tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post4941759614275552502..comments2024-02-14T09:29:11.576-07:00Comments on Michael's Meanderings: How much is worth to be a Canadian?Meandering Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-4726692249551124042009-06-22T08:43:42.843-07:002009-06-22T08:43:42.843-07:00In the grand scheme of things, those aren't ex...In the grand scheme of things, those aren't exactly features of citizenship that are going to win me over...Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-89627287414568836122009-06-21T21:16:37.664-07:002009-06-21T21:16:37.664-07:00For whatever this is worth, American liquor laws t...For whatever this is worth, American liquor laws tend to be more relaxed than those in Canada (meaning you can buy booze in more places). Also, not every product in America has French on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-14120898497399171532009-04-12T12:49:00.000-07:002009-04-12T12:49:00.000-07:00You might not want Alaska, since it would come wit...You might not want Alaska, since it would come with the Murkowskis, Sarah Palin, Ted Stevens, etc.Polarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10680433936546882101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-80041943642319231212009-04-03T20:18:00.000-07:002009-04-03T20:18:00.000-07:00(or provinces, as the case may be.)(or provinces, as the case may be.)Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-3050701882074420442009-04-03T20:01:00.000-07:002009-04-03T20:01:00.000-07:00My supposition WAS based on some light Googling. ...My supposition WAS based on some light Googling. While there may be no provision under which a state can leave the Union, word on the Google street (and in the Constitution, as I understand it) is that there are no provisions preventing a state from leaving the Union either.<BR/><BR/>And, as you can imagine, since you're pretty serious about the bonds of your Union, Canadians are pretty serious about the bonds of our Confederation (for which no wars have been required to keep States from leaving).Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-36060666726065968842009-04-03T18:28:00.000-07:002009-04-03T18:28:00.000-07:00Dear Mr. Meandering:With respect to your statement...Dear Mr. Meandering:<BR/><BR/>With respect to your statement -- "As far as I can tell, there is nothing in the constitution that prohibits a state from leaving the union - although there might have been a Supreme Court ruling that indicated that the state and federal governments would need to agree on the departure." -- you might have done some light Googling to verify the accuracy of your supposition. <BR/><BR/>In fact, there is no provision under which a state can leave the Union. You might recall from your history class a war that we fought in the 1860's over just that issue: our Civil War, where 623,000 U.S. soldiers gave their lives. Stop a moment and think about that number. It's like every single person in Vancouver dying -- and then 50,000 more. It represents more U.S. fatalities than in all other U.S. wars and conflicts combined.<BR/><BR/>Point being, we're pretty serious about the bonds of our Union -- and as flinty and independent-minded as Vermonters might be, stupid they are not.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/>MCMarty Cortlandhttp://www.dmagazine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-42154832323944038982009-04-03T14:33:00.000-07:002009-04-03T14:33:00.000-07:00Thanks for you comment, Marty. I had no intention...Thanks for you comment, Marty. I had no intention to impugn the good ol' US of A and agree with you on the bailouts having disastrous future monetary (and tax) consequences.<BR/><BR/>As for guppies swallowing whales, I can think of a few acquisitions where a larger company bought into a smaller one so it could adopt its systems and processes (or its brand, especially in cases where the larger brand has suffered in its public perception). <BR/><BR/>You're right, of course, about the debt-servicing issue. The question that I didn't address was "Why would Canada want the US to become part of Canada?" Don't get me wrong, I don't mean that question to be insulting, but if Canada were to allow the US to buy into Canada, the US would need to bring something more to the table than just a purchase price. Really, the same question needs to be asked for your (clever) proposal.Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-73334381090901609902009-04-03T13:36:00.000-07:002009-04-03T13:36:00.000-07:00Dear Mr. Meandering:Two hundred fifty billion doll...Dear Mr. Meandering:<BR/><BR/>Two hundred fifty billion dollars times 50 states equals $12.5 trillion (not $12 trillion), but who's counting?