Since the election, Canada’s immigration site has enjoyed a sizable increase in traffic from worried [or interested] Americans.
Should one consider emigration? Is Canada really any better?
I don’t know the answers to these questions, but the situation brings back memories.
In 2002, Apple launched a "Switch" ad campaign encouraging Windows users to switch to the Mac platform.
John Bender, an American married to a Canadian, launched a parody web site encouraging Americans to "switch" to Canada. His web site, no longer online, featured an amusing QuickTime commercial ad that is still available here (click on "parody").
Bender’s ad angered the patriot movement, which has no sense of humor — and sometimes worships America the way most other Christians around the world worship Jesus.
Among the critics was at least one Canadian, Jay Random, who apparently wishes he were American.
Random’s blog, Shiny Happy Gulag, offers a page full of reasons not to "switch" to Canada.
I don’t know who is right. But I’m betting that Bender (pictured) is the cuter one.
I’m sick of this bullshit that equates a rise in traffic at a the Canadian immigration website with an actual interest in moving there. Since the election I’ve received at least five or six joke email/instant messages referencing the website. Further AP stories reporting the rise in traffic also link the website which generates further traffic from people simply curious about the news. This is nothing more than a self fulfilling prophecy. The vast majority of traffic at the site is simply curious and amused Americans.
As of last week, I’m now saving up $10k to cover the living expenses for moving to Vancouver, B.C. and finding a job. I’m cutting back on living expenses quite a bit — my food budget is cut almost in half — so that I reach my goal in a reasonable amount of time. ETA on $10k is about 20 months (already had $2k in the bank).
In the meantime I’m going to try my hand at starting a political party. If I have success in politics, I’ll put the money into political ads instead of moving. My first step was a letter-writing campaign to existing legislators on voting reform to ensure a fair election (letter available here, previous rant on the two-party duopoly here).
Frankly, I’m more scared of the US political system right now than at any previous point in my life. Not so much Bush; I wasn’t terribly shocked by his re-election, although I was disappointed. What shocked me was (a) the passage of all 11 state amendments, 8 of which outlawed both marriage and anything resembling it (which will likely muck up contract law for decades), (b) the fact that the Republicans, on the whole running their most vocally anti-gay campaign ever (and not just on the subject of marriage), gained in both the House and Senate, and (c) the House, Senate, and Presidency are all Republican controlled, and a lot of conservatives don’t see why that’s a bad thing.
I agree with you, too, Chronos.
I keep telling myself that in 4 years things can change, but the Regime can do a LOT of long lasting damage in their jihad against us during that time. I am toying with the idea of moving to BC or New Zealand. Maybe even Europe. Not too seriously at this point, but in another 4 years, if this continues (and certain seminal events would occur, like if some sort of Federally sanctioned discrimination actually passes, or Mass. is forced to rescind marriage) I will VERY seriously consider leaving Amerika for a place where freedom is not just paid lip service as a historical “concept.”
My partner and I purchased a condo in Vancouver BC this past summer. We didn’t buy it based on the election but because we want to retire there in a few years. However, since the election we are speeding up our plans and will probably move there within 2 years.