Saturday Morning Confusion: How the U.S. election will affect Canada!

I posted a few days ago that U.S. politics is a GREAT source of entertainment for Canadians! 

Although I hope Harris will win... a Drumpf victory would be a lot more entertaining over the next few years!!!

But... the 'Mrs. Herself' reminded me that Donald will slap a 20% tariff on all the stuff we send from Canada... decimating our car industry... and all the other commerce currently protected by the... "Son of NAFTA!" (Whatever they call it now!)

On top of that... (Here comes the good part, boys and girls!) what if Drumpf starts mass deporting illegal aliens...!

Of course... We have a problem if all those illegals decide to make a run for the NORTHERN border kids...! (As well as all those Democrats that might want to "get out" if Drumpf is elected!)

BUT! Being pragmatic Canadians... we solved the problem!

Move to Canada!

 We had a reader send in this question for the answer man:

Would you move to Canada from the United States?

AN American curmudgeon answered:

If not for my wife adamantly refusing to go? I’d have left for Canada no later than November 2016!  (Trump!)

Why? My list is too long to put here, but I’ll just cite the top five…

Here in the U.S., should I suffer an arrest, I’ve the right to an attorney. If however I suffer a cardiac arrest? I’m financially ruined. Despite having health insurance, the monthly premiums for which exceed my mortgage payment by 35%. My last hospital visit (2021), comprising a four hour ER stay, a few tests, but no admission, generated a bill for $6,200 beyond what my insurance covered. In Canada, meanwhile, my tax dollars would be used toward a national health care system that would’ve greatly reduced if not eliminated that liability. Instead of worrying about particular doctors being on my insurance plan? I could see whomever I chose. I’d not have avoided seeking emergency care for months while my wife begged me to go; and I’m pretty certain I’d have spent less on a trip to the ER than I did my first car.

Here in the U.S., when we err by electing the bad (1976, ‘80, ‘84), the hopeless (2000, ‘04), or even the utterly batshit insane (2016) as a national leader? We’re stuck with them for four years unless someone takes one for the national team and etches their name into infamy by killing them. In Canada, meanwhile, during my lifetime there’ve been 3 instances where an incompetent or unpopular Prime Minister has been shown the door within a year of taking office. There, MP’s are held directly accountable by the electorate, with no seat truly in the stranglehold of one of its six major parties. Here, we literally tailor electoral districts to elect politicians rather than tailor the politicians to the people of the district.

Here in the U.S., there is a very vocal, very xenophobic group of people who if given the means would stand at the Mexican border and shoot dead anyone who dared try to cross it. In Canada, meanwhile, one in five Canadians is an immigrant, and they’re comparatively welcomed with open arms. Being multicultural is a feature, not a bug. Canada gets that.

Here in the U.S., we are paranoid as a society. Crime is allegedly rampant. We’re on the brink of destruction from the Chinese. Your neighbor could be a cross-dressing interracial pedophile. Despite actual crime being about half of what it was fifty years ago and violent crime down two thirds? We see fit to have our police are better armed than most nation’s militaries. In Canada, meanwhile, at least in rural areas house doors tend to remain unlocked. China’s seen in proper context and not some global bogeyman. Police possess common sense. Crime exists, but the people aren’t constantly fearing for their safety. Oh, and… people aren’t massacred in public settings on a regular basis.

Finally… have you ever met a Canadian? Unless you’re disparaging a Labatt or Molson, or claiming hockey’s a sport for wussies? Odds are, you’ll have a nice, civil encounter. By contrast, there are significant swaths of Americans who simply can’t resist injecting their religion, politics, or narcissism into a discussion within 5 minutes of meeting you. Canadians are, by far, better people to be in the presence of.

Had I my life to re-live? I’d have crossed the Peace Bridge at 18, and I’d have stayed there. While I’ve done far better than most Americans, I’d be exponentially better off had I gone to Canada; and if someone came to me with an offer to buy my business and properties at anything close to their fair market value… and I could somehow be assured permanent Canadian residence? Wife or not, anyone searching for me would likely only see a vapor trail heading north instead.

The American Curmudgeon!

Why is Canada so fake?

 Allan:

I am going to take a wild guess but I will put money on this question being written by an American whose extensive travel experience in Canada has been through Disney and Bugs Bunny cartoons.

What country is it whose president proclaimed the U.S. to be the “bright, shining city on the hill.” 

The truth is that Neon City is a shallow front. 

Behind that front is a second-rate country. 

Check the facts.

