When I heard Barack Obama exulting in the fundamental transformation of America that he promised to bring about in his 2008 speech at the University of Missouri, I was dumbfounded. Why, I thought, would anyone want to transform the most dynamic and successful nation on the face of the planet? Improve it gradually and intelligently through what philosopher Karl Popper in The Open Society and Its Enemies called “piecemeal social legislation,” certainly. Seek to strengthen its position in the world, to guarantee its security, and to stimulate a free market economy, with moderate safeguards but without undue and heavy-handed interference, absolutely. But to steer it in a direction that would render it similar to Europe’s increasingly defunct socialist polities or, for that matter, that would resemble my own country, Canada, with its onerous cost of living, high taxation (with a disproportionate tranche falling on the middle class), faltering institutions and intrusive legislation — no way. Americans did not seem to realize how fortunate they were, and some of my American correspondents have indicated that they are beginning to look north for a template to follow. They should look again.
The disparities in daily economic life are palpable. My salary as a professor in the Quebec college system, frozen for several years, was dramatically less than that which my counterparts earned in the U.S. My mortgage rate was several percentage points higher than the comparable American figure. My Tucson SUV costs several thousand dollars more in Canada than the identical model in the U.S. A bottle of my favorite Australian wine costs $13.95 in Quebec; in the U.S., it’s $4.99. A book I’ve just ordered costs $49.50 on Amazon.ca.; on Amazon.com, it sells for $24.40. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average price of gasoline in the country is $3.38 per gallon; of course, gasoline prices vary from region to region and time to time in Canada, as in the U.S. But in the province of British Columbia, prices recently spiked at $1.44 per litre for regular unleaded, the cheapest octane going, which factors out to approximately $6.48 per gallon. (It has since declined to $1.32 per litre, which works out to $5.94 per gallon.) Filling up at a PetroCan station in Quebec the other day, I paid the equivalent of $6.30 per gallon for regular unleaded; the super premium grade would have nudged the price toward the $7 per gallon range. I focus on these differentials since my current itineraries require me to do considerable driving. It is, apparently, unseemly to complain as the twin levy of national and provincial fuel tax is earmarked for various social projects, whatever these may be. But the result is that, compared to the average American, the average Canadian pays approximately twice as much driving to work for the socially conscious privilege of earning a lower salary.
Generally speaking, the cost of living in Canada is, according toavailable statistics, around 20 percent higher than in the U.S., while purchasing power is 22.25 percent lower; the variance is even more disadvantageous in the provinces of Ontario, where electricity costs have skyrocketed, and Quebec, where everything keeps going up and never ever comes down. This explains why huge numbers of my fellow citizens spend their Saturdays profiting from cross-border shopping in Plattsburg, NY. (Note: the official currency exchange rate, though volatile, is more or less at par.)
It is true that America may be the most litigious society in the world, but we are fast catching up — I have personal experience in the matter with our libel-hunting Islamic organizations, where a notice of libel is a pretext for getting a critic of Islam to shut up. Lawfare, as it’s called, is the consummate form of duct tape. Where we exceed the U.S. regarding the climate of legal vendetta involves something called human rights commissions, which are essentially kangaroo courts whose mandate is to protect the nation from “hateful” speech. To this end, an offended plaintiff may lodge a complaint at no expense to himself, the defendant must pay legal fees and costs from his own resources (and such costs may run into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars), evidence for the defense is usually regarded as inadmissible, witnesses for the defense are frowned upon, and the conviction rate hovers around 100 percent. Recent changes to the so-called Human Rights Act are modest and nationally selective, and the tribunals continue to slash and burn their way across the common culture.
@ Shy Guy:
As you mentioned before that would require a thesis. State of mind does have alot to do with health. ie if a person has a medical condition and cannot afford the treatment, that will have a devastating affect on their mental health and well being – in Canada if a person needs an MRI, or CT scan – just to name a couple – no prob it will be covered financially and so will most treatments which really does help in recovery. If it’s a rare treatment or surgery required that cannot be done in Canada then it will also be covered if it can be done outside of Canada in most cases.
Does this help will longevity of a quality life? I believe it does. This is Israpundit where I am just expressing my opinion – doing a thesis is on it is optional.
