http://godfatherpolitics.co...cas-economic-behind/

quote If you’ve ever seen the film Canadian Bacon (1995), which was written, directed and produced by Michael Moore before he became obnoxious, you learn that Canada is of no real consequence to the United States. But since the US economy is in a rut and the president’s approval rating is in the toilet, the president’s advisors come up with a brilliant idea. “What we need is a good war, but the Russians aren’t interested. Hey — how about that big polite country to the north?” Canada gets no respect in this film: The Canadians. They walk among us. William Shatner. Michael J. Fox. Monty Hall. Mike Meyers. Alex Trebek. All of them Canadians. All of them here. Think of your children pledging allegiance to the maple leaf. Mayonnaise on everything. Winter 11 months of the year. Anne Murray — all day, every day. Well, it seems the joke is now on US. Canada is getting its fiscal house in order. While we’re spending like there’s no tomorrow, Canada is fixing its “fiscal mess” by focusing “on private economic growth,” the Wall Street Journal is reporting. “Canada’s federal debt as a share of GDP is forecast to fall to 28.5% in 2016–17 from 33.8%. Add in state debt and that number is closer to 66%, but the trend is in the right direction, while America’s is heading toward 70% and rising.” Get this. Even the Socialists are getting on board the train of fiscal responsibility and tax cutting: “Alberta’s Ralph Klein in the 1990s cut taxes, slimmed government and created a stable investment climate. Saskatchewan’s socialists, British Columbia and Ontario reformed too. The Harper government took power in 2006 and started to cut taxes, trim government employment and clinch free-trade deals. Canada’s corporate tax rate is now 15%, compared with America’s 35%.” Instead of putting obstacles in front of energy companies, Canada considers its “energy resources as national assets to be exploited — with as few delays as possible.” Are the Democrats paying attention? “Contrast this with the multiple reviews that have stymied the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada and North Dakota’s Bakken Shale to the Gulf Coast.” What we may be seeing is American companies crossing the border into Canada to save 20% on their corporate earnings. That’s a big chunk of change. Canada’s almost like the United States, maybe it’s time to consider a move there.

The Canadian left isn't a near as militant as the left is in America.

They do have great natural resources to tap and to export to the rest of the world. With a total population smaller than California, a country like Canada can manage itself quite well.

Not to knock any American's here, I've nothing against you folks. Actually, I quite like you, because you keep the bogeyman's away from Canada.

Lett's keep in mind, no matter how big you are, everything eventually comes to an end. USA has been "in power" for a looong time now.

Nothing lasts forever, not a country of power, not a vehicle, not a life. Time ravages everything. Eventually, something's got to give.

"What are you talking about? America isn't going to be destroyed."

"Never? Rome was destroyed, Greece was destroyed, Persia was destroyed, Spain was destroyed. All great countries are destroyed. Why not yours? How much longer do you really think your own country will last? Forever?"

[This message has been edited by Valkyrie (edited 04-05-2012).]

quote Originally posted by Valkyrie: Not to knock any American's here, I've nothing against you folks. Actually, I quite like you, because you keep the bogeyman's away from Canada. Lett's keep in mind, no matter how big you are, everything eventually comes to an end. USA has been "in power" for a looong time now. Nothing lasts forever, not a country of power, not a vehicle, not a life. Time ravages everything. Eventually, something's got to give. "What are you talking about? America isn't going to be destroyed." "Never? Rome was destroyed, Greece was destroyed, Persia was destroyed, Spain was destroyed. All great countries are destroyed. Why not yours? How much longer do you really think your own country will last? Forever?"

If we go, you go. Plain and simple!

quote Originally posted by Valkyrie: Rome was destroyed, Greece was destroyed, Persia was destroyed, Spain was destroyed. All great countries are destroyed.

Destroyed?
They're still there...........just different..........kinda' like the dinosaurs we see in birds.........just evolved.
This country is evolving to meet the demands of a brand new world.
It's how you survive.

And just like in evolution, the biggest always get hit the hardest.

Actually, I see the US in a downward spiral. Freedoms keep getting lost regardless of which party is in power. It is a corporately run government. Its not about we the people but we the share-holders.
The slate needs to be wiped clean and started over with the original constitution and bill of rights.

