23-May-12 Peace, order, and good government versus freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

This coming Wednesday at the Ideas Cafe, we are discussing the national character of Canada versus the United States.

The rest of the world sees these two countries as rather similar with Canadians perhaps a bit more reserved compared to the typical American.  However, to those of us living in these two countries,  there is a world of difference, starting with our national motto set out in our constitution.

While we seldom look at the goals that our respective countries aspires to be on an everyday basis,  it is interesting to look at the example of Canada's and the US.

The Canadian aim of Peace, order, and good government and the US aim for freedom, liberty, and pursuit of happiness seems to capture the difference of the two countries almost to a T.

Is this a case of channeled thinking, that we are led by history and upbringing to have the values we have? something in our drinking water? or generations of immigrants truly choosing the country whose value appeal to them the most?

Peace, order, and good government seems so little to ask compared to the lofty goals of the US.  Is Canada aiming for contentment by getting the basics right versus being an over achiever in pursuing the impossible ultimate goal of the US?

Some say that goals should be set high so that we are pushed to excellence, that we embark on a journey that will not end too soon.  After all, it is the journey, not the destination, that matters.

But with lofty goals comes a continual sense of striving, of never seemingly having enough, of not appreciating everyday things that we have, thereby neglecting them.  The constant drive to improve also lead to wanting to help improve others, resulting in interference however unintentional it may be.

Maybe the two aspirations are rooted historically that Canada is from loyalist to Britain while the US started from a revolution against the same British government.  Should we continue to live our lives a few hundred years later under this influence?

Peace, order, and good government is not actually that easy to achieve in today's turbulent world. In a twisted kind of way,  it is actually the foundation for a vibrant free market economy that the US is so keen to have.  In calling for less and less government, the US runs the danger of having less and less oversight to prevent free riders that profit at the expense of everyone else by taking advantage of flawed rules in the market.

Is this a case of striving for lofty goals while neglecting the basics?

As usual, all comments and ideas are welcomed and I look forward to your ideas at the Wednesday meeting coming up!