Should Canada merge with the USA?

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Who exactly has claimed that in this thread?

I'm not sure anybody has. I was just having a little fun.

[rotten42]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

As much as you guys claim to hate the US, you sure flock over the border every single weekend.

Half of my customers are Canadians who 'weekend' in Whitefish. It's astounding how much disposable income you seem to have.

That said, I love each and every one of you. Almost.

To be fair the whitefish people are more like Canadain's than American anyway.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by nik-

and Colorado, it can be the Canadian Alaska ... just south, with better beer.

Colorado felt a little redundant, as we already have Alberta. Plus it's stuck in the middle of the country and I don't really want the ones around it. A little too much mass-shootin' in that state too (Colombine, Aurora)...they'd probably never go for our gun laws (neither would Alaska of course). I want states that already share some of our values and would easily assimilate.

And I just want Hawaii, because Hawaii.

[SeeBass]

In my lifetime I have swung back and forth on this.

When the dollar was a 63 cents I was all "hell yes" and now that our economy appears more stable I am in the "hell no" camp.

[troutman]

Alaska should merge with Canada.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

As much as you guys claim to hate the US, you sure flock over the border every single weekend.

Half of my customers are Canadians who 'weekend' in Whitefish. It's astounding how much disposable income you seem to have.

That said, I love each and every one of you. Almost.

That's because Canada still has a middle class. The people in America are awesome (for the most part), the scenery is beautiful, and the similar culture makes it an easy place to visit and enjoy. But the poisonous politics and unregulated capitalism at any cost mentality scare me away from ever contemplating moving to the US, and that's why you see such a passionate response from Canadians in a thread like this. Your economy is unpredictable (based on a crash-recovery cycle for over a century), your healthcare system is a complete mess, and your government favors funding a massively bloated military machine over things like education and social welfare. Why in the world would we want to get involved in that?

[darklord700]

If by doing that we get an NFL team here, I'll say yes.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Been living here for almost 4 years now and there is a distinctive cultural difference that I don't think a lot of Canadians can stomach. It's a very individualistic culture in major cities with little caring or compassion for your fellow human being, especially on the road. That being said, when I've travelled to less urban areas people are warm and friendly and good natured, but then they like their guns a LOT in those areas.

The bay area in particular is one of the most amazing places to live in terms of culture, science, food, nature etc. but it's so overwhelmed with people that the economics of living here permanently are not feasible unless you're making a ton of money. There is serious economic disparity in this area and it's a microcosm of the U.S. as a whole. The "American Dream" is disappearing quickly and the U.S. is becoming a permanent class system. Yes, there are less very wealthy people in Canada, but how much do you really need? Greed is still the way of life in the U.S. for most people, but there are pockets of progressives trying to change the culture…it's just not going to change anytime soon.

I'm also wary of the U.S. taking all of our resources for a song, leaving behind the environmental impact for us to clean up and the locals to deal with. Also, this would exacerbate the problem of Canadian "brain drain" to the U.S. as there would be fewer restrictions to working in the U.S. and there's a lot more money for the same position down here than there is in Canada, especially in the health care field.

This isn't a great deal for Canada and the argument that we can't patrol our northern border is a red herring. People are talking about an EU type situation, well IMO we already have that with so many distinct economies and cultures within Canada to manage. I don't think we need to take on more than that.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by troutman

Alaska should merge with Canada.

This I agree with. They are so like Canadians in every way except for gun control that it only makes sense.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

That's because Canada still has a middle class. The people in America are awesome (for the most part), the scenery is beautiful, and the similar culture makes it an easy place to visit and enjoy. But the poisonous politics and unregulated capitalism at any cost mentality scare me away from ever contemplating moving to the US, and that's why you see such a passionate response from Canadians in a thread like this. Your economy is unpredictable (based on a crash-recovery cycle for over a century), your healthcare system is a complete mess, and your government favors funding a massively bloated military machine over things like education and social welfare. Why in the world would we want to get involved in that?

Oh, I understand. Believe me.

If I lived in Canada I wouldn't want to move here either!

I will tell you, though, that it is a lot nicer being 60 miles from the border than 1200 from my perspective.

[wookster]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

As much as you guys claim to hate the US, you sure flock over the border every single weekend.

Half of my customers are Canadians who 'weekend' in Whitefish. It's astounding how much disposable income you seem to have.

That said, I love each and every one of you. Almost.

I was in Whitefish not that long ago...maybe we've met. And if I fell into that "almost" category I sincerely apologize and lay blame to the very affordably priced beer you have.

Seriously though, my ski trips to whitefish have been among the most epic I've ever been on...fun place for sures.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I doubt most people would even notice a real difference in their day-to-day lives if it happened. Unless Canadians were being rounded up and put in gulags, I don't think the change would be worth dying over.

