Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 9646251)

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye...

Do you read other forums? Being opinionated on the internet transcends nationality.

Originally Posted by MikeUK (Post 9646261)

I suspect that the US will suggest a shared economic union similar to Europe with proportional representation, bye bye sovereignty, bye bye provinces, hello new states
Long live the united states of North America (USNA)

Originally Posted by Steve_ (Post 9646389)

Well I meant it more broadly than just this forum, whinging about something and offering some opinion about something to me is the British national pastime, I often hear Americans, Australians, etc. make that observation as well if they've spent any time there. I think originally it developed as a result of a jingoistic island-based (therefore more homogenous) society but it is perpetuated nowadays by the fact the the UK is a very crowded country so people sit around moaning as a release valve.

As for being opinionated on the internet, yes that is the case - but my observation from being a member of various forums is that the British contributors are clearly the experts at offering one, lol.

Originally Posted by Steve_ (Post 9646378)

Look at the housing prices in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary etc. and compare them with most of the US. I'm not saying it's universally the case but it is often brought up as an issue when trying to get Americans to move here. Obviously it's not as bad as NYC but compare say, Washington to BC. Detroit/Buffalo/Rochester to southern Ontario.

One of my pet peeves frankly is getting people from all around the world to move to Canada and not making enough of an effort to get Americans to move here, some of the stuff I hear coming out of the Alberta immigration minister about going over to Germany/UK to get welders and heavy-duty mechanics and bus/train drivers - surely there are plenty of them in the US who need work?

But Americans apparently don't like moving here, if you look at the CIC breakdown for grants of permits and permanent residency very few of them do.

From their perspective it's a lot of paperwork to live on the other side of a line on a map and then you've got a higher cost of living, mortgage as well so that's the problem.

Still, given the state of their economy, healthcare and public education system, you'd think there'd be more of a chance at present.

Originally Posted by Steve_ (Post 9646400)

It will never happen because the US is so much larger in population than other North American countries, and those countries would fear a loss of sovereignty, plus Americans by and large are pretty xenophobic. It's not like the EU where the UK, France and Italy have similar-sized populations and Germany is smaller than any two of those countries.

Originally Posted by MikeUK (Post 9646467)

My expectations are that the offer that would come from the US would to all intention be a proposal that dissolves sovereignty of the absorbed small countries into a bigger US lead group.

When the neighbors have the climate and resources they need, and they are still in major position of power, and we are still beholden to their economy, I don’t see us having much ability to object. Whilst they don’t need us, or want us and can get what they want at the price they’re willing to pay we’re fine. But just like the big corporate world if you can afford to buy out your supply chain and vertically integrating will help you survive, then you’ll do it.

Originally Posted by Kiwilass (Post 9646601)

but, it's not the corporate world.

and i think you're wrong about not having much ability to object. the us is not as wealthy or as strong as it once was. plus, it is quite divided. an attempt to take over canada would divide it even more imo.

Originally Posted by trevorandjo york (Post 9646767)

You two guys need to get together and solve the arab/Israel problem. You speak as if you could merge two huge soveriegn nations over a coffee.

Moderator, we have lost the thread, please, please delete it all.......please.

Originally Posted by trevorandjo york (Post 9646767)

You two guys need to get together and solve the arab/Israel problem. You speak as if you could merge two huge soveriegn nations over a coffee.

Moderator, we have lost the thread, please, please delete it all.......please.

Originally Posted by MikeUK (Post 9646848)

two different styles of government combined with an almost stupid belief that they alone are right…

Originally Posted by iaink (Post 9646855)

Sorry, are we talking about Canada and the US again, Ive lost track...

Still if the gap between poor and rich keeps growing at the current rate then revolution might not be out of the question.

Originally Posted by MikeUK (Post 9646848)

It’s easy to merge to sovereign nations together, if you have the same agenda and an uninterested selfish electorate

But a Muslim monarchy blended with a Jewish theocracy!

That's a long way apart, two opposed religions and two different styles of government combined with an almost stupid belief that they alone are right…

Originally Posted by trevorandjo york (Post 9646871)

The gap between rich and poor has always been wide, only now the poor expect more. Once, food alone made you better off than most, what is the measure now?

back on track...

Anyway flower, i am glad your life is better in Canada, hope you're looking forward to the winter, do you ski, skate or hibernate to avoid the permafrost?

Originally Posted by Pretty Flowers (Post 9646872)

Tell that to two of my closest friends, one a Muslim and the other a Jew and married to each other :eek:

They're very happy together so it could happen! :thumbsup:

Originally Posted by Lemonfish (Post 9647125)

Back in the War of 1812, when the Americans were attempting to invade Canada, they cooled off rapidly on the idea of integrating Canada into the US.

At that time, the slave states were worried the balance of power would change in the north's favour. They also didn't like the fact that Quebec was Catholic and French-speaking.

