the lips service lying politicians give us. I wish you good luck in the Non-Fiction contest. Thanks for entertaining and educating me. I'd recommend your essay non-fiction titled Primer on Canadian Politics to other reviewers. Please have a blessed day.
Melissa.
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Spiritual Echo,
your Non-Fiction contest entry is very informative. You did a splendid job writing your essay. I learn something about Canada I didn't know. I have to admit I'm one of those Americans' that know little about Canada. I've been watching Travel TV over here and learning more about Canada. It's beautiful country. I watch a rerun of Rachel Ray on her $40 dollars a day and she ate on that amount of money in Vancouver. I digress, your narrative and descriptive writing are both excellent. The art work you used is exquisitely beautiful. I'm glad to know you get three TV stations. I notice on HGTV and Cooking Channel that some shows come from Canada. I enjoyed this point you made: < Canadians are interested in what America has on her mind.> Do you like puttee? I've like ketchup with my fries like most Americans, but they are good with homemade mayonnaise. I did an essay to French Fries two years ago and learned the originate from Bellum where they are called frets. I immensely enjoyed learning from your essay about Canada. I know you have brouhaha going on in your government as we do over her in USA. We're tired of all the lips service lying politicians give us. I wish you good luck in the Non-Fiction contest. Thanks for entertaining and educating me. I'd recommend your essay non-fiction titled Primer on Canadian Politics to other reviewers. Please have a blessed day.
Melissa.
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Rachel Ray rocks! Try the pourine recipe, but don't try to measure cholesteral. This is a very dangerous infiltration,
Comment from The Stranger
this is a most informative piece of writing and tells a person a lot about the structure of Canadian society,this is very well done indeed!
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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this is a most informative piece of writing and tells a person a lot about the structure of Canadian society,this is very well done indeed!
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Listen darling man, I have read your stories for a lifetime or two...sounds like you hated my perspective.
Comment from S. Marie Vernon
Primer on Canadian Politics by Spiritual Echo is a non-fiction essay about Canada, its people, and its politics. The author is right, Americans, are not that informed about the great nation that lies north of us. As I read the commentary, I wondered why we don't ally ourselves more with our close neighbor and deeper into political bonds. I wondered how that could effect the world stage,especially since we border each other and we are both very large nations. It does seem that we need to understand each other better, as neighbors. Surely, we could have more tolerance for the use of a "u," and many other differences, however, like the author, I cannot fathom a reason on earth for "white gravy."
In paragraph 13, the second sentence may have an "a" that is not necessary.
I can only say "great job" to my treasured cousin. And, of course, "thank you, " for the wonderful insight into your country.
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Primer on Canadian Politics by Spiritual Echo is a non-fiction essay about Canada, its people, and its politics. The author is right, Americans, are not that informed about the great nation that lies north of us. As I read the commentary, I wondered why we don't ally ourselves more with our close neighbor and deeper into political bonds. I wondered how that could effect the world stage,especially since we border each other and we are both very large nations. It does seem that we need to understand each other better, as neighbors. Surely, we could have more tolerance for the use of a "u," and many other differences, however, like the author, I cannot fathom a reason on earth for "white gravy."
In paragraph 13, the second sentence may have an "a" that is not necessary.
I can only say "great job" to my treasured cousin. And, of course, "thank you, " for the wonderful insight into your country.
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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You are too cool. Thanks for dropping by, ingrid
Comment from adewpearl
the United States largest trading partner - United States'
American's lack of knowledge - Americans' - plural possessive
Barak Obama - Barack
Good descriptive detail and thoughtful explanations
our Prime Minister, who is currently - add comma
Anyone can form a new political party, and so it
in not giving American's a general overview - drop the apostrophe
A most thoughtful essay - a good public service :-) Brooke
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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the United States largest trading partner - United States'
American's lack of knowledge - Americans' - plural possessive
Barak Obama - Barack
Good descriptive detail and thoughtful explanations
our Prime Minister, who is currently - add comma
Anyone can form a new political party, and so it
in not giving American's a general overview - drop the apostrophe
A most thoughtful essay - a good public service :-) Brooke
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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A salute! An immediate edit was performed. Man, you are a superb literary eagle and I appreciate your grammatical eyesight and generous assistance. God love you, Brooke!
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Thank you! :-)
Comment from c_lucas
For centuries American have snubbed their Northern and Southern neighbors. Thank you for this enlighten essay. I learn some new things about Canada.
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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For centuries American have snubbed their Northern and Southern neighbors. Thank you for this enlighten essay. I learn some new things about Canada.
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Well let's stop snubbing and start hugging!
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I visited Canada in 1988 and enjoyed my stay. Agreed.
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Where did you visit?
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I was on a seven day vacation. We entered via Idaho and exited via VC. Enjoyed two day in VC.
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Vancouver or Victoria? Either way it's pretty scenery.
