# I'm an old Canadian and America is starting to freak me out **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2016, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546 "2016-11-03T18:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/61 "2016-11-04T14:11:15Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Once the baby boomers die off enough, things should start to improve. Along the margins perhaps, but an important feature of these massive systems and institutions is they have their own incentives and anyone who doesn’t play ball gets sent packing or that institution declines and dies. The problem with corporate America isn’t necessarily that the wrong sorts of people are in charge. > [@wolfpup](#): > > The problem in this case wasn’t the trade agreement, but unregulated, unprincipled corporate avarice. What’s called free trade nowadays is unregulated, unprincipled corporate avarice. Regulations and worker protections are anti-free trade because they suppress profit margins and efficiency. If getting rid of them leads to poor worker conditions, stagnating wages, economic crashes or environmental degradation, oh well. The proles can go wave signs on a street somewhere, or come up with a clever hashtag. > [@octopus](#): > > Progressive Canada doesn’t have open borders? Open borders are the dream of pro-business factions. That’s why libertarians and neo-libs are for it. Though a minority, some progressives are anti-large scale immigration because they want to protect the welfare state. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/62 "2016-11-04T15:00:48Z")
Well part of the issue is population size. The USA is 320 million people. We can absorb 4-5 million people per year without difficulty. Canada is 35 million people. Five million in one year would be overwhelming. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/63 "2016-11-04T15:10:49Z")
In an alternate universe, would any of you be saying: “What a great statesman, the Republicans nominated a great man in Paul Ryan.” “Fantastic debate, Ted Cruz laid out his policies in a clear and concise way.” Hell no … “Another Bush, that mean _THREE WARS_ … an entire generation of Americans slaughtered on the battlefield.” “This means triple digit inflation, Mike Huckabee will destroy any hope of the American Dream.” Y’all’s rhetoric is getting stale, same thing every four years, electing [insert name] is death and destruction. Anyway, just wanted to point out that Canada doesn’t elect their Head-of-State … the _only_ qualification for your next Head-of-State is that he is the oldest son of your current Head-of-State … that’s all that’s needed … I’m curious how many Canadians posting here even know that. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/64 "2016-11-04T15:23:07Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > In an alternate universe, would any of you be saying: > > “What a great statesman, the Republicans nominated a great man in Paul Ryan.” > > “Fantastic debate, Ted Cruz laid out his policies in a clear and concise way.” > > Hell no … Well, you have to go a little bit further towards the caboose of the crazy train – Kasich, or yes, Bush, would have been the kind of candidate that would have views that Democrats would not be happy about, but wouldn’t automatically fill one with intestine liquifying terror. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/65 "2016-11-04T15:23:09Z")
What? We didn’t elect Trudeau? And you don’t think we knew who his Dad was? That’s kinda ridiculous! And you think we’ll elect Hadrian next? Good Lord man, get a grip! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/66 "2016-11-04T15:26:53Z")
Red Green would be a vastly better candidate than Trump. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/67 "2016-11-04T15:28:16Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Oh my gosh. Is that you trying to say “eh”? That’s the funniest thing I’ve read all day. 🙂 > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > And who made The Band famous? Those Canadian guys? No, Arkansan Levon Helm, a…eh? That’s OK, I don’t really know when/how to use _y’all_ and I’ve never fully figured out what grits are. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/68 "2016-11-04T15:29:39Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > What? > > We didn’t elect Trudeau? And you don’t think we knew who his Dad was? That’s kinda ridiculous! > > And you think we’ll elect Hadrian next? > > Good Lord man, get a grip! Head of State, not Head of Government - he’s being all quippy about Prince Charles. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/69 "2016-11-04T15:33:20Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Red Green would be a vastly better candidate than Trump. Well, they’re both handy. Just in different ways. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/70 "2016-11-04T15:35:58Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Head of State, not Head of Government - he’s being all quippy about Prince Charles. So far, we have 50% of Canadians who’ve read their own constitution … Correction … if Prince Charles coverts to Catholicism, then Prince William would become the next Canadian Head-of-State … talk about hateful … ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/71 "2016-11-04T15:43:32Z")
Canada should declare some minor Windsor as their Head of State. Constitutional requirement that the HoS be the Queen’s cousin on her mother’s side’s son or some such bullshit. Just to fuck with them. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/72 "2016-11-04T16:01:51Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > So far, we have 50% of Canadians who’ve read their own constitution … > > Correction … if Prince Charles coverts to Catholicism, then Prince William would become the next Canadian Head-of-State … talk about hateful … I suppose so… When the progressive Canadian strawman in your head stops arguing with you don’t forget to come back. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/73 "2016-11-04T16:04:47Z")
I’ll wait until he apologizes. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/74 "2016-11-04T16:16:01Z")
I’m so sorry … I didn’t realize anyone had argued anything that I was corrupting into a strawman argument … I would never do that to you … honest … I was trying to hijack the thread by pointing out that it wouldn’t matter who won the Republican nomination … the rhetoric would be the same … four years ago it was the Republican “War on Woman” … Business first … drill for more oil … throw the illegals out … build a wall … … and maybe I’m sick of Canadians showing off their nose hair … ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/75 "2016-11-04T16:16:56Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > Anyway, just wanted to point out that Canada doesn’t elect their Head-of-State … the _only_ qualification for your next Head-of-State is that he is the oldest son of your current Head-of-State … that’s all that’s needed … I’m curious how many Canadians posting here even know that. If you think that Canadians are unaware that they have a Queen, you’re nuts. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/76 "2016-11-04T16:33:15Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I disagreed with Bush, but I didn’t feel this way about the people who voted for him. Same with Romney, McCain, etc. I am honestly frightened that Donald Trump would cause a Great Depression or possibly World War Three. I have never felt that way about a Presidential candidate before. Not even ol’ Dubya. GWB was closer to Nelson Mandela than he was to Trump. Nope, this isn’t the same. Trump is legitimately terrifying. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/77 "2016-11-04T16:34:07Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > If you think that Canadians are unaware that they have a Queen, you’re nuts. Despite her picture being on some Canadian money? :dubious: eh ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/78 "2016-11-04T16:47:04Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I am honestly frightened that Donald Trump would cause a Great Depression or possibly World War Three. I have never felt that way about a Presidential candidate before. Not even ol’ Dubya. GWB was closer to Nelson Mandela than he was to Trump. > > Nope, this isn’t the same. Trump is legitimately terrifying. Surely checks and balances will keep Trump from getting us into too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/79 "2016-11-04T16:55:47Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Once the baby boomers die off enough, things should start to improve. They have been in control too long and are trump’s biggest supporters. Once they are no longer a voting power and also not the majority of our politicians, things will improve. Actually baby boomers were responsible for some of the most liberal changes of the late 20th century. What you fail to understand though is that baby boomers, like all generations, were not homogeneous. There were always a huge number of moronic wankers among us, just as you will find in your generation. Painting with such a broad brush is always a dumb idea. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546/80 "2016-11-04T17:00:19Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Surely checks and balances will keep Trump from getting us into too much trouble. It’s Trump, so they’ll be bad checks and negative balances. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-old-canadian-and-america-is-starting-to-freak-me-out/770546.md?page=5)