I'd like to weigh in on this topic, because I have been following it rather close. Ever since July of 2011, ( this thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/087955.html ) I have been fighting with the idea should I pack up my family and move to the US from Canada. Even with the fact that I'll have a nearly free house, more tools and shop space than I'll ever get here in BC..... (my father passed away and he was a gear head mechanic like me)

I look at the state of the US economy and at face value I keep telling myself it has already hit bottom and its getting better, but deep down I know that is not true. Lisa (my wife) and I thought about it she asked why in the world does the US not have a government medical system like we do in Canada. I mean their are people literally dying in the streets because they can't afford proper medical care. I said very frankly, the people of the US don't want to pay for it. We in Canada pay huge taxes on things like booze and tobacco, to the tune of $120 for a Carton of Cigarettes. A gallon of gas may end up being around $7 this summer. Its already close to $6. We pay large sales taxes, and if you make above the poverty level Yes WE DO pay government fee's for our health care, to the tune of $79 per month. The idea that you would get every American citizen to pay $79 a month for medical insurance is just frankly not going to happen. Sure all the people that are already paying over that would jump on the idea, or the people that NEED it would jump on it, but not everyone would. American's don't like to be "told" they are required to pay for something, it has to be an option even if they are more than happy to pay it, they don't want it to be forced.

Now before anyone jumps down my throat. A quick little back ground. I was born in Prince George British Columbia Canada, however in 1978 at the age of 2 my parents and myself moved to Oregon, and I stayed and grew up in Aurora Oregon until I was 19. I went to school in the US, worked and paid taxes. However after several trips to Canada for various reasons, I chose to move back to Canada, I was only planning to stay for a couple years, but met my wife, had a daughter and really realized just how much different life is here. (I have deleted and re-written the next line about a dozen times, as I can't get it into words) It took me about a year to get the chip off my shoulder and relax to the Canadian way of life. I realized just how self important I had been acting.

With the exception of Quebec I have not met an American that has came to Canada and not commented on how nice Canadians were. Its kinda like the Fiero world, we (the members of this forum) are more than happy to answer 20 different peoples questions and help them out, and we don't feel we are "entitled" to be helped, however usually when we really need it, there are 50 people willing to come out of the woodwork to help you. More often than not, you don't have to even ask, if people know you need help they simply help. That's kinda the way the Canadain population is. At least for about 70% we do have some bad apples too.

Now before you reply and try to hang me from the nearest big Oak tree, or tie me up in some bama swamp for the gators to do the rest. I have lots of American friends and lots of Canadian friends. I love ya just the same. However it is just a different way of life, a different attitude in life and that may be the downfall of the superpower we once called the United States of America. Now then can you rebuild, well that all depends on the American people.

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857GT Part 85GT Part 87GT Part Caddy, 93 Eldorado 4.9, 5spd Dual O2 Custom Chip, Custom Exhaust. MSD Everything Now with Nitrous. Capt Fiero --- My Over View Cadero Pics Yellow 88GT 5spd Full Poly Suspension, Lowered 1/2" in front, Corner Carver.

Greece--Rome--Italy--Spain--even Portugal, whose flag once flew on soil 1/2 the circumference of the Earth, whose goods were traded and treasured in every corner of the Earth--yep Still there, a shadow of their former selves, with riots in the streets, deep in debt and floundering once again----------economically this time. This is what happens when debt and deficit are not managed--the tendency to sink to the bottom to be scavenged upon by both the meat eaters AND the slime suckers of the world. The PIGS nations, now exist mostly as mere lines drawn on the face of a map, subsiding only on the scraps of bailouts and subsidies thrown to them by their neighbors who did manage their own economies, while those same more tactful neighbors desperately seek ways to separate themselves from dying nations and not appear to be the ones that delivered the final blow as they work toward ejecting those nations from their union, so those nations aren't drug into the abyss with. Oh, they'll survive, but that's about it--breathing, working, sleeping, despondant-- with no way to move forward, no hope of overcoming their own greed and decades of excess spending and borrowing, unable to afford to actually do anything else BUT exist. They DO , as nations, but not as viable, vibrant, happy, growing nations with any kind of future to speak of. They exist, but they don't live. At least 2 of their inhabitants in the last week have publicly taken their own lives rather than face the harsh realities of that once again coming downward spiral and increasingly dismal existance. This, the result of debt and deficit on a national level. No more good times, no more leisure, no more spending like they once did when they thought it would all last forever--unless someone throws them a bone here and there--just--existing as they riot, protest, beg and worry, hoping someone--anyone, everyone will save them from themselves. Just a few short years ago, they had so much hope and vibrance--now, all gone. They just--live and breathe. Not much of an existance imo.

