1522 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Many people wouldn’t like to be part of their “gun culture” and constant school shootings. Or subject to their criminal justice system.

We are the western world’s second-most gun loving nation, only behind the US.

[LJ]

I can see little PRACTICAL downside. Except half our population will move south.

Our laws and regulations are mostly the same.

We have this big stupid border between us. I see no evidence that it keeps in or out more criminals or crime.

Our culture is one of law and order  versus wild wild west, Americans have a different upbringing than we do. I would like to form an economic union with the US, convert to US dollars sort of like the European Union, but still remain sovereign.

[LJ]

Trump just needs to frame it as Canadians would be virtuous by showing their openness to multiculturalism if they accepted America.
Name a more multi-cultural nation than the states…

Imagine if Canadians joined up with the most multicultural country in the history of the world.
It’s right up our alley. Think of all the minorities we could share a country with!

Except the US is not a multi-cultural society, they are a melting pot.

Canada is a multi-cultural society and that is starting to bite us in the butt.

[max.bravo]

The melting pot idea is aspirational, not reality. They are much more multicultural than Canada is.

[LJ]

I disagree.

[Victoria Watcher]

Except the US is not a multi-cultural society, they are a melting pot.

 

Dearborn, Hamtramck.

[max.bravo]

Some googling shows the proper terms are ‘cultural mosaic’ (Canada) and ‘melting pot’ (USA) - two types of multiculturalism.

Some critics argue the differences are real, while other academics say the difference is mostly imagined.

In reality if you accept a lot of immigrants, like both countries do; there will be some degree of cultural sharing (melting pot) and some degree of differences between cultures will remain (cultural mosaic).

If the USA was really a melting pot you wouldn’t have little Italies, chinatowns, Jewish quarters, black neighborhoods, and the other things (that Canada also has). Arguably you wouldn’t have socioeconomic differences between ethnicities either, but that’s a different topic.

I really don’t think there’s a difference in reality. Except Americans are more patriotic, even new Americans. But that could be a learned behavior (ie it’s cultural). On the other hand, I know immigrants here who are very happy to get PR status and citizenship. Even though we seem to frown on overt displays of patriotism. So what’s the difference?

Edited by max.bravo, 07 February 2025 - 08:18 PM.

[lanforod]

There are some things that the US has I want nothing to do with. Their hyper partisan, dual party system of politics. Their extreme stance on civil legal suits. Their medical advertising crap. Elected judges, DAs and sheriffs.

[max.bravo]

So.. an engaged and active democracy, a legal system that enforces accountability and is accessible to common people, freedom of choice in medical treatments, and democracy in the legal system?
Huh. Those are all good things to some people.

[lanforod]

Take off your red white n blue glasses mate.

[max.bravo]

Not very persuasive. Emotional sentimentalism is a thin thread to preserve a country with. Not sure it’ll hold up.

Convince me with facts and logic.

[dasmo]

No need. It’s not happening.

[max.bravo]

The five stages of grief:
1. denial [you are here]
2. anger
3. bargaining
4. depression
5. acceptance

[Blair M.]

Forum banter is always entertaining, often incredibly engaging - but talk of the United States "annexing" Canada by some means is (IMO) shall we say a stretch?

It's not ever going to happen.

Folks the world over can convince themselves that the world is flat, that we didn't go to the moon, that the world is run by a Jewish conspiracy, etc, etc - so it goes without saying that anybody can convince themselves of pretty much anything at all.

But the U.S. annexing Canada is a pipe dream.

 

What will happen however, and what does require ongoing discussion - is the need for Canada to step up with our big boy pants on and deal with the next unbalanced and unpredictable four years of a Trump presidency. 

Rather than fretting about "51st Statehood", Canada should be cleaning house, and getting our affairs in order, such that Trump (more likely Stephen Miller and a few others) focus their attention on some other country, some other international political figure, or some other issue they deem to be of importance to a Trump America.

It's not really a difficult ask of Canada, and in all cases the "ask" from the U.S. (so far) is actually a 100% benefit to Canada and Canadians.

 

Although much of what Trump has accused Canada of is utterly false, there are components that are somewhat factual, and that most definitely require rather quick attention.

 

Cut right to it, Trump is simply playing as an amateur in a poker tournament largely seated with professionals - so come on Canada, shut up and deal!

[max.bravo]

Blair, can you explain why America annexing Canada isn’t possible?

[dasmo]

I’m not grieving. Nothing is happening to grieve.

Edited by dasmo, 07 February 2025 - 09:33 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Canada’s own tariffs push up housing costs

 

Now that tariffs are on the spotlight, let’s look at our own tariffs or tax grabs.

 

For example there is up to a 324% tariff on American drywall with the so called anti-dumping rule to protect a few companies in Canada.

 

As a result the cost of a new home is about $12,000 greater than it should be.

 

That and other tariffs we charge on American goods that affect affordable homes should be eliminated if we seriously want to address affordable housing.

 

A remainder about 43% of the cost of a new residence is taxes, including duties of one form or another. For future generations, governments must address all their taxes and duties on a new home in order for them to be affordable.

 

 

Gerald Hartwig

Victoria

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...ranges-10204877

[Mike K.]

We charge Americans a massive tariff to live here, too, if they want to buy a home.

[Barrister]

The heart of the problem is that we have a massive and ever growing government bureaucracy in this country and it just sucks money down the drain. Along with government contracts it has created a self serving voting block that makes it almost impossible to control.

[dasmo]

Check this out. Links to Mexico, hints that it’s allowed to go on by law enforcement, a huge expanding operation. Where do you think the market is for this? https://youtu.be/VHqBj0S5Mzo