<BR/><BR/>I applaud your staunch support for your country's systems and values. (And clearly you enjoyed writing your post.) I think most Americans have positive opinions of Canadians, and I thought that I was both explicitly and implicitly complimentary of Canada. It's a shame that you found it necessary to impugn Americans in your post, but I'll chock it up to a cold winter and assume that you're better than that.<BR/><BR/>However, I do take issue with your counterproposal to allow America to buy into Canada. Notwithstanding the fact that your guppy could not swallow our whale (the "guppy-swallowing-whale" example describing a maneuver used in corporate leveraged buy-outs) -- because Canada could never service America's debt, even with America's assets -- it doesn't supply the economic stimulus that was the whole point of my article.<BR/><BR/>Recall, the premise of my article was the fact that the Obama administration and the Democratic Congress intends to blow upwards of $10 trillion to stimulate the U.S. economy. My thought was, shoot, if we're going to spend that kind of money, let's buy something valuable instead -- something that pays for itself in the process. (As noted in my article, the stimulus comes from 12 million happy Canadians spending some portion of their $12 trillion bounty in the U.S. economy.)<BR/><BR/>And, by the way, my proposal is no more inflationary than the Obama plan -- which, as every serious person acknowledges, will almost certainly have disastrous future monetary consequences.<BR/><BR/>What I didn't address in my article was how I intended to pay for my plan. The U.S. would not simply print fiat money (which it has been doing already in the TARP bailout and which is part of Obama's go-forward plan). Instead, as Jefferson did with the Louisiana Purchase, we would finance the acquisition of Canada through the pre-sale of assets and the flotation of asset-backed bonds -- which I'm sure the Chinese would much rather own than the crummy Treasuries they currently have moldering away in their Reserves.<BR/><BR/>Anywhoo, it's been nice chatting.<BR/><BR/>Best regards,<BR/>MCMarty Cortlandhttp://www.dmagazine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-59891266839887973132009-04-02T15:34:00.000-07:002009-04-02T15:34:00.000-07:00April Fools! Of course, there's nothing pathetic a...April Fools! Of course, there's nothing pathetic about America, Mr. Pealow! Only our politicians:D<BR/><BR/>And, I know the truth about those damn Canadian Geese. It's a conspiracy I tell ya. They were sent over to poop all over our yards and kill our green grass and hiss at us everytime we walk by. They're your "weapon of grass destruction!" yuk-yuk-yukEvery Photo Tells A Storyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03914175541948429064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-30566351068712253952009-04-02T08:45:00.000-07:002009-04-02T08:45:00.000-07:00Ha ha, I'm sure you did get flagged by national se...Ha ha, I'm sure you did get flagged by national security, but hey dialogue is healthy.APFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06053406399897835074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-12439156187834056722009-04-01T21:29:00.000-07:002009-04-01T21:29:00.000-07:00(Or for the US to buy into Canada)(Or for the US to buy into Canada)Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-21408536653674398972009-04-01T21:28:00.000-07:002009-04-01T21:28:00.000-07:00I've soooo just been flagged as a threat to Americ...I've soooo just been flagged as a threat to American national security. :( But I'm only kidding! I don't REALLY want Canada to buy the US!Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-16677801240653994992009-04-01T21:20:00.000-07:002009-04-01T21:20:00.000-07:00Aw, Nancy, I didn't mean to imply that America or ...Aw, Nancy, I didn't mean to imply that America or anyone in it (especially you) is pathetic - just that America might be better off if it was, well, Canadian.Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-5545229466910722892009-04-01T20:34:00.000-07:002009-04-01T20:34:00.000-07:00Hmmm, just another pathetic American stopping by t...Hmmm, just another pathetic American stopping by to say hello:)Every Photo Tells A Storyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03914175541948429064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-20860849402123443542009-04-01T12:33:00.000-07:002009-04-01T12:33:00.000-07:00Linda, the first step will be to build support wit...Linda, the first step will be to build support within your state (like<A HREF="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070604/vermont-secession/" REL="nofollow">Vermont is doing</A>. As far as I can tell, there is nothing in the constitution that prohibits a state from leaving the union - although there might have been a Supreme Court ruling that indicated that the state and federal governments would need to agree on the departure.