Vancouverite

We recently had a thread on the proposed North American Union, where Canada would join the US, and its ten provinces become ten states. I don't see that happening anytime soon, but the reality is that the two countries are moving closer, and many Canadians are now proposing a customs union between the US and Canada, to the exclusion of Mexico. I approve of that, because Mexico's problems cannot drag us down. If there is a customs union, then, over time, both countries will merge. Do you see this happening? IOW, do you see the two countries becoming one?

The Passionate Eye seems pretty anti-American. At least, from what I can see, though I don't watch it very often.

Since when has the CBC ever spoken well of the Republicans? Or, in particular, of Ronald Reagan? Or either of the two George Bushes? Or the American involvement in Vietnam? I've never seen any thing other than diatribes.

The CBC, in the course of talking about Obama's visit to Canada, mentioned that Ronald Reagan brought about the acid rain accord, partly because of his good relations with Brian Mulroney. I'm surprised - I get the impression the CBC is usually anti-American, or at least anti-Republican. But maybe this is just Obamamania that's affected the CBC.

Well, Bush is leaving, so the question is what Obama will do.

Australia is very pleasant, and it's way better off than Mongolia or Russia. Abu Dhabi is also quite nice, I hear.

So what has been happening with this movement anyway? The website and Foundation was founded in 2000, and, in almost a decade, nothing seems to have happened.

Trolls come and go, but Canada will remain the same for the time being, unless it joins the States.

Don't get me wrong - I have no say in who comes or leaves here. I'm just curious as to why an American would be so interested in Canadian affairs, that's all.

This is how I look at it. The opposition will be waiting to vote for non-confidence, regardless of how much money Harper promises. Harper, to avoid losing his job, will call an election. The Liberals will still be without a leader, and Stephan Dion will have no mandate to offer an alternative. So, after that forthcoming election, we'll have a minority government again, with Harper as PM. The next thing, then, is to see what happens when the Liberals get their leader. Then I predict YET another election. This will make me wonder ... is Canada a viable nation?

What's next now? Harper will have just over a month to find a way to crack the Coalition, and, since it's now Christmas season, very few people will be listening to him. When January 26 or whatever comes around, the opposition will be itching for revenge, and he'll have to choose between giving up his seat or calling an election. The GG will probably give in to his wishes, and I'm wiling to bet he'll call an election. If he's turfed out, his caucus will bury him. We'll be going back to the polls again, pretty soon.

I agree the GG is a figurehead, but I don't think Parliament should be suspended. And I'm saying this as a conservative. I think Harper's days as PM are numbered.

Bush Cheney, I'm curious - why're you here? This is a forum for Canadians, and, even though I don't think anyone would begrudge you coming here, you're apparently an American. Why are you here?

Look at it this way - there's a coaltion of NDP and Liberals, who together are significantly fewer than the Conservatives; the coalition will therefore have to get Bloc support on almost every issue. Last, but certainly not least, Stephane Dion will soon be replaced, so he's an interim PM at best. How long can such a government last?

Well, this country is forever on the verge of breaking up, but it never quite does that. The Economist had recommended that Canada join the US, but that was a couple of decades ago, if I remember correctly, and it hasn't happened yet.

I think the Conservatives should scuttle the coalition and call an election - the Liberals have no leader, and they'll be even more vulnerable than before. Of course, I can't see how this coalition can hang together.

Why would being American be tantamount to opposing Canada joining the US?

Money is a valid reason. We can't keep spending money just because we want to have our voices heard. There has to be a balance between voting and our financial viabiliy.

I agree - Canada should not merge with Mexico in any way, shape, or form, UNLESS it is completely on our democratic terms. And, if their nationalists scream national sovereignty or national pride, the hell with them - their fellow countrymen are sneaking into America to find jobs, so who cares about Mexican sovereignty?

Why call it the Amero? Just call it the dollar - both countries use the same name for their currencies.

I wonder by what right they have to eavesdrop on other parties - is this legal?

The Constitution replaced the Articles, so Canada gets no special privileges. I wonder if Congress would admit Canada - would either the Republicans or Democrats oppose it?

Oops - my mistake. Manitoba is not land locked. Hey, I'm just a Western Canadian yokel, give me a break. By the way, is Africa a nation?

If Canada was to join the US, there will have to be a referendum in Canada, or at least the regions whose local governments want to join. But I wonder if the US would need a referendum on whether it wants Canada.

PMFJI. I'm a Vancouverite, as my name suggests, and I think Canada won't be breaking up any time soon. That said, if there's a series of unstable minorities in the Federal government, that could change. If one region or province decides it's had enough and wants to go, then the rest could decide the same thing. If Canada breaks up, much of it would join the United States - sorry, but that's the reality we face. The Atlantic provinces cannot survive on their own; Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchwan are land locked - and, if these provinces began flying the stars and stripes, so will BC and, eventually, Ontario.