Shy Guy Said:
Canadians don’t live longer, it’s just life in Canada is soooooo boring it seems longer.
dove Said:
All you pointed out was a life expectancy statistic. You still haven’t proven whether the longer LE in Canada is a result of Canada’s healthcare system.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
As I wrote before, Cowbot Buck-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dove Said:
PLEASEEEEEEEEE, take Jim Carey back to Canada.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Thank Heaven!!!!! By birth an American, Texan by the Grace of G-D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://youtu.be/Zl9k_sEP1lE
@ Shy Guy:
Actually Professor the point I was trying to make is that the Canadian/Israeli system is not inferior to the U.S. system. The American mentality has been to make Canadians feel inferior. It has worked for some but statistics show that the Americans have not been successful at Americanizing enough Canadians to their satisfaction.
yamit82 Said:
No Darlin,your my Novio xxxxooo!!!!!!!!
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Tattle-tail, I think Laura’s original assesment of you was correct, Darlin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You deserve whatever I say and how I say it when you make comments like this:
“Boo hoo are your tender feeling hurt Mr, Buzz.”
Unbelievably childish.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
What were you afraid of Darlin, you can’t see your shadow at night???????????????
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Please do not use inelegrant words when addressing me on the pundit, just because you disagree with me!!!!!!!!!!!
.
Obviously you’re not a Canadian nor do you know anything about them.
Yet another favourite argument of the gun advocates.
I do not concede, and I’m fully aware that there is nothing that will change a gun advocate’s mind so frankly I’m not going to waste any more time on this, no matter how hard you may try to provoke.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Bull it’s to protect the embedded ruling establishment and the government. They fear the masses. If their concern were for the innocent they would ban hunting especially the vicarious sport hunting.
If the intention is there even rocks can kill or 2×4’s, pipes and knives anything handy, but if concern for saving lives is what we are concerned with then your argument is specious based on the actual threats and results in raw numbers.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
What happened to: “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto god the things that are god’s”
My favorite: Before you judge a man walk a mile in his shoes… After that, who cares? He’s a mile away and you’ve got his shoes.
Demonizing is fun especially if the demonizing is factually based but especially so if those countries are enemies but realize all countries are in competition and demonizing is just one method of promoting your side against your competitors. Like Coke and Pepsi…..
The real world seems to be operating on a different plane as yours certainly the rules of the game seem to be incompatible with your conclusions.
Bullying?? You don’t have a clue!!!
I don’t intend to get into a debate about gun control at this time save for a couple of final comments because it really isn’t the topic of the article. However, I do know that the automobile death comparison is a favourite of the gun enthusiasts – who forget the difference between accident and intention. I agree that your statement “The way things are heading those with guns will have a better chance of survival than those who don’t.” is applicable, perhaps even necessary, to living in the USA. As for being comfortable with the government and the criminals having a monopoly on guns, it depends on where you are. But even in Canada a law-abiding citizen can get a gun permit, however the restrictions and rules are stringent, designed to protect the innocent.
As for being at the top of the statistics lists, America is also number one in obesity.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Compared to me, Solway is a Pinko Commie of the old school, I’m sure you can relate. The Tea party is right wing? Hardly!! They are mostly worse-a cross between libertarians and dupes for American corporate fascists who fund them. I wouldn’t call them right wing any more then I would call you a left wing liberal extremist.
A gun is your friend and don’t forget it. The automobile is your enemy if you are into body counts. Sugar is your enemy and the ratio of dead derived from sugar is astronomical compared to all gun related deaths. Sugar accounts for almost 50% of all medical costs and geriatric expenses are next. People live longer and extending life spans by medical intervention is costly and America has an aging population. Much of the high costs of medical care is due to Insurance and group coverage where the employee either copay’s zero or a small %. Everybody piles on the costs and unnecessary treatments because the insurance pays and most insured don’t pay for their own insurance out of pocket or very little of the actual cost. The cost to the employer is written off as a tax deductible expense or their products become more expensive so the consumer actually pays the cost one way or another. They call that capitalism.
The real debate re health care is whether it is a right of every citizen to have either free or affordable health care or not? A case can be made either way. Israel has an imperfect system but from personal experience we are head and shoulder above and ahead of America for a fraction of the cost. Those with means in every society will always be able to get the best care because they have the means to buy and pay for it. I think we should make them pay a larger share of the general health costs .
You want Statistics: America is the world leader in rapes,and most categories of violent crime along with the number of criminals in prisons. The way things are heading those with guns will have a better chance of survival than those who don’t. Are you comfortable in having the government and the criminals having a monopoly on guns????
