From the Outside In

We've arrived in more ways than one actually.  It's certainly true that we have arrived here in Canada but that was back in March.  Really what I meant was that we've arrived on the web.  I haven't had a personal page in a while but events in the world compel me to raise my voice along with those others willing to stand and be counted.

Stay tuned as we use our new virtual spot on the web to comment on life, the universe, and everything.  Well, perhaps not everything, but everything important to two Americans living in Victoria, anyway.  One of the most interesting things to me is how alike the Canadian and American cultures are (at least in British Columbia).  They are alike enough that it is terribly deceptive.  One is tempted to assume they are identical.  People here speak English.  I can plug my razor into the wall without an adapter.  I can read the street signs.  I know how to dial a phone number.  It all seems so... well... American.  My own observation, though, is that under the covers there are some subtle but important differences that I'm still sorting through.

Stay tuned as we muddle our way through a Canadian existence.

Oh yes, and thanks, Canada, for having us.  We hope to be good guests.

~Jeff & Carol.

 One of the ways I have "woken up" is by seeing the actual size of what's going on.  Try this one for size...

The average Bush tax cut in 2011 for a taxpayer in the richest one percent is greater than the average income of the other 99 percent ($66,384 compared to $58,506).

Yes, that's right.  We have decided to give our nations highest earners a bonus check larger than the entire income of a normal person.  Even worse, when we say "we are giving" let's be clear who exactly "we" is.... that's me... and you... and anyone else who's not in the top 1% income bracket.  So if you made less than around 300k this year the rich would like to thank you for your charitable contribution.

This is part 1 of a series.  We have not had any serious problems yet (knock wood) so this cannot be considered a comprehensive view of anything.  But even this early into our journey I'm prepared to state unequivocally that America has it wrong... very, very wrong.

Back when we lived in the states I'd heard a lot of things about the Canadian medical system.  The opinions I heard were very ambivalent -- either it was the salvation for all the world's problems or else Canadians were dying in heaps outside of hospitals too full to take them.  Predictably, the truth is much more complex than that.  Since it's obviously true that the American system is deeply flawed I had a great deal of interest in experiencing the Canadian system for real as a person living with its upsides and downsides both.