Burnt Orange Report

The biggest challenge people in Canada have is figuring out how to understand each other? How about their pitiful health care system, their high unemployment rate and flat economy? I guess those issues can't compete for attention with gay marriage in Canada... or for that matter on a blog that leads with Canadian gay marriage but bills itself as 'News, Politics and Fun from Deep in the Heart of Texas.'

Though regular readers are quite aware of the fact that the other niche BOR covers is gay issues and politics due to the orientation of its two owners so far.

And not to mention that equal marriage rights is a very hot news topic 'Deep in the Heart of Texas' right now seeing as there is statewide referendum in November. And so, Lil' James, I would say it is quite relevant in regards to the mission statement of BOR.

Thank you regular reader!

"their pitiful health care system, their high unemployment rate and flat economy"
Gee, that sounds like our country.
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Prime Minister Paul Martin delayed Parliament's summer recess just so this legislation could be passed.

Friday July 1st is Canada Day. I'll be looking for some way to celebrate with our northern neighbors. :)

Are we talking about the terrible healthcare in Canada which leaves its citizens with a longer average lifespan than their neighbors to the south, and the horrible Canadian economy where both total poverty and child poverty are lower than in the US?

Just curious.

James -- please enlighten us once again to American superiority. With the over-inflated egos that abound you'd think this country would fly.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't marriage a state responsibility? And aren't the Republicans pushing a constitutional amendement to ban gay marriage precisely because it is a state responsibility? If so, why object to BOR's coverage?

Yet, the real question in gay marriage is not the length or volume of the public discourse, it is the quality of the public discourse.

As a Canadian, I am proud and frankly relieved that gay marriage was discussed in an adult manner. Sure, there were some exceptions, but for the most part we avoided the hysteria, misinformation, and venom so gloriously regurgitated by such illustrious pillars of the the community as James Dobson, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Pat Robertson, Rick Santorum and others. Are they the voice of America? Are they the voice of all Christians? Is virtue exclusive to them? Do they know God best, do they please God more? Should BOR and others cede the debate to them?

No. Not if you want to talk to grown-ups.

p.s. Just wait until we decriminalize pot. Admit it - you couldn't ask for a more fabulous and hilarious neighbour.

Visit www.canadiansinaustin.com to meet really cool Canadians.

Just the facts ma'am:

2003 Per Capita GNP USA: $37,610
2003 Per Capita GNP Canada: $23,930

source: http://www.finfacts.com/biz10/globalworldincomepercapita.htm

April 2005 Unemployment Rates
Canada: 6.8%
USA: 5.2%

source:
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/41/13/18595359.pdf

As for healthcare, read this if you don't believe the U.S. system affords more access than the Canadian one. Remember, 'cheaper' does not mean 'better.' They can have their socialized medicine and 20-week waits for surgery. I'll take my chances with BC/BS.

http://www.readersdigest.ca/debate.html?a=v&di=176

A little late in the game.

But the apparent difference in GDP per capita between Canada and the US is wholly due to the fact that top 1% of Canada's wealthy are much, much less wealthy than the top 1% of America's wealthy. This is due to the fact that the rich are taxed more heavily and the fact that the Canadian market is smaller. The bottom 50% of Canada's population has a higher GDP per capita than in the US.

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

The different unemployment rates are largely due to different methodologies on who counts as unemployed.

*sarcasm alert* The Ontario government is shocked and appauled at the record number of homocides in Toronto this year - a grand total of 48 for a metro area of 5 million. (The City of Dallas alone has had 449 so far this year.) *sarcasm off*

As for waiting times, these vary depending on location and procedure. Of course, poor people in the US has infinite wait times.

Oh, and Canada's economy has outperformed the U.S. for the past 5 years and the OECD predicts that will continue for at least two more years. It was the best performing economy in the G-7 in 2001 and 2002. And the government is running a $9.1 billion surplus.