Who are you, a psychiatrist? I don’t give a shit about what you think.
I’ve been to Texas – I recall that I was told not go outdoors in Dallas at night. If the first thing the Jewish immigrants to Texas did was buy a gun, I don’t blame them in the least. They should also have driven around in armoured cars and dug a moat with crocodiles around their homes. What a way to live!!!
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Boo hoo are your tender feeling hurt Mr, Buzz. The first thing Jewish immigrants to Texas did upon arrival, in this fair state, is buy a gun. Something powerfull in the ability to defend ones self.
You misjudge me, Laura. If my comments implied that the USA was a world leader in gun homicide and paranoid gun ownership, and if I implied that decent health care in the USA was expensive, those are such well known facts as to be relating only what is actual. Statistics bear that out. Solway’s own words establish that he is extremely right wing – such as one sees in the “Tea Party”. Is that demonizing? My criticism was of the author of the article. Your criticism was of me – embellished with an ad hominem attack that earned the criticism of the owner of this site, and withdrawn by you without apology. Don’t look at me, look in a mirror.
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Buzz, it appears you are the one doing the demonizing, of America and Americans.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
You betcha, that includes Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Shy Guy:
Dear Mr. Guy, you are the insperation for my next painting!!!!!!!!!Darlin Remember the “Red Heifer”, now I have the palette for “red Zev”.
dove Said:
The USA has a somewhat larger population then either Canada and Israel.
dove Said:
Their attitude is definitely one of “My country right or wrong”
http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2009/02/my_country_right_or_wrong.html
An expression of extreme right-wing patriotism. There’s nothing wrong with love for your country, but when it turns into demonizing other countries to place their own higher in status, then that is a form of bullying.
dove Said:
Now go and prove that the 3 year differential between the US and Canada is caused by the quality of one healthcare system versus another. Good luck! That’s not just homework. That’s thesis material, Doc!
@ honeybee:
@ Laura:
I think you two should do your homework. According to the World health organization the U.S. ranks much lower than Canada and Israel for life expectancy and overall ratings,
@ Laura:
@ honeybee:
the lowest overall life expectancies per the WHO are Sierra Leone, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Somalia, Swaziland, Angola, Chad, Mali, Burundi, Cameroon, and Mozambique. Of those countries, only Lesotho, Swaziland, and Mozambique in 2011 were suffering from an HIV prevalence rate of greater than 10 percent in the 15–49 age group.[3]
List by the World Health Organization (2011)[edit]
Overall
rank [4]
Country
Overall life
expectancy
Male life
expectancy
Male
rank
Female life
expectancy
Female
rank
1 Japan 83 79 12 86 1
1 Switzerland 83 80 4 85 2
1 San Marino 83 82 2 83 20
4 Italy 82 80 4 85 2
4 Singapore 82 80 4 85 2
4 Iceland 82 81 3 84 9
4 Andorra 82 79 12 85 2
4 Australia 82 80 4 84 9
4 Spain 82 79 12 85 2
4 Qatar 82 83 1 81 35
4 Israel 82 80 4 84 9
4 Monaco 82 79 12 85 2
4 France 82 78 24 85 2
4 Sweden 82 80 4 84 9
4 Canada 82 80 4 84 9
4 Luxembourg 82 79 12 84 9
17 Cyprus 81 79 12 84 9
17 Norway 81 79 12 83 20
17 New Zealand 81 79 12 83 20
17 Netherlands 81 79 12 83 20
17 Austria 81 78 24 84 9
17 Greece 81 78 24 84 9
17 Ireland 81 79 12 83 20
17 South Korea 81 77 31 84 9
17 Finland 81 78 24 84 9
17 Germany 81 78 24 83 20
27 United Kingdom 80 79 12 82 29
27 Belgium 80 78 24 83 20
27 Malta 80 79 12 82 29
27 Slovenia 80 77 31 83 20
27 Portugal 80 77 31 83 20
27 Kuwait 80 80 4 80 42
33 Denmark 79 77 31 82 29
33 Chile 79 76 36 82 29
33 Costa Rica 79 77 31 81 35
33 Bahrain 79 78 24 80 42
33 United States 79 76 36 81 35
See where the U.S. ranks in comparison to Canada and Israel?
