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Economics Is Simple. When Will We Learn?
Topic Started: Oct 17 2005, 05:27 AM (295 Views)
TexasShadow
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Jane
It's been a few years since I was in Canada (east and west provinces and Alberta)
but I didn't see anything to suggest Canadians live better than us.
I could see that many/most seem to live well, but not overly well.
And maybe Canadians are less ostentatious with their wealth (big house, pool, 3 cars, boat, motorcyles, dune buggies, etc etc)
What I saw in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland suggested there are still some low income folks up there. Was in Guelph once, visting a friend and it looked like any city to me...some fine places, some middling ones, and some not so good.
Same with Vancouver...looked like any big city with a spread of rich to poor.
Posted Image "A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking."
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DanHouck
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Land of Enchantment NM
Though obviously tongue in cheek, Roscoe, your comment is a good idea. We should be focusing our attention and our aid on this hemisphere, IMO. Between us all, the Americas have all the resources needed for all to prosper and two real nice big oceans to discourage the overseas troublemakers, that is if we all decided to not let them walk in the front door and then proceed to blow us up.

As for Canada, my impression is that they have a much more even standard of living and much better access to health care. And they don't have the huge underclass we do although if they don't wise up and get a lot more selective about immigration, they'll get themselves one.

Australia has been very picky about who they let get off the boat for a long time and it has served them very well. Serious attention to working with Mexico is the key to the southern border problem. I sure wish all that money we've pissed away in Iraq was spent on developing own own resources and building up our neighbors to the south.



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jackd
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Member
Corky:
Quote:
 
As the U.S. goes broke, life will have to adjusted up there as well,

This is exactly what Canada is doing by looking for new markets....and it is not only oil related.
75 to 80% of the sofwood market lost so far south of the border has been re-covered by our local sawmills by the opening of new markets in Europe and Asia.

The beef ambargo imposed by the U.S. on Canadian beef triggered the building of several world class sloughterhouse and food packaging plants in Canada...jobs that were all in the U.S. before the ambargo . How many meat processing plants were closed in the U.S. in the last 2 years??? Who's responsible for those closures??? Cheap labor: I think not
We used to ship live animals to the U.S., we now ship prepared and packaged food around the world. (value added)
Quote:
 
Care to think which will be more painful?

This is the exact same rethoric being used by U.S. negociators and national traders.
....let's squeeze them, they'll be on their knee soon, they have no choice.
:bore:

Quote:
 
Canada has a higher standard of living then the US, they must be doing something right. Any ideas to why they are living better up there?

If standard of living equates bigger saving accounts, less personnal debt, smaller mortgage, more disposable income, I agree, Canadians have a higher standard of living. People generally do not related to the size of the neighbourg's house to define their standard of living.
A very graphic comparision is the list of the best selling cars in Canada vs. U.S. in 2004;
Canada:

  • 1) Honda Civic
  • 2)Toyota Corolla
  • 3)Mazda 3
  • 4)Pontiac Sunfire
  • 5)Toyota Echo
  • 6)Ford Focus
U.S.A.

  • 1)Ford F Pick-up
  • 2)Chevrolet Silverado
  • 3)Dodge Ram Pick-up
  • 4)Toyota Camry
  • 5)Honda Accord
  • 6)Ford Explorer
other elements:
1) Balanced budget....As a matter of fact, budget surpluses for the last 8 (or is it 9?) years.
2) National debt being paid down year after year
3) Best economic performance of the G8 for many years. (growth)
4) Lawers are not allowed to run after ambulances.
5) No known enemies
6) Most of our federal budget is spent on our territory, instead of on foreign soil....





Walk in front of me, you lead me,
Walk behind me, I lead you
Walk beside me, you are a friend.
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pentax
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Kamloops - BC Interior
corky52
Oct 17 2005, 09:04 AM
U.S. is so far in hock that sooner or later the credit is going to run out, not much Canada can sell to China other than raw goods. You don't have to be protectionist when you have no money!

corky, companies like B.C. Hydro are already owed tens, if not hundreds, of millions for electricity sold to California Utilities over the last number of years, and the outlook of getting much of it back looks bleak. :faint:

Another factor to think about, if Canada really develops the off-shore Petroleum market.... past credit history. Would you rather sell your old car to a guy with cash-in-hand, or one that has a personal check for 75% and promises to make up the balance next month?
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"Kirk to Enterprise - Very funny, Scotty.... now beam down my clothes!"
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corky52
Member
Mur,
If you look B.C. hydro delivered to CA but sold to Enron or associated traders, sleep with dogs you get fleas. Simple answer is to sell elsewhere in the future or shut down the plants and eat the costs.