Just as America has diversity between states, Canada too has a different perspective between the east and west. There was a recent survey that stated that Toronto was the most hated city in the land and I suppose there are good reasons. The irony is there was never any publication about which city was the most beloved.
Thanks for reading and sharing.
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Vancouver.
Comment from Tonulak
This essay was very informative and gave clear distinctions and similarities between the US and Canada. You also managed to sneak in some humor with out leaning too heavily on it. I've had many happy trips to Canada and have found Canadians wonderful and friendly people. . Nice job!
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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This essay was very informative and gave clear distinctions and similarities between the US and Canada. You also managed to sneak in some humor with out leaning too heavily on it. I've had many happy trips to Canada and have found Canadians wonderful and friendly people. . Nice job!
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
i'm so glad you were able to travel and meet some Canadians. We're really not that different.
Ironically, because I tend to be brutally honest, in my travels to the US, some people assume I'm from NYC.
Comment from Lakeupstate
Bravo! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! It is obvious how much time and effort you put into it. At first, I was just going to glance over this to see if it interested me,and, was I ever surprised. Your piece sucked me right in. It is written so well.
"This is a dish with a base of French fries (and yes, we sometimes also call them chips, not to be confused with Lay's Potato Chips) then covered with cheese curds and finally smothered in gravy; that's brown gravy." I so want to try this! It sounds delicious!
"We've had our civil wars and we've fired our cannons at Americans, as they crossed the St. Lawrence River, but I can not imagine thinking of America as anything less than our friend." And I have always thought of my Canadian "cousins" in the same way. What a moving thing to say. We spend a lot of summers on the St. Lawrence River. Just it's name stirs my heart.
"We too have a commonality. Both countries were settled by people looking for a better life and had the courage to board ships that would sail without a horizon. Some landed in Canada, while others drifted south, but we started our pilgrimage with the same dreams; our ancestors were looking for a future." Love this!
"There is one fundamental difference between Americans and Canadians. The thing that continues to separate us both is that which we simply call home. The earth smells the same each spring on either side of the border and should you send me seeds, they will grow in my soil, the place I call home.
God bless us all." What a great ending!
Space prevents me from listing everything here that I like about this piece, or what I agree with, but your last sentence holds special meaning for me. My family and I spend a lot of time in the Thousand Islands in the summer, and it is with much anticipation that we visit Canada.
Twenty seven years ago we honeymooned in Gananoque and Kingston; saw everything we could. Loved Old Fort Henry! I have visited Niagara Falls my whole life. The trip is not comlete without a trip over the bridge. :) Family members live in Prince Edward Island and Toronto. My brother-in-law owns a camp on Wolf Island, and we never fail to make the trip into Kingston on the ferry.
Because we spend a lot of time in Canada, and because it is a most beautiful place; I am partial, as if you couldn't tell. :)
This was so heartfelt, and I learned things that I didn't know. Very interesting.
An excellant blend of the kindest, warmest words, "humour", and the history and make up of Canada, in a well thought out manner, yet made easy to read. (run on :))Simply enjoyable! Great job! :)
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Bravo! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! It is obvious how much time and effort you put into it. At first, I was just going to glance over this to see if it interested me,and, was I ever surprised. Your piece sucked me right in. It is written so well.
"This is a dish with a base of French fries (and yes, we sometimes also call them chips, not to be confused with Lay's Potato Chips) then covered with cheese curds and finally smothered in gravy; that's brown gravy." I so want to try this! It sounds delicious!
"We've had our civil wars and we've fired our cannons at Americans, as they crossed the St. Lawrence River, but I can not imagine thinking of America as anything less than our friend." And I have always thought of my Canadian "cousins" in the same way. What a moving thing to say. We spend a lot of summers on the St. Lawrence River. Just it's name stirs my heart.
"We too have a commonality. Both countries were settled by people looking for a better life and had the courage to board ships that would sail without a horizon. Some landed in Canada, while others drifted south, but we started our pilgrimage with the same dreams; our ancestors were looking for a future." Love this!
"There is one fundamental difference between Americans and Canadians. The thing that continues to separate us both is that which we simply call home. The earth smells the same each spring on either side of the border and should you send me seeds, they will grow in my soil, the place I call home.
God bless us all." What a great ending!
Space prevents me from listing everything here that I like about this piece, or what I agree with, but your last sentence holds special meaning for me. My family and I spend a lot of time in the Thousand Islands in the summer, and it is with much anticipation that we visit Canada.
Twenty seven years ago we honeymooned in Gananoque and Kingston; saw everything we could. Loved Old Fort Henry! I have visited Niagara Falls my whole life. The trip is not comlete without a trip over the bridge. :) Family members live in Prince Edward Island and Toronto. My brother-in-law owns a camp on Wolf Island, and we never fail to make the trip into Kingston on the ferry.
Because we spend a lot of time in Canada, and because it is a most beautiful place; I am partial, as if you couldn't tell. :)
This was so heartfelt, and I learned things that I didn't know. Very interesting.