Laura Said:
If we arn’t carefull here in the States we will over run by muslims like Canada. “Don’t Tread on Me”
dove Said:
Little Miss Yenta!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Your good looks, Darlin
@ honeybee
What is your obsession with me, honeybee? I don’t know who you are nor do I care – maybe you should focus your attention on the topic instead of wasting your time insulting me. I’m not the one who ignored the guidelines for this site.
@ honeybee:
It absolutely IS my business. Anything that the Americans do that affects where I live IS my business.
You can keep Americans from polluting our lakes. We don’t need the snob attitude up here either!!
@ Buzz of the Orient:
Be a mench Mr Buzz, don’t tattle, fight you own battles!!!!!!!!!!!Cowboy
dove Said:
Why do care, ain’t your business. Can you please keep Canadians from clogging up our hospitals in Seattle, Minniapolis, NY state etc.
@ Laura:
I am not denying that there aren’t those who take advantage – but the bottom line is that in the U.S. healthcare is BIG BUSINESS!
@ honeybee:
Exactly.
@ honeybee:
Thank you.
I stand by my criticism of socialized medicine. However I will respect Ted’s guidelines regarding name calling. Obviously David Solway and many other Canadians have very different experiences with socialized medicine then Ted and Dove. And I’ve heard horror stories about the British system. Yet I hear them denigrate our system.
The bottom line is that Americans were satisfied with their health care and weren’t clamoring for any major overhaul of the system. We don’t want socialized medicine, but it has been forced upon us.
Buzz of the Orient Said:
Buck-up,cowboy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ dove:
That you choise!!!!!!! We have to many iliegal immigrants sucking on the public tit to support them. That includes Candian roughnecks.
@ Laura:
I wrote a post in your support, and was modified!
@ Laura:
Your absolutely right! We pay for the healthcare through our taxes. It’s a great system….very fortunate to have it!
Laura Said:
Amen, you go girl. Texas will back you up. I have some ex-pat Canadian neighbors, who came to the States in order to escape socilaized medicine.
Laura. You disappoint me for two reasons. One you called someone an asshole contrary to my guidelines prohibiting ad hominen attacks. And secondly, I dislike attempts to bully someone into submission because you don’t like their opinion. I want people to be free to express opinions here even if such opinions extol the virtues of socialism just as you feel free to support capitalism and excoriate socialism. I expect better from you.
On a personal note I grew up in Canada where universal healthcare is in place and now I live in Israel which also provides universal/socialized health care. Considering how effective both systems are and how much cheaper they are then the cost of healthcare in the US and considering that life expectancy in Israel at least is higher than in the US, there is much to be said for socialized health care.
Whether Obamacare is just a very bad attempt to socialize healthcare in America or whether no system can be put in place that would be more effective is for Americans to figure out. But America’s failed attempt should not in any way be used to denigrate the Canadian or Israeli system.
Because Obama hates the USA and what it stands for in his leftist view.
“If you have a business, you didn’t grow it” or whatever it was he said. He is not business-friendly, except for public-private partnerships as outlined in Agenda 21. Insurance companies and Obamacare could be one example. Squeeze out the small businesses and leave govt-allied monopolies.
Hating Israel and loving Islam is another of his agendas, even to silly extents like giving NASA a mandate to make Muslims feel better about themselves.
I’m sure we can all think of other examples.
Personal attacks on commenters are usually cause for banning the perpetrator on sites like this. If your personal ad hominem attack on me is not dealt with by Ted, I’m gone from this site, although I’m sure that would not bother you.
@ Buzz of the Orient:
You don’t see the irony in that? Keep your failed socialist experiment along with all of its supposedly “free” benefits, we don’t want it. The cradle-to-grave social welfare state is a fraud. Nothing is free, you pay for it one way or another. I agree with David Solway.
I think Solway is forgetting that free health care has a price, driving on free highways rather than toll roads has a price,, the social services that he slurs have a price, our dollar is NOT at par, and our legal system is one of the best in the world. Tell you what, Solway, why don’t you just move to the USA and join the tea party? Better buy a gun for your safety and take out some expensive medical insurance.
There’s one “brain drain” Canada won’t miss.
David Solway’s price comparisons are qualitatively right and I largely agree with the main thrust of his article.
However he errs in his gasoline price conversions from liters to gallons. The U.S. Gallon is 3.78 liters (and not 4.5 liters , which is the Imperial Gallon , on which he bases his comparisons).