Tossing Pebbles in the Stream

Friday, August 03, 2007

United States of North America! Nay, Nay!!

For the past twenty year or so Vive le Canada - Timeline of the Progress Toward a North American Union (NAU) there have been efforts to integrate the three largest countries of North American. NAfTA (North American Free Trade Association) was the most successful effort so far. News Release: A Blueprint for a North American Community

Documents Reveal Bush/CFR "Administrative Coup D'etat" of America

Slowly and deliberately there are those working, largely out of the public eye to eventually bring about the North American Union, similar to the European Union in which Trade, Labour, Security and Laws would be integrated fully. Vive le Canada - Deep Integration Planned at Secret Conference Ignored by the

I am opposed to this idea and think it is well past time for there to be a public and full discussion of this idea. It is time the economic and political elite pushing this idea shared it fully with the rest of us.

It is a plan to build upon the Free Trade agreement and expand it beyond mere trade. I am willing to admit there have been some economic successes under free trade but it has also created real problems for some. Here are some of my concerns:

During free trade there has developed a super rich class, beyond the mere rich, expanded the poor class and shrunk the middle class. What is economically beneficial to a country is not always economically beneficial to all within it. Trickle down economic theory is a myth put forward by the rich laissez-faire economists.

Capital chases the lowest labour costs. Free trade has seen manufacturing relocate to low pay areas. As a result jobs that once could support middle class families have disappeared. Fewer people are sharing in the national prosperity. Now service jobs are following this pattern.

Behind the idea of North American integration is a single ideology of laissez-faire economics, one world wide global economy and "democratic" states. Well I believe there are many ways of polity which can serve a society. "Democracy" is often used as nothing more than a fraudulant mantra to make the mass of people believe they have some say and control. If we really believed in democracy Aristide would still be the President of Haiti, Hamas would still be the government of the Palestinians, efforts would not be going on the overthrow the Iranian government, and the Chavez government of Venezuela would be celebrated as a great transforming democratic state, to name just a few.

There may be good arguments to recommend economic integration of Nations but Nations are more than economics. Nations are histories, traditions, languages, unique legalities, attitudes toward responsibilities within a Nation toward each other and of course national pride and patriotism. What would "union" do to Canada's bilingual/multicultural ethos, gay marriage, common law marriage, socialized medicine, gun control, the Queen, acceptance of marijuana usage, rule of law (which has been abandoned in the US in some sectors) parliamentary democracy, limits to election spending etc. Here is what some Americans who have decided Canada was a better place for them. think. (read theccomments following the article)O, Canada! More Americans Heading NorthThe Number of Americans Moving to Canad

In an economic union of Canada, United States and Mexico the largest and dominant member would be the United States. There would be forces at work to to have their standard set for all.

In Canada, a country friendly with the US, we have felt the relentless pressure of US interests. The US is not a country that takes compromise easily. In negotiations the US always play's hardball. Even when the US loses, in agreed upon tribunals, they seek ways to ignore the rulings. i.e. the softwood lumber agreement. LP: Military To Crackdown On North American Union Protesters

I can never imagine identifying myself as a North American. Frankly, it is even harder to imagine Americans, with their mythology about themselves using the term "I am a North American".

I fear the day will come when North American Union will be put forward as a "done deal" which must be voted up or down by our legislatures before there has been sufficient debate. I am not alone, Much has been written about this in the bogging world but little discussion has been raised in the main stream media. This should concern us.! North American union plan headed to Congress in fall

2 Comments:

At 11:42 p.m., Navigator said...: I don't often find myself in agreement with you, but on this one, I believe you are spot on. No such plan for integration should proceed without full public disclosure, time to debate, and opportunity for public input, all, long before such plans are presented to Parliament. Furthermore, it should either be dealt with by plebiscite or a free vote in Parliament (I prefer plebiscite). I have been reading some unpleasant things about the EU and it was not surprising when the French and the Dutch citizens voted against the consitutional proposals. It is worth remembering that this country was founded by people who did not want to become part of the American republic.
At 12:09 p.m., Gretchen said...: I'm totally against the idea as well. If we need a passport to enter Canada or Mexico, then it's obvious they are separate countries. Why join us all together?

Cheney may say it isn't even being discussed, but he also claimed the insurgency in Iraq is in it's final throughs. Not entirely accurate!

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream

Friday, August 03, 2007

2 Comments:

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