An excellant blend of the kindest, warmest words, "humour", and the history and make up of Canada, in a well thought out manner, yet made easy to read. (run on :))Simply enjoyable! Great job! :)
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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It's a pleasure to read a response from someone who has spent time in Canada. There are still stories that circulate about tourists who cross the border with snow skis strapped to their roof on their first visit to Canada in July.
Too many Americans have no idea, have very limited knowledge about their neighbours and it's not their fault.
I tossed around this idea for a non-fiction submission for awhile. Primarily because I have travelled extensively and have come across so many people who have no concept. I was once interviewed by a US company that automatically assumed that with ten percent of the population of the US that they could ASSUME a 10% sales volume for their product in Canada. When I questioned what their sales were in California it was barely 1% of their volume. When I pointed out that the Canadian population was equivalent to California, they were not terribly impressed with my answer. Needless to say, I was not hired.
Last week we had two senior executives, well educated and informed professional men who were complaining that courier charges were unreasonable and could not understand why it cost $26 to ship a parcel from Toronto to Vancouver when another invoice was a mere $18. When informed that the cheaper parcel was sent a few hundred miles while the more expensive one went thousands of miles they were legitamately shocked. When we explained that from coast to coast the plane travel would likely take close to ten hours, they were stunned. Such is the lack of understanding by well educated folks. They just never knew. That doesn't make them ignorant. In my mind, perhaps for survival, America has become very insulated, reacting to their own diversity and vast population and geographic quirks. Where is the time to look beyond borders?
When you think about the unity and patriotism of 50 states who take pride in their nationalism, it's a very profound accomplishment.
Perhaps you might answer why Puerto Rico is not incensed by even a half star on the flag, but I'd be remiss if I didn't solute the Staes for their patriotism.
The Thousand Island area is gorgeous and I'm glad it holds special memories. I've never been to PEI, but Lordy, Lordy the people I've met from our island province are the salt of the earth. Perhaps it seeps in through the soles of their feet, but an earthy and grounded lot they are.
I suppose the one sentence that always grates on me is "God bless America" and so it was a well thought out ending. For it always seemed as if that sentence requested a special dispensation from God. a deserved accolade from an omnipotent source.
I do have the warmest regard for America and have many people who occupy a very special place in my heart who are not defined by borders or nationality.
Thanks for sharing and your eloquent response.
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You are most welcome! Thank you for the great read and interesting info. I got a chuckle out of the tourists with the skis on their car in July! I guess I am guilty, as well, of not knowing how big Canada is. I know it's big...but I didn't realize HOW big. I would love to see more it....it's a brautiful place and everyone I've ever met from there is warm and friendly. I've never met a Canadian that wasn't proud of their country. Most beam with pride. One time I mentioned to a Canadian gentleman that the roads in Canada were never littered, that your roadsides and ditches are always clean and picturesque. (You guys have the prettiest abundance of wildflowers!) I said, "Seems like nobody litters here. I like that, but I wonder why." His answer was, "Oh no, the Queen wouldn't like that." He warmed my heart and I was so impressed by his loyalty. I am glad that you decided to write this. I am not exagerating when I say that I have thoroughly enjoyed "talking" about Canada and learning more. Your piece is much appreciated. :)
Comment from sibhus
Thanks so much for this brief history of Canada. I found it very interesting and it also cleared a few things up that I was some what confused about. I know we Americans are considered somewhat ignorant of the world around us but, I would like to say in our defense that I believe that we are brain-washed by our media.Over the years I have detected a concentrated effort by our media to keep the public's attenion mired in the latest fads and celebrity gossip, and not involve them in what is actually going on in the world. I know this is no excuse but, given this constant bombbardment it is easy to fall into the habit of ignoring real news. That said I really did enjoy your very informative essay. Thank you for taking the time to share this.
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Thanks so much for this brief history of Canada. I found it very interesting and it also cleared a few things up that I was some what confused about. I know we Americans are considered somewhat ignorant of the world around us but, I would like to say in our defense that I believe that we are brain-washed by our media.Over the years I have detected a concentrated effort by our media to keep the public's attenion mired in the latest fads and celebrity gossip, and not involve them in what is actually going on in the world. I know this is no excuse but, given this constant bombbardment it is easy to fall into the habit of ignoring real news. That said I really did enjoy your very informative essay. Thank you for taking the time to share this.
Comment Written 16-Nov-2011
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
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Well thank you for reading and your very honest answer. I completely agree that US media as well as school curricuums in the states do not venture very far outside your own borders. While I mention that we get US TV, even watching an American newscast it seems college football is more important than world news.
We just had two senior executives from the US, one of our customers visit our office and they were questioning the courier costs and discrepancies in charges. They had no idea that it was an 8-10 hour flight from coast to coast in Canada. Did I say executives? These two men are very well educate, spoken and learned people and yet they had no sense of the size of Canada. How then can the average American have any sense of what goes on outside their borders? Thnaks for reading.
