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all this idea that the merger can never happen because Canada and US are fundamentally different is ridiculous - if Texas can be in the same country as Massachusetts, then there is no reason the difference between Canada and US keeps them from merging some day. You can argue against the idea, but the difference between the two countries is not a good one.
from a business point of view, it makes all the sense. Canada doesn't have the resources to tap its northern area.
I agree that the EU kind of arrangement is preferable - open border, free labour movement.
Honestly, this is my first account in this forum. I can swear with any consequence you want to impose. Hell ask a Moderator to check my IP address, geez.
Quote:
Originally Posted by botticelli
all this idea that the merger can never happen because Canada and US are fundamentally different is ridiculous - if Texas can be in the same country as Massachusetts, then there is no reason the difference between Canada and US keeps them from merging some day. You can argue against the idea, but the difference between the two countries is not a good one.
from a business point of view, it makes all the sense. Canada doesn't have the resources to tap its northern area.
I agree that the EU kind of arrangement is preferable - open border, free labour movement.
I agree. Canada's economy heavily relies on the U.S. It's just beneficial to merge them!
Canada'a 3 Largest Export Partners
United States - 74.5%
European Union - 9.5%
China - 4.3%
Canada's 3 Largest Import Partners
United States - 50.6%
China - 11.0%
European Union - 9.2%
United States' 3 Largest Export Partners
Canada - 19%
Mexico - 14%
China - 7%
United States' 3 Largest Import Partners
China - 19%
Canada - 14%
Mexico - 12%
Oh, HELL no!
Canada would have everything to lose and virtually nothing to gain. We have natural resources up the wazoo.... gold, diamonds, lumber, minerals, most of the world's potable drinking water, and much more.
What does the US bring to the table besides massive debt, the gun culture and republicans?
Last edited by weltschmerz; 10-27-2013 at 02:22 PM..
Canada would have nothing to gain from union with the US.
At the same time, can we make the borders a little more open? It's pretty ridiculous that I can go from Portugal to Poland and cross five countries in a car or train and not be stopped one time at a border for anything and yet if I drive to Canada half the time I'm stopped and questioned at length or occasionally I'm waiting while they search my whole vehicle. Last time I drove to Ontario from New York State I was waiting a half hour because of a suspicious empty bottle of ginger beer. And yeah, I know a lot of this is the fault of the US(especially post 9/11) and the emphasis on border security down here(and a reciprocal affect for what Canadians go through when they go into the US), but at the same time, for chrissakes... I got less scrutiny crossing highly militarized borders in Central America manned by corrupt federales than when I cross the US-Canada border.
For the people who are seriously thinking about Canadian-U.S. economic relations: Why not discuss what is actually happening instead of entertaining some puff piece du jour (Merger of the Century)? For instance, negotiations continue on the Beyond the Border Action Plan.
Beyond the Border is the real world; the Merger of the Century is facile provocation, akin to the 51st state "debate." Discussion of the former involves substantive issues and very real economic consequences.
This might be a fantasy for some ... but a merger of Canada and US is not possible. Maybe a EU type arrangement .... but even that would be quite difficult to accomplish. If you think about it, US orchestrated the formation of the EU. So, if the US wanted a similar agreement within Canada -- it would have been accomplished a long time ago.
And here's the funniest part ... who is calling for this merger? Have you ever heard sane Americans or Canadians calling for a united North America? Not sure where the author is getting this idea from.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Monkey
For the people who are seriously thinking about Canadian-U.S. economic relations: Why not discuss what is actually happening instead of entertaining some puff piece du jour (Merger of the Century)? For instance, negotiations continue on the Beyond the Border Action Plan.
Beyond the Border is the real world; the Merger of the Century is facile provocation, akin to the 51st state "debate." Discussion of the former involves substantive issues and very real economic consequences.
You make a good point. A lot of these initiatives are already underway. The two borders are now sharing entry-exit information. There is a major development of border/ trade infrastructure (e.g. a new Windsor-Detroit bridge).
Last edited by sandman249; 10-27-2013 at 02:21 PM..
If the Canadians care so much about their sovereign status, why would they still recognize a person living in another country as the Head of State?
That question has been dealt with in several topics on the board (it's really a weird question that makes me shake my head) - but I'll the turn the question around and ask "why not?"
Canada isn't the only country with a recognized Head of State not living on home soil, and it's not as if it's the first time to occur. Throughout history there's been many countries with recognized heads of state living in other countries. It's been a common occurrence so I don't understand why some other people sometimes have difficulty grasping that it's an okay thing with Canada. I think the only excuse there can be for some people not understanding the concept is that they must have received a poor history and social studies education in school.
I hope you are not one of them.
Most importantly though - it's what Canada wanted and when Canada gets what it wants that's really all that matters.
Not only would the United States have a permanent Democratic majority, but that party might even be more left than it is now! Plus, the sectional differences could get even worse.
@Zoisite: What would Americans think about this proposal? It would be interesting to speculate, but I imagine most would agree that it's not a great idea. Certainly, it would be fun to frighten the Tea Partiers and other right-wingers with the prospect!!
If combined, the US and Canada would have an economy larger than the European Union. The two would be an economic superpower, bigger than South America in size, with more energy, metals and minerals, water, arable land and technology than any other nation, all protected by America’s military.
Citizens of the merged countries would have more options in terms of jobs, business opportunities, climates, studies and lifestyles.
Of course, a merger, as the Europeans discovered, can be difficult. The US and Canada have unique cultures, governments, health care, taxes, gun laws and legal systems. But we have far more similarities than differences.
the network post must forget when the North American Union and Amero come into play we both had polls saying that we would like to keep our current currency then adopt the Amero and the U.S. and Canadian currency would have to be circulated out.
We would have to exchange our money for the new currency and even if we were at par on the exchange rate.
who is to say one dollar U.S. or CAN will get you back $1 Amero since it will be more like $2-$3 dollars to get back one dollar since I can see us both getting a exchange tax or fee added on.
That is until the US economy crashes...which it will.
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