Canada, with its triple-A rating, has a diverse economy, stable public policy and sound financial sector, S&P said in a report written by analysts in Toronto and New York City.

"In our opinion, the Canadian financial sector has weathered the current global financial turmoil well to date."

S&P also said federal government spending deficits of between one and two per cent of gross domestic product are expected in 2009 and 2010 as the country emulates the actions of other highly rated governments to boost their economies.

Regardless of which federal party eventually ends up controlling the reins in Ottawa, S&P believes the country will be back to a balanced budget by the end of 2011.

"Like the other three 'AAA' rated G7 sovereigns [U.K., France and Germany], we believe that Canada has the political capacity and will to respond quickly to changing conditions, and it has a relatively diversified economy," S&P said.

"It also has a stable financial system, and is the only of the five that entered the current crisis in fiscal surplus on a general government basis.

Let's go Canadian....cut the top US income tax rate to 29% like it is in Canada and watch the US economy boom.

As every American knows - Canadians pay far more in taxes - and Canada provides its citizens with far more entitlements.

And yet - we thrive!

But why ever look to the revenue side of the equation - when facing debt - eh?

The biggest problem Canada has is allowing coneheaded mullets like BCBrian to teach their youth.

Canada rates higher than the USA in it's public education system too!

Be proud. No navy, but excellent BC bud.

Just imagine where the US would be if we lived next to a country that provided our national defense for us.

I'd like to see what Canada's percentage of Amish are....we'll ship you all our Amish fromt he ghetto and see how it goes.

Bad enough you are in Canada...I damn sure wouldn't want you for a next door neighbor. Hey maybe you could do us a favor and take all the illegal immigrants we have.....

How are those gun control laws working for you? Can you carry concealed wherever you go and whenever you want? With whatever you decide?

Our only problem is the liberal idiots akin to you that are here...maybe we can ship them up there too? You'll be happy with all your new brethren and we will be better of rid of them.

Why ever look to the revenue side of the equation? As long as Grover Nyquist and Co. keep our heads in the sand (or up our A$$), we'll never see our way out of this mess. Like it or not, government costs money to run (military, defense, law enforcement, prisons, education, highways and other infrastructure, a space program , etc.) and the government has only one way to get revenue - taxes.

I do not favor confiscatory taxes, but revenues are one important side of the equation. Just ignoring it will not make it better.

Defence?

From who?

The only country that ever invaded us?

If you don't think Canada prospers under protection from the US you are more out of than I thought.

Elect Obama and we'll see how well you do.

no they don't....they pay far less than we do. 29% top rate...far lower than the evil Bush tax cuts for the rich (oh, and everybody else who pays taxes). even lower than under dat ol' debbil Reagan. must be a bunch of Canadian tea party terrorists or something.

Don't be shy. Tell em how Russia is taking your land to your north.

No Canadian Navy? That would be news to the Canadians. It's not large, but they've got one.

see: http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/cms/0/0_eng.asp

Ya, ya, so do the samolians

Your system can't function without slave labour - or the nearest thing to it - undocumented workers. It's why none of your governments has ever done anything about it. Despite what voter's say.

And - although it's neither here nor there. Living in Canada I have never felt the need to carry a weapon - except when I'm hunting. And- when I'm hunting I prefer a rifle or shotgun.

According to thier own website they have 33 warships with the biggest being a destroyer, only 1 of which is deployed on the west coast and 2 on the east coast. Yeah sounds like a hell of a blue water Navy there. 1/3 of the ships listed fall into the coastal defense BOAT category.

Even with all the problems of the US there's still people who will travel around the globe at great peril at a CHANCE to sneak in and make it here many of whom will go thru Canada to get here...what does that tell you?

http://garyes.stormloader.com/its.html

The It's vs. Its page
If you're confused by these two little words, you've come to the right place. (Not that there aren't other right places.)


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

It's is a contraction for it is or it has.

Its is a possessive pronoun meaning, more or less, of it or belonging to it.

And there is absolutely, positively, no such word as its'.

A simple test
If you can replace it[']s in your sentence with it is or it has, then your word is it's; otherwise, your word is its.

Another test
Its is the neuter version of his and her. Try plugging her into your sentence where you think its belongs. If the sentence still works grammatically (if not logically) then your word is indeed its.

Examples
It's been good to know you. Contraction: it has
It's a bird! It's a plane! Contraction: it is

The dodo bird is known for its inability to fly. Possessive pronoun: its inability = the dodo bird's inability

Since WWII, the world has changed.

The big economies are too inter-connected to make war with each other.

Everyone realizes that now.

Well, almost everyone.

we don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. adding a trillion dollars to the budget for an "emergency" and then making it a permanent part of the budget is a problem that can't be cured by further taxing "the rich" who already pay the vast majority of the tax bill while half the people pay nothing and 40% are getting a check from Uncle.

