I was confronted about Kerry at a Seder tonight

[rockymountaindem]

Here in Canada, I just had my last day of classes at the University of Toronto for this academic year. The last class I had was on Canadian foreign policy (hey, it's a required class for my major but the prof was really good so it was worth it). The prof was asked a question about latent anti-Americanism in Canadian politics and foreign policy. He replied that such anti-Americanism is usually only the product of the opposition media in the US. For example, during the Iraq war, much of the Canadian media (according to my *Canadian* prof) just recycled ideas from the American left/anti-war opposition. During the late 40s and early 50s the Canadian media recycled the opinions of the right wing in the US. He also said as a side note that if Bush wanted to turn the US into an individualistic, low-tax, business friendly environment with no social safety net, he need only take 1950s Canada as a model.

Anyhoo, this all came together at a Seder at the house of my friend tonight. His aunt asked me about my politics and I said I'm a Democrat. My friend said "did you think I'd invite a Republican to our table?" (this friend of mine religiously listens to Air America podcasts, he's kind of an honorary DNC member). His crusty old uncle piped up and said "why would you invite a Democrat instead? They're all the same". Now, this old dude is a Canadian, albeit one who has a lot of contacts with Americans in the entertainment industry. From then on, everything he said sounded exactly, and I mean exactly, like what we hear from the "lefty freeps" on DU. It was shocking. First he said that the Democrats haven't come up with any good ideas in 20 years. I hit him where Canadians live by pointing out the national health care initiative under Clinton. He mocked "hillarycare" and it's bad marketing. I said it was perhaps bad marketing, but the plan was good (I don't know anything about the plan, really. I was a kid then. But, if any Canadian comes out saying nationalized health care is bad on its merits, they might as well leave because they're not going to have many friends). He couldn't argue with that. Then he asked me what we Democrats stood for. I told him it's an omnibus party and that we don't have a real platform because anybody who wants can run as a Democrat, and that politicians from various regions and backgrounds would have different views and priorities. He didn't buy that. I said "well, if you want to talk about principles, I think the Democratic party has adhered to a lot of principles in the 20th century that we can be proud of, but that's not the same as policy, which is more divergent". He didn't buy that either. Then he asked why politicians don't have a message for the party. I said that's the DNC chair's job, but only minimally. He said sarcastically "oh, it's always somebody else's job".

Then we started talking about Kerry, which is when the real crap started flying. "Kerry booted the election by waffling on all the issues." "Kerry was for the war before he was against it." "Kerry never gave people a reason to vote for him." "Kerry talks like a lawyer." "He's just faded from the scene and should go away."

Oy. First I tried to explain the IWR vote and his speeches prior to the conflict clearly stating how Kerry was against the war. Then I said how Kerry has continued to fight for his agenda in the Senate, but with little success since the Republicans shoot down all our ammendments and bills. When we got to Iraq, this guy said how Murtha was the *only* person with a plan. I told him Kerry and Feingold both have plans. Then he said "ok, Murtha was first". Again, not true. Oh, well, Murtha is the only one with credibility anyway because Kerry's such a bufoon and he lost to the worst President ever.

That was kind of the end of it, but it put my professor's remarks in perspective. Here was a liberal Canadian, someone with whom I would likely agree on a lot of issues, spouting misinformation about one of the greatest Democrats of today that I could have read in yet another Counterpunch article.

So, is Canadian anti-Americanism just a reflection of opinions in the American media, whatever they might be? You be the judge.

[ProSense]

1. The media

is a powerful messenger to those who don't care to investigate beyond the spin-laden glimpse it offers. If they're so verse on the politics, how can they say the party doesn't have a message? If they haven't heard it, they should be pointed to the DNC website.


Oh, 20 years? It sounds like the person is parroting Joe Klein.

[rox63]

2. I recall hearing a couple of years ago that Fox News

was going to start broadcasting in Canada. Could he be picking up this crap from them?

[rockymountaindem]

3. I highly doubt it

All the Canadians I know realize that Fox is what it is: a tool for the right. None of my friends watch it, for one thing because they know it's a joke and also because you can only get it on some expensive super-premium package (I think it's channel 450 or something).

Besides which, what he was saying doesn't come from the American right but from the kind of far left bashers we see around here. That's why I was so surprised.

[wisteria]

4. It seems this man watches too much TV and maybe didn't like

Senator Kerry anyway. He also sounds pretty closed minded and more than a little too willing to play the antagonist. Some people just like to "stir the pot" so to speak, just to get a reaction. Definition-cranky old man.

I am glad he can't be added to the ranks of the ignorant US voters.

[CBHagman]

5. Here's a link for you, rockymountaindem.

First, what IS IT about holiday meals that brings out the political animal in people? I could tell you stories...

Anyway, back to your dilemma. You said you were quite young during the Clinton health care plan rollout and defeat. It might help to look at the website for PBS's Newshour, which has a timeline for what happened during that time. Check this link:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/forum/may96/background/health_debate_page2.html

For extra credit, you could check out The System by David Broder and Haynes Johnson, which traces the story more thoroughly.

What I'm finding is that both members of the media and my circle of friends are willing to boil the Clinton health care plan into a simple denunciation of the Clintons for failing. One of my friends even said Hillary had dropped the ball.

What people are forgetting is that the Republican Party made it a priority to ensure that not only would no compromise be reached but that the plan would go down in flames. They also took over Congress, I might note. In this all, they were helped by the insurance industry, which had the funds to run ad campaigns to scare off Americans who were examining the health care plan.

If you want to make your blood boil, Google names like Packwood, Gramm, and Gingrich in connection with the Clinton health care plan. Those evil violators of mothers* knew what they were doing, and they did it to the American people.

*To paraphrase an expression used by the late Mickey Leland. :-)