Back in USSR

[bush_cheney2004]

Yeah I kinda like that, good ole country common sense. Not you're slicker nouveau cuisine eatin liberal city boy.

Not sure why you wanted the "idea" of America to persist...when clearly you had no clue what that idea is in the first place. That's why you are at least twice removed, but don't worry, we will give you something else to worry about real soon.

[Sir Bandelot]

Not sure why you wanted the "idea" of America to persist...when clearly you had no clue what that idea is in the first place. That's why you are at least twice removed, but don't worry, we will give you something else to worry about real soon.

Of course you will. America is many things but never boring. Kinda like an attention whore

[bush_cheney2004]

Of course you will. America is many things but never boring. Kinda like an attention whore

Correct...and rubes like you can't resist. Now appearing at a theatre near you.....

[Moonlight Graham]

North yes...strong and free, no.

BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaahahaa!!!!...

I guess that all depends on how you define "strong" and "free"?

A typical American (not you of course!) would think of strength largely in terms of hard power/military kill capability. But hey, we'll got a wonderful attack dog sitting right underneath us so we can afford to put our money into more useful things like healthcare and education, while being quite well defended.

Could also define strong in terms of economy. Canada's economy isn't doing too bad considering the global recession, how's yours? How's the GDP-per-capita down there too? Ours is great!

Strong of mind? Canadians are better educated than Americans and score better on OECD standardized reading/math/science comprehension tests. Strong of body? Well, we have a better health care system according to the WHO, have less diabetes, better child mortality rate, have more olympic medals per capita, and we live longer.

And how do you define "free"? Freedom for gay couples to get married? Freedom for women to choose to have an abortion? Freedom of privacy? Freedom from gun crimes, murders, crime in general, environmental pollution, poverty, terror attacks, war, unemployment, contracting HIV??? Canada wins them all, yay!! CANADA! CANADA! CANADA!

Thems vague words thems is, i reckon.

[Smallc]

How's the GDP-per-capita down there too? Ours is great!

Well, actually, on that point, they do better...though I'm not sure how exchange rats factor in. If they do factor in to a large degree...then they aren't doing better anymore.

Also, even without the exchange rate, ours is growing faster and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Edited May 17, 2010 by Smallc

[bush_cheney2004]

A typical American (not you of course!) would think of strength largely in terms of hard power/military kill capability. But hey, we'll got a wonderful attack dog sitting right underneath us so we can afford to put our money into more useful things like healthcare and education, while being quite well defended.

Actually, you also depend on American health care when provinces come up short on talent or facilities.

Could also define strong in terms of economy. Canada's economy isn't doing too bad considering the global recession, how's yours? How's the GDP-per-capita down there too? Ours is great!

80% of Canada's exports go to the USA. Please name one domestic Canadian automobile make with sales over $1 billion.

Strong of mind? Canadians are better educated than Americans and score better on OECD standardized reading/math/science comprehension tests. Strong of body? Well, we have a better health care system according to the WHO, have less diabetes, better child mortality rate, have more olympic medals per capita, and we live longer.

Then why do Canadians seek health care elsewhere when their asses are on the line (e.g. MP Williams, Ms. Stronach, or PM Chretien)?

And how do you define "free"? Freedom for gay couples to get married? Freedom for women to choose to have an abortion? Freedom of privacy? Freedom from gun crimes, murders, crime in general, environmental pollution, poverty, terror attacks, war, unemployment, contracting HIV??? Canada wins them all, yay!! CANADA! CANADA! CANADA!

305,000,000 vs. 35,000,000...that kind of free....voting with their feet....including 24,000 Canadians headed south each year.

Edited May 17, 2010 by bush_cheney2004

[Guest TrueMetis]

305,000,000 vs. 35,000,000...that kind of free....voting with their feet....including 24,000 Canadians headed south each year.

A net change of 14000. My link But the number of Americans coming to Canada is inceasing and the number of Candians going to America is decreasing.

[Sir Bandelot]

Actually, you also depend on American health care when provinces come up short on talent or facilities.

80% of Canada's exports go to the USA. Please name one domestic Canadian automobile make with sales over $1 billion.

Then why do Canadians seek health care elsewhere when their asses are on the line (e.g. MP Williams, Ms. Stronach, or PM Chretien)?

305,000,000 vs. 35,000,000...that kind of free....voting with their feet....including 24,000 Canadians headed south each year.

Every point made here, goes both ways.

[bush_cheney2004]

Every point made here, goes both ways.

