Close Reading

I find it funny and sad that the politicians fighting for universal Healthcare in the U.S. are labeled far left, communists and socialists. I watch American media talk about universal Healthcare like its some weird imaginary concept. \n\nWe got politicians here undermining our universal Healthcare. They drain as much funding as possible, leaving our hospitals struggling to keep up, then they sit back and let the media push the narrative that our system is failing and we need to privatize. It's depressing because some Canadians are falling for it and it's a real possibility that we might not have it if our citizens don't stand up for it.

As a Canadian there looks like some great places to visit in the USA but i would never move to the US. The biggest issue in the US is Gun violence, there attachment to guns. Number two is health care, number three is weather volatility and more adverse weather conditions. Instead of one main government the US seems to have two which prevents any real change for the better. Money controls more government and political decisions than even in Canada which is already bad enough. The NRA controls more government and policing. They are seen as the bigger risk to American safety and security. I believe many Canadians believe the NRA are on the cusp of being the largest domestic terrorist organization and closure to a major cartel. Not even the military could control the NRA if the US decided to enforce new laws that the NRA felt would effect their financial, political or perceived control in the US. This is a big reason Canadians may not want to move to the US. To think there is a private military ready to go to war against their own people in the drop of a hat, reminding North Americans of the war between the North and South. There are beautiful places to see in the US, there are hard working and brave people in the US and i am sure there are more good people than bad but those with power, control and weapons have the great degree of balance. The US has a lot to be proud of and still so much possibility and ability to grow if it were not for those with the majority of power that is not being used for good or in the best interest of the majority of US citizens. Love the architecture and old districts and those trying to preserve the environment, farms, seed diversity and best of what made the US great.

I've worked with a lot of people who have moved to the US for work. It's a very compatible place for Canadians to go. The culture is very similar. People move for work pretty seamlessly. I lot of older canadians go to the southern US for 6 months a year for the weather but maintain their canadian citizenship for he medical coverage. \n\nThe COVID mess where twice as many US citizens per capita died compared to Canadians was a bit of a downer. Watching how poorly the political system seems to be to deal with all the real world problems that are out there. \n\nThat 73,000,000 voted for a self admitted scammster and criminal for President is troubling. \n\nThe Gun mess also tends to chase people off. \n\nThe American people seem to be desperate to maintain their freedom to kill each other. I'm not interested in that freedom

Well, as a Canadian, I guess i'll pitch in.\nWould I move to the US? The short answer is no. But I will explain more in detail.\n\nFirst, I do not see any advantages to the US compared to Canada. Americams often tout their country as the beacon of freedom and the land of opportunities, but I don't feel that Canada is so different there. We're actually higher on the world freedom index, and its not like our economy was in shambles and everyone dirt poor... We pay more taxes, fine, but we also get more services in return, and that last part has the advantage to remove a big layer of worry. Like, for healthcare, I don't have to worry if i'm covered by insurance or not, or if the insurance carrier will drop me on some technicality. I'm a citizen. All the basic needs are covered; no questions asked (and the healthcare quality is not half bad. We just prioritize urgent cases over non-urgent; so if you go to the hospital for something non-urgent, you will wait, and more urgent cases will pass before you. Annoying when it happens, but I understand and agree with that in the end)\n\nSecond, I do see a lot of disadvantages. All the points raised in the video are valid, from the private-sector healthcare system, the gun control laws (or lack thereof), the social policies and legislation in some states; they don't agree with me.\n\nI think it comes down to some specific social and cultural ideas that are prevalent or at least present in a substantial manner in the american society. Bear in mind that I am generalizing here, not every american believes these points, but many do. I'm talking about ego, nationalism/patriotism, secularism etc.\nI feel that the US often has a really overinflated vision of itself. Like, the idea that America is the best. At everything. Wich is factually not true, but this idea also poisons the debate on many issues, and tends to limit social introspection that could lead to real advances.\n\nI've also noticed that the american basic school system is strongly patriotic. Everyone in the US is taught a lot about the US themselves in school, but not much about the rest of the world. Not great for open mindedness and introspection when you have little comparison points.\n\nAndlets not delve into the religious aspect. I've seen a poll somewhere where 48% of americans were AGAINST the separation of church and state. For me thats not only insane, its dangerous. It fits the individualistic mentality where people can more easily start thinking that their way is THE way. It creates a very polarized society much more prone to high volatility.\n\nSo, yeah, no, I wouldn't live in the US. I'd much rather stay in Canada where i don't have to worry if I get sick or hurt, if some agressive drunk idiot in a bar is armed, or if some fundamentalists from some religious congregation is gonna be able to try to politically force their point of view.