The U.S. cannot care for it’s people:

- lowest life expectancy of the developed countries, seven years less than Canada,

- highest infant/maternal mortality rate of the developed countries,

- and higher per capita SARS-COVID mortality rate than Canada.

- cannot educate its people — U.S. education ranked 22nd in the world, Canada sixth.

- cannot protect its people — 647 mass casualty events in 2022; Canada — zero.

- Canada is ranked sixth for freedom, the land of the free is not even in the top 20.

- There’s lots more but let’s leave it at that and ask why the U.S. is so fake because Canada is genuine, unlike the self-proclaimed greatest country on Earth.

Brenton Harding

Former Foreign Service Officer. (1982–1986)

Bob can be your uncle... but not Sam!

 ALLAN:

What is preventing the U.S. and Canada from merging?

It seems to me that the American people who post on here are either totally unaware of how alien their culture is to the rest of the world... or this type of post is trolling.

For the purpose of this reply, I assume that Americans are ignorant of how they are perceived by other nations.

We often see America as a failed or failing state because:

It is run by corporations, foreign countries and religions who own the political class.

The American education system is somewhat behind the rest of the world and rather than having an enforced national curriculum, it seems each country can change what is taught at a whim. 

Furthermore having school children pledge allegiance to the flag each day and teaching them “facts” about American history and achievements is much the same brainwashing technique used in North Korea. So please forgive us if we don't trust your indoctrinated “free citizens.

Americans seem to be taught that freedom is about having a gun/guns and killing people. When Trump was president he said something like everyone should carry a gun so that in the case of a shooting they can shoot the “bad guy.” (interestingly I didn't see Trump pull out a gun in the recent assassination attempt, I am sure that he will have an excuse) 

My point is that the rest of the world doesn't see having armed citizens as a good thing, in fact, most of the public in the non-American world don't want the proliferation of guns among the citizens. As a result, the only people in very many countries that have access to guns are those that can prove a need for them, school shootings are not accepted as a valid reason.

In the rest of the world, we care about the lives and well-being of others both from an ethical and economic standpoint, sick people can't work and that affects the economy. Also as I mentioned we are ethically concerned about the health of others.

The American healthcare system seems based entirely on schadenfreude and profiteering.

I started by saying this is the perception of non-Americans about America. Maybe it's wrong but it is the face you chose to show the world. It's anathema to what everyone else considers civilized so you can't expect any other nation to merge with the USA if for no other reason than you seem to be a country of politically corrupt, morally bankrupt, crazy people.

Ian Ellis

What are the perks of living in Canada?

 Allan:

I’ve lived my entire life in the US, and have recently moved to Canada. The advantages of Canada I’ve found include:

• A functional government with very little corruption
• An awesome health care system. In fact, it keeps surprising me how good health care is in Canada. I’ve used it a few times and it blows me away every time with how efficient and low-cost it is.
• A great business climate for small business, at least in BC. In fact, I relocated one of my businesses from the US to Canada.
• Awesome people. The jokes about how friendly Canadians are, aren’t really jokes.

Franklin Veaux

As an American who actually moved to Canada, how would you rate the decision and why?

If you're in the 50% who are reasonably sane... your best bet would be to move north!!!!!!!!

Allan

I am pleased with the decision. My Canadian neighbourhood has been accepting and genuinely friendly. I have been more than pleasantly surprised at the healthcare system. 

It works much better than what I was used to in the States, and pharmaceuticals are far, far less expensive in Canada, in some instances by a multiple of 10 times less expensive. 

The taxes are certainly higher, of course, I pay full US taxes before “topping up” in Canada, but it is costing me more tax dollars. 

The healthcare system seems a fair offset though. Not being concerned about illness or injury costing me my 401K has been a big relief. 

This will become more of a factor in the future as I get older.

I really like Canadian Tire and the Beer Store. I don’t get the Tim Horton’s thing though, although I go there on occasion. 

A&W in Canada is also far better than in the US. I miss some college football coverage in Canada, but a new satellite dish will help solve that issue. 

I am still not a big hockey fan.

I had to take a Hunter Safety course and firearms courses for hunting and gun ownership. 

I also took a boating course for my operator's license. 

I was the oldest person in all my classes but learned a few things after a lifetime of those pursuits.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is that I am very pleased with my move to Canada. 

Once I fully retire I doubt I even go back to the US beyond an occasional visit to see old friends. 

Life is good here in Canada, and statistically speaking, my life expectancy increased by 4 years.

Mark McClain

How is the quality of life in Canada compared to Sweden?

 Allan:

I am now retired in Canada because that’s where I worked for the last few years.