...but they all go bigger in one direction. This is a pissing contest you can never win.

[bush_cheney2004]

A net change of 14000. My link But the number of Americans coming to Canada is inceasing and the number of Candians going to America is decreasing.

That's swell.....but the population of America is more than nine times that of Canada. Why is the math not already in your favor, as it has never been in your favor?

[Guest TrueMetis]

That's swell.....but the population of America is more than nine times that of Canada. Why is the math not already in your favor, as it has never been in your favor?

It's never had to be, we've always done more with less.

[Bonam]

That's swell.....but the population of America is more than nine times that of Canada. Why is the math not already in your favor, as it has never been in your favor?

Weather. Most people want to live where its warm and sunny.

It's kind of funny... in Vancouver, when people from other parts of Canada come over, they all talk about how the climate is so nice, the winters are mild, etc. In Vancouver, recent immigrants or tourists from places like Asia, Africa, etc, often walk around in 3-5 layers of clothing, down jackets, and still shiver and are miserable with the cold while native Vancouverites walk around in t-shirts. Meanwhile, here in Seattle (which has virtually identical climate to Vancouver), people from other parts of America are endlessly (and I really mean endlessly) bitching about how it's so cold, how the sun in the summer doesn't provide any heat (LOL), how it's always raining, how they wish they were in Hawaii or some other stereotypically warm getaway location.

Apparently, most potential immigrants simply could not handle Canadian weather.

This would have been even more a factor in the days of colonization and the associated major population influx. Without modern technology, weather was not just an inconvenience but a matter of survival.

Anyway, I'd say this serves Canada in good stead. Less population, more land and resources to go around, and of course endless expanses of back country for people like me to enjoy. Oh and if it ever came down to it the weather would be a HUGE defensive advantage, as it always has been for Russia and other northern nations over the centuries.

[bush_cheney2004]

Weather. Most people want to live where its warm and sunny.

The population of the Russian Federation is over 140,000,000, but is only twice the size. Given Russia and CCCP history, weather cannot totally explain away this disparity.

It's kind of funny... in Vancouver, when people from other parts of Canada come over, they all talk about how the climate is so nice, the winters are mild, etc. In Vancouver, recent immigrants or tourists from places like Asia, Africa, etc, often walk around in 3-5 layers of clothing, down jackets, and still shiver and are miserable with the cold while native Vancouverites walk around in t-shirts. Meanwhile, here in Seattle (which has virtually identical climate to Vancouver), people from other parts of America are endlessly (and I really mean endlessly) bitching about how it's so cold, how the sun in the summer doesn't provide any heat (LOL), how it's always raining, how they wish they were in Hawaii or some other stereotypically warm getaway location.

I live in a cold, northern most Midwestern state....the population is greater than British Columbia's.

Apparently, most potential immigrants simply could not handle Canadian weather.

...or economic climate.

This would have been even more a factor in the days of colonization and the associated major population influx. Without modern technology, weather was not just an inconvenience but a matter of survival.

Still.....Russia challenges this theory.

Anyway, I'd say this serves Canada in good stead. Less population, more land and resources to go around, and of course endless expanses of back country for people like me to enjoy. Oh and if it ever came down to it the weather would be a HUGE defensive advantage, as it always has been for Russia and other northern nations over the centuries.

Indeed....but Russia paid a price that Canada can't even imagine.

[Bonam]

The population of the Russian Federation is over 140,000,000, but is only twice the size. Given Russia and CCCP history, weather cannot totally explain away this disparity.

No, but being an area settled by an advanced civilization for ~1000 years instead of ~200-300 can.

I live in a cold, northern most Midwestern state....the population is greater than British Columbia's.

Yeah I wonder how this cold northern weather of yours compares to northern BC weather.

Still.....Russia challenges this theory.

What theory? That population grows slower in colder areas than in warmer ones? Going by your simplistic analysis of comparing populations at one point in time and ignoring all other factors, Russia bears out this theory perfectly. Russia, like you said, has a population of ~140 million. And its southerly neighbor, China, has a population of ~1.3 billion. What do you know, right around 9 times as much, just like the difference between the US and Canada. Certainly China's population isn't higher because of its superior "economic climate". This comparison can also be made between the country's of Northern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Finland) and those of warmer areas of Europe, again with the same results. As one looks further North or South to even colder areas, the trend continues. The populations of places like Greenland, Svalbard, islands off the north coast of Russia, the Canadian territories (Yukon, NW, and Nunavut) are extremely low, again due almost entirely to the weather. And of course there is the most extreme example of all, Antarctica.