<BR/><BR/>Researching this, I was surprised at how many state successionist groups there are!Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-3290819684067078352009-04-01T11:55:00.000-07:002009-04-01T11:55:00.000-07:00Oh, yes! Yes, please! And thank you kindly. This Y...Oh, yes! Yes, please! And thank you kindly. This Yank would like nothing better than to be absorbed into the awesomeness that is Canada. Where do I vote?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02851865978106879144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-75546320645200453042009-04-01T11:35:00.000-07:002009-04-01T11:35:00.000-07:00There's no amount of money in the world that would...There's no amount of money in the world that would entice me to give up my citizenship. Thanks for the great post.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10737275939781064441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-33496431019683073352009-04-01T11:03:00.000-07:002009-04-01T11:03:00.000-07:00Michael, this is the best post ever. I got the hee...Michael, this is the best post ever. I got the heebie-jeebies when I read the original article, but you give me faith that Canadians are a smart bunch! Thanks!Scientific Chickhttp://www.scientificchick.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-18014416489344726242009-04-01T10:01:00.000-07:002009-04-01T10:01:00.000-07:00We will accept all major credit cards, money order...We will accept all major credit cards, money orders, drafts, certified cheques (aka "checks"), wire transfers, cash, and Interac.<BR/><BR/>(A small fee may apply on credit card purchases over $2,500.)Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-27200659458893368322009-04-01T09:50:00.000-07:002009-04-01T09:50:00.000-07:00I think I speak for all the States when I ask, do ...I think I speak for all the States when I ask, do you accept credit cards? (think of the points people)<BR/><BR/>ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-74065957267040541592009-04-01T09:36:00.000-07:002009-04-01T09:36:00.000-07:00Jennybell, I hereby make you an honourary Canadian...Jennybell, I hereby make you an honourary Canadian.Meandering Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464355148386507875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-12047728763312077172009-04-01T05:01:00.000-07:002009-04-01T05:01:00.000-07:00We do have a lot of government programs that make ...We do have a lot of government programs that make health care more affordable but... dealing with our government is a pain! Say if your kid is on Medicare/ Medicaid what ever it's called, good luck getting top quality care because our Government doesn't want to pay the hospitals what it cost to care for your kid and may not even cover some treatments. We have good insurance through my husbands job, they're even easy to deal with, plus we have a state program that covers all Naomi's bills.<BR/>The gay marriage thing is a complete thorn in my side! I don't understand why they don't accept it! If it takes a government liscense to get married, EVERYONE should be entitled to get that liscense! They should be entitled to a civil union. I'm not saying the Catholic church or any other religion has to accept it and perform the services. But the churches should have that option. A church in Cleveland OH has stopped performing ANY marriages until everyone has the freedom to marry.<BR/>Got to get my kids to school, good post.Jennybellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00115606427977249725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-53728446061346694302009-04-01T04:58:00.000-07:002009-04-01T04:58:00.000-07:00I could only imagine poor US politicians trying to...I could only imagine poor US politicians trying to figure out how to handle the personalities of Chretien, Preston Manning, Buzz Hargrove, Judy Rebick, Danny Williams.....they couldn't handle it.<BR/><BR/>And I love the commenter from the article who suggested that outright invasion would just be cheaper. Given that their military is having trouble taking over a small country (ie Iraq) I can't see how they could could take over a country bigger than they are.<BR/><BR/>Of course as the article's author points out and history bears out, buying, stealing and trying to take over the world is nothing new to American foreign policy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21596698.post-36873087755382203562009-04-01T04:27:00.000-07:002009-04-01T04:27:00.000-07:00What a great post Michael!! There is no amount of...What a great post Michael!! There is no amount of money that could convince me of that plan either.Matt, Kara, Hunter and Cavanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06324456976588255233noreply@blogger.com