US losing faith in Canada

[KrazyHorse]

Not that nobody would...but that nobody save the US could.

[Willem]

Originally posted by obiwan18


If you want to soften the CA, you need to do so from the inside...

That's part of the problem, the Conservatives have become so small that they would just get swallowed up by the Alliance. And they know full well that a more moderate Conservatism stands a much better chance of going over with the general public, which is something that the Alliance won't agree to. At least not at this point in time.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
It's worked in New Zealand. I don't see why it couldn't work here. Anyway Frogger is right, the brain drain is mostly a myth. Again, I would point out that Canada seems to be doing just fine given your claims of doom and gloom.

Again, you guys can believe that if you want. StatsCan did a remarkable job of skewing the numbers and figuring out when to take certain factors into account to make the numbers look more favorable to the point most Canadians assume they're right.

I'm not going to argue about it, so keep believing that. I was just letting you know that anecdotal evidence, particularly in the technology sector, totally doesn't support that. Silicon Valley in particular has a hugely disproportionate number of Canadians working there. Why? H1-Bs. Doesn't make sense to work in Canada, how both the corporate taxes and personal taxes work for high income tech companies that don't have any geographic constraints to their locations.

Anyway, you should go and live in the States, you're anti-Canadian.

In due time, my pet, in due time.

You're not even Canadian though. I would love to stay in Canada if I had even a shred of confidence in the federal government. Alas, I don't.

[Ben Kenobi]

Anyway Frogger is right, the brain drain is mostly a myth. Again, I would point out that Canada seems to be doing just fine given your claims of doom and gloom.

This problem has a different source than the one Asher cites.

Why do you think our birthrate is so low? That's the real brain-drain. That is why we are having trouble finding enough immigrants to fill these positions.

[cinch]

I hate the brain drain argument... If Canadian doctors want to move south for more money, so be it. We shouldn't compromise our socialised health care just to make doctors extraordinarily rich. Same goes for businesses.

NYE:

on the proportional representation/regional representation bicameral parliament idea. That's what I'd like to see.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Agathon
You know you could change my mind if you cam up with better arguments. I'm sure there are lots of Canadians who are like me.

It's all very easy in theory.
The problem is, it's incredibly difficult to change people's minds politically. Something I've given up on doing a long time ago.

Not to mention that the odd vote of a person on Apolyton doesn't matter anyway.

[Asher]

Originally posted by cinch
I hate the brain drain argument... If Canadian doctors want to move south for more money, so be it. We shouldn't compromise our socialised health care just to make doctors extraordinarily rich. Same goes for businesses.

If many doctors move south (indeed, they do, that's part of the problem with Canada's ****ty healthcare) -- how does that NOT compromise our socialized healthcare?

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

Originally posted by notyoueither


Correct. But with a government entirely decided there, you then are led to total disregard for some large issues in the other regions. That can have devastating effects, and if not changed will most likely lead to the eventual failure of the country to remain whole.

I don't wish it, but I can see it.

Blame the Tories/'Alliance' for splitting the vote, then.

In years gone by, Quebec would always vote Liberal and end up deciding elections as a result. Then under Mulroney, they voted Tory... and now with the BQ they've effectively made themselves irrelevant in deciding who runs the country. Ditto for the west, thanks to the 'Alliance'.

What the country needs is for someone to start a "Toronto party" (since Toronto always complains that the province and feds crap all over them), and split the Ontario vote. Then every region has a splinter group... and the Liberals win by default But not by as much

[Willem]

Originally posted by Spiffor

DOn't wave your flag.
I know Cretin is quite stupid, but there are major players in the worldwide stupidity contest. And your neighbour's president happens to be the favourite candidate, my prez being the challenger
Cretin is small fish when compared with the stupidity of Bush.

Ah, that's Chretien. Cretin is a "deformed and mentally retarded person" (Oxford dictionary) that some Americans have become fond of calling him. And some Canadians as well I guess.

[Ben Kenobi]

That's part of the problem, the Conservatives have become so small that they would just get swallowed up by the Alliance. And they know full well that a more moderate Conservatism stands a much better chance of going over with the general public, which is something that the Alliance won't agree to. At least not at this point in time.

Willem:

Oddly enough, Joe Who believes that the conservatives will regain their old position. Why should they join a party when they can challenge the Liberals themselves? The problem is that the voters who used to vote for the Conservatives now vote Liberal.

Someone needs to knock both of the leaders' heads together so that they might merge.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by obiwan18
Why do you think our birthrate is so low?

Why do you think it is?

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Asher

It depends what you want to see.

To me, seeing them having to wait 6 months to get tan-colored Uniforms (forcing them to make their own uniforms for Afghanistan), buying their own radios at Future Shop since they're far better than the crap the forces gives them, seeing the copters crash regularly when they should have been replaced ages ago, seeing the very-pathetic-looking "Canadian Forces" booth at all career fairs and all over campus every month practically begging people to join them for a piddly salary -- yes, I think they're embarrassing.

Yeah, we know how you see things. If you lived in the States you'd be saying the US military is embarrassing itself in Iraq.

Yes, the Forces have to deal with too much bureaucracy. This is the fault of the government that has not provided enough equipment quickly enough. It is the government which is embarrassing, not the Forces.

Instead of saying the Forces are embarrassing, you should be proud of what they do given the equipment they have to work with. You should be proud of CF members who spend their hard-earned money to buy equipment to do the job right. That's dedication.

Salaries are not the issue. The Forces are offering a $20,000 signing bonus for helicopter mechanics and still have problems signing people up.

Far too many Canadians prefer that someone else do the dirty work rather than themselves. Add to this the fact that Canadians laugh at the Forces and ignore the hard work that the Forces do.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by obiwan18

Why do you think our birthrate is so low? That's the real brain-drain. That is why we are having trouble finding enough immigrants to fill these positions.

Well I think that the government of Canada should immediately start a breeding program in which post grads and above are recruited to spend their days impregnating Canada's most beautiful women.

I, Agathon, would selflessly volunteer for said stern task in thanks to the people of Canada for having me.

Anyway, goodnight. I'm being booted off the computer.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Frogger
Why do you think it is?

Isn't it obvious? All the sexy Canadians are moving to a temperate climate where they can walk around in bikinis all day.

[cinch]

If many doctors move south (indeed, they do, that's part of the problem with Canada's ****ty healthcare) -- how does that NOT compromise our socialized healthcare?

Well, that's what I'm saying. We can't let the actions of a few misled doctors dictate the lifespan of our health care system. Remember, this is coming from the viewpoint of someone who values this system.... I understand it may not be logistically sound to keep losing doctors. But what I'm saying is this: Just because they want more money, does not mean we should abandon our ideals regarding the right of everyone to equal medical care. We should not sell the people of this country to the insurance companies in exchange for a few good physicians.

But maybe that's just me.