As for the others, the once mighty Incas, Aztecs, Ottomans, Mesopatanians, Minoans, Toltecs and Phoenecians--not even lines on a map any more, with their peoples spread to the 4 winds, or gone with bloodlines extinct forever and integrated into other societies, with their ancestors just a faint memory being searched for by archeoligists with their little shovels, seives, and mineral pikes. For those, hope does not spring eternal, and existance doesn't exist except in very old archelogical records.

That doesn't include the hundreds of former Sovereign nations and nation states that simply no longer exist as nations.
Or the Medieval nations and nation states that are no more. Or the more modern nations like Bohemia and Armenia--and of course, the nation of S. Vietnam. Those nations and many many many more, simply do not exist any more, having been divided, and or swallowed up either by war or economic decline--or both and divided among their neighbors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...mer_sovereign_states

Another thing you have to take into account Canada Does not have a military.. There not spending money on some useless War in places that they really have no benifit of being in the 1st place..

Also I cant stand How the US is the 1st Country to reach out to another nation that had some kinda disaster quake hits japan and the US is all for sendiong money andf supplys to help with the problem.. something like that happens to us watch how much help we get offered.. I gaurente You we get a sucks for you we'll keep you in our prayers..

Also I cant stand These charity's For things over seas like "your 10 dollars a month will feed 5 children.." Not to sound like an a$4hole or anything but there really not my problem.. When ypou send money to thoes kind of things your in some way funneling mnoney out of the US to god knows where... This country and its leaders need to start focusing on fixing our proublmes as a country before we go off trying to fix others..

when obama was voted into office I supported the whole You have to spend money to make money deal.. But 4 years and look what has been accomplished.. Gas has never been higher my father is paying $1200 a month for health insurance And finding a job is like finding a gold bar...

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: Another thing you have to take into account Canada Does not have a military.. There not spending money on some useless War in places that they really have no benifit of being in the 1st place..

Really? This is news to me! If my grandpa was still alive I wish you could have told him that too, and that apparently he never risked his life fighting for your freedom because apparently our military doesn't exist. And the 158 Canadian forces personal that have died in Afghanistan? This must also be a lie, because as you say, we don't have a military.

With the exception of Quebec ????????????????????????

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I look at the state of the US economy and at face value I keep telling myself it has already hit bottom and its getting better, but deep down I know that is not true. Lisa (my wife) and I thought about it she asked why in the world does the US not have a government medical system like we do in Canada. I mean their are people literally dying in the streets because they can't afford proper medical care.

Nobody is dieing in the streets. Nobody is denied healthcare in America. Medical treatment and emergency care is available to all, even illegal immigrants even if you have no ability to pay. About 50% of Americans currently have government funded health coverage from Medicare, Medicaid, WIC, State programs, VA, non-profit clinics, free dental care for those who cannot pay and the list goes on and on.

There isn't a single child or person in the United States that would be denied any health care for any catastrophic or life threatening diseases or conditions just because they are poor or have no ability to pay. Every woman can have as many babies as she wants and not pay a dime for pre-natal, delivery and post-natal care.

The fact that we have more people on government health care that is better than Canada than Canada has people many times over.

The question to ask your wife is why so many Canadians come to the United States to use our health care system because they cannot readily get it over there.

We may not have 100% government ran health care (yet), but the perception that Canadians or any other country has that the United States has people dieing on the streets and denied health care just because they don't have government ran health care is a HUGE misnomer. We have awesome health care.

Although our health care system isn't perfect, and YES WE DO PAY FOR IT, there is no denying that he have a far superior health system in terms of expertise, technology, specialize care, pharmacology and you name it than any other country in the world.

