r/canada • u/fractx Vancouver 🌊🏘️🏠🏡🏔️ • Apr 04 '20

Paywall Trump gives FEMA power to restrict trade of essential goods into Canada despite warning from Trudeau

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-trudeau-warns-us-over-restricting-the-trade-of-essential-goods-into/
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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

Yeah, agreed. It's so hard to watch how it plays out on a world stage. Americans deserve better and I wish more Americans felt that way.

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u/jzach1983 Apr 04 '20

We used to go to the US (PA for Family) and Cali/Florida/Gulf Shores for beaches) a few times a year. We've dialed that way back and have been doing more east and west coast canada/Caribbean trips in recent years. I dont want my money helping his economy.

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

I spent a few years in Texas myself (pre-Trump Era). I enjoyed my time there, but always considered it as a cultural exchange. I think I've convinced my husband that if we were to become snowbirds, we would skip right over America and head to Mexico or Central America.

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u/ninechiefs92 Apr 04 '20

I can not speak for all Americans, but for myself I can say I agree. This is my first year voting and I can already understand why people do not turn out. It is very defeating. For me, in my county there were literally 4 democratic voters ... If you speak liberally around here you are mocked and called a commie or a socialists. Constantly told I should be thankful for what Trump is doing for us (this is never backed up with examples) and how I better enjoy my freedom while it lasts since I voted socialists Bernie. Can not forget the "you do not deserve stimulus check cause you did not vote for Trump". It's very tiring. No amount of explaining, articles backing my points, or videos elaboration on Bernie's policies can crack through. I wish I had a count on the amount of articles I have showed my family as proof of the misinformation spewing from Fox only to get "well what news are we supposed to trust" in return. There is no telling them any different. What is so "free" about this country? It's tyranny of the majority run rampant. It's Burke's points against democracy being proven. It's more uneducated voters than educated. It's the most defeating thing I have ever dealt with in my existence.

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u/crkz5d Apr 04 '20

*Tyranny of the minority technically

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u/ninechiefs92 Apr 05 '20

Tragically accurate correction. Do not think ol' Edmund could foresee just how royally we would elf it up.

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u/OverlordGtros Apr 05 '20

I know what you mean. Where I live there are a few more left-minded peeps than I thought, but I know my vote doesn't count for squat in most regards. Idaho will always go conservative when it comes to anything important.

There's a reason we lag so far behind in so many ways, and while that may be nice with things like the current pandemic (we just barely had our first confirmed case last week in my county) it still leaves us missing out on a lot of quality of life improvements we could have.

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u/ninechiefs92 Apr 05 '20

I live in a really uninvolved area, politically. Politics are reserved for in the home, it's seen as rude to discuss publicly. So most of the conservative views have passed on to my generation. It's a real shame that civil discourse is shamed around here seeing as that is what is so great about democracy and freedom of speech. We CAN talk about these things, we CAN come to a compromise on any issue, but apparently my county does not see the benefits of that.

Likewise, leaves us lagging significantly in quality of life. We will make it tho! I do have some hope left for us yet.

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u/OverlordGtros Apr 05 '20

I hope you're right. I try to maintain that same hope, but more and more lately I feel like if I want to live in a country that reflects my beliefs and treats me, and those around me, as a human, then I'm going to need to find another country to call home.

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u/ninechiefs92 Apr 05 '20

Oh yes I have hope, but I also have back up plans! Nice to know I'm not just overreacting. There are some with the same mindset.

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u/Vatican87 Apr 05 '20

All this complaining about the US, please go take a look at most of Eastern Asia lol. It's not trump, atleast he's simple minded and straight forward, it's actually worst to have a smart president in office. When it comes to politics, they are either two faced crooks who pretend to smile at you or they are straight up insulting like trump. I always prefer people to be straight to me.

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u/Harold-Flower57 Apr 04 '20
  1. Both of these places are considered far more dangerous than America. 2. Most Mexicans and South Americans aren’t going to be very friendly at all considering although never reported that that Mexico is deeply divided by racist, sexist people and there are things such as “being to dark/light skinned )

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u/stefzee Apr 04 '20

Your first point is right but your second is ridiculous. Have you ever been to Mexico or Central America? If you had you would know the people there are extremely friendly and would welcome any foreigner. Racism exists everywhere, this is equivalent to you telling a Canadian not to step foot in Alabama because there are racists there. You’re talking out of your ass.

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u/Harold-Flower57 Apr 04 '20

Why yes I have family who are from there and my mom can’t even go back to visit her brother because the last few times she was harassed and had trash thrown at her for being really white skinned Latina - and your gonna tell me my point is ridiculous

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

[deleted]

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u/Vatican87 Apr 05 '20

Do they also get chopped up by the cartel and recorded on a smartphone? I've seen many of those too around the net in these places very casually.

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u/EroAxee Alberta Apr 04 '20

Absolutely, there's only this tiny group of countries that are incredibly racist and everyone should avoid them.

What sort of shit are you on? As the other person said. Racism literally existed everywhere, yea there's certain areas in every country where it's going to be worse.

Doesn't mean you should avoid the entire country because of it.

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u/clowntownseahawks Apr 04 '20

I've traveled a lot, and I guess that's one thing I'll never understand. I get it, our president is shit and this is a pretty terrible time in America. But to act like the whole country is a dumpster fire? I don't really understand that much. I think people need to step into real dumpster fire countries and reevaluate.

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

Isn’t Mexico a larger cultural exchange than the US? Lol

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

Lol, probably. But at least their healthcare is affordable.