Get serious Steve.

Income tax is only one tax. Canadians pay far more in total taxes than Americans - and I suspect you know that.

And we benefit too - both in having far more generous social programs, and a far better economy.

Mexicans come here precisely because they can get high wages...not slave wages. they could get those in Mexico.

and with an estimated 120,000 illegals in Canada....proportionate to population you're about tied with the US.

Anything else?

I guess Brian likes bragging about the other provices as his province is a unbelievable drain on their entire country. BC seems worse than 3rd world country status. It always cracks me up when BC has to look far outside of where he lives, for some good news, and then tries to parlay it off as good news for a province, whose adults are either drunk,stoned or abusing their kids with strikingly bizarre frequency.

B.C. child poverty at play in 21 child deaths: children's advocate
Dirk Meissner

Victoria� The Canadian Press
Published Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 8:24PM EST


The sad, short lives of 21 B.C. children who all died before their second birthday has the province's independent children's representative calling on the government to do more to fight child poverty.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond also demanded the 12 candidates vying to replace the leaders of the provincial Liberals and NDP develop strategies to reduce British Columbia's child poverty rate.

�Any person who is putting their hat forward to be a leader of any party in this province needs to have a well-formulated position on this issue because it's with us and it's not going away,� she said after releasing a report Thursday

The province has had the worst rate in Canada for several years in a row and poverty is directly related to poor outcomes for children, said the report.

Her 76-page document, Fragile Lives, Fragmented Systems: Strengthening Supports for Vulnerable Infants, called on Premier Gordon Campbell's office to play a lead role in developing a child-poverty plan.

�Despite a drop in British Columbia's overall child poverty rate between 2007 and 2008, British Columbia continues to have the worst child poverty record in the country for the sixth year in a row based on after-tax measures,� said her report, quoting Statistics Canada.

�Provincially, the rate of child poverty is 10.4 per cent, higher than the national average of 9.1 per cent. The Canadian Pediatric Society rated British Columbia �poor' in addressing child poverty in their 2009 report,� said Turpel-Lafond's report.

Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories have provincial child poverty reduction plans. Nunavut announced a public process last fall that could lead to a child poverty strategy.

�British Columbia does not have a provincial plan to reduce poverty,� the report said.

B.C. Children's Minister Mary Polak said the government has cut child poverty rates by more than 40 per cent by introducing programs and initiatives that target child and family issues.

But Ms. Turpel-Lafond said at a news conference the government's trickle-down economic strategy does not reach children and their families who have been living in poverty for generations, with the 21 dead kids as a prime example of the failure.

�What we're doing isn't working,� she said. �If you're looking at some of the cases of these infants, you're talking about third-generation families on subsistence, with ongoing shocks, not only just living in deep poverty. What are we going to do to change that?�

Ms. Turpel-Lafond said 15 of the 21 dead children were aboriginal and nine of the 15 were from Vancouver Island.

She said the 21 children and their families faced tremendous challenges: 20 of the 21 had trauma in the families of their parents; 15 of the 21 families had documented histories of abuse or neglect on the mother's side of the family; 14 of the 21 families had domestic violence issues; 16 of the 21 families had substance abuse issues; and 12 of the 21 families had documented mental health issues such as depression, suicidal behaviour and anxiety.

The report outlined the tragic death of an infant who was left by child babysitters to sleep in a car seat that was placed on top of a soft mattress. The car seat turned over and the baby was asphyxiated.

Ms. Turpel-Lafond said the infant was left in the car seat because there was no crib in the home even though the child and family were known to the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Prior to the infant's death, 14 child protection reports had been made to the ministry, primarily about alcohol abuse and domestic violence.

�Many children in B.C. do well,� Ms. Turpel-Lafond said. �Far, far too many do not. There's deep poverty and deep inequality in British Columbia.�

She called on the premier's office to deliver a progress report on its child poverty-reduction actions by April.

Ms. Polak acknowledged the tragedy of the 21 deaths, but said there are 84,000 children known to the ministry and more than 9,000 are in government care.

Ms. Polak also said the government is attempting to work with the federal government to improve the rates of poverty in aboriginal communities, where the issues are acute.

�We know that with the overall poverty rate that we are doing the right things and taking targeted investments continues to bring that number down,� she said.

�We also know that when it comes to aboriginal communities and particularly those on reserve, we need to do far more in terms of investing in prevention-type programs and community development programs.�

Opposition New Democrat children's critic Maurine Karagianis said she is perplexed about why the government continues to resist calls to fight child poverty.

But she said she is prepared to work with the government and new premier on child poverty.

Only a Canadian would brag about paying more taxes.