I hope you guys make lots selling to China! I have to wonder what China is going to sell you in return, as they won't be selling to the U.S. and the dollars both you and they hold are likely to be worth next to nothing.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
It's a big world out there, Corky, we're not the only market as Canada is showing. Long as we bellyache over sour grapes, though, we won't open up to it.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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corky52
Member
Chris,
We were the largest market in the world, won't be for long, but the rest of the world will lose much more when we fold, and fold we will.

Did you catch the new inflation numbers?

At this point I really don't care what the Canadians do, the house of cards is about to tumble and we will all be the losers.
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kajtek1
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Kris, CA
corky52
Oct 17 2005, 02:58 PM
the house of cards is about to tumble and we will all be the losers.

I wouldn't exaggerate that. We still have beautiful land with excellent weather (at least those in California). Land, that grows more food, than quadruple number of us could eat, without gaining over 250 lb each.
The good houses are already here. Even if energy supply will collapse, lot of us already have solar panels and other energy sources.
The only sad part is sitting on that old wagon and see the rest of the World passing us in luxury and economical vehicles.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Corky, the world will build its market elsewhere, it does not depend on us.


Kris' attitude is the proper one, looking for ways to turn it around so we can get back to what built what we have.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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5thwheeler
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Get the message?
corky52
Oct 17 2005, 03:58 PM
Chris,
We were the largest market in the world, won't be for long, but the rest of the world will lose much more when we fold, and fold we will. 

Did you catch the new inflation numbers?

At this point I really don't care what the Canadians do, the house of cards is about to tumble and we will all be the losers.

Lets not get extreme here folks, the house of cards is not going to fold, and the dollar is not going to become worthless. It may lose a teir or two but it will bounce back stronger then ever. We made it through harder times then this, anyone remember the 70's? Inflation was rampant, the economy was stagnant, unemployment was high, cities were were in rapid decay and declaring bankruptcy one after another. I haven't forgotten those times, how about you.

We screamed bloody murder when China had a socialist based economy, and now we are screaming bloody murder because they are Capitalists, just... like... us.
What gives? :dunno:
History 101: When a popular myth is believed to be factual, teach the myth.

Its not possible to underestimate the intelligence of the voting populous.

Hummm, after seeing the results of the 06 election, I may have to modify my perception of the voting populous and refer to them as "Late Bloomers".

:ohmy:
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
But it's just not fair! :cry:
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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5thwheeler
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Get the message?
Quote:
 
The only sad part is sitting on that old wagon and see the rest of the World passing us in luxury and economical vehicles.


Are you referring to the manufacturing of, or just usage of luxury and economical vehicles? As for the manufacturing of luxury and economical vehicles, new automotive plants are springing up all over the country, they just don't say Ford, GM or Chrysler on them. I would much rather do something else so I can afford a car then make one.
History 101: When a popular myth is believed to be factual, teach the myth.

Its not possible to underestimate the intelligence of the voting populous.

Hummm, after seeing the results of the 06 election, I may have to modify my perception of the voting populous and refer to them as "Late Bloomers".

:ohmy:
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5thwheeler
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Get the message?
cmoehle
Oct 17 2005, 04:46 PM
But it's just not fair! :cry:

Amazing... isn't it. :bore:
History 101: When a popular myth is believed to be factual, teach the myth.

Its not possible to underestimate the intelligence of the voting populous.

Hummm, after seeing the results of the 06 election, I may have to modify my perception of the voting populous and refer to them as "Late Bloomers".

:ohmy:
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corky52
Member
Kris,
Why do you have old bus? Why do I drive klunker kamper and toad?
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corky52
Member
Chris,

You seem to be the one talking about fair! I'm just willing to live through till we start to use our strenth again and do what's in OUR best interest. You know, OUR as in all the citizens of this country. I don't like fair I like winning.
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