Disgruntled Americans Moving To Canada?
Think Again..Ay!

by Howard Melamed
11/07/04

With the report of a 6 fold increase in hits to the Canadian Immigration website due to the discontent with the G.W. win, many Americans are asking themselves 'What would it be like to live in Canada'.  I offer to those who may think that the grass ( or snow) is greener on the other side some interesting perspectives of a Canadian American, me...Ay?

Canada is not the place you think it is.  Sure it is a pleasant place with lots of land and where Hockey rules.  It is a clean place with great schools, parks, and safe quiet neighborhoods. 90% of all Canadians live within 60 miles of the United States northern border, and most live in 6 cities, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Calgary.  You can pick any one of these cities to live in. Ay?

Canada has a parliamentary type of system.  Citizens elect a member of parliament occupying a Seat in government. The party with the most 'Seats' end up the being asked by a governor general to form a government.  The leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister....no matter who or she is. No Canadian Citizen ever elects the head of the government, as we do.  The Senate is another government body but no one ever gets elected to the Senate. They are appointed by the government.  When a party is declared the winner, and they have a majority of the seats, they govern without interference from anyone.  If they have a the largest amount of seats in an election, but not more than 50 % of the seats, then they must make a deal with one of the many other parties to form the government. No two party system here. As a result many the government ends up with a compromise of political promises and values...especially the moral ones.Ay?

Wait a minute. No Canadian gets to elect a President? No. How about the House of Representatives and Senate? No. Think of the United States having only one body of government. The House of Representatives.  No Senate. No President.  The leader of the House of Representatives becomes the leader of the nation. This is like having Tom Delay, our current US majority leader as the Prime Minister.  As a result of this type of government, at odds with the people, have been increasing levels of corruption, and increasing levels of taxes. Ay?

Then there is the Tax situation. Good Luck.  Be prepared to pay a majority of your salary to the government. Maximum income tax rate is 60%.  Then, enjoy the Goods and Services Tax,  (GST which to many Canadians stands for Go South Today) a sales tax which is between 15 and 17 % depending on which part of Canada you want to settle in.  The GST is paid on everything including Lawyer bills, real estate commissions, and of course tickets to Football games.....Ooops. Canadian Football, 3 downs, bigger ball,  wider field longer field, and.....yawn........Canadian fans. Ay?

Then there is the cost of gasoline, at roughly $4.00 per gallon ( in American funds ). So you will get a smaller car....great..Ay?

Canadian Government involvement is perfect for the liberal minded American. They have socialized medicine which provides the best mediocre care in the World. That's why the best doctors in Canada move to the United States. Think of the US Post Office running your medical care and you will get the idea of what is going on now in Canada with their Health Care system.   But, prescription drugs are cheaper.  The Arts are funded by government as well, National Film Board of Canada, competes against private filmmakers...that's a good thing? Ay?

When you convert your currency to Canadian Dollars, you will definitely get a thrill, as the Canadian dollar is with about 75 cents to the American.  But, things cost more so the increase in total volume of paper you have is only that. More paper....less value. AY?

Then there is the Quebec issue. This great country almost was separated into itty bitty pieces in 1994 when Quebec almost voted to separate. Imagine Texas deciding they want to leave...and only 50.1 % of the population decides to stay.  The French-English conflict is like a fish bone stuck in the throat of every Canadian and it never goes away...Ay?.

Count on your new country staying out of conflicts.  They have no army to speak of, no navy, and no air force.  But you can still feel safe going to bed at night knowing that your neighbor, the United States of America, is their to protect you whilst you sleep.  It is a free protection offered willingly.  Ay?

While I vote for the President of the United States, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, and you have no say whatsoever, because you are now an American Canadian,  sleep well at night.  You can count on this Canadian American to always vote for the right people in the government, to make sure no one will ever bother you. Ay?

But, you have lots of Maple Syrup.

Move north my friend, to Canada, and leave the voting to me, here in America. At least my vote counts....AY? 

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another article to read: Let's Buy Canada..Ay?