Come on, we're talking about the land of milk in a bag.

name them...what taxes do you pay that we don't. We pay income tax in most states...6% where I live, 9% sales tax, ten grand a year in property taxes on my house, and 16% social security tax on the first 106K.

now you tell me what you pay that's more than that.

given the deafening sound of crickets, let me help you. see the attached link. you pay less in taxes in every category I see...corporate income tax, personal income tax, inheritance tax.


so, Brian, what are these mythical higher taxes our Canadian brethren are forced to pay.

the inconvenient facts, for your ready reference:

http://slumbuddy.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/comparison-of-us-and-canadian-tax-rates-for-2010/

BC, besides not having an Insurance Industry raking off profits from healthcare and leaving the government to bare all the cost, how does Canada keep big BIZ in line? Do corporations have less rights than the citizens which is the opposite here in the US? How are corporations taxed and do any corporations end up paying no tax on profits as some do here in the US?

Do you see Canadian corporations working to bring down wages as they are here in the US?

The Willis Report, on FOX, yesterday showed how Microsoft is in an all out effort to bring in their Indian engineers, under temp. visas, as more or less indentured servants paying them $10k annual plus housing which would, in time, serve to bring all engineer wages down. When questioned the CEO stated that US engineers were not capable.

It's just way too easy to take advantage of a blow hard who doesn't do his homework before engaging his mouth. It's so easy,it gets boring after a while.I get embarrassed for the marblehead,especially when he makes Canadians cringe more than he does his betters to the south of his hand-outs hideaway.

It must be a hell of a life cowering under a rock thinking everyone and every business is out to screw you.

Honestly how do you live like that?

.

Careful Steve, you might convince me to move there!

Charlie, I know you commies are perennially fact challenged, but if you have google you should use it so you don't look like such a total idiot.

For 2012, the Canadian corporate income tax rate is about half what it is in the US. Now you and Brian can do a big Bolshie man hug, and cry about it, but that's the fact.

According to the 2010 budget, the Canadian corporate tax rate at 16.2 per cent in 2012 would be half that of the U.S. at 34.2 per cent, with a still-to-come 1.5-point drop.

Brian doesn't mention that for the last 5 years Canada has had a fiscally responsible Conservative Government.They now have a majority in the House and will be proceeding with their agenda of less government intrusion,reduced spending,immigration reform,and a crackdown on crime(including ridding us of the long gun registry).They are largely responsible for the fact that Canada has weathered the world wide recession better than most.If the quasi socialists and the hardcore socialists had taken power with their policies of entitlement we would be in the same mess as the US.Put that in your pipe and smoke it Brian,along with the other stuff! Monashee

the simple fact is that I can .....and I don't have to register anything with the government to do so

Very interesting link -- thanks for posting it Steve_NO.

It jibes well my my experiences working in both the USA and Canada. Each country has many very positive aspects.

From the link:
If your sole objective is to maximize your earnings, then here is a guide on what you should do:

If you are an American unskilled worker: emigrate to Canada. There are many routes to doing this, but your profession is not likely to be one of them. If you are willing to have job retraining, get a nursing degree; that skill is in demand everywhere around the world. Otherwise your best bet is to marry a Canadian. Enjoy the low taxes and good benefits.

If you are a skilled American worker: continue working in the US for higher wages until 3 years prior to retirement age. Just as your health care expenses start getting higher, emigrate to Canada and enjoy the free health care. It is relatively easy for skilled workers to work anywhere within NAFTA provided that you find an employer. After 3 years, get your citizenship and collect both Social Security and CPP. Enjoy the tropical paradise that Canada has become after global warming (perhaps an exaggeration, or perhaps not?).

If you are a wealthy American: emigrate to Canada, move your corporate headquarters to Canada, after 3 years get your Canadian citizenship and renounce your American citizenship (to avoid continued filing with the IRS).

If you are a Canadian unskilled worker: stay in Canada.

If you are a Canadian skilled worker: emigrate to the US for the higher wages. Luckily your tuition was subsidized 75% by Canada so you don�t hold any education debt. Work on temporary work visas for as long as possible. If you must get a green card, make sure that you do not possess it for longer than 8 years. If you do, you are subject to an expatriation tax on your worldwide assets when you move back to Canada. Whatever you do, do not have children in the US as they will be subject to filing with the IRS forever and it will be difficult for them to emigrate anywhere else later. Education will be much more expensive too. Make your money then move back to Canada.

If you are a wealthy Canadian: life is good.

You left out about 50 Aboriginal war canoes in your estimate.

Wikipedia says otherwise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_rates_around_the_world

But,while we're getting to the bottom of this. If the USA paid more to government in the form of taxes - wouldn't that make the USA more of a SOCIALIST country - than Canada? I mean, I was always told that big government and higher taxes equated to socialism.

absolutely right, Monashee. Canada has a far more fiscally responsible government than we do at this point, and a tax environment far more conducive to investment and employment.

the US's problem isn't taxes that are too low....it's insane spending as democrats try to make more and more of the middle class dependent on new entitlements, illegals suck up more and more social services and increase LE costs, and we continue to provide the free world's defense.

