I have felt, since moving to Minnesota, that there's a much greater emphasis on the public good here than there was back east. Legend has it that wherever you live in Minneapolis, a park is within walking distance. Neighborhood groups, church-related and secular, are everywhere. Of course, Minnesotans are stuck with the same egregious health care system as other Americans, but you can feel the emphasis on community. I'm a member of a Reconstructionist synagogue that rents space in a Friends Meeting House so I'm connected to the Quakers. They started a Joyful Aging group which gathers to take walks, sing, just meet for coffee. It's a comfort.
Thank you for the mention, Don. I think by community I meant that Canadians are less individualistic. We tend to ask what is good for the whole first and not for the individual. I feel lucky to be a Canadian in 100s of ways. But like most countries we are a work in progress. The 51st rhetoric of Trump is abhorrent to us. We are different from Americans and would never want to be part of America. Once upon a time it was nice being neighbours. Much harder now.
Always pluses and minuses…..friends living in Canada note that universal healthcare does has its issues…..you might wait month for an MRI to diagnose a fairly serious condition….etc.
I have felt, since moving to Minnesota, that there's a much greater emphasis on the public good here than there was back east. Legend has it that wherever you live in Minneapolis, a park is within walking distance. Neighborhood groups, church-related and secular, are everywhere. Of course, Minnesotans are stuck with the same egregious health care system as other Americans, but you can feel the emphasis on community. I'm a member of a Reconstructionist synagogue that rents space in a Friends Meeting House so I'm connected to the Quakers. They started a Joyful Aging group which gathers to take walks, sing, just meet for coffee. It's a comfort.
Gee, maybe it's the latitude.
I'm told it originated with the Lutherans.
Thank you for the mention, Don. I think by community I meant that Canadians are less individualistic. We tend to ask what is good for the whole first and not for the individual. I feel lucky to be a Canadian in 100s of ways. But like most countries we are a work in progress. The 51st rhetoric of Trump is abhorrent to us. We are different from Americans and would never want to be part of America. Once upon a time it was nice being neighbours. Much harder now.
I’m please you had a chance to visit my country.
I have fond impressions of your country, Alice. Thank you for the inspiration for this piece.
Amen.
Good one, Don!
Thanks, Jon.
Thank you, Don. So well written and so very interesting. (I think I wanna move…)
Always pluses and minuses…..friends living in Canada note that universal healthcare does has its issues…..you might wait month for an MRI to diagnose a fairly serious condition….etc.
Well said, Don. Couldn’t agree more! Judy
Thank you, Judy.