Political Posts

[ICUMD]

Fellow physician colleague,  moving from Chicago where he's been for 10 yrs, to Northern Ontario.  

 

Says being a visible minority,  he and many others from his community no longer feel safe or welcome.  Racism and social instability has skyrocketed in the US. 

 

Not fun living in a hostile environment at any salary. 

[Parsad]

2 hours ago, Marco Van Basten said:

I agree.  However, countries were gun ownership has been banned leave normal citizens defenseless.  

 

From what? 

 

Also, gun ownership in Canada hasn't been banned...just restricted to certain types of firearms and background checks.

 

There's a lot of things right with the U.S., but there's a lot of stuff that is wrong as well...they could do better like everyone else.  

 

Cheers!

[Parsad]

34 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

 Jeez, where do you live that you feel the necessity to carry a gun? And why would you continue to live like that? Where did you get the idea guns were banned in Canada? Most people can own a firearm if they wish. 

 

However............

 

School shootings, 2009-2018: Canada 2. USA 288. 

Homicide rates by firearm per 100,000 inhabitants (2020) . Canada: 0.736   USA 4.054

Violent crime rate per 100,000:  Canada:  30.8   USA 88  (three times more)

 

I live in a small city in Canada. When I sold my previous house I had to put new lacks on all my doors. Why, because I had never locked them in the previous 25 years and had lost all the keys. Still very rarely lock my doors. 

 

Do you know that the U.S. is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and, as of 2023, 7.9% of the population does not even have health insurance?

 

And you are suggesting that people wouldn't move to Canada because they would make less money?

 

PS. Real estate in this area is and has been seeing more and more Americans buying up property here and moving here.

 

C'mon cwericb!  You know Canada has far fewer illegal criminals from South America...far fewer black people.  Hellllloooooo!

 

Even with Justin Turdeau's million immigrant march during his tenure, we still have far fewer Somalis eating dogs in Fort McMurray. 

 

Heck, even refugees don't want to come to Canada because we've had slower GDP per capita growth over the last decade than the U.S.  Plus most refugees are against DEI and other progressive notions like universal healthcare, welfare, food banks, peacekeeping, good public schools, etc.  

 

Canada is in the dumper and has a very dark future...saw it on Youtube and Russel Brand's latest Turning Point gig!

 

Cheers!

[Gregmal]

I mean “fixing” the crime issue in the states is one giant hoax. There’s specific statistics you can easily pull up that gives you the profile of the substantial majority of it. Theres plenty of neighborhoods with next to no violent crime. Or when there is crime, it’s from folks whom come from out of town. The old broken windows and stop and frisk stuff worked, and now you’ve also seen how cashless bail and all that junk doesn’t. 

[Parsad]

19 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

I mean “fixing” the crime issue in the states is one giant hoax. There’s specific statistics you can easily pull up that gives you the profile of the substantial majority of it. Theres plenty of neighborhoods with next to no violent crime. Or when there is crime, it’s from folks whom come from out of town. The old broken windows and stop and frisk stuff worked, and now you’ve also seen how cashless bail and all that junk doesn’t. 

 

Damnit...I opened the door to Politics on here!  Ok Greg, let's go back to the Politics thread...my bad!  Cheers!

[Gregmal]

2 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

Damnit...I opened the door to Politics on here!  Ok Greg, let's go back to the Politics thread...my bad!  Cheers!

lol the crime issue is almost purely numerical. Shouldn’t be anything political. Pure numbers tell you who and where. At least as far as the substantial majority of it goes.

Edited December 30, 2025 by Gregmal

[cwericb]

5 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

C'mon cwericb!  You know Canada has far fewer illegal criminals from South America...far fewer black people.  Hellllloooooo!

 

Even with Justin Turdeau's million immigrant march during his tenure, we still have far fewer Somalis eating dogs in Fort McMurray. 

 

Heck, even refugees don't want to come to Canada because we've had slower GDP per capita growth over the last decade than the U.S.  Plus most refugees are against DEI and other progressive notions like universal healthcare, welfare, food banks, peacekeeping, good public schools, etc.  

 

Canada is in the dumper and has a very dark future...saw it on Youtube and Russel Brand's latest Turning Point gig!

 

Cheers!

 

Yeah defies logic how so many "Americans" , can know so little, about a country they share the longest border with.

 

 And you know that "fake", "con job", "scam", called climate change? Well many of our new neighbours from the Southern States far prefer Eastern Canada's Maritime summer climate to the oppressive heat and humidity of the U.S. south.

 

And, since it seems our winters are becoming milder (we now even have peach u-picks here) and a country run by some intelligent people, many are giving serious thought to moving here permanently - despite the "climate scam job".