Ship Canada two or three million ghetto residents and start charging "protection" money for defense, and watch what would happen to the budget.

Brian, in my lifetime I have run across literally 100's of ex Canadians that work here mostly in IT. I have never heard of any of my non Canadian associates even talk about moving to Canada. Why do you think that is?

I just think Brian is just pissed about the whole Terrence and Philip deal....

we're already to the bottom of it, McKenzie. your whole premise that the US is undertaxed compared to Canada is factually completely ass backwards.


I particularly like the corporate rate half of ours and the zero inheritance tax. (Those damned Trudeau tax cuts. ;)) Pampering the rich, you are.

Why would they advocate moving to Canada for the free healthcare? Every American seems to think it's third world in it's ability to keep us healthy.

It appears Brian was only entitled to government provided dial-up.

Why are Wikipedia's numbers so different from yours Steve?

you'd have to take that up with the Canadians who come here for treatment rather than die waiting in line.

Yeah, I didn't want to post the YouTube link...

It would keep him too busy to post stupid chit for three days though.....

Did any of you read any part of the Standard & Poor decision?

It specifically mentioned the inability to consider increased government revenue - as being part of the problem.

And yet - we live LONGER.

I think we could " take over" canada with a strongly worded letter.....if we had some one in the white house with some balls.
I do a little business in Canada , but I don't hunt or fish Canada anymore.

Cisco

Oh come on....

Canada is a great country, and we're lucky to have them as a neighbor.

Yes, they are more socialist than the US. They are also a little less prosperous. Stuff costs more there, partly because every time you buy a pair of shoes or a camera, you are paying for the health care of the clerk that sells it to you. Apparently they like it that way. If that's what they choose, it's none of our business.

Whether you are capitalist, socialist, communist or some other -ist has absolutely nothing to do with whether you are spending more than your country can afford. Any mode of government can be fiscally responsible. Fact is, Canada's government has been more fiscally responsible than ours lately. Good on 'em.

LOL published #s are for those easily satisifed with a cursory awareness. Loopholes and subsidies don't bare that out.

what numbers? tax rates are, unfortunately for you and Charles, facts which are easily provable.

I've posted the top rates for personal and corporate income tax, and the zero rate for inheritance. Top personal there is 29% vs. 35% here +++various surcharges that really make it 37%.

social security contribution for self employed is 15.3% vs. less than 10% in Canada.

Corporate rate there is half what it is here.

I think you may have higher liquour and tobacco taxes, but other than that....name one single category where the US isn't taxed more heavily than Canada. Name one....give supporting facts.

As mentioned,their conservative party majority has been more fiscally responsible.

You get more Government Revenue by decreasing Business Taxes which increases hiring and more individual income tax.It works all over Northern Europe where they are getting away from Socialism having seen how it destroys Countries .
When the American people get rid of The Schmuck in charge and start drilling for Oil here ,this economy will be jumpstarted like a Priest in charge of a 6 year old Boys Day Camp.

Canada's deduction scheme is very similar to US, so its apples to apples.

Q) Why is approximately 90% of Canada's population concentrated within 100 miles of the US border..?

A) So they can MOOCH off the U.S. and still claim to be independent.!

[b][color:#3333FF]source[/color][/b]

It's safer there; almost like being in bed with mommy.

Off the top of my shiny head?

How about gasoline? Canada is an exporting nation. Alberta's reserves alone probably equal Saudi Arabia's. - and yet to buy regular gas here costs us about $5.50 a gallon! And we sell to you!

I can't believe I'm using that fact in a debate - but it is true!

Bottom line is, we are taxed more and we spend more so countries like Canada can prosper in peace.

It reminds me of who had to go get that Milosevic in the middle of Europe...CANADA did! laffin'

When you have two choices and limited risk of [bleep] up either, its not something to brag about.

To its credit, but let's face it, running Canada is like being in a car attached to a merry-go round (carousel, for Brian).....

It might also have something to do with all of our agricultural land being in the southern extremes of our country.

But, unlike you - most of us are enjoying the ride!

I'm doing fine....and you're welcome!

I'll prolly take 3 handguns and three rifles out for some shooting today.

Brian, what would Canada's reaction be if the North Koreans hit Japan?

That would appear to be Japan's problem.

I don't want Canada to police the world.

"Defense" to me - means protecting our own country - not everyone else's.

Oh, that's right, it doesn't matter.....

it might, but since there are less than 700,000 people living on farms in Canada, I doubt it.

weather would be my guess.

I didn't say "it doesn't matter" - I just think Japan should worry about protecting Japan.

