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I'll pass, thanks.
Probably. Enjoy your future as a Pacific state of the Union.
I'll pass, thanks.
Not a choice. Onslaught remember? We'll take Vancouver in a few hours.
The premise of this thread seems to be that Canada has a ton of natural resources, the United States has a lot of natural resources, but neither nation has as much as Russia, so we need to merge in order to compete.
Per capita GDP for Russia: $18,408
Per capita GDP for the United States: $54,980
Per capita GDP for Canada: $44,656
I don't think we have anything to worry about competing with Russia. Natural resources can help with economic growth, but many nations that are very rich in natural resources are poor. Innovation is far more important in today's global economy and the United States and Canada have it in spades. Hell West Virginia has abundant Natural Resources and it hasn't done that much good at all economically.
As to this notion that Canada needs the United States to help exploit its natural resources. That assumes that Canadians want to develop every square in of their country. They don't. They like having a low population density with a massive wilderness. As others have pointed out, I do think we will become more economically united over time as we already are to a large degree. I would imagine it will get even easier for Canadians to live and work here and for Americans to live and work there, but I don't think we will ever become one country.
The US and Canada, despite proximity and many similarities, are still separate cultures with many differences in law and custom.
In short, no. In particular, I don't think most Canadians would be too keen on the idea, and I can't really blame them.
Another point that I have not seen yet is that with the inevitable (sigh) advent of Climate Change, our arctic is melting at a good clip and there are tons of discovers waiting to be found in the melting permafrost. Many believe there is oil, gold, diamonds and other precious stones/metals just waiting to be harvested. Each week we seem to find ships/planes from other countries combing the landscape.
How on earth have I illustrated in any way I "identify more with the Canadian culture"? Link to the exact post please, or I will assume, as per usual, that you extricated that moronic statement directly from your own ass.
You didn't answer my question because you can't.
Why do you say that?
In my opinion, the reason it won't happen anytime soon is because of rural, rightwing Americans. I think you could sell the benefits to Canadians and urban, educated Americans in the north.
I'm pretty sure the majority of Americans and Canadians will be against this idea.... however I'd like to put it out there for discussion.
Unless you're living under a rock, you know that there exists such a thing as the European Union. In it, several European countries have come together to form a bloc in which they share a common currency, certain branches of government, in which there is a free flow of people, and they are working toward a mutual defense system.
I will lay out a case why I think such a union between the United States and Canada could be beneficial to both parties, and could work better than even the EU.
1.) Cultural similarities - Both countries speak English as their first language. The way they talk are virtually indistinguishable from one another. Vancouver and Seattle have more in common with each other, culturally, than either one does with Birmingham Alabama, for example. Toronto and Buffalo have more in common than either has with Dallas.
This is not the case in the EU, and their union still works. USA and Canada are a natural cultural fit.
2.) National Defense - Today, we have NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) which essentially serves to link up the United States and Canada as one unit when it comes to the defense of our continent from foreign invasions. Canada benefits from the US' huge military providing security, and the US benefits from the early warning and defense from the north by, potentially, the Russians or others.
The EU has no such defense agreement, but their union still works. Norad has existed and worked well for both countries since 1956.
3.) Alaska - The only way to get to Alaska is to drive through or fly over Canada. It helps to be able to get to and access your own territories freely.
4.) Economy - Canada is extremely blessed with natural resources. At least equal to that of the United States. Russia is more blessed than either one. The only way Canada or the US can match the Russians is to combine forces.
Here's a breakdown:
CANADA -
Proven oil reserves: 173.9 billion barrels
Proven gas reserves: 70 trillion cubic feet
Proven coal reserves: 7.8 billion tons
Energy portfolio... total value: $20.2 trillion
Metal and ore reserves... $1 trillion
Reserves composition (value):
79% Potash
6% Iron ore
5% Nickel
3% Gold
3% Copper
1% Zinc
1% Platinum (PGM)
Years of production: 56
UNITED STATES -
Proven oil reserves: 35 billion barrels
Proven gas reserves: 300 trillion cubic feet
Proven coal reserves: 237 billion tons
Energy portfolio.... total value: $28.5 trillion
Metal and ore reserves... $613 billion
Reserves composition (value):
20% Copper
19% Iron Ore
12% Gold
5% Platinum (PGM)
4% Zinc
3% Potash
Years of production: 44
RUSSIA -
Proven oil reserves: 87 billion barrels
Proven gas reserves: 1,163 trillion cubic feet
Proven coal reserves: 157 billion tons
Energy portfolio.... total value: $40.7 trillion
Metal and ore reserves... $1.63 trillion
Reserves composition (value):
49% Iron ore
20% Potash
14% Platinum (PGM)
8% Gold
5% Nickel
4% Copper
Years of production: 99
So you can see, the only way the US or Canada can match Russia as far as resources go is to combine forces, in which case we surpass the Russians.
So this benefits the Americans on the global stage. On the other hand, the US is blessed with a large, educated, and industrial population and we have the largest GDP in the world by a long shot. Canada could benefit greatly from free American investment minus all the legal and currency hurdles that exist today.
5.) We get Burger King back, and two types of bacon > one type of bacon.
What do you think? Would you be in favor of the USA and Canada joining forces, or is it better to continue as is?
So what you're inferring here (unintentionally perhaps?) is that if you love your country and live in a rural area you're a dumb ass?
True, in a way. Still a lot of political, financial, and legal barriers between the countries though.
I personally think we should make the proposition to Mexico, and to Central and South America. We have more to gain resource and opportunity wise, incorporating new southern states and the Caribbean. I think a United States that encompasses the entirety or a vast majority of the western hemisphere would be a good thing. There are lots of South Americans who probably would look at that proposition with real interest over the potential possibilities. The economic potential gain for everyone would be huge.
