Tid Bits Of Info On The North American Continent

Except the lakes are frozen a lot of the time.

Catbuilder, you have never seen Trailer Park Boys.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trailer_Park_Boys

 

Catbuilder you were within 2 hr. drive of me at one point. On your query it's the cost of living: take into consideration the area you visited --basically rural and fairley self sufficient in many ways. In addition to a great medical coverage we still have space to fish--farm and hunt cut logs for lumber and firewood. We still have large tracks of crown (public) land on which to do so. Generally we still help each other collectively. If you had visited say Montreal or Toronto you might have encountered some poverty but it would be rare that the people would have been suffering physicallly for want of medical attention which in turn allows them the ability to work and make a few bucks thus several steps above real poverty. All these little benifits add up to make a majour difference in one's lifstyle. Your post opens up another opportunity to view and compare the three countries. I am at a disadvantage here as far as how Mexico fits into the mix because i really am not familiar with the internal workings of the country. I.E. their medical system-- If they have an un employment system -- Is there any form of help for the poor and so on. Man I wish there were some Mexican members on the forum to give input. One can read stats. and so on but those are mostly just buracratic and manupilated info. Anyhow from my outsiders point of view and please trust me here I honestly have the same admiration for the peoples of both out countries. As a people we started out equally, the same in races-religions-culture- However in a very short time the paths walked diverted. The driving factor being population growth. The U.S. from day two has always had 10 times the population of Canada. This 10 fold factor increased economic growth - independent thinking- power- on a 100 fold scale with perfect timing when the world power at the time was becoming tired and the country never looked back. I think overall the people of the U.S. being the citizens of a super power have and are paying the price for that status in the world much the same as the peoples of Briton and their Empire before. It costs un told sums of money militarily to run a superpower and that money has to come from it's small buisnesses and working taxpayers thus leaving less for social programs (money to look after the welfare of it's citizens) The great loss in manufacturing- the loss of the middle class- and the greed of the biggest per capita non caring super rich class in the world is taking it's toll on the average Jo and his family. This is also occuring somewhat in Canada but we as tax payers are not supporting the insane costs associated with being a superpower. Could Canada as a fellow North American country do more to alleviate some of these costs? Her hands are tied to do more, With only 30 million people as a tax base and running a vast country it's a puzzle to most of the world how it manages to survive and play the amazing role it has in the past two world wars, Korea, and recently in Afganistan. Compare this to California which has the same population as Canada a very small fraction of the land mass and infrastructure -- yet that state is on the verge of bankruptsy. To be honest Canada needs 70 million more people to make it tick as it should. Could Mexico do more to help? They have the population but not the government or buisness infrastructure to look after it's own people. Unless something changes drastically I'm afraid it will be the status quo in terms of the cost of living and the standard of living between the three countries for some time to come.

 

Hoyte "Trailer Park Boys" -- Now there's a judgement of Canadian culture, however you know what they say truth is stranger than fiction--However in this case fiction is stranger than fiction- Then again what does this say for viewers ---Geo.

 

As a former long term resident of Canada (I grew up in Montreal) I will have to add that general education would have to go to the Canadians. When I got my equivalency results back so I could enter the US Air Force...my 11th grade (HS Graduate in Que) education was equivalent to a 2nd year college student's in the US. I continue to notice the difference even today.

 

Thats interesting--Heres another little tid bit within Canada. In the late 50's and early 60's the Newfoundland grade 11 (last year high school) was equivalent to mainland Canada grade 12. Not the case today as the two systems are now blended.

 

Corner Gas?

Just for Laughs?

 

Thank you viking, not many people know that September eleven is the day usa sent their arse lickers to attack the Chilean Parliament and overthrow democratically elected government because it did not want to obey their orders.

Eventually 35 000 had lost their lives to the murderous hands of North American nazist regime, and possibly another 30 000, bringing the total to 65 000. The investigation is still ongoing to unravel the full extent of the putch and the real number of killed people in the name of the profit and "free globalised capitalism".

:idea:

 

Corner Gas -- ya good one -- I know which character you're hooked on-- I find her quite appealing

 

Masrapido- Sorry I was not aware of the sad event in your country and of course my thoughts go out to the victims. Likewise I'm sure the thoughts of the peoples of Canada- Mexico and the United States. It's always sad when the average citizen is killed by the stupidy and greed of out of control governments regardless of the country.With all such events (as you describe) there is always three players--two opposing groups within the country and a real or perceived outside force. If what you say is correct and i hope not, the best way to combat it is by bringing it and keeping it in the public forefront. Correct,true and most of all substantiated information is power. In presenting so, not only will the citizens of the interfering country but the world will be with you in opposition. Never judge the average citizen of a country by it's government and never under estimate the power of it's citizens to overthrow corruption. I'm sure no citizen of North America would object to me saying On behalf of the citizens of North America we wish the people of Chile the very best in attaining the happyness and freedom as deserved by all humans.-- Geo.

