XPost: ab.general, ab.politics, bc.general   
   XPost: bc.politics, can.general, can.taxes   
   XPost: ont.politics   
   From: dave-no_spam@unixhome.net   
      
   Lets take a look at how things might change if Alberta and BC just joined   
   the United States for two more stars on the banner.   
      
   US currency exchange is no longer needed.  No more bank nickeling.  Even   
   NASDAQ and NYSE fees are lower.   
      
   Interstate trade laws would have prevented the lumber and cattle issues from   
   ever occurring.  In fact, when an Ottawa leader has a conniption fit and   
   shoots their mouth off it will not hurt our economies.   
      
   NAFTA for everyone, not just big companies and special interests.  As an   
   individual, need a job or want to sell a product, the US becomes a big truly   
   open market!   
      
   Lower federal tax rates and good-bye GST.   
      
   Cheaper gas at the pumps.  In fact, cheaper utilities across the board.   
      
   Given Alberta and BC now bridge Alaska to continental United States   
   (bargaining chip to get in) the US fed would immediately build some real   
   highways both east-west and north-south.  Imagine, a 2 lane each way   
   concrete Interstate from Montana through Alberta and BC to Alaska.   
      
   Forget Transcanada as the Crowsnest might get an Interstate like upgrade and   
   cut 100's of miles off the trip.  The Transcanada is beyond repair and   
   upgrade, so it would be rebuilt American Interstate style and without   
   traffic lights.  No, Americans don't put schools right on national highways,   
   they value their kids too much.   
      
   We could vote for the senate, the congress and president!  No longer a one   
   party dictatorialet.   
      
   No passport issues.  You don't have to apply to Ottawa/Gatineu in September   
   and not have them in February issues.  In fact, retiring in Florida or   
   Arizona becomes a real possibility!   
      
   No possibility of NEP or NEP II.  It would be unconstitutional and many   
   states would use the senate to block it outright.   
      
   All major consumer goods would be cheaper.  Get Chicago prices on that next   
   car, or go down and get one from there without RIV Canada or vendor warranty   
   issues.  Save a bundle.  Did you know an Canadian made auto sells cheaper in   
   Portland than it does in the town it was made?   
      
   Your rights are actually guaranteed in law, including property rights.   
   Americans take this seriously and have established civil law. without feudal   
   parliamentary problems, that went out with the Boston Tea party.   
      
   Parc's Canada will not be able to extort the extra fees at the entrance of a   
   National Park paid for with your tax dollars.   
      
   The interest portion of your mortgage becomes tax deductible, further   
   reducing personal income taxes.  Business too pay less, but it is a win-win.   
      
   We actually might end up with more non-resource type businesses becoming   
   part of our economy.  Imagine, with it cool 6 months of the year and part of   
   the US you could funnel air into mega-datacenters for cheap cooling.  Or   
   perhaps have better access to US Government contracts and have more than   
   oil, wood, coal, wheat, cattle...   
      
   The big loser by far is Ottawa coffers.  This will be the biggest single   
   change.  Probably would bankrupt eastern Canada having lost western wealth   
   for nothing, but they would finally forced to address the real issues.  I   
   would also bet a immigration rush to the west.   
      
   But if joining the US isn't in your blood stream, separation as a   
   Independant Republic Of Western Canada could achieve much the same thing   
   with all that revenue going east for little in return.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)