 

We are finding that after our visitors spend a few summers here, quite a few are giving serious considering moving North. Then, when they find that they can buy a beautiful waterfront home with US dollars for a fraction of the price in the US and that we have free health care and don't have to walk around with a Glock in their pocket, well there is more to life than money. 

[Marco Van Basten]

1 hour ago, cwericb said:

 

 Jeez, where do you live that you feel the necessity to carry a gun? And why would you continue to live like that? Where did you get the idea guns were banned in Canada? Most people can own a firearm if they wish. 

 

However............

 

School shootings, 2009-2018: Canada 2. USA 288. 

Homicide rates by firearm per 100,000 inhabitants (2020) . Canada: 0.736   USA 4.054

Violent crime rate per 100,000:  Canada:  30.8   USA 88  (three times more)

 

I live in a small city in Canada. When I sold my previous house I had to put new lacks on all my doors. Why, because I had never locked them in the previous 25 years and had lost all the keys. Still very rarely lock my doors. 

 

Do you know that the U.S. is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and, as of 2023, 7.9% of the population does not even have health insurance?

 

And you are suggesting that people wouldn't move to Canada because they would make less money?

 

PS. Real estate in this area is and has been seeing more and more Americans buying up property here and moving here.

I am truly happy for you.  Having lived in NYC during the Crown Heights riots, Covid and 9/11, I don't want to be defenseless in case there is a riot or a terrorist attack involving firearms/knives.

[Parsad]

2 hours ago, Marco Van Basten said:

I am truly happy for you.  Having lived in NYC during the Crown Heights riots, Covid and 9/11, I don't want to be defenseless in case there is a riot or a terrorist attack involving firearms/knives.

 

We have a riot every time the Canucks lose in the Stanley Cup finals...3 times, 3 riots.  Also went through Covid...no one here still needs a gun or felt like they needed one.  

 

Also, a gun wouldn't have done you much good during 9/11...especially if it had been nuclear or biological in some form.

 

Greater chance that one of your kids accidentally shoots a friend or family member while playing with it when you're not home.  Cheers!

[bizaro86]

9 hours ago, Marco Van Basten said:

You are a funny guy.  How much are doctors and nurses paid in Canada versus the US?  What doctor or nurse would go for a 50-70% pay cut?  OBGYN make more than USD million in NYC, and twice that much in rural areas.  Given the pay packets in US universities for researchers, and salary+benefits for public school teachers in the US, my guess is that people are not going to go.  

 

Public school teachers in Canada often make more than their US counterparts. My sister teachers junior high music and makes >$100k CAD per year, probably equivalent to $80k USD or so. And the pension/benefits would be at least as good, especially given she doesn't contribute to her health costs at all. Of course, in general health care is much cheaper in Canada.

 

But Drs and nurses do make less here. I think it's likely we'll only attract those leaving for other reasons. Eg. A friend of mine who is an engineer in silicon valley on an H1B visa was talking about leaving. Probably makes 5x the money in CA than he could in Canada, but he's concerned about ICE.

[Spekulatius]

7 hours ago, RichardGibbons said:

 

Yep, our family doctor left Denver a few years ago "for political reasons".  I didn't ask for details.

 

She's been our best doctor ever--very proactive and engaged, and is now opening a clinic here with 5 other US ex-patriot doctors.

 

In this respect, MAGA has been amazingly great for Canada.

I think this is a rare exception though. Most American would never leave the USA. Politics is not a decide factor for most.

[Spekulatius]

56 minutes ago, bizaro86 said:

 

Public school teachers in Canada often make more than their US counterparts. My sister teachers junior high music and makes >$100k CAD per year, probably equivalent to $80k USD or so. And the pension/benefits would be at least as good, especially given she doesn't contribute to her health costs at all. Of course, in general health care is much cheaper in Canada.

 

But Drs and nurses do make less here. I think it's likely we'll only attract those leaving for other reasons. Eg. A friend of mine who is an engineer in silicon valley on an H1B visa was talking about leaving. Probably makes 5x the money in CA than he could in Canada, but he's concerned about ICE.

I think Canada should pouch some H1B talent. I think the wheel are turning against immigration as well and Canada had more than enough based on total numbers, but H1B talent is one of the most productive forms of immigration and those H1B folks stranded in the USA surely look for alternatives.

[Marco Van Basten]

7 hours ago, bizaro86 said:

 

Public school teachers in Canada often make more than their US counterparts. My sister teachers junior high music and makes >$100k CAD per year, probably equivalent to $80k USD or so. And the pension/benefits would be at least as good, especially given she doesn't contribute to her health costs at all. Of course, in general health care is much cheaper in Canada.

 

But Drs and nurses do make less here. I think it's likely we'll only attract those leaving for other reasons. Eg. A friend of mine who is an engineer in silicon valley on an H1B visa was talking about leaving. Probably makes 5x the money in CA than he could in Canada, but he's concerned about ICE.