It's not up to Canada to protect Japan.

thus quoth the Neville Chamberlain of the Great White North.

it would be your problem when they quit buying your timber and oil and sending you Toyotas and i-phones.

Great, but totally different view from your "obese children" thread....

Little boy hiding behind his 6'4" dad never gets beat up.

BMT

But the non-existent global warming will change all that - and to our benefit it appears.

Cowardice from the North. Does this ring a bell?

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

I can see it now....vineyards in the Yukon.

don't hold your breath.

He has "faith".......

Canada fought in BOTH World Wars - for many YEARS before America bothered to help out.

Canada needs no lessons or lectures - thanks just the same.

being part of the Empire, or the Commonwealth, you certainly did.

and well. and disproportionately.


that was then, this is now.

In this valley (the Okanagan) - the vineyards have moved 100 miles north - in my own lifetime.

Yeah, because Great Britain/Canada had the food, munitions and industry to do so...

"Before America bothered to help out".....Jesus you're history is pathetic.

You think you can emulate that formula with 10x the population and huge entitlement class?

Canada had more food, munitions and industry than the USA did? Are you serious?

Yeah that 3% profit margin insurance companies "rake". TRy again komrad. BTW, it's bear...

Apparently......in the years before we didn't "Bother to help out".

jorge, he's just used to baring his ass....

Ever been in Vancouver after a hockey game?

As always, thanks for the laughs guys. I can never really tell who is the one giggling and prodding the "other" guys.

The US are great neighbors. I have immediate family living there, and happily so. Yes, they are educated and are tax payers.

Canada depends on the US as a trading partner. Most of us live within 100 miles of the border for the more temperate weather, and oh yeah...that's where the largest cities are. Go figure. I don't, having a resourced based job and being a hunter.

The reason we're doing better economically? It's been beaten to death already. Too many Americans voted for a party that promised to take money from someone else and give it to them so they wouldn't have to work. Canadians voted for a hardass who would try to fix the economy.

Does America defend a lot of the world? Of course you do, although it's often to protect American interests, oil and otherwise. And thanks for doing that, with 35 million people we can't afford to do what you do.

I can't believe anyone would believe Canada had more food, munitions and industry than the USA had - at ANY point in history - let alone when WW1 or when WWll started.

I don't even believe that YOU believe that.

Poor BCBrian, always struggling with the nationalist version of penis envy.

On this point I agree with you.

Canada has (for the most part) escaped the scourge of generational poverty from a huge dysfunctional under-class of people.

But, then perhaps there are historical reasons for that.

I don't know what the solution to that problem is.

I do know that how the problem is presently being handled doesn't appear to be working.

It is a terrible terrible problem - there's no denying that.

OK!

I admit it - I have packed a hockey stick from time to time!

I can't believe anyone would make the above comment "before America bothered to help out".....

Our "help" was a schit ton of munitions, food, and sunken ships, not to mention Americans joining the war before the declarations were made.

The sarcasm was in feet, not inches. Everyone else read it fine except you, but you can't even get your history straight.

That's because of all of its pot sales.

What America needs is 90% less government and spending.

No need to open old wounds.

Fact was, Canadians were dying fighting in WWl and WWll years before America entered.

If America had joined in when Canada did - a lot fewer people would have died. The wars would have ended years earlier.

Hindsight is always 20/20.

Since it's the largest cash crop in Canada (exceeding wheat or forestry) - and is probably the largest cash crop in the USA right now - legalization and taxation does appear to make a whole lot of sense - but that's another argument - for another thread.

America couldn't have joined earlier; we were not prepared in terms of equipment or the numbers of citizens trained and ready to fight. That was in the good old days when the USA didn't try to be the worlds policeman and everything was much better -right?!?! Can't we have it both ways?

It is complicated isn't it?

I think that the inter-connectedness of the world's major economies means that huge wars like WWl and WWll - are a thing of the past. I'd also opine that war between major countries is also a thing of the past.

Why invade a country when you can benefit by selling them everything they buy - and then just control them by owning their debt?

Asymmetric war (terrorist groups) will be the biggest threat from here on in - IMHO.

The cold war is over - the new threats are different - and not likely to be solved with huge armies venturing abroad. At least, that's the way I see it.

On that Brian I agree. The major conflicts of this century are economic, and are being won at Walmart.

By the time the west figures that out China may well win the war without firing a shot.

I just noticed this one Steve.

If we have about 120,000 illegals - and you have about 10,000,000 or so illegal aliens (and about 10X our population) - how does that make us about tied with you on the illegal immigration issue?

You know that I'm no math teacher - but still, I just can't cipher this one out.

Comparing Canada and the US is like comparing marriage and a brothal. Two different animals.

yes, and with hindsight we can see that your Kumbaya world view where the economic connections among great powers would prevent future wars is just as wrong now as it was in 1913 and 1938....but it was just as popular among bien pensant liberals and pacifists then as it is now.

live and learn.

or don't and die.

you're right.....first time today.....I'm off by a decimal point. my bad

Fact is, you went to war for the British Empire, and if America did not supply Great Britain with the tools to make war, "the wars would have ended years earlier".