We just don't want to make it worse with government bureaucracies, government union workers and the like making it worse.

You can get anything you want in America and you will not have to wait. You want a knee replacement? In America you can call the doctor and get setup and one done in two days. You can't get that in Canada.

I hate to say this, but you and your wife are flat out being grossly misled.

Not picking on you, just saying you are misled.

[This message has been edited by Wichita (edited 04-06-2012).]

Edit: Skipped the "Canada doesn't have a military" part because it was already covered, I wasn't agreeing with PK on that.

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: Also I cant stand How the US is the 1st Country to reach out to another nation that had some kinda disaster quake hits japan and the US is all for sendiong money andf supplys to help with the problem.. something like that happens to us watch how much help we get offered.. I gaurente You we get a sucks for you we'll keep you in our prayers..

During every disaster (natural or man made) we have received help from almost every other Country in the World. Part of what's wrong with us is that we think that we, as a country are the only ones doing the helping. Everybody helps everybody.

quote Also I cant stand These charity's For things over seas like "your 10 dollars a month will feed 5 children.." Not to sound like an a$4hole or anything but there really not my problem.. When ypou send money to thoes kind of things your in some way funneling mnoney out of the US to god knows where... This country and its leaders need to start focusing on fixing our proublmes as a country before we go off trying to fix others..

The majority of those are scams created by United States Citizens. They use emotions to funnel money to their pockets. The Government did not create these things.

quote when obama was voted into office I supported the whole You have to spend money to make money deal.. But 4 years and look what has been accomplished.. Gas has never been higher my father is paying $1200 a month for health insurance And finding a job is like finding a gold bar...

Remember that the next time you vote for "Change" man. Nobody on either side is right all the time, but a lot of the Right hit the nail on the head with President Obama. Unfortunately it's looking like we have another 5 years before anyone else can take a shot at it, and I think it's already too late. When the illegal Aliens are crossing the border back into Mexico we should know we have a severe problem.

Hopefully the Country makes it through all this crap we are in right now, but I'm not holding my breath.

Brad

[This message has been edited by twofatguys (edited 04-06-2012).]

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: Another thing you have to take into account Canada Does not have a military.. There not spending money on some useless War in places that they really have no benifit of being in the 1st place..

Really?

http://www.forces.ca/

Who are these people, then Eh? window washers? lol

I have deployed with different country forces and some of them have shoulder boards with Canada on them.

Good people. I have no issue with them at all.

In Desert Storm Canadian forces were there. In Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan, once again what do I see: Canadians here with us.

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 04-06-2012).]

One problem in the US is too many corporations are getting kickbacks. The other is litigation in health care. That in itself has several reasons it's lower up north (for most Americans), one is the doctors are covered through their membership in the nonprofit Canadian Medical Protective Association. No big time insurance companies involved.

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: Another thing you have to take into account Canada Does not have a military.. There not spending money on some useless War in places that they really have no benifit of being in the 1st place..

http://www.members.shaw.ca/kcic1/peacekeepers.html

More than 125,000 Canadians have participated in United Nations and NATO peacekeeping duties throughout the world. That is more Peacekeepers than any other country.
Peacekeepers have helped to make the world a better place in which to live. The Nobel Committee recognized the good work that UN Peacekeepers have been doing by awarding them the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.
Canada has honoured its Peacekeepers, past, present and future, by dedicating a monument to their service and dedication. The monument was unveiled in Ottawa, ON in October 1992. The Canadian Peacekeepers Service Medal is awarded to all Canadians who serve with peacekeeping missions.

I spent 3 weeks with C.F. at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. We were impressed with their resources. Our Army guys didn't like having to peel all those potatoes but the grub was good!

[This message has been edited by Gokart Mozart (edited 04-06-2012).]

quote Originally posted by pontiackid86: Another thing you have to take into account Canada Does not have a military.. ...