As a Canadian I'd just like to say, she's so wrong. Africans love Canada, and we love them. Now, African Americans, thats a tricky one. Its not about the colour of ur skin, its about attitudes. 90% of the time when dealing with African Americans, u can tell their waiting and looking for racism, get upset when they dont find it. The victim mentality is a real turn off. Again, go ask some Africans about life in Canada, i bet u get more positive than negative. The American black culture is the problem for most people, in most places, including America itself. The inability of this show and its host to act like theres no legitimate reasons why so many feel as they do about American black culture, just makes this an echo chamber. \nI have African friends in Africa, i have African friends here in Canada. \nBut because im white, it must be a lie.?\nTell me my African American friends, are any of u deceitful, hateful, arrogant, nasty, vengeful? Or, are y'all perfect?

As a child of a first generation immigrant, this is horrible and WRONG. My dad and his family fled Nicaragua in the late 80's when the socialists took over. And it was a real war zone. The government stole their land, homes, and k!lled people they knew. On the way to the airport my dad (who was a small child at the time) saw dead bodies in the street. Thankfully they made it to the USA and were able to rebuild their lives and become proud American citizens. They did it LEGALLY. It makes me so mad when I see footage like this. Lots of racist people serotype Hispanic Americans negatively because of these criminals. Why is our government doing nothing about this???? The cost of living is unbearable already and we have a major housing crisis. It is NORMAL to have a border! Why is that so hard for some people to understand???? It's a national security crisis. I swear this is the most incompetent administration I've ever seen in my lifetime.

As a black man in Canada, I would never trade places with American blacks.\nCanada has nothing on America when it comes to discrimination against black people.\nPhillip you need to talk with some black Canadians to get the real picture.

Oh wow I thought this was some kind of music festival or sports game cuz I saw a Raiders jacket lmaooooo they acting way too wild. Why they repping for one MY TEAM two an American team like you ain’t even American. Why other countries do that wear each others clothing. It’s weird. We don’t play over there never have never will. I notice people will use Raiders especially as a gimmick and I don’t like that. I have that shit tatted on me and named my daughter Oakland and my other daughter middle name California so I’m true to this. The real deal. ANYHOW they arguing yelling with them and digging into the barbed wire they’re going to get hurt. It’s bloody. Who’s going to stitch them up??

Canadian here, and this video is right on the money for some of the most frustrating things about Canada! \n\nOur proudest achievement is our healthcare system, but up until recently, the government has been choking it little by little. Making it so difficult for any Doctor/Nurse to even consider finding work here (and making it impossible to afford getting a medical degree) because you are literally doing it for the love of the game at this point. \n\nEven if you become a specialist in a specific field (which pays really well compared to most careers here) it is unlikely any hospital will hire you. Our hospitals are only interested in making profits by pushing painkillers on Canadians, rather than hiring medical professionals to help fix them. If you become a family Doctor, it is a bit better, because you can open your own practice. But kiss your social life goodbye if you do! The most annoying part of this problem is some people blame all this on the fact that we have healthcare and assume a private American system would be better. Where the real problem is we need more workers and funding into our healthcare to make it better. Not making lives harder for poorer Canadians!\n\nWeirdly enough our Tax system issue didn't stand out as a problem to me until I left Canada and see how taxes are marked elsewhere! It blew my mind that I didn't have to do math when I visited another country and the way we advertise wages is purposely deceptive! In Ontario, we succeeded in getting a $14 hour minimum wage (only in Ontario and maybe one other province). Which sounded amazing until you realize that's $14 without tax... To compare, I was incredibly lucky in Toronto where I found a place for 750 a month and was earning $16 an hour. Sounded like more than enough for the cost of living, but after taxes I was pretty much putting more than half my monthly income in rent. On top of that I had to pay for student loans and other bills. \n\nBottom line, if you are wanting to move to Canada for our beautifully scenic environments, free healthcare, and a stable job? \n\nMove to Finland.