As far as Canada, I don't see them joining the US anytime soon. Maybe after the rest of American continents did.
Nope, but rural Americans do tend to be wearier of outsiders than urban Americans, who are more exposed to other cultures.
I am stunned beyond reason that this was never answered.
Cut and run.
Your last name Monroe?
True, in a way. Still a lot of political, financial, and legal barriers between the countries though.
Why do you say that?
In my opinion, the reason it won't happen anytime soon is because of rural, rightwing Americans. I think you could sell the benefits to Canadians and urban, educated Americans in the north.
Cue the music from Deliverance
I'm pretty sure the majority of Americans and Canadians will be against this idea.... however I'd like to put it out there for discussion.
Unless you're living under a rock, you know that there exists such a thing as the European Union. In it, several European countries have come together to form a bloc in which they share a common currency, certain branches of government, in which there is a free flow of people, and they are working toward a mutual defense system.
I will lay out a case why I think such a union between the United States and Canada could be beneficial to both parties, and could work better than even the EU.
1.) Cultural similarities - Both countries speak English as their first language. The way they talk are virtually indistinguishable from one another. Vancouver and Seattle have more in common with each other, culturally, than either one does with Birmingham Alabama, for example. Toronto and Buffalo have more in common than either has with Dallas.
This is not the case in the EU, and their union still works. USA and Canada are a natural cultural fit.
2.) National Defense - Today, we have NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) which essentially serves to link up the United States and Canada as one unit when it comes to the defense of our continent from foreign invasions. Canada benefits from the US' huge military providing security, and the US benefits from the early warning and defense from the north by, potentially, the Russians or others.
The EU has no such defense agreement, but their union still works. Norad has existed and worked well for both countries since 1956.
3.) Alaska - The only way to get to Alaska is to drive through or fly over Canada. It helps to be able to get to and access your own territories freely.
4.) Economy - Canada is extremely blessed with natural resources. At least equal to that of the United States. Russia is more blessed than either one. The only way Canada or the US can match the Russians is to combine forces.
Here's a breakdown:
CANADA -
Proven oil reserves: 173.9 billion barrels
Proven gas reserves: 70 trillion cubic feet
Proven coal reserves: 7.8 billion tons
Energy portfolio... total value: $20.2 trillion
Metal and ore reserves... $1 trillion
Reserves composition (value):
79% Potash
6% Iron ore
5% Nickel
3% Gold
3% Copper
1% Zinc
1% Platinum (PGM)
Years of production: 56
UNITED STATES -
Proven oil reserves: 35 billion barrels
Proven gas reserves: 300 trillion cubic feet
Proven coal reserves: 237 billion tons
Energy portfolio.... total value: $28.5 trillion
Metal and ore reserves... $613 billion
Reserves composition (value):
20% Copper
19% Iron Ore
12% Gold
5% Platinum (PGM)
4% Zinc
3% Potash
Years of production: 44
RUSSIA -
Proven oil reserves: 87 billion barrels
Proven gas reserves: 1,163 trillion cubic feet
Proven coal reserves: 157 billion tons
Energy portfolio.... total value: $40.7 trillion
Metal and ore reserves... $1.63 trillion
Reserves composition (value):
49% Iron ore
20% Potash
14% Platinum (PGM)
8% Gold
5% Nickel
4% Copper
Years of production: 99
So you can see, the only way the US or Canada can match Russia as far as resources go is to combine forces, in which case we surpass the Russians.
So this benefits the Americans on the global stage. On the other hand, the US is blessed with a large, educated, and industrial population and we have the largest GDP in the world by a long shot. Canada could benefit greatly from free American investment minus all the legal and currency hurdles that exist today.
5.) We get Burger King back, and two types of bacon > one type of bacon.
What do you think? Would you be in favor of the USA and Canada joining forces, or is it better to continue as is?
Can you squeeeeeeel like a pig?
No, no and ****ing no.
You have tried that twice before, 1776 and 1812 or thereabouts and we rather forcefully and with some great loss of American lives said "no thanks."
You are completely wrong about cultural values. Canadians DO NOT speak English as a first language, 35% speak French as thei first and sometimes only language, to et anywhere here you have to speak both.
There is NO cultural connection beyond the media. If any American want to try to understand that try reading a Canadian philosopher named John Ralston Saul John Ralston Saul - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We are about as similar as blackberries and roses. The US was founded on war, spends a good majority of its income on war and war machines, while Canada spends its money on health care and social programs. Americans arm themselves against each other, Canadians arm peacekeepers and look out for one another. We deplore your violence and racism and you would NOT like how we deal with people who want to walk around with a gun. You would not like our policing as we watched in horror the military equipment rolled out against your own citizens, an appalling display of fear.
The US is divided along race, black white, and political, lines a growing schism leading to more and more violence in the streets. In Canada we never refer to race, but nationality, we have no red people, yellow people, black people, brown people, or white people, we have Canadians, a land where there has never been a race riot, we riot over the very important things in life, hockey.
While you tout Norad, Canadians are increasingly questioning our traditional role with Amerika, especially in light of the fact you've been killing and bombing people for 14 years and now have Iraq V3.0 with another 5 to 15 years of war there.
Canadians have a higher standard of living than the US, better education, better health care, and we get along, Asians, Indians, Africans and even], gasp!, Muslims. Why would we want to give that up so Americans can have access to our resources?
Please keep out.
What benefits? How would a Canadian benefit from it? As a dual citizen....I look at my Canadian family and friends and shake my head each time I see them adopting/embracing something more American.....I pray Canada never loses it's identity, it's freedom, it's hospitality. The grass is not greener on the other side!
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