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America, but Better: The Canada Party Manifesto
by
As the American election increasingly resembles a production of CATS performed by actual cats, U.S. citizens are looking for a new leader. That leader is Canada, and they want your vote for president of the United States.
Since launching their video campaign in January, the Canada Party has gone viral, with almost a million hits on YouTube and coverage ranging from CNN and ...more
Since launching their video campaign in January, the Canada Party has gone viral, with almost a million hits on YouTube and coverage ranging from CNN and ...more
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Paperback, 160 pages
Published
July 6th 2012
by Douglas McIntyre
(first published July 1st 2012)
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Start your review of America, but Better: The Canada Party Manifesto

Chris Cannon, AM'03
Author
From our pages (Sept–Oct/12): "The Canada Party, comprised of Brian Calvert and Chris Cannon, has announced its candidacy for president of the United States. Based on the duo's viral video campaign launched this past January, the satirical party's book balances the doctrine of American exceptionalism with Canadian humility and common sense to position Canada as the new leader of the free world, by proxy. Among its promises: the phrase 'job creators' will be changed to 'j ...more
Author
From our pages (Sept–Oct/12): "The Canada Party, comprised of Brian Calvert and Chris Cannon, has announced its candidacy for president of the United States. Based on the duo's viral video campaign launched this past January, the satirical party's book balances the doctrine of American exceptionalism with Canadian humility and common sense to position Canada as the new leader of the free world, by proxy. Among its promises: the phrase 'job creators' will be changed to 'j ...more

Surely you saw the Canada Party's YouTube video! If not, go watch it now! It was released in January 2012, and little did I realize that it was actually a book trailer for the upcoming America, But Better: The Canada Party Manifesto. How exciting! The basic premise of the book is, the US is doing a poor job of governing itself so our "continental BFF" to the north is going to help us out. This book outlines a new approach to US politics provided by our Canuck cousins.
Of course, the manifesto is ...more
Of course, the manifesto is ...more

The Canada Party had a brilliant idea - with America looking for a new leader, why not elect CANADA?
Some great ideas for change in the manifesto as well - like one gay couple gets to marry for every straight couple that divorces. Or America can continue to consider corporations as people, but if it can't provide a birth certificate, it'll be considered an illegal immigrant.
At times biting, but always on the money, the manifesto was a good chuckle and a think. Probably a great way to see some di ...more
Some great ideas for change in the manifesto as well - like one gay couple gets to marry for every straight couple that divorces. Or America can continue to consider corporations as people, but if it can't provide a birth certificate, it'll be considered an illegal immigrant.
At times biting, but always on the money, the manifesto was a good chuckle and a think. Probably a great way to see some di ...more

I enjoyed this light read because it helped me laugh in the face of all the political mudslinging going on right now. Some points I agreed with, others not so much. But that wasn't really the point. It was refreshing to read something from an international point of view that kept me from taking myself too seriously.
...more

America, But Better offers serious political criticism wrapped in a cloak of humor (to take the edge off). After watching the first presidential debate last night I wish I could really vote for these guys! This is definitely worth a read, especially if you enjoy tongue-in-cheek humor like Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.

This book was as hilarious as it was accurate in its portrayals of both Canada and the United States; it poked fun at our shortcomings and stereotypes while providing a useful (albeit simplified) look into the countries' politics and relationship.
...more

This book is funny - laugh out loud in some places - and yet it has a number of kernels of truth to it. It's a fast read and the right time for a lot of their points, of course, but I'm afraid they are probably mostly preaching to the converted.
...more

This book was very well written and positively HILARIOUS. The funny thing is, even though it's technically a parody-type book, I would totally vote for a candidate if this was his platform! LOL!
...more

This is an absolutely hilarious book! Everyone in both American AND Canada should read it it you like to laugh.
The book is a light-hearted, tongue-firmly-in-cheek offer for Canada to take on the Presidency of the United States to save America from itself. The bonus of this book is that the authors make at least as much - if not more! - fun of the stupid stuff in Canada, as they do of the U.S.
A couple of my fave passages:
"Making English the offical language for native English speakers"
Every Amer ...more
The book is a light-hearted, tongue-firmly-in-cheek offer for Canada to take on the Presidency of the United States to save America from itself. The bonus of this book is that the authors make at least as much - if not more! - fun of the stupid stuff in Canada, as they do of the U.S.
A couple of my fave passages:
"Making English the offical language for native English speakers"
Every Amer ...more

Rating: 4 Stars
I picked this book up, because I was in the mood for something light, and a change from my fictional narratives. I’ve also been an avid follower of the Canada Party on youtube, and they’re just great. It’s fun, and frivolous, and as a Canadian, it makes you feel a little bit smug.
It keeps things rather simplified, but that is appropriate for the purpose of the piece. It’s well written, and thoroughly enjoyable.
I’d have liked it to be a little bit longer. It was a bit too short an ...more
I picked this book up, because I was in the mood for something light, and a change from my fictional narratives. I’ve also been an avid follower of the Canada Party on youtube, and they’re just great. It’s fun, and frivolous, and as a Canadian, it makes you feel a little bit smug.
It keeps things rather simplified, but that is appropriate for the purpose of the piece. It’s well written, and thoroughly enjoyable.
I’d have liked it to be a little bit longer. It was a bit too short an ...more

It gets a 3 for premise but a 1 for execution, resulting in the 2 star rating. Humour is so hard to judge and while this book tries to make the argument that the Canada Party would be great for America, I think the writing and rationale behind some of the themes are a little too satirical to follow. Instead of using the standard tropes or commonly-held perceptions about Canada, it might be nice to focus on some of Canada's lesser know facts or so-called "advantages" (if we had any!). Sometimes I
...more

The wonderful thing about this book, is that in addition to having some incredible satire, it paints a picture of what the U.S. might look like if it was ruled by common sense instead of lust for power. It's an incredibly hilarious and thought provoking little piece.
The chapter the made me laugh at loud as soon as I saw it was probably Weed. Sweet, sweet weed. Is that enough incentive for you to read this? ...more
The chapter the made me laugh at loud as soon as I saw it was probably Weed. Sweet, sweet weed. Is that enough incentive for you to read this? ...more

Bitingly sarcastic, hilarious, and accurate. Some of my favorite suggestions from the Canada Party (that's right, the whole country is running for US President) include allowing one gay marriage per traditional marriage divorce, pundits can't call themselves "journalists", and if a corporation is a person, they must provide a birth certificate or be deported/work on your lawn.
...more

Surprisingly observant of both America's and Canada's shortcomings, it is able to avoid devolving into simple America bashing. The book works best when it doesn't overdue the comedy, a balance it seldom masters, leaving it only funny at times.
...more

It was okay. It's hard to read anything that's written sarcastically for long stretches but overall the book was funny with some fair points.
...more

Smart, witty, a delightfully fun read.
Whether you live in Canada or USA, you'll smile and chuckle with each page. ...more
Whether you live in Canada or USA, you'll smile and chuckle with each page. ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Stereotyping | 1 | 6 | Dec 12, 2012 01:46PM |
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