Edited May 17, 2010 by Bonam

[bush_cheney2004]

What theory? That population grows slower in colder areas than in warmer ones? Going by your simplistic analysis of comparing populations at one point in time and ignoring all other factors, Russia bears out this theory perfectly.....

But it's not just Russia, which also suffered from other severe factors directly affecting population. Interesting (approximate) numbers that "colder weather" alone does not explain for population density by nation:

Population Density

------------------

CAN --3.5 per km²

RUS --8.3

NOR --12.6

FIN --15.8

SWE --20.7

USA --32.0

GER --229.0

NED --400.0

[GostHacked]

Actually, you also depend on American health care when provinces come up short on talent or facilities.

Specialists are hard to find no matter where you are. Canada has some the US does not and vise versa. It depends on your condition and the type of specialized service you require. And if money is not an issue then yes of course you can buy all the health care you need. At lest in Canada you are not getting raped in terms of cost for getting a cast or a few stiches.

80% of Canada's exports go to the USA. Please name one domestic Canadian automobile make with sales over $1 billion.

How many billions of bail out money went to help out those automobile makers? Ford is the only one that did not take bail out money in either country. And yes Ford is Amercian.

Then why do Canadians seek health care elsewhere when their asses are on the line (e.g. MP Williams, Ms. Stronach, or PM Chretien)?

As I said, if money is not an issue, you can get whatever health care you require anywhere, not just Canada or the US.

305,000,000 vs. 35,000,000...that kind of free....voting with their feet....including 24,000 Canadians headed south each year.

How many of those are people retiring to Florida or the warmer climates in the US which Canada does not have based on geography. I am sure we can get a reasonable breakdown of the numbers. But I would suspect since the US has a bigger population the amount of people leaving the US to other countries would be similar in ratios of total population to those who are leaving.

...but they all go bigger in one direction. This is a pissing contest you can never win.

It's only a pissing contest to you. For the fact you admit if no one talks about the US, you'd have no reason to post here at all.

[bush_cheney2004]

Specialists are hard to find no matter where you are. Canada has some the US does not and vise versa. It depends on your condition and the type of specialized service you require. And if money is not an issue then yes of course you can buy all the health care you need. At lest in Canada you are not getting raped in terms of cost for getting a cast or a few stiches.

In other words, Canada has access to fewer specialists, and many even move to the USA for more money and better facilities.

How many billions of bail out money went to help out those automobile makers? Ford is the only one that did not take bail out money in either country. And yes Ford is Amercian.

Really? Ford is American? Wow!

As I said, if money is not an issue, you can get whatever health care you require anywhere, not just Canada or the US.

You can get more (faster) in the US...that's why provinces have standing contracts with US providers.

How many of those are people retiring to Florida or the warmer climates in the US which Canada does not have based on geography. I am sure we can get a reasonable breakdown of the numbers. But I would suspect since the US has a bigger population the amount of people leaving the US to other countries would be similar in ratios of total population to those who are leaving.

Nope...the USA is far more lopsided in favor of citizens staying put and immigrants (literally) dying to get in.

It's only a pissing contest to you. For the fact you admit if no one talks about the US, you'd have no reason to post here at all.

But that will never happen, because you would have no way to define yourself or Canada. Now go steal another American movie with Bit Torrent.

[Moonlight Graham]

Well, actually, on that point, they do better...though I'm not sure how exchange rats factor in. If they do factor in to a large degree...then they aren't doing better anymore.

Also, even without the exchange rate, ours is growing faster and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Kudos on catching that mistake, my apologies. If i can give credit to the U.S. on one thing its that if you want to be the next Donald Trump or Bill Gates then the US is the place to go. But if you are an average aka non-filthy-rich person then Canada is one of the very best places to live. USA's GDP per capita is higher, but i'm pretty certain who would be on top if you compared only those who make under 200k or 300k a year.

[Moonlight Graham]

But that will never happen, because you would have no way to define yourself or Canada. Now go steal another American movie with Bit Torrent.

You mean one filmed in Canada? I'm sure he'll do that, while you and your American friends/family download the album collections of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, U2, and...

[bush_cheney2004]

You mean one filmed in Canada? I'm sure he'll do that, while you and your American friends/family download the album collections of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, U2, and...

Doesn't matter where it was filmed.....is that what makes you think it is legal to steal copyrighted material?

I already own legal copies of Stones and Beatles....U2 sucks!