I've lived in both. Canada is a better place to raise your family for sure, and as a society I think it's a better place to live. It's cleaner, safer, and more diverse (and I'm talking real diversity like Aba mentioned, not segregation). There's some cool stuff about the States, don't get me wrong, but my girlfriend (who is American and has visited Canada with me) and I are strongly contemplating moving to Canada. The US has a better night life culture generally speaking and like Aba said there's more to do, but generally speaking I just want a peaceful and simple life.

You're not correct about the Quebec government banning the hijab - actually they ban all forms of religious expression in clothes worn at work by public servants - so don't criticize us unless you get the facts straight. All countries are facing public health crisis especially in the aftermath of a global pandemic, you mention how long it could take to get an MRI - weeks/months, but it's no worse than in the UK, or other western countries. I do agree with you about limited competition in banking and tech - but we're still a young and growing country, however, look at the global recession that took place in 2007 - Canada was least affected by mortgage default, the US was hit the worst and hundreds of thousands had their homes foreclosed by the Banks, yet in Canada because of our strict banking policies we were saved and the Banks worked with defaulters to try to keep their homes. Taxes, well most countries require you to file your own taxes at the end of the year - what's so strange about that? Yes sales tax is added onto the sales price depending on what province and what you are purchasing, same as US, just because it's not the same in Europe doesn't mean it's worse! Listen, when you're a newcomer to any country you need to fit in when looking for a job, put in the effort, take the time, do the work, any country is going to expect you to be able to speak the language and know the lingo, so I don't agree with your analysis that Canadians are risk adverse! You are 100% correct about the housing crisis, listen it's been going on everywhere for decades, and international investors in the past 10 years or so woke up and noticed that Canada was a great bet for investment, so the problem got really bad. The government just passed a 2 year moratorium on non Canadians buying real estate - as have many other countries, so fingers crossed no more new foreign landlords just regular Canadians buying their first homes, let's hope so!! I've lived many years in Europe - and I loved it! But the quality of life in Canada is better. If you don't live in the crowded city you can have a nice property with lots of space, good roads, not bad school system, very friendly and helpful people. Quebec has some of the best food on the North American continent, we have clean air and lots of water in Canada - I'm very happy here, so don't be so negative please!

i’m typing this as an american native with 1st generation mexican parents. i lived all my life in suburbs , i’m 23. i started doing online school at around age 13 so i stayed home and basically quit hanging out with anyone by age 14. i feel i grew up online, no real life friends, didn’t get to know or hangout with cousins my age due to their own plans or schedule. i still live a very lonely life but this video very greatly shows why i want to leave the US. neighbors hardly know each other and don’t want to, they instead will purchase guns and be paranoid about everyone, despite all they do is drive to work, do 10 hours, come back. repeat. \n\ni visited mexico twice, i like the culture there, and i wouldn’t mind trying to live out there for a year see how i like it. there’s plenty of good land to work, i’m willing to work hard and i’m ok with eating simple. as of now i’m just saving my money and getting it into investment and hopefully semi live off that when i move to mexico in 7-10 years