I cannot speak for the entire US.  In NYC and its suburbs, people would laugh at your sister's salary and benefits package.  NYC public school teachers contribute zero to their health care coverage, salary for 1st year teachers = USD 68,902 for those with bachelor degrees and USD 77,455 for those with masters.  Teachers with experience earn more.  For instance a teacher with 8 years of experience and masters earns $103,291 USD and $124K with 15 years of experience.  Oh, and as for pensions, an acquaintance retired after 40 years of teaching at 65, receives a $150K per year pension.  

[73 Reds]

11 hours ago, cwericb said:

 

Yeah defies logic how so many "Americans" , can know so little, about a country they share the longest border with.

 

 And you know that "fake", "con job", "scam", called climate change? Well many of our new neighbours from the Southern States far prefer Eastern Canada's Maritime summer climate to the oppressive heat and humidity of the U.S. south.

 

And, since it seems our winters are becoming milder (we now even have peach u-picks here) and a country run by some intelligent people, many are giving serious thought to moving here permanently - despite the "climate scam job".

 

We are finding that after our visitors spend a few summers here, quite a few are giving serious considering moving North. Then, when they find that they can buy a beautiful waterfront home with US dollars for a fraction of the price in the US and that we have free health care and don't have to walk around with a Glock in their pocket, well there is more to life than money. 

Yeah, who wants year-round sun, shirt sleeves and a lot more winter daylight anyway?  Guess I could try to do my daily kayak workout on ice.

[cwericb]

32 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

Yeah, who wants year-round sun, shirt sleeves and a lot more winter daylight anyway?  Guess I could try to do my daily kayak workout on ice.

 

Yeah, but where do you wear your gun when in a bathing suit? You could always take up skiing, snowmobiling, skating, etc and leave your guns at home.

[73 Reds]

27 minutes ago, cwericb said:

 

Yeah, but where do you wear your gun when in a bathing suit? You could always take up skiing, snowmobiling, skating, etc and leave your guns at home.

No one forces anyone to own a gun(?)  We like choices.

[Libs]

This is beyond belief. Going viral. Next up - the fraud in NY,MA,CA. Elon was right after all......

 

For instance, in  1988, New York had about 18 million people and spent about $10 billion on Medicaid. Today, the state has about 20 million people — and spends about $120 billion.

 

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Libs

[cwericb]

5 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

No one forces anyone to own a gun(?)  We like choices.

No but Marco Van Basten  would be concerned as he would be defenseless in a bathing suit. (as per up thread).

[73 Reds]

Just now, cwericb said:

No but Marco Van Basten  would be concerned as he would be defenseless in a bathing suit. (as per up thread).

All depends where you live, your lifestyle, occupation, etc... When I was much younger I felt I needed a gun for protection and some of the work I was doing.  No longer do.  Again, its a matter of choice in this Country.   

[cwericb]

2 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

All depends where you live, your lifestyle, occupation, etc... When I was much younger I felt I needed a gun for protection and some of the work I was doing.  No longer do.  Again, its a matter of choice in this Country.   

 

As it is in Canada. 

[Gregmal]

Yup, thats why they got so bent out of shape. He was honing in on a big one and their only play call was the typical "lets smear him through our allies in MSM".....

[Spooky]

All you US board members should come up to Toronto in the summertime. It is so nice, maybe you will want to stay. 

[RichardGibbons]

8 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

I think this is a rare exception though. Most American would never leave the USA. Politics is not a decide factor for most.

 

For sure it isn't the usual.  But the nice thing about the difference sizes of the countries is that even if it isn't usual, the rare exceptions can make a difference.

BC has about 14500 doctors. In May, 2 months after the government put in place a program to make it easier for American doctors to move, 573 doctors had expressed interest. I think that should be enough to move the needle on healthcare outcomes here.

 

(I think you have some computer science background. In many respects, BC's healthcare system is an overburdened queue. In some situations, adding a relatively small amount of processing resources can potentially help you go from a queue where tasks are piling up indefinitely to one where you're actually keeping up with demand.)

[LC]

1 hour ago, cwericb said:

You could always take up skiing, snowmobiling, skating, etc and leave your guns at home.

 

I'm seriously considering buying a ski home in BC! 

[73 Reds]

2 hours ago, cwericb said:

 

As it is in Canada. 

Then why so critical?  I'd never criticize anyone for owning or not owning a gun, or even feeling like they need a gun.  One thing for sure, if a bad guy threatens me with a gun, I'm better off with one than without one.   BTW, just returned from my the lunchtime workout outside where it is 60 degrees.  Chilly winter day here.

Edited December 30, 2025 by 73 Reds
missed line