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Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

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Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#61

Post by TomMckenny »

Ididntdothis wrote: post #11
product50 wrote: post #3

And then you realize that the population of Canada is 10% of US. Canada should be compared to the Nordic countries vs. US in terms of quality of life etc.

Why? Does a larger population size automatically reduce quality of life?

Actually, in principle larger means more markets and labor supply and more clout on the world markets. Furthermore the US has more usable land, and Canada's vast distances with low populations increases their expenses vs the US.

And indeed the US does have a higher per capita GDP. But because it's concentrated in so few hands, most Canadians are better off than most Americans.

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#62

Post by DubiousPusher »

bazooka_penguin wrote: post #34
vgoh1 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand this argument. What does the population of the country have to do with anything? Shouldn't a country with a larger population have more power to make competitive advantages, and larger economies of scale, and therefore have an easier time?

More people to manage, more local governments with more layers of hierarchies and more bureaucracy overall and I've never heard of bureaucracies scaling well

If this were the case, Switzerland should be tremendously bad off. They have a ton of bureaucracy and are even more federalist than the U.S.

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#63

Post by mullen »

lostgame wrote: post #28
kthejoker2 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't downvote you, but I see no data, only anecdotes, poor forms of argumentation ("most of us ..."), and outright mistruths (your health care is in no way, shape, or form "free") ... and HN tends to downvote this sort of content.

How is USA health care not being free untrue? Furthermore, I actually had to search, you're putting words in my mouth and misquoting me, there - I never, ever, said, anything along the lines 'in no way, shape or form is it free'. I'm aware of insurance, I lived there, I'm not dumb, and I don't appreciate people misquoting me, or putting words in my mouth, thanks. I lived there, I would know...that's not something I t…

> ICE is one of the biggest crimes against humanity that is still ongoing.

It's hard to take you seriously when you say stuff like this. Kids in cages is bad but pick up a history book and you will find much much much worse. I can point to number events going on right now or recent memory that are worse.

> I hear horror stories every other day.

No, you don't. Stop being Miss Hyperbole and people will take you seriously.

Also, Health Care is NEVER free since you pay for it one way or another.

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#64

Post by hash872 »

ben_w wrote: post #17
product50 wrote: post #3

And then you realize that the population of Canada is 10% of US. Canada should be compared to the Nordic countries vs. US in terms of quality of life etc.

Why should population size be important? I know tiny sample sizes can produce curious results by luck, but I don’t buy that applying to multi-million populations. It seems to me that the difference is worth understanding.

I think the standard explanation is that a huge country like the US lacks the social cohesion necessary to pay higher tax rates in exchange for social programs that benefit everyone. Like, I believe Sweden's population is about 10 million- much easier to have the social 'glue' for 'let's all agree to pay very high tax rates, and we'll all get collective social programs with it!' Versus the US at over 300 million people, you don't feel as connected to the other folks who would presumably be benefiting, and it's tougher to get a 'we're all in this together' mentality. Think of the difference in social cohesion between a small town and a huge city.

Like, I'm an American and I've literally never even been to most red states, never been to Texas, don't really know anyone from any of those areas of the country, etc. I don't feel a lot of connection with them.

Then there's, frankly, the racial angle. Most of the Nordic countries have traditionally been pretty ethnically homogeneous, which helps the social cohesion/let's all chip in for government programs together mentality. The US is of course not, and racial fears about 'those people' getting unearned benefits is a HUGE part of the American story.

Basically, the US is the most right-wing of the developed countries, and we tend to have bell-shaped unequal systems where a small % live very well and a larger % are below European standards. Healthcare is like the best example of this.

I've also heard a little talk that our political system is more amenable to lobbying by corporations than a parliamentary system, but I don't know enough about that argument to really advance it

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#65

Post by lostgame »

sysbin wrote: post #45

Canada is tremendously better than the USA if you're young (18 to 30 years old). I had the shittiest life in the USA, was born in Canada but parents moved to USA and when I was seven years old; parents were lower-middle class for context. I've only managed to move back to Canada a few years ago and I wish I never would go to the USA ever again if I could live life over. Canada has free healthcare and I'm a transgende…

I...I can't believe people are downvoting stuff like this.

We're virtually in the same position - I am also transgender, and would have to pay hundreds of dollars for HRT if I was down there, alone.

There are unfortunately a lot more biased, seemingly pious individuals here, who are just downvoting these kinds of comments without even providing proper criticism.

That's what 'patriotism' gives you. Amurrrica!

I've even had folks directly misquote me and put words in my mouth to argue with me. I've never even seen that on HN.

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#66

Post by refurb »

Mikeb85 wrote: post #48
amadeuspagel wrote: post #37

Doesn't account for immigration. The US has lots of poor immigrants, which drives the median down.

Canada's immigration rate (of legal immigrants) is higher than the US'. We take in nearly twice as many immigrants as the US, relative to our population.

Yes, but much of Canada's immigration is points based - i.e. you get well educated, employable people. The vast majority of US immigration is family based where your elderly grandmother from back home can come and live in the US.

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#67

Post by Mikeb85 »

AstralStorm wrote: post #58
lgeorget wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is a loan deemed not risky by the bank necessarily not risky for the loaner? (That's a genuine question, I have no clue)

No. Banks have a much higher risk threshold and can repossession you. They are diversified, have qualified financial staff (mostly) and more. Neutral side is generally considered "best effort" in the axis.

That ignores the fact that the government regulates what kind of loans banks can make to individuals.

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#68

Post by drak0n1c »

Mikeb85 wrote: post #48
amadeuspagel wrote: post #37

Doesn't account for immigration. The US has lots of poor immigrants, which drives the median down.

Canada's immigration rate (of legal immigrants) is higher than the US'. We take in nearly twice as many immigrants as the US, relative to our population.

Canada is known for being very accepting of middle class and educated or skilled immigrants. Poor immigrants (which is what the original comment was specifying) not so much, and Canada's border enforcement is more effective than that of the US.

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#69

Post by refurb »

zht wrote: post #33
anaphor wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A huge chunk of our economy is real-estate and finance[1], so that's not too surprising. Everyone thinks the path to getting rich is to buy houses / condos. They're in for a nasty surprise I think. It's never a good idea to go crazy leveraging debt. When you combine that with all of the insane student loan debt people go into (I know someone on their 4th university degree!), then it's a recipe for disaster. https://w…

4 university degrees is probably cheaper than 1 private school degree from the US

Why would you compare a public Canadian university to a private US college?

Why not compare public to public?

Re: Most Canadians Are Now Better Off Than Most Americans

#70

Post by Mikeb85 »

lgeorget wrote: post #51
Mikeb85 wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't say it's that precarious. Interest rates are near all-time lows and banks here are risk-averse, meaning they don't give out risky loans. Edit - also secured loans are less risky than unsecured loans. Your article includes housing in 'debt'.

Is a loan deemed not risky by the bank necessarily not risky for the loaner? (That's a genuine question, I have no clue)

Yes, mostly. The government regulates what kind of loans banks can make to individuals.
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