Many regions, states and even cities have maintained unique identities within the U.S., so I don't see why a "North American" country couldn't have 10 provinces with distinct Canadian identities. Also, perhaps not a popular opinion here, but I consider Americans and Canadians to be basically the same culture.

I'm also convinced that nation states as we know them won't exist in the next 100 years anyway.

While the people may have similar attitudes/demeanor/language, when merging two countries a lot more has to be taken into account than just the likeness of citizens. We differ in many fundamental ways that just would not gel. Health care, gun control, economic policy, foriegn policy, and basic political ideology are all very different between the two countries. You could never convince me that an injection of American political ideals would be a benefit to Canada. EDIT: And conversely, I don't think you could convince the US as a whole to take on Canada's "socialism" as it is their most feared word/concept.

Although I do agree with your last point, in order for the human race to progress beyond our current state, the idea of nations and acting in the best interest of your country rather than the world as a whole has to undergo a major shift. But that's a different discussion and involves much greater accomplishments in order to acheive (ie World peace).

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Vacation spots? I live here!

It's a vacation spot for us. That's the point.

[Bane]

Tell you what, the US can have Toronto and Winnipeg. Canada gets New Orleans and Alaska in return.

And I get Kate Upton for brokering the deal.

[PIMking]

nm

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by PIMking

The king and queen wouldn't be on our money that's for sure

American would love an American monarchy.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by PIMking

You realize that Colorado passed a bunch of super strict knee jerk reaction gun laws right after Aurora. (btw Aurora was in a gun free zone)

Not everyone is a psychopath that goes out and kills people because their mommy didn't hug them enough. I find it interesting that some are so scared of mass shootings and guns but laugh at me when I say that I carry concealed for that reason of personal defense.

/rant

In reality, I highly doubt that we would notice that much of a difference. Maybe a little but not that much.

The king and queen wouldn't be on our money that's for sure

It's because, just like you, some psychopath can have a concealed weapon. Does it not seem logical that if no one is allowed a concealed weapon, no one needs a concealed weapon?

And if you dont take the King and Queen, you don't get our healthcare, land, oil, better beer, hotter women, and basically everything we have that is better than yours. Which is most things.

I'd like to see Canada invest in the US economy......by purchasing Hawaii.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by MattyC

It's because, just like you, some psychopath can have a concealed weapon. Does it not seem logical that if no one is allowed a concealed weapon, no one needs a concealed weapon?

And if you dont take the King and Queen, you don't get our healthcare, land, oil, better beer, hotter women, and basically everything we have that is better than yours. Which is most things.

I'd like to see Canada invest in the US economy......by purchasing Hawaii.

I'm not a drinker, so beer doesn't matter, I may be conservative but I've been an advocate of the single payer system, and Hotter women? LOL that can be debated but I guess some would take a trip to the great beaches of British Columbia over Miami or California?

Originally Posted by MattyC

I'd like to see Canada invest in the US economy......by purchasing Hawaii.

No no no, you have to take it over like we did by kicking the queen out.

Originally Posted by MattyC

It's because, just like you, some psychopath can have a concealed weapon. Does it not seem logical that if no one is allowed a concealed weapon, no one needs a concealed weapon?

I've been through training for my concealed license, the federal, state, county, and local governments have done extreme background checks on me to get my CCL. I'm not some thug with a pistol in the waistband of my pants looking to score some drugs.

I carry to protect myself from the thugs who would rather rob someone than make a living legally.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

American would love an American monarchy.

we already have one....

[PIMking]

all in all, I love you canadian's, just like I love my neighbor, but I really don't want to share my house with them as much as I don't want you to share yours with me.

We're a lot alike, but real different too. It's best for us to keep our brotherly relationship as it is and continue to make fun of one another.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by PIMking

I'm not a drinker, so beer doesn't matter, I may be conservative but I've been an advocate of the single payer system, and Hotter women? LOL that can be debated but I guess some would take a trip to the great beaches of British Columbia over Miami or California?



No no no, you have to take it over like we did by kicking the queen out.



I've been through training for my concealed license, the federal, state, county, and local governments have done extreme background checks on me to get my CCL. I'm not some thug with a pistol in the waistband of my pants looking to score some drugs.

I carry to protect myself from the thugs who would rather rob someone than make a living legally.

Well my post was mostly tongue in cheek, but I think you took my point on guns incorrectly. My point is that a psychopath could get a concealed weapon license, just like yourself. But if no one is allowed to carry concealed weapons whats the fear?

How many Canadians in here feel a daily threat of robbery is strong enough to carry a gun? Dont want to start a gun debate, its just interesting that you feel threatened enough by where ever you live that having a gun on your hip is the only way to feel safe. Doesn't that say a lot about the state of your city/state/nation?