I'm wondering if similar considerations would apply today? Absorbing a country with 10% of your population, most of whom are more 'liberal' than the average American in terms of social opinions and also more inclined to support bigger government could put the average 'merkan off.

I don't think the US would want to absorb Canada if they really thought about it, although perhaps a grab for oil and water might change things?

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian (Post 9647135)

What is an average American? Michael Moore, Barrack Obama, etc.:confused:

What is an average Canadian? Sandford Big Plume, Stephen Harper, etc.

Can you see how baseless your post is?

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian (Post 9647135)

.

Can you see how baseless your post is?

Originally Posted by Lemonfish (Post 9647146)

Hmm. I think you are confusing individuals with societal attitudes. Possibly on purpose?

There's plenty of literature out there on social attitudes. If you look at the policies people support in each country (healthcare, taxation, gay rights, abortion and so on), it is clear that the people in one country are considerably to the left of people in the other.

Originally Posted by Lemonfish (Post 9647156)

If you genuinely can't understand the point, I suggest Michael Adams' 'Fire and Ice: The United States, Canada and the Myth of Converging Values' Penguin (2003) as a good place to begin your education.

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian (Post 9647158)

Not at all. Please inform me what the difference is in the abortion laws of the US and Canada? There are people opposed to abortion in Canada, there are people opposed to abortion in Canada what, exactly, is your point?

You made the reference to the average American. So again, please explain what you mean by average American, even in a societal sense.

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 9647170)

I don't have the answer to what the average american thinks about abortion because I haven't looked, but it's a pretty easy thing quantify by doing surveys. I think you are confused by the 'average american' view, this doesn't necessarily mean that this is what your typical american believes, just what society overall believes.

Say people were asked to rate their views on abortion from 1 (it's ok) to 5 (you'll burn in hell), you could have an average. I expect the average for the US to be higher than in Canada (though I don't know). The average for america might be 3.7 (again I don't knw), but as nobody can select 3.7 on the survey the person who has this view doesn't exist. However this doesn't mean the average value is meaningless, it tells you broadly what society believes even if it says nothing about any specific individual. For instance if Canada came in at 2.7 then you could say that the US has a harder line on abortion than Canada.

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian (Post 9647180)

Isn't it a bit like saying the all Irish are thick, all Australians are sexist, all Canadians are nice? It relies on cliche.

Originally Posted by Lemonfish (Post 9647191)

No it isn't. And with respect, my patronizing post was in response to your needlessly aggressive one.

Anyway, that aside:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/6856/amer...-abortion.aspx

53% of Americans think abortion is morally wrong, 40% in Canada.

I could look for more stuff, but frankly, can`t be arsed given its a pretty obvious point.

Republicans and especially Tea Party are to the right of all but a tiny minority of Canadian politicians. If this isn`t evident to you, then OK.

Originally Posted by woodworm (Post 9647268)

wow, this is one of the most sophisticated threads EVER on BE....
I mean everyone had to say something really intelligent..:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by el_richo (Post 9647499)

I was hoping for a few more arguments to be honest. I've not seen anybody pick on the fatties yet so......:fingerscrossed:

Originally Posted by woodworm (Post 9647268)

wow, this is one of the most sophisticated threads EVER on BE....
I mean everyone had to say something really intelligent..:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by johnh009 (Post 9647544)

Actually, I used to think that North America was the land of the Fatties but for anyone having been to the UK recently, they will have seen them everywhere. They reckon that Type B diabetes is a ticking time bomb there. The people in the UK have the third highest body mass index in the World.

Originally Posted by johnh009 (Post 9647544)

Actually, I used to think that North America was the land of the Fatties but for anyone having been to the UK recently, they will have seen them everywhere. They reckon that Type B diabetes is a ticking time bomb there. The people in the UK have the third highest body mass index in the World.

Originally Posted by trevorandjo york (Post 9647728)

Yep, we're putting on the fat so we are ready for the Canadian winters.

Originally Posted by Almost Canadian (Post 9647203)

OK, we shall leave it there then, you, obviously, have me well and truly beaten;)

Originally Posted by trevorandjo york (Post 9647728)

Yep, we're putting on the fat so we are ready for the Canadian winters.

Originally Posted by iaink (Post 9647962)

There are no winners when people argue on the internet, only losers. You know that;)

Originally Posted by trevorandjo york (Post 9646927)

Does it matter if the gap is $10 or $10m, is this the trigger? More important to keep people busy, keep them working, fed and well. Best you don't go looking at the big houses up the street, they just need more maint. That of course would keep you off this site though..

A man went to his bank manager and said, 'I'd like to start a small business. How do I go about it?'
'Simple,' said the bank manager. 'Buy a big one and wait.'

Recession started yet?