Compare the two countries…

Honestly, they are pretty much alike.

“Good government for the people.” Check.

“Superb healthcare for all”. Check

“Free or almost free education in a good schooling and university system.” Check

“Low criminality and VERY few murders.” Check

“Relatively few prisoners in a system made to prevent readmission.” Check

“Protection of the working person and his/her job against big corporations.” Check

You can go down the list and find a few differences, but nothing of significance.

Canada is huge and hard to traverse. 

Sweden is more compact and easier to travel about.

Belinda Clarke

Far better public transit in Sweden. See “huge” above.

Sunday Morning Funnies!

 Allan:

"Are 

the living conditions in Canada really that bad... like what people are saying?"

Barry Horton, San Antonio, Texas.

Barry:

As one of the few Canadians with the Internet, I would have to agree with that statement!

BUT: Just so you don't take only my word for it... read to this answer from Deborah Smith:

***

Yes. Yes, they are. It's horrible here.

We still live in Igloos, have no paved roads. 

No one owns a car or even a horse. We walk everywhere. No busses, no transit, no taxis.

I walked 3 miles uphill to school … both ways… when I was a kid. I had no shoes. We wear paper bags on our feet to stay warm, even though the temperature is 100 degrees below zero from September to June. (And from June to September, we have mosquitos the size of polar bears.)

And it’s so barren here. No gorgeous lakes or rivers and both coasts are landlocked. 

It’s a desert. A cold desert. We have no natural resources. No gold, silver, copper, diamonds, aluminum or any other precious metals. 

No forests, no oil or gas. 

Nothing that anyone not born in Canada could possibly want to come here for.

And we have NO sense of humour. 

You should never think of emigrating to Canada.

Deborah Smith

Go North Young Man!

 ALLAN:

Why would anyone live in Canada when the United States is better by every metric, including life expectancy, infant mortality, freedom of speech, gun violence, crime, universal healthcare, and education?

David Harris

***

ALLAN:

What a bunch of crap!

The only category in which the US ranks higher is the infant mortality rate... but barely (0.003%). These are all the things you lied about:

Life expectancy: 77.28 years for the US, and 81.75 years for Canada.

Infant mortality rate: 0.379% for the US, and 0.382% for Canada.

Gun relayed deaths: 4.31 deaths per 100,000 for the US, 0.57 deaths per 100,000 for Canada.

Crime rate: all crime rates are higher in the US than in Canada.

Universal healthcare: doesn't exist in the US so you can't compare it with Canada.

Education: the US ranks 13th in the world for education, Canada ranks 11th.

So unless you're looking for shitty performance, the US ranks behind Canada in damned near everything you put into your bullshit post.

How does Canada feel about Trump?

 Allan:

I know only one Canadian who thinks Donald Trump is a good man and will bring a better life to Americans. I know this person personally and I happen to know that he loves conspiracy theories and follows news outlets such as Breitbart News.

As for the rest of the people in my life who are Canadian there was a sense of horror. At first, everyone was talking about Trump’s every move and then the conversation changed to sighs and rolling eyes and then to people saying, “Oh please, lets not talk about Trump.”

Now I find people are setting their sights on moving on and finding their own direction for fear of losing the States to a devolving society. It is heartbreaking really. We hope and pray that your constitution will hold strong and you will come through this a better and stronger nation but it seems that your constitution is having a few roadblocks.

It is becoming more and more apparent that Trump is not the real problem here. There is a deeper and more profound problem. The problem is rooted in the power structure of your country. It appears to many of us that it is not the Democrats or the Republicans that are in power. It appears that a few extraordinarily wealthy people hold the power and dictate that agenda and the direction of your country. There is a stranglehold on your ‘democracy’. Right now the stranglehold is managed by people such as the Koch brothers and the Mercers. When the Democrats get in I’m not sure who holds the reigns but it doesn’t seem to be ‘the people’.

In a healthy democracy, there is a limit to the amount any individual can give to a political party. In my country, I believe that amount is $1,500.00. Yes, that would be a hundred dollars, not a thousand dollars or a hundred thousand or even higher.

This ensures that the politicians listen to the ‘people’ not the power mongers. What’s that expression? Oh yah…”Always follow the money.”

Of course, that will probably never be an option for you but it is worth knowing. Maybe it would be a good idea to ask why these power-mongers want Trump in there.

Canadians are for the most part... hoping for the best for your country.

Canada!

Allan... since we're on a "Canada" kick! 