Originally Posted By: BCBrian
Canada fought in BOTH World Wars - for many YEARS before America bothered to help out.

I take issue that you say America never "bothered to help out", especially when my rhetorical question was given your answer of this:


Originally Posted By: BCBrian
I didn't say "it doesn't matter" - I just think Japan should worry about protecting Japan.

It's not up to Canada to protect Japan.


Fact is, as I pointed out, Americans were dying in both wars before we officially entered as well, before, as you say we "bothered to help out".

Seems like Canada, with its perfect systems, didn't need help, eh?

yeah, like in 1940, but with a different outcome.

BCBrian: Take all the moaning, complaining, and fault-finding with a large grain of salt. What do people envy? Things they can see and cannot have.

voted on by Canadians.

It's just fun shooting the sh^t with our great neighbors to the south. I love the give and take. The serious stuff -as well as all the teasing.

Teasing between brothers, or cousins, or something like that. What is it that's written on the border crossing (Peace Arch) in Blaine Washington "Two children of a common mother."

I have learned a lot from this thread. The good replies will have me doing more research.

But now that SteveNo has established beyond a doubt that Canadians are taxed less than Americans - I sincerely hope that will put to rest the idea that we are a socialist country.

What do I know for sure? Not much.

What do I surmise?

The way we are being governed here in Canada - appears to be working pretty well - compared to the rest of the world.

Steve has established that we are taxed more simply because we have to do more.

Before you think you are governed well and your economy is a reflection of that, you'd best hope one of your top trading partners doesn't falter. Your best intentions and deeds won't prevent hardship.

I don't see China giving two schits about depression in Canada, just like the Brits didn't in Germany....

The twenties roared here....

You've got that right!

Canada needs America to recover! About 80% of our exports go to America.

One of our Prime Ministers compared the Canada/US relationship as follows.

"Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt."

The Canadian economy is inextricably linked to that of the USA.

For better - or worse.

Weather would have a lot to do with it.Up here the farther north you go,the nicer the winter ain't! Monashee

Time for Canada to develop other markets.

The economy of the entire globe is linked to the USA, is what I am trying to say, much like Germany of the 1920's.

Canada has not "lived off of the dole" from us hardly at all, but quite frankly, it doesn't matter how great Canada's system is..

The entire globe is socialist; it feeds off of its most productive society, like socialism does. It also goes to schit for that very reason.....

The truth is, that Canada is. Like it or not from either the US or Canada, trade with China is trending way up as a trading partner with Canada. And will pass the US.

Economic realities being what they are in the last 3-4 years, every country that trades with the US is looking to other markets. America ain't buying like you were, and the system must be fed.

Why dosen't anybody call the USA socialist? We have social secureity = socialist, medicar/medicade = socialist, food stamps = socialist, a number of welfare programs = socialist, progressive tax system = socialist, highly regulated private businesses with the highest corporate tax in the world = socialist, Obama care = socialist.

Canada is not broke because it does not spend more than is takes in. The USA has a speanding problem. Taxes can go up all they want, we will just spend more of the money.

You fail to realize that you Canadians, as well as Europe will be broke at one time too if you keep down the path of socialism and become over berdensome to private businesses. At this point that hasen't happened because although Canada has many social welfare programs they are still very business friendly, comparetively and Canada also allows more natrual recources to be exploited.

None of that matters though because you can't choose for yourself and are taxed to death = serfdom. Albeit, comfortable, incremental serfdom.

I have nothing bad to say about Canada and if their credit rating is better than ours , who really cares. Just be glad you don't have a Dip-chit like Obama running your country . You couldn't pay me enough to live in Canada because i do love my handguns. I don't carry a pistol because i feel the need to, i carry because i'm a free man and choose to.

We haven't been able to carry in Canada since the late 30s,and no political party we might elect will ever change that.The sheeple that live in Canada's cities have listened to the demonization pf handguns by the socialists for many years and equate them and their owners with crime.Fortunately they are not quite so petrified of hunters or target shooters,and we now have a Government that will eliminate the money grabbing and freedom limiting Long Gun Registry.It was put in place after one of the tragic mass murders that happen on occasion in all the Western democracies,and since it's inception has cost over $2 Billion,while not savinf a single life.We will be well rid of this Liberal invention,it was only put in place as a confiscation list as far as I can see. Monashee

Here's the reason for that:

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

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

Percentage of the population of Canada that's black- 2.50%
Percentage of the population of the U.S. that's black- 12.6%

Percentage of the population of Canada that's Hispanic- 1.00%
Percentage of the population of the U.S. that's Hispanic- 16.3%

Just don't mention it to anyone, we can't talk about it because to do so would be racist.