 

Here is one link to a description of the Chilean revolution, from a left leaning perspective, that does not perceive the USA of being the main Satan involved in the bloodshed.

http://libcom.org/library/strange-defeat-chilean-revolution-1973-pointblank

And it does contain a couple of interesting observations, such as ...

"The workers' slogan, "A disarmed people is a defeated people" was to find its bitter truth in the slaughter of workers and peasants that followed the military coup."

2nd amendment anyone?

And this one too ...

"There can be no "socialism in one country," or in one factory or district. Revolution is an international task which can only be solved on an international level - it does not recognise continental frontiers. Like any revolution, the Chilean Revolution requires the success of similar movements in other areas. Everywhere, in the wildcat strikes in the United States and West Germany, the factory occupations in France, and in civil insurrections in the USSR, the foundations for a new world are being laid. Those who recognise themselves in this global movement must seize the opportunity to extend it with all the subversive weapons at their disposal."

The last quote above makes Glenn Beck's commentary on a world wide conspiracy seem quite reasonable.

Oh, here is another take on the civil war that arose, short article:

http://simply-truth.blogspot.com/2005/09/truth-about-chilean-revolution-by-jos.html

 

I know we're getting a bit off track here but since one of our North American countries was accused of being involved, I guess it's appropiate to comment further. Like I said "real or perseived third party" " substansiated proof" If the accused is real with proof of an unjust cause, then the gloves are off and let the chips fall where they may. As our 60's slogan used to say power to the people. Any how lets lighten it up a bit (discussions involving politics and religion are divisional and nothing but trouble) and get into some natural and historical wonders of each country to pass on to each other and the world. Here's my take working south to north--Mexico famous for it's anchient stonework, I think as famous than those in Egyp-Greece or Cambodia. The united States bar none most famous for it's unique and variety of it's natural formations, Canada for it's raw natural landscapes. It would be nice if posters could post in more detail with photos if possible --Geo.

 

Don't read too much into that article. The writer displays early his/her absolute ifgnorance by equalising "Trotskists" and "Maoists", for example. Anyone who knows anything about left movement knows that Totsky was a true democratic socialist, while Mao was just another dictator hiding behind the hammer and sickle in order to climb up to the throne.

Suffice to say that pepsi cola and kissinger were behind pinochet, and today there is no pepsi cola in Chile. The had to leave despite their armed putch being successful. The rest of the article is merely a display of total lack of understanding of Chilean left and socialism. The ignorant measures it against his own "western" criteria conveniently forgetting that social and economic conditions depend on the people, not some "universal socia/cultural laws" because such "laws" do not exist when it comes to people. If they did, you'd be eating rats and snakes like Asians. I'm sure you don't.

Let us never forget tens of thousands of people killed because of far right ideologies and their mentally deranged obsession with "profit", "globalisation", and "democratic capitalism".

And it happened on September eleven. The day capitalism failed.

Twice.

 

Read your own statement above and then explain why you continue to rage against people that have chosen capitalism as their way of life. Seems to be in direct contradiction of your statement. Capitalism is a choice made by people at the founding of the USA, and the choice of many, many immigrants fleeing their own failed countries, that are risking their very lives to reach the shores of the USA.

Capitalism didn't kill anyone. Neither has socialism or communism. People kill people and have since the dawn of time when life consisted of simple hunter/gatherer tribes and economics was trading my goat for your daughter. The "isms" are just lifestyle choices and work, or don't work, based upon the participants expectations and commitment to the ism chosen. Murder is purely the work of man and the social environment it occurs in is irrelevant to the act.

My best buddy is an ex Red Chinese, from the privileged class. He rejected communism and fled to this country to save his life. The experiences he has related to me has reinforced my belief that the best government is the one with the least power over its citizens. This results in lower incentive for corruption, as the benefit to the government is minimized and there is less ability for a corrupt government to act against its people. If you and the citizens of Chile want an all encompassing government that builds a Great Wall of Chile to keep out the rest of the globe - I say more power to you and the movement. Good luck with that!

 

Under communism tens of millions died.

 

Well can't beat them might as well put in my two cents worth--Masrapido it takes time to build a democracy. Of the three countries here in North America two started at a great advantage having roots as part of the British Empire. We basically started as democracys as well as having that great superpower oversee and protect us in the early days of our growth until we reached a point of self sufficiency. Do a survey of the world and the most democratic-most successful and having the most enjoyment of life liberty and happiness(to borrow from my U.S. friends) are those countries that grew from that same root. This includes India. While it has gotten off to a slower start than China it will not have to suffer thru the upcoming Chinese revolution to attain democracy and freedom. Again the British planted that seed for them. Within 50yrs. they will surpass China as an indutrial giant. The point i'm making here if the seed is good most likely the garden will grow however not without some weeding.(some weed with the sword some with the hoe In the case of some South American countries your struggle seems to continue with the sword and I have to be honest maybe it would be benifical to be mothered by a superpower until you too find your feet. One of our North American Countries, Mexico is having one hell of a time and it could come to the point where it might need outside help in a big way to get things under control. To be honest i don't know what the hell we're doing in the middle east when countries right here at home need help, however who am i just an old boatbuider.--Geo.