***

I was born and raised in India until 22 then relocated to Canada and did business in the USA. A very fortunate man who has the blessings to enjoy the democracy and free speech of the 3 largest democracies in the world.

Canada is the peaceful protector of the North Pole and its ecosystem. It’s home for 20% of the world’s Freshwater resources, Polar Bears, Grizzlies, Orca Whales, Glaciers and Freshwater Islands.

Canadians invented IMAX, Telephone, Walkie-Talkie, Java (James Gosling is a Canadian, the Father of Java), Insulin, Sonar and a leading country in Nuclear innovations and Technology. The fruit McIntosh is the national fruit of Canada (Steve Jobs took this name for his computer).

Molson, BlackBerry, Nortel, Tim Hortons, Bombardier are some of the Canadian Icons.

Do you know Public Health Agency of Canada invented vaccine (VSV-EBOV) for Ebola and saved thousands of lives during the outbreak between 2012 – 2015?

Canada was the first country that gave Nuclear Technology to India in the 1950’s when other western countries ignored the growth of India during that time.

Canada lost 65,000 service men and women in the first World War and 44,000 in second World War theater to protect the global humanity and democracy. Remember, the population of the country was less than 6 million during that time.

Canada is always the safety haven for people who are oppressed, tortured and threatened around the world. It accepted 40,000 Sikhs from India between 1983-1990 and 65,000 SriLankan Tamils during the same time frame. The recent arrival of Serbians, Bosnians, Syrians, Iraqis and Arabians are noteworthy examples of the humanitarian heart of Canadians.

It still has a warm immigration system to attract talent and give citizenship to immigrants within 8 years. The 911 system at the City of Toronto speaks 157 languages to help people regardless of their origin. The system doesn’t force you to speak English/French to get Government and Emergency help. One can easily see Chinese, Hindi, Tamil, Italian in bank ATM’s, emergency notifications and hospital sign boards.

It is the major contributor to UN peace force, NATO and G8 countries.

The country also has enormous power in Global Politics (The arrest of Huawei CFO, Asylum for Rahaf Mohammed Alqunun are some recent examples). A person who has some knowledge about Global Politics can connect the dots and understand the present political strength of Canada.

It’s a country of brave women and men. After 1904, Canada participated in all wars with USA around the globe and even in Vietnam, they served in Communication and other Medical duties.

It is still the second largest country in the world by land mass with the population of 37.5 million (less than the population of California State). In addition to the home population, there are another 4 - 5 million people living abroad, mostly in the U.S.A (Canadian Diaspora). It achieved more liberally, socially and militarily than any other country in the world.

A role model for Universal Health Care and Affordable Medicines. 98% of the population pays Government taxes sincerely every year to strengthen the economy.

It looks irrelevant in your eyes and it is the strength of Canada. We keep low profile because our actions are louder than words.

THANK YOU AMERICA!

Sitting up here in the "Great White North" I can ruminate about how the United States has been a never-ending source of amusement for the past eight years... and it doesn't show any sign of letting up in the foreseeable future!

This picture is one of the best examples of what we are subjected to for all hours of the night and day!

An even better example is what Robin Williams said about Canada a few years ago! 

"Canada is a nice, warm, cozy and safe apartment that's situated above a METH-LAB!!!!

CANADA!

 Why do people in Canada claim that Canada is a better place to live than the United States!

Allan:

As an American living in Canada, I can verify that Canada is, in fact, a better place to live.

Number of School Shootings in 2023: US - 131 / Canada - 0

The average cost of a four-year degree: US - $102,828 / Canada - $34,587

Average life span: US - 77.28 years / Canada - 81.75 years

This is on top of the fact that same-sex marriage and abortion are legal in Canada. 

There are laws against hate speech. 

And Americans are quick to scream “BUT THE GUNS!” but we are actually allowed to own guns in Canada too - we just have laws in place to make sure they’re restricted to doing what they’re intended for and not just given out over the counter at your corner Walmart.

In terms of diversity, equality, and inclusion, Canada is far more free than the United States. 

In terms of safety, Canada is far more safe than the United States. 

As far as healthcare is concerned, I don’t have to worry about my family if I’m out of a job or if I’m poor.

“BUT THE TAXES!” Americans will also scream. 

Our tax tables are a PARAGRAPH…two if you count the provincial tax tables. And you don’t hit the 50% tax bracket until you’re making more than $220,000 per year. And to be honest, if you can’t make ends meet taking home $110,000 per year - well…maybe you deserve to live in a third-world country like the United States.

Also, we have the world’s only reserve of Maple Syrup. 

In yo face Vermont!

Will Anderson