It would be in Michigan's economic interest to secede from the Union & join Canada

[Bucky]

On the plus side, Canada is better prepared to develop a green-focused industrial policy that would revitalize Michigan's auto industry.

Con: the move might trigger a trade war, or a war war, with the United States

Pro: Michiganders (do they really call themselves that?) will enjoy a better healthcare system.

Con: Jennifer Granholm's winning of US citizenship would then have proven a waste of time

Pro: Jennifer Granholm would be considered the new Sam Houston



Give me one pro & one con for this suggestion.

[Uben]

1. Okay

pro: we would be rid of the sycophant auto companies

con: we would have to replace all the flags with ones that have only 49 stars

[Greyhound]

3. Puerto Rico could take their place

It might start a trend.

Either of these could be either pro or con.

[Romulox]

14. I think you need to look up the word "sycophant". nt

[Uben]

16. I may not understand the word completely

But, I do think the auto industry officials are sucking up to congress in order to win their favor. I coulda just used the word suck-ass. It would probably have been better.

[amandabeech]

21. As a ex-pat Michigoose, it would be fine if you sent us all your auto-

related manufacturing.

We have plenty of brownfields where we could build new buildings and install the equipment.

Automakers love to put plants in Canada where health care is taken care of.

Those plants could be retooled to make any number of items, like they were during WWII.

It sounds like a great deal to me.

I already know most of the words to "Oh! Canada" anyway, eh?

[sufrommich]

2. Con: best American hockey team leaves US. Pro:

multi colored paper money and Loonies!

[amandabeech]

22. Yeah, but the National Hockey League plays in both the U.S. and Canada.

You'd get your share of Wing games anyway.

Canada would get a decent basketball team.

And the Detroit Lions could convert to Canadian Football. Maybe they'd be competitive finally.

The bigger problem would be the college sports teams. Would it really be the Big 10 without the Wolverines and the Spartans? As a U-M grad, I'd still like to beat up on Ohio State whenever possible. Not this year, though!

[SidDithers]

25. If the Lions can't get first downs using 4 downs...

what makes you think they can do it using only 3? :)

Sid

[navarth]

4. Being frome Detroit....

I'm part Canadian anyway, eh!

[wuushew]

5. I don't see why we should limit this offer just to Michigan

All states not part of Jesusland would have much to offer our friendly northern neighbor.

[bobbolink]

19. That was my thought. Why not Colorado??? It would be in our best interest, too.

And give Canada some great ski areas! :evilgrin:

[Oregone]

20. Much to offer?

I don't know about this to be honest, without trying to be insulting. You know, Canada isn't giving free land away anymore to immigrants. Rather, they now have the toughest immigration standards in the world. The country is incredibly selective, and something like this would give them the biggest influx of "unskilled workers" (according to their standards) that they have ever seen.

Bigger isn't always better. It can lead to greater market fluctuations and economic instability, and can be tougher to manage. Especially if the infrastructure of what they take in requires massive investments and is under par as is. If a state were to secede, wouldn't they want to first test managing their own politics, government, affairs rather than being subjected to yet another rule (which they would be massively unrepresented within in terms of the government)? I don't think it is in anyone's interest to see this happen. Cascadia? Perhaps...but trying to join a country that they may or may not be compatible with, it seems like a stretch.

[pampango]

33. But it raises the question of who is joining whom. If the Northeast, MidWest and High Plains

states all joined Canada, they would outnumber the original Canadians. In that case, who is absorbing whom? :)

[Mari333]

6. Michigander here

and I would love to secede and become part of Canada...how delightful that would be!!! the beer would certainly be better.

[nebenaube]

11. now, now... there's nothing wrong with Bell's Two hearted...

Take us in WI with you or surrender the U.P eh?

[jaksavage]

7. don't forget

Oregon and Washington
Cascadia!!!!

[Oregone]

8. Im not sure why Canada would accept them.

To be honest, 90%+ of the population there probably doesn't meet Canada's current immigration criteria. Canada already has its hands full with Ontario, and the mess the auto-industry left there. Why would they be willing to burden themselves with Michigan. Seems like a silly thought.

[FarCenter]

9. Since Detroit is north of Ontario, why not?

[BlueJazz]

10. I think the USA should just attack Canada and steal their Health-Care System..

..their patronage of the Arts, their "Non-Redneck-ness" and all the best of Canada.

[Bucky]

23. Plan B: invade them and force them to take Bill Shatner back

[JVS]

12. Is Canada going to give them $25 Billion?

[Uben]

17. And a big AMEN to that!

We think alike!

[Oregone]

18. Well, this scenario will never happen, but Canada is actually going to aid the Big 3

Canada *seems* to be more willing to provide proportional aid to the Big 3 than the US. The automakers are requesting $6 to $7.2 billion from the Canadian government.

"The Conservatives are unlikely to face opposition to an auto bailout from the three parties that sought to unseat Prime Minister Stephen Harper this week. The Liberals and New Democrats - supported by the Bloc Quebecois - had pledged to provide assistance to the manufacturing sector, including the auto industry, if their coalition had succeeded."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081206.RAUTOS06/TPStory/

[Romulox]

13. I would gladly become a part of Canada. In. A. Heartbeat. nt

[roamer65]

15. Secession would be a great idea to protect the Great Lakes

...and English Canada would accept MI to offset the political power of Quebec.

[KamaAina]

24. Why would they trade Obama for Harper?!

I know, I know, they might be able to get rid of his sorry ass in a couple of months (because the little weasel suspended Parliament rather than face a no-confidence vote!), but still...

[noonwitch]

26. No, it wouldn't be great for Michigan.

For one thing, the same slump our auto companies are in is also present in Canada. Another is that socialized medicine appears to be a great thing, but it also has its downside, mainly, that other people who don't even know you make decisions about your treatment without asking you or your doctor.

[rockymountaindem]

31. No, they don't

In Canada, you and your doctor make decisions about your treatment and then just bill the government. All the government does is set the reimbursement rate... much like our privately owned insurance companies do but without taking a huge chunk for executive salaries and advertising.

[laundry_queen]

32. Totally false.

No one makes the medical decisions except you and your doctor. The government only acts as a payer - it sets fees and pays them. That's it. The whole 'the government makes your health decisions' meme is completely bunk, total propaganda against universal health care.

[knitter4democracy]

27. Yes, we really call ourselves that.

Michigander goes back to President Lincoln, thank you very much, so that's what I proudly call myself.

There's always talk here of seceeding, as we have more in common with Canada than most of the rest of the US, but it'll never happen.

[leftofthedial]

28. Considering the Tigers and the Red Wings,

it would probably good for everyone.

[European Socialist]

29. Take off.

[yardwork]

30. Northern Michigan has been saying this for a long time, along with parts of WI and MN.