Brian's right, the population isn't "huge".

But as far as game and fish laws go, traditionally, there are things "natives" can do that Brian himself cannot...perhaps he does not see anything we do here for special races or groups as far as generational poverty goes, but it does exist and like our own government, is encouraged to a degree.

\

In an old Dave Barry column he polled his readers on the ways to fix the economic woes of the U.S.

The number one response: mug Canada.

What if we just gave you Quebec?

RickF;
I hope this finds you well tonight.

I also hope summer has finally started for you as it finally has for us.

Thanks so much for the belly laugh tonight Rick!

All the best to you and yours.

Dwayne

Canada was ordered by its master. We had no nation ruling over us.

Expat

Bless you, Sir. Thank you for being a great neighbor. You and your great country.

Expat

I'm done bashing Canada, as we've got enough giant problems at home to worry about. I can't go to the grocery store without standing behind some fat ass who pays for half the groceries with a food stamp card, and the other half which consists of candy/pop/junk food with cash. God help us in what we've enabled people to become.

You are kind of half right, Expat.

In WWI, Canada (as a member of the Commonwealth) was indeed automatically at war when declared by the UK. However, saying that Canada was "Canada was ordered by its master" misunderstands the nature of the Commonwealth a bit -- and might be a little like saying that "Oklahoma was ordered to go to war by its masters in Washington"...

In any case, certainly nobody ordered Canada to go to join WWII. Canada (after parliamentary debate -- which was far from unanimous mostly because of Quebec) VOTED to go to war. This happened several days after Britain went to war.

Anyway, I lived in both Canada and the US, and I can only say that I met LOTS of great folks on both side of the border. (I am also amazed at the inability of many here to simply ignore BCBrian's bait, but that is another story!

John

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html

Canadians pay income tax separately to the Fed and Provincial governments. In BC for example, the top Fed rate is 29% as you say, but you will also pay 14.7% as a top Provincial rate, making a well paid non-incorporated individual pay 41-44% on his income over $100,000 per year. Add the CPP and EI (social security) and the 12% Harmonized Sales Tax you pay on virtually everything, and it is a lot.

I don't believe the typical State income tax is anywhere near that 14% rate that BC has, and many states do not have a State income tax. In addition, many do not have Sales Tax, never mind a 12% one.

free miner;
Thanks for that post sir, I was going to post something similar and in fact had it all typed out, but decided against it in the end.

My good wife is the Financial Controller for a group of family owned construction firms. As such, I can vouch for the fact that if for instance a project manager who would make say, $75K per year gets a bonus check of $40K, then his bank account will only be richer by roughly $22K, the remainder going to the combined taxes.

Others have mentioned higher costs as well here, such as $5 per US gallon diesel fuel. Currently we have a 38% fuel surcharge on all goods brought into the cabinet shop where I work. As our initial cost on that sheet of melamine or board foot of Eastern Maple - US cut and milled by the way - would be higher to start with - the additional 38% on incoming freight has made it a tough year.

We used to sell about $1.5 million a year into cabinet dealers in Washington, Oregon and Montana, but rising freight costs have eliminated all that business.

I will say that I was shocked at the property tax figure that Steve NO quoted. Even with a multi-million dollar property in our neck of the woods, one wouldn't hit that number or so I'd think anyway.

As I've stated a number of times before, we've traveled a fair bit into the northern states and have always and without exception been treated wonderfully. We have family that winters in the southern states and they love the people there too.

To address the issues of the Canadian national defense policy today and how we've arrived there would take several volumes - some of which I own.

Suffice to say, the road from ending WWII with this - quoting Wiki here - to where we are today makes for interesting reading to say the least.

"By war's end, 1 million citizens would have served in military uniform, and Canada would possess the fourth largest air force and third largest surface fleet in the world.[3]"

To say it was a direct path or even one all Canadians wished to go down would be very much over simplifying the subject.

As an interesting by the way as well, I've had family that lived in Texas - near Laredo I think it was, that had opportunity to stay there permanently but chose not to. When I asked why, the answer surprised me and might do so for others here as well.

They felt that though there were some personal freedoms available in Texas that weren't afforded to them here in Canada - and they noted in particular the 2nd Amendment rights - that the amount of governmental control on business operation - ie. permits, inspectors, etc. - exceeded that which would be encountered in their home province which was Saskatchewan.

To say that situation was a surprise for all of us would be a gross understatement, as this family member did really, really like it down there in all other ways.

Anyway, my post has again exceeded what I'd initially meant to type and for that I must again apologize.

I am eternally grateful for our good neighbors to the north - Alaska- and south and as I consider you all friends, allies and key trading partners, I hope and pray for nothing less than 100% success in all your endeavors.

