Is it unusual for a Canadian to be more fascinated...

[John200]

with American politics then his own?

I find myself watching CNN more then CBC newsworld.

I don't ignore my politics all together of course ,but compared to the US It's boring by comparison.

Is there something wrong with me?

Should I be ashamed?

LOL now I feel like I'm at an AA meeting.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

American politics are absurd, like a circus, only it's serious business.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ If that's true, then so is everyone else's.

 

[Roger Wilco]

I'm not Canadian but I follow US politics much more closely than my own since it's way more fun, the bullshit doesnt concern me directly and the circus is just fascinating.

 

[Bisz]

American politics is meant to be entertaining, D.C. is becoming a second Hollywood. In Canada our politics is much more low key so its not as entertaining.

The other thing to consider is the fact that Canada still has news channels and news programs where all the US has is 'news commentary' shows on networks that are closed to the Comedy Central than an actual news network.

 

[John Picard]

American politics are absurd, like a circus, only it's serious business.

Ever observe British Parliament in action?

 

[Shaytan]

American politics are absurd, like a circus, only it's serious business.

Ever observe British Parliament in action?

All parliaments look like circus. A circus paid with our money...

 

[Roger Wilco]

The british parliamient is nothing compared to the US congress in regards to entertainment value.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I'm not Canadian but I follow US politics much more closely than my own since it's way more fun, the bullshit doesnt concern me directly and the circus is just fascinating.

Ditto. Italian politics is crazy like a cage of monkeys on drugs, but it makes me both furious and nauseous (not that I don't follow it: actually, the more mad I get, the more I get involved). American politics is both highly entertaining and less touchy for me.

 

[Shaytan]

Watching the Assemblée Nationale during the questions to the government is like watching a Shakespearian play with a very noisy crowd. I'm a little weird because I find it very entertaining even if it's a waste of my money
My point is since there is nothing I can do to change it, I might as well enjoy it for what it is

 

[Lindley]

The other thing to consider is the fact that Canada still has news channels and news programs where all the US has is 'news commentary' shows on networks that are closed to the Comedy Central than an actual news network.

Ironically enough, some of the most politically informative shows are on Comedy Central....

 

[John200]

American politics are absurd, like a circus, only it's serious business.

Ever observe British Parliament in action?

lol yeah that's awesome as well.

Got to see it when I was in England.

 

[Count Zero]

I'm not Canadian, but I, too, follow US politics rather closely, though I'm also involved in my country's politics and better informed on them and its institutions.
For me, it's a mix between a general interest in American culture and a fascination with just how crazy it is or can be. I'd be very frustrated if I was American, I guess, but since it doesn't directly concern me, it's just entertaining.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

You should be embarrassed to follow anyone's politics. They really are an unnecessary waste of time.

 

[Rusty phaser]

I too follow US politics more closely than in my own country (Sweden). I'm interested in "big game" politics, world issues and the such, and with the US being the major power of the world its internal politics are both important and interesting. Then add that it is so crazy (for the most part from one side :P) that it in itself is entertaining and also that it gives comics like Stewart, Colbert, Maher and the such so much great material makes it even more fun.

Swedish politics is, in comparison, quite tame and polite and thus far from as entertaining (although I do consider that a positive thing :P).

 

[iguana_tonante]

You should be embarrassed to follow anyone's politics. They really are an unnecessary waste of time.

I very strongly disagree with that. Politics can be nasty, but it's way, way better than the alternative. Power exists in many forms: political power, economic power, social power, even military power: if you are unwilling to exercise your share, there are loads of people that will be more than happy to do it for you, and make sure you won't have to bother with it ever again while they are at it. Saying that politics is a waste is no different than saying that medicine is useless because there are involved a lot of disgusting procedures and substances: in the end your hands might be clean, but the patient would be dead. I prefer to dirt my hands with nasty stuff trying to save it.

I have no patience or sympathy for apathy.

 

[Nardpuncher]

I think American politicians are very well behaved and professional while in session. I'm not kidding.
You see the way politicians in Asia act (punching, pulling hair, throwing food) and it's very embarrassing. That's in session I mean...many are also corrupt outside of the halls of government.

 

[Captain Ice]

I think American politicians are very well behaved and professional while in session. I'm not kidding.
You see the way politicians in Asia act (punching, pulling hair, throwing food) and it's very embarrassing. That's in session I mean...many are also corrupt outside of the halls of government.

You don't pay much attention to what they do when they're not in Washington then.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

American politics are absurd, like a circus, only it's serious business.

This is true.

Driving cross-country a few years ago and listening to Canadian radio I was fascinated with their political talk shows. The topics and call-ins would actually have to do with traffic control and town meetings and other real local political activity that had an immediate impact on the lives of the callers. And people took some care to be considerate and make sense.

It was like picking up signals from Mars.

 

[What's his face]

The Canadian political actors are pretty dull. Harper is as boring and monotone as a type-and-speak computer program. Ignatieff, the one I agree with most, isn't very inspirational. Layton is just shrill and annoying.

At least Americans have Obama. That being said, I turn off the tv when Sarah Palin is speaking.