This article got me thinking, perhaps because it is a bit idealistic.
In reading about Americans who are moving to Canada, I find myself wishing I could talk to the ones interviewed for this article.
I find myself wondering what it is that they are ‘leaving’, and what they may be ‘romanticizing’ about living in Canada.
During the Vietnam War, U.S. emigration to Canada surged as thousands of young men, often accompanied by wives or girlfriends, moved to avoid the draft. But every year since 1977, more Canadians have emigrated to the United States than vice versa — the 2001 figures were 5,894 Americans moving north, 30,203 Canadians moving south.
I go out of my way to talk to tourists since they took all the effort to get here. I’m curious about what they think and how they are doing.
I grew up in a city with a world class university and it was natural to see every colour, different styles of dress and hear many languages.
As a kid I didn’t know that the world isn’t like that for many people.
Tourists and immigrants are two different birds, and many immigrants that could afford to, first came as tourists.
My personal experience with tourists is that Europeans are educated and understanding about the differences on our continent quite well.
Asians tend to enjoy us and our country because of the culture diversity and experiences we can offer.
Americans are usually surprised.
UK, French, Australian and New Zealanders find a lot of commonality.
This comes too close to sounding like cliches and I don’t want to do that because individuals who travel respond to their environment uniquely.
But culture does play a part, especially for those travelling for the first time.
I wish our emigrants from the south peace and well-being.
I’m just not sure Canada may be the Shangri la some of the Americans in the article think it is.
The Beeb
The BBC has admitted that Dr. David Kelley, who killed himself this past week, was the source for the story by their reporter Andrew Gilligan.
Dr. Kelley was a scientist, not a spy, but all that and more will come out in this battle, which may make the New York Times scandal look tame.
The Minister of Defense admitted Dr. Kelley’s name had been given to journalists.
There will be a lot of admissions, fighting, accusations, conclusions, blaming.
A man is dead by his own hand.
It has happened before, and sadly it will happen again.
This is going to be a rough inquiry.
And as the politicans and media slug it out, the public will grow more mistrustful, more fed up, more skeptical.
BuzzMachine has the latest.
UK bloggers, pop into the comments section and let me know if/when you post on this if you can, eh?
Happy BlogDay
Hey. In cyber-years I had no idea DashHouse was so old! Darryl has been blogging for two years. That is a milestone, many of us weren’t around a year ago to wish him a happy BlogDay. So, we can do so today. And understand Darryl’s humour….it may be ‘just a blog’, but he has put a lot of heart and thought into it, and we’re all better off for that effort. Happy BlogDay DashHouse!
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Thanks, Bene!
Hi Bene,
I am Australian but it is a topic of interest and I posted.
http://thegreenman.net.au/mt/archives/000183.html
regards
Chris
I finally got round to posting something today BD.
Just to speak for myself. Sometimes it does pop into my head to leave for Canada, though the chances are slim that I’d actually seek to act on the idea. I think the attraction for some folks, is that the US seems to be taken a hold of by a certain rightwing dominance and there’s no indication that this grip on the US will be letting up for quite some time. I think sometimes, the temptation is to throw in the towel and not keep fighting what seems to be a losing battle. Canada may not be a utopia but it can seem that way in George Bush’s America.
I, too, would like to talk to those who are considering leaving for Canada. Two of my acquaintances from high school (class of 1965) separately ended up in Toronto ten years ago for reasons unrelated to the Vietnam War. They are quite happy and do not plan to return.
I have been considering a move to Canada for quite a while. I am a 29 y/o American woman about to graduate from a communications university in Boston, Massachusetts. The other comments on this site regarding Americans moving to Canada don’t address the reasons I’d like to move there. I’ve been to Canada several times and feel relatively familiar with the southern part of the country (like a well travelled tourist ; ). My reasons for wanting to leave the U.S. are based on many things. I’m unhappy with the lack of social sevices here in the U.S., I feel if I work and pay taxes, I should have adequate health care and should be able to afford food & housing.
The crime rate is much lower in Canada.
I see “middle-class America” getting smaller and smaller, and the current political climate is one I’m afraid can no longer be challenged. Once the 2000 election was occurred, the U.S. turned a corner. As an American citizen I just don’t feel I can speak my mind and express my opinions - especially about the invasion of Iraq or growing poverty in this country. “You are either with us or against us,” that’s an ignorant statement that has, with many actions verifying that attitude, made the U.S. more and more isolated. I don’t want to be isolated here. Yes, I can own as many guns as I wish without having to deal with my government, but I cannot guarantee my children a college education.
Now that we are complaining about the financial situation here, the president hints we should go to the moon again!
I know Canada is not Utopia- but no place is. I don’t expect that if I move there it will be easy, however it seems like a more humane place.
I don’t really know the Canadian attitude toward American emigres, but I’d like to try life in there for awhile.
Anybody have any suggestions?