[ToadBrother]

Doesn't matter where it was filmed.....is that what makes you think it is legal to steal copyrighted material?

Ask Robert Fripp, who has been fighting to get royalties for King Crimson and his solo work that have been stolen by UMG. Ask the rest of the members of the The Band who were screwed by Robbie Robertson, the Band's management and their publishing company.

As bad as Internet piracy is bad, the companies claiming they've been injured have been for decades pirates in their own right. Hell, in the last decade monster acts like Pink Floyd and the Beatles have been forced to sue EMI, well, more properly a real gang of crooks, Terra Firma, who owns EMI, for non-payment of royalties and improper use of recordings (or, as you might like to refer to it, piracy).

Edited May 17, 2010 by ToadBrother

[Moonlight Graham]

Actually, you also depend on American health care when provinces come up short on talent or facilities.

Works great too. As long as Canadians are healthier and live longer than Americans and most other countries then we're dancing on rainbows. Yay!

80% of Canada's exports go to the USA. Please name one domestic Canadian automobile make with sales over $1 billion.

Please name one domestic US automaker that anyone in the world wants to buy a car from. But seriously, both countries have a mutually beneficial trade relationship. Actually, the US imports more from Canada more than they export, while Canada is the opposite. That means we win again right?

Then why do Canadians seek health care elsewhere when their asses are on the line (e.g. MP Williams, Ms. Stronach, or PM Chretien)?

Go ask the WHO. We can argue all the pieces like wait times vs 9-1-1 response time vs access to cheap meds, but it doesn't matter because when it's all added up the WHO (and pretty much everyone else) ranks Canada as healthier and with a better healthcare system than the US. End of discussion.

305,000,000 vs. 35,000,000...that kind of free....voting with their feet....including 24,000 Canadians headed south each year.

Uhh, how does total population show which country is more "free"? As for who has more immigrants...who cares? Canada is generally considered a better place to live. We win. I don't want the 300 million people America has, or the smog/environmental pollution, massive urban metropolises, deforestation, crime, disease etc. that comes with it. I've been to Toronto, i didn't like it much.

I can keep mopping the floor with ye but since most of the empirical evidence available (aka stats) ranking country vs country is in my favour, i'm not going to waste my time. But I can always use this thread as reference to the next stubborn/arrogant foreigner who would like to take a swipe at the content of my country's national anthem.

...THE TRUE NORTH STRONG AND FREE!!!!!

...OOOOOOOHHH CAAAAAAA-NAAA-DA, WE STAND ON GUUUAAARD FOOOOOOOOORRRR THEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bush_cheney2004]

Works great too. As long as Canadians are healthier and live longer than Americans and most other countries then we're dancing on rainbows. Yay!

Few rainbows...lots of cold weather...no wonder they scramble for the USA.

Please name one domestic US automaker that anyone in the world wants to buy a car from. But seriously, both countries have a mutually beneficial trade relationship. Actually, the US imports more from Canada more than they export, while Canada is the opposite. That means we win again right?

In other words, Canada does not have any significant domestic auto make, unlike a smaller nations like Sweden. Ya!

Go ask the WHO. We can argue all the pieces like wait times vs 9-1-1 response time vs access to cheap meds, but it doesn't matter because when it's all added up the WHO (and pretty much everyone else) ranks Canada as healthier and with a better healthcare system than the US. End of discussion.

Williams, Chretien, and Stronach were not impressed.

Uhh, how does total population show which country is more "free"? As for who has more immigrants...who cares? Canada is generally considered a better place to live. We win. I don't want the 300 million people America has, or the smog/environmental pollution, massive urban metropolises, deforestation, crime, disease etc. that comes with it. I've been to Toronto, i didn't like it much.

Can you spell Tar Sand or Nanticoke? Cough...cough! As for disease, how did that SARS thing work out for the bunglers in Ontario? Isn't Toronto in Ontario....oh yea...it's cool to be hatin' on the GTA, while the GTA be hatin' on the ROC, and Quebec be hatin' on both! LOL!

I can keep mopping the floor with ye but since most of the empirical evidence available (aka stats) ranking country vs country is in my favour, i'm not going to waste my time. But I can always use this thread as reference to the next stubborn/arrogant foreigner who would like to take a swipe at the content of my country's national anthem.

Yet more Canadians head south each year....permanently. They are not impressed by your empirical evidence or rankings.

[Oleg Bach]

I saw it on TV. "The Rock" with Nicholas Cage and Sean Connery.

Nicholas Cage is a spoiled aging weasil.