7 Canadians who’ve had a big influence on America

Did you know that there are some Canadians (and semi-Canadians) who have had a big influence on U.S. policy? Now if they could only do the same for Canada.

1. Gordon Sinclair: The CBC commentator’s recorded speech “The Americans” sold 300,000 copies on the day it was released in the U.S. in 1973, making Nixon-era Americans feel good about themselves again.

2. David Frum: He helped create the “axis of evil” speech for George W. Bush, and now spends his time advocating for moderate conservatism in the States.

3. Charles Krauthammer: So beloved within the conservative movement that National Review reprints his Fox News interviews every morning, calling it “Krauthammer’s Take.”

4. David Brooks: He was born in Toronto but considers himself American, a perfect setup for his New York Times columns.

5. Marshall McLuhan: Was rewarded for his media philosophy with the ultimate sign of cultural respect, a cameo in a Woody Allen film.

6. Ian McAvity: His Toronto-based newsletter “Deliberations on World Markets” was quoted extensively in U.S. financial columns for years.

7. John Kenneth Galbraith: His book The Affluent Society became one of the most influential books in America in the ’50s, telling people that the country was becoming economically unequal. Good thing that’s not a problem today.

Sources: Barkerville Cariboo Sentinel; Gold Country Communities Society; Glenbow Museum; Vancouver Sun; Vancouver Province; Whitehorse Daily Star

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