Re: Letter: Why don't we annex U.S. states?
I must say, letter writer George Thatcher, your vision of Canada being the saviour of the American masses is inspiring. If only our fleet of canoes could paddle fast enough before sinking under the weight of federal mismanagement.
Now, I appreciate national pride, but let’s separate fact from fantasy, starting with health care, the crown jewel of every “Canada is better than America” argument.
You claim Americans envy our system because health care is a right, and you’re correct, it is a right to wait months for care in an overburdened system. Canada is one of the few countries that completely outlaws private options for public services—alongside Cuba, North Korea, and Russia. Even Scandinavians allow private care to prevent care rationing.
Meanwhile, we tell Canadians: “Wait 18 months for surgery or fly to the U.S. and pay out of pocket.” But yes, let’s brag about that.
And while we’re on accountability, let’s talk democracy. You claim our system is superior, yet we don’t even elect our own head of state. Our Senate is appointed, and the party in power handpicks our judiciary.
When the prime minister resigns, Canadians have no say in who replaces them. In the so-called ‘dysfunctional' U.S., leaders are directly elected, senators are voted in, and misconduct can lead to their removal. Even our multi-party system, a supposed advantage you say, erodes voter influence.
The NDP, a party Canadians didn’t elect to govern, props up a failing government, overriding the will of the voters. Meanwhile, a separatist party that can't form government manipulates the system for its own province. This isn’t democracy—it’s vote-rigging, dressed up as parliamentary cooperation.
And the rigging doesn’t stop there. When the government funds the media, controls judicial appointments, and bends parliamentary rules to cling to power, it may not be billionaires pulling the strings, but someone is.
You take pride in our social safety though our tax burden is among the highest since we squander money on everything except keeping our own country functional.
You mock U.S. military spending yet ignore that Canada is completely dependent on the U.S. for its defence. It’s easy to laugh at aircraft carriers when you know they’ll be there to save you.
Finally, you suggest Americans would flood into Canada, the ‘Promise Land’, yet our own young professionals are leaving in search of lower taxes, higher wages, and better opportunities elsewhere.
So yes, George, your satire is amusing, but it’s also a perfect reflection of the delusional belief that so many Canadians live under while ignoring the realities of what Canada has become.
Maybe we should fix our broken systems before dreaming of ‘saving’ America.
Todd White,
Carstairs
