"Children of a Common Mother"

After researching American history for many years, I am interested in the parallel societies of Canada and the United States. They share a common mother, the United Kingdom, which gave them the English language, the same common historical background before 1607, and a sense of the laws, rights and identity of Englishmen.

Since the development of British colonies up north and to the south, changes have continued to widen our cultural gap... but we still share the longest international border in the world between two allies.

We have both become very diverse societies, which is for the most part a very good thing. To be American is a national, not an ethnic term. Anyone can be an American. The same is to be admired about Canada... there are French-Canadians, African-Canadians, Asian-Canadians, etc. The rule of law which had its seed in the Magna Carta has flourished in both countries in different ways; one by revolution "Give me [a old British sense of] liberty, or give me death," said Patrick Henry. We need to see that the very American ideals which angered them and stiffened their resolve for independence were in major part caused by English ideals of law which King and Parliament had set aside. I would say that the American Revolution was about putting into full practice those ideas which had been cooking away for centuries in Britain, but which they had only dared to try in the English Civil War. There was little public desire to stay a republic after 12 years, so in 1660 Parliament invited exiled King Charles II back to the UK.  What bloomed in Britain, bore fruit in the United States. Our Congress was influenced by the Parliament and the Constitution was shaped by British common law.

Canada, on the other hand, was able to get its independence much later without a war. Its democratic evolution has continued apart from its political twin separated by birth. What is most fascinating is that Canadians have (I believe) almost all the rights that the Americans have. It also has borne good fruit after a few centuries.

Our two countries certainly have a unique relationship. We are "children of a common mother", but there are dangers that threaten to unravel our ties, The border is under increased scrutiny to keep the border secure. I hope that in this special year which marks the end of the last war we fought against Canada 200 years ago, we will forge a deep and enduring alliance. One simple way to do this is to be good ambassadors of our own countries. Get a passport card and visit Canada, eh? It'll be good for you. And welcome Canadians to our side, making them feel welcome instead of patronizing them as citizens of a 51st state, etc.

May Peace continue,

BH