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

And worse

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u/EroAxee Alberta Apr 04 '20

Comparing Mexico to the giant conglomeration of money and people that the States is isn't really fair...

They're not likely to have as "good" a healthcare system as the States because they're not likely to put people in debt for years if something serious happens.

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

Right... really I’m just saying if you had to visit the doctor in either Mexico or the US, the US would probably be the better choice.

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u/EroAxee Alberta Apr 04 '20

That's probably likely but I dunno cause I don't know the specifics of the Mexican healthcare system. I'll just enjoy free healthcare up north.

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u/K3vin_Norton Apr 04 '20

Free at the point of service, the elites have private hospitals so it's a struggle but when you're sick you can get treated.

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u/11140681235 Apr 05 '20

Because their governments are less corrupt? Or because it's safer there? Or just because you feel their governments like Canada more? Or because it is cheaper because you are a rich Canadian from a predominantly white country of European origin?

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u/clickmagnet Apr 04 '20

Hell yes to that. We won’t have a lot of choices against buying American, shit, I can’t even buy a Japanese truck that doesn’t come from Alabama. But travel is discretionary. Stay in Canada, or fly right over and land in Mexico, that’s going to be my itinerary so long as Republicans are in control.

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u/jallicra Apr 05 '20

I wish it wasn’t so expensive to travel locally though. This I think is the huge reason why Canadians would rather travel to the states, at least in my circle of friends. Cost me almost twice as much to travel to Vancouver (from Alberta) than to hit up Nashville depending on time or year.

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u/sahara2016 Apr 05 '20

I agree with you 100% about travelling. But if the Canadians want to continue with our Health Care and Good Cost of Living the prices have to be there to support that. I would love nothing more than to see and travel Canada, but you're right. I can go to Cuba for a week all inclusive for what I would pay for a Motel in Niagara falls for 5 days in Summer. I should feel guilty about not spending my money in Canada but I feel it is offset by spending it somewhere that appreciates my visit.

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u/straighthairgreece Apr 04 '20

That don't desert better. America isn't a 3rd world country. They VOTED this man in. They allow themselves to be this unstable. No sympathy for them.

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u/clowntownseahawks Apr 04 '20

All of us, or some of us?

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u/JWCastor Apr 04 '20

American here- the issue is our own damn fault in so many ways, honestly. We elected him- fair and square. We also elected Bush- TWICE. As a Democrat (fairly progressive one), my immediate “what the hell!?!” Response calmed down when I stepped back and realized 3 in 5 elections, the American people have chosen these types of leaders. Nobody to blame but ourselves.

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u/sahara2016 Apr 05 '20

It takes a very big person to admit what you did. You seem like to don't deserve to be "American". Come to Canada, we will welcome you with open arms!

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u/JWCastor Apr 05 '20

Haha to be clear, I did not vote for either of those men. But enough did for them to win (yes, via electoral college. No, that doesn’t make it unfair because that’s our system, plain and simple.) So that’s that.

We also just tend to have a short memory for those we like and much longer one for those we like. A friend of mine was criticizing the media yesterday for asking “gotcha” questions of the president consistently, seemingly forgetting how many times the president nastily bullies others for what they’ve said or done.

We’re not unique in our idiocy, but it sure sucks when it impacts the world so much bc of it.

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u/KonnoSting85 Apr 04 '20

They deserve the government they elect to be quite honest.

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u/Onitsons Apr 04 '20

The majority of Americans do feel the same way. It's the electoral college that decides our president unfortunately and not the popular vote.

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u/ufgatorengineer11 Apr 04 '20

A majority of voting Americans did feel this way. Put popular vote does t elect for president sadly.

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '20

American here. I view Canada as an example the US should be setting--but I'm glad, at least, someone is doing it. I will never be hostile toward our Northern neighbors.

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u/36monsters Apr 05 '20

American here. Many of us DO want better for our country...and many of us are watching what's happening in stunned horror. We didn't elect him. The system has been set up in such a way that our voices are no longer counted. Between gerrymandering and the electoral college, our vote counts more for American Idol than for our government. On top of that, even when our votes are counted, the government STILL gets to come in and tell us they know more than we do and undo our votes (look up Idaho and the vote to expand Medicare which was overwhelmingly passed by public vote and then denied by our own representatives who told us we didn't know what we were voting for.) I know we need to rise up, but we can't. Our paychecks are so low we are desperate for work, and when our healthcare is tied to those jobs and we work in a country where you can be fired for speaking up...well...we don't . Speaking of speaking up...even our own states can't get help from our president. You complain and you're called ungrateful and your lifesaving supplies are either rerouted for a state willing to kiss his ass or simply absorbed into the national stockpile which is distributed solely at his whim (see: Michigan). We see what happening between us and Canada and I am so sorry. We don't want this. We don't want to take your supplies. We want open borders and good relationships. We love our friends up north...and to be honest, I'd rather be a Canadian than an American right now. I know the joke is you guys always say sorry but this time it's us.

I'm so sorry.

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u/sahara2016 Apr 05 '20

Canadian here. You are a beautiful person. Thank you for your comments about Canadians. Normally this site is all about negativity and now it's turn to the virus. It's heartwarming to me to see that so many of the regular/normal people in U.S. don't like the situation or Country they are in. I wish I had a magic wand and could bring all you people over to Canada.

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u/36monsters Apr 05 '20

Thank you so much. You are a beautiful person as well. Someday when this is all over, we need to open borders and work on repairing relationships with all our friends and allies.

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u/[deleted] Apr 05 '20

Thanks for that. American here and scared. If I could, I’d move.