A compelling documentary, thank you. Why is it that black people continue to be so demonised and de-humanised? It is such a shame that follow Asians and even American Natives play such a role in perpetuating racism against African descent people, but I guess they have their issues of identity. Real shame nonetheless, but one thing at the time, we still have a bigger hurdle to overcome.\n \nOf course, it is still not easy to be a black woman, man or child today. Sadly our mothers are still crying for their children being killed or overly punished by the police institution, our kids are still targeted if not simply despised for being beautiful, bright, talented, lively and brilliant beings with deeper skin tonalities, and hair that speaks for us otherwise. It is still dangerous because there is so much hatred across the world against us as we are coming to understand. And hatred is unpredictable. It comes in different ugly shapes. \n\nAfrican descent people are institutionally exposed to a lack of opportunities based on race, leading to the disproportionate poverty levels in our communities, and poverty brings your far closer to crime. That should not be so difficult to calculate. We're faced with higher mortality and disease rates, covid 19 has rubbed that to our eyes, care systems medical world is in less favour and neglect black communities. On a day-to-day, I am so insulted about the security guard that follows me in the shop, it is so disrespectful and embarrassing, that makes me move suspiciously indeed, yet so low and ignorant I don't even want to have to confront the issue. \n\nI agree with the writer who writes about his experience (and shame?) of being a black man in Canada- the same is institutionally reflected in Europe and across the world let's not be naive, we're not welcome but they should know they have no choice. I believe what he really is trying to express is based on the fear of being a black man in a hostile environment, but we should certainly have nothing to be ashamed of. \n\nOn contrary, we should be very proud because we are still here, like any other citizens paying our taxes and playing positive roles in society by major. We have positive role models are everywhere, from the single mother raising her children with force and determination to the black father who teaches at a local school, from the black girl who's achieved top grades to university to the black young man who's been headhunted from the medical school. And all of us who are just trying. \n\nLook closely. While the media will continue to do its good job demonising and stereotyping us negatively, let's not forget that we are real people with real accomplishments who have always made impactful contributions to society. \n\nHere's the thing, we are admired, loved and celebrated because of the brilliance, talent, charisma, swag and wealth we bring to contemporary culture. Everyone consumes black culture, from the filler lip service to the quick fix tan, from rock and roll to hip hop and RnB music, to sports athletes to the amazing creators out there, no need to mention names. But, we also are doctors, politicians, judges nurses, waiters, carers, scientists, builders, bankers, entrepreneurs, employees or unemployed. \n\nSadly on a day-to-day, we are not viewed as equal people, with equal rights and needs, who, by large, just want the good for our children, our families, neighbours and indeed countries. STOP INSTITUTIONAL RACISM. We are real mothers, real fathers, real children who have a birthright to equal treatment, respect and human dignity, whether or not you choose to disagree.

I feel bad for his innocent children to have to go through this. You want to live in another country, you need to follow the law like every else. You learn the language, get the same I.D. We all have to have , and be treated the same as if any American were to illegally cross boarders! What we have to go through just to have identification here should be no different for anyone else! You can’t just live off our tax dollars and government ins., food stamps etc.. While we pay for you to live here!! I don’t reap those benefits, yet I’m paying yours!! I can’t feel bad! When I go to a dr. Or dentist and an immigrant or a lazy able bodied parent gets everything done free and I’m struggling to pay with full ins.. I literally walk out so pissed off! These are straight facts!! He had fifteen years to make it right. Instead he took a shot doing it his way to reap the American benefits and the feel bad for me card!If they ever let him come back and he collected any kind of help in those last fifteen years, “if” , he should have to get proper I.D., citizenship, and pay back anything he was given! It’s only fair! He was able to save all that money tax free, hmmm must be nice! I don’t feel bad he had to spend it. That’s real life!I’m tired of watching my citizens no matter race or color, work hard paying taxes and giving their hard earned money away!!If we just let anyone walk right through our boarder than what’s the point of any American needing any I.D.??? Don’t people get why it’s so important to keep track for so many obvious different reasons!! I believe certain citizens with outrageous offenses should be chipped!In every race!I don’t care who the president is any president that doesn’t believe this is the right thing to do sucks! I didn’t vote for a Trump! I think he’s smart and a moron at the same time!

This central american guy is no real refugee. He is just a law breaker who violated immigration laws so he could bypass the legal system and those who actually go through the process. Not only did he violate US and Canadian territory but also Mexican as well. I understand his motives, but no sympathy here for law breakers like him. There is an immigration process and he must respect it.