Oh, REALLY ???...ya might have to take that one up with a few guys from RHLI and Princess Pats..we got light infantry and special forces and airborne just as good as anything anybody else can send out...and Argyles--even if those boys wear kilts, ya want them on your side....just cause we are a small country population-wise, dont mean we cant stand up when needed....and I am proud to call some of these guys friends...

quote Originally posted by Capt Fiero: I'd like to weigh in on this topic, because I have been following it rather close. Ever since July of 2011, ( this thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/087955.html ) I have been fighting with the idea should I pack up my family and move to the US from Canada. Even with the fact that I'll have a nearly free house, more tools and shop space than I'll ever get here in BC..... (my father passed away and he was a gear head mechanic like me) I look at the state of the US economy and at face value I keep telling myself it has already hit bottom and its getting better, but deep down I know that is not true. Lisa (my wife) and I thought about it she asked why in the world does the US not have a government medical system like we do in Canada. I mean their are people literally dying in the streets because they can't afford proper medical care. I said very frankly, the people of the US don't want to pay for it. We in Canada pay huge taxes on things like booze and tobacco, to the tune of $120 for a Carton of Cigarettes. A gallon of gas may end up being around $7 this summer. Its already close to $6. We pay large sales taxes, and if you make above the poverty level Yes WE DO pay government fee's for our health care, to the tune of $79 per month. The idea that you would get every American citizen to pay $79 a month for medical insurance is just frankly not going to happen. Sure all the people that are already paying over that would jump on the idea, or the people that NEED it would jump on it, but not everyone would. American's don't like to be "told" they are required to pay for something, it has to be an option even if they are more than happy to pay it, they don't want it to be forced. Now before anyone jumps down my throat. A quick little back ground. I was born in Prince George British Columbia Canada, however in 1978 at the age of 2 my parents and myself moved to Oregon, and I stayed and grew up in Aurora Oregon until I was 19. I went to school in the US, worked and paid taxes. However after several trips to Canada for various reasons, I chose to move back to Canada, I was only planning to stay for a couple years, but met my wife, had a daughter and really realized just how much different life is here. (I have deleted and re-written the next line about a dozen times, as I can't get it into words) It took me about a year to get the chip off my shoulder and relax to the Canadian way of life. I realized just how self important I had been acting. With the exception of Quebec I have not met an American that has came to Canada and not commented on how nice Canadians were. Its kinda like the Fiero world, we (the members of this forum) are more than happy to answer 20 different peoples questions and help them out, and we don't feel we are "entitled" to be helped, however usually when we really need it, there are 50 people willing to come out of the woodwork to help you. More often than not, you don't have to even ask, if people know you need help they simply help. That's kinda the way the Canadain population is. At least for about 70% we do have some bad apples too. Now before you reply and try to hang me from the nearest big Oak tree, or tie me up in some bama swamp for the gators to do the rest. I have lots of American friends and lots of Canadian friends. I love ya just the same. However it is just a different way of life, a different attitude in life and that may be the downfall of the superpower we once called the United States of America. Now then can you rebuild, well that all depends on the American people.

This is a very interesting perspective! I would like you to know, though, that nobody dies on the streets due to not being able to pay healthcare. If there is something life threatening, thoughts of payment come after treatment.

Nonetheless, I enjoy your perspective.

quote Originally posted by theBDub: This is a very interesting perspective! I would like you to know, though, that nobody dies on the streets due to not being able to pay healthcare. If there is something life threatening, thoughts of payment come after treatment. Nonetheless, I enjoy your perspective.

It's sometimes death by indirect means (delayed or deferred treatment) for those who cannot afford or choose not to have insurance coverage.

Yup... that's because it's being run by Conservatives right now... is it not?

Isn't that guy Harper a conservative?
Todd

YOu know, they used to get mocked in the press for trade missions to India, and China and basically all over Asia. Europe too. Wasting tax dollars and all the rest.

And you know what? It worked.

We still work hard to maintain the trade relationship with the US..how could we not? But what they have done is diversify in the last 20 years.

As much as we should have in common financially, there are a LOT of key differences.

Our economy was in the crapper in the 90's. It took sacrifices to balance the book. People raged, and a few politicians lost their jobs, like Mulroney(I am REALLY oversimplifying here) but we balanced the budget, and actually paid some of the debt down. When the recession hit, we switched to running a deficit, but we weren't talking adding to a compounding problem, we ended up undoing some of the work already put in place. A step back, as opposed to a bad step further down.

Plus, our banking system right now is second to none.

I have a lot of pride in my country these days.