All the best to you this week free miner and thanks again for the post.

Regards,
Dwayne

hopefully,in the future,Canada will be the place of choice to emigrate/imigrate(whichever) to,for the huddled masses yearning to be free,and the waiting free house and welfare card.

I worked in Canada for 6 years and can say with certainty that total tax burdens are much higher in Canada on the individual and corporate level. Goods and services cost more, almost across the board and the cost of living is very high as a result.
The health care is also very much sub standard and as a result I always carried US health insurance even though I could have got on OHIP.
The standard of living is also lower in Canada as compared to the US.

somethings are sooo predictable, one the fact that we have so many programs that we don't have the revenue would end up in our credit rating being defaulted, as it has.


two; there's a resident douchebag in Canada that unfortunately teaches children that can never resist poking the USA in the eye


[bleep] the politicians that got us here


and [bleep] BCBrian

the world would be better without any of them

The US government has NOT "defaulted" on anything.

The credit rating for certain Government bonds was downgraded by a bunch of pricks in one securities rating company.

The same company that gave high credit ratings to certain financial institutions that went bankrupt or needed government bailouts 3 years ago.

I fail to understand how one could piss and moan about the US not doing more earlier in WW2 and yet state that the defense of Japan is Japan's business alone. I read this whole stupid thread hoping someone would enlighnten me, yet here I am left to conclued that either the OP, or perhaps it is I, is nukken futz.

Context is a funny thing, huh?

It has nothing to do with context, it has everything to do with the inability to think, the failure to realize that one is either positing rational inconsistancy as a method of developing a world view, or that one is a at core a hypocrite. And most likely too stupid to realize either one while basking in a failed sense of superiority.

If you can read, I just showed you that they're not, but carry on.

That may be, but there are both national and provincial sales taxes, which combined are in the 12%-14% range. I think they apply to everything, both goods and services.

Steve_NO, since you question peoples' ability to read, why don't you show us that you can, by going to this link http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html, and then show us references to a US state that taxes individuals 44% combined Fed and State income tax. While you are at it, why not show us a single US jurisdiction where a person pays 12% combined Fed/State sales tax.

Against my better judgement I finally decided to go to this thread and see what was going on. Made it as far as this post by the airhead and found it to be exactly what I thought it was.

I'm outta here.

I'm over that number in LA, but only at 9% on sales tax.

If you want to talk about provincial, vs. national rates....that's a whole different google. We have one of the highest sales tax rates in the country in LA. But at 6%, our state income tax is in the middle of the pack.

but many states would give you a combined number of 44 in the top bracket.....because the fed number is really 37, so any state with 7 or more would qualify.(California's is over ten.)

then if you want to drill down to city income and sales taxes, and local property taxes, you could really get specific, but of course it would only apply to a single locale, which kind of defeats the purpose of a comparison of national tax rates.

But its not a drilling down process. The national sales tax in Canada obviously has to be factored into the total tax burden, since its so steep. I don't know if the sales tax also functions as a VAT on wholesale transactions. Plus, it taxes services. Slap another 14% on your billings, and see how much tax starts flowing. We can't just say the Canadian economy does great because it has a low marginal tax rate on income, when it has a very steep tax elsewhere for which the US has no equivalent. That's how they fund much of the social welfare. And as everyone points out, they're not spending a ton on defense. And while it hasn't come up, my guess is that the extraction/severance taxes on timber, minerals, mining, and gas are probably pretty steep. Combined with high gas prices., and high mineral prices, Canada is sitting pretty.

Canada's THREAT is increased by the US, not it's protection.

I visit Canada regularly, and from my experience there, the cost of living is much higher. I typically spend two weeks up in Alberta chasing waterfowl, and everything I buy while there is much higher.

For instance, right now gas is $4.28/gallon at the Safeway in Taber, I paid $3.45/gallon day before yesterday, so it's 25% higher up there. Beer is $10 or more per six pack, even for the cheap stuff, so $1.66/can, vs $0.66/can here. Large ticket items are also much higher. IMO, the cost of goods and services is substantially higher, and that's not taking into account the question of higher taxes. Another example is that some Canadian friends come across the border every year to do their back-to-school shopping, in Great Falls, of all places. They're not going there for the scenery.

I really enjoy my sojourns in Canada, and miss the early days when the US dollar was stronger. I'll continue going each year, but am happy to live here rather than there. We have a lot of work to do here, and face costs that our neighbors to the north do not. Hopefully we'll get this mess sorted out, though recovery will take some time and there will be pain before recovery is complete.

People envy things and admire attributes. That is the jist of the downgrade. Our national attributes have been diminished by or because of the ineptitude and corruption that has supplanted our system of governance. We have strayed far from the principles and direction provided by the founders and the result is a cancer that is consuming the host.

I am not going to argue with you, as I have BTDT and you haven't.