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The Sandbox Political Topics
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From NYT:

They’re in a US state of mind.

Some Canadians are thrilled with President Trump’s pledge to make the Great White North the 51st state in the union — and are eager to pledge their allegiance.

“We want to be the 51st star on the flag,” declared Albertan Peter Downing, who was “over the moon” when Trump first suggested the move in a November meeting with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago.

“He’s the man and we want to be a part of that,” Downing said of the US President. “We’re totally pumped about this.”

Peter Downing at work stating at the camera in a red uniform with neon vest and name tag4

Peter Downing, who works in the Alberta oil field, is the man behind the billboards urging to join the US.Courtesy Peter Downing

Shawn Harvey of Alberta said Canada didn’t have his province’s best interests at heart.

“I’m not a proud Canadian, I’m a proud Albertan,” said Harvey, 52 who lost three back-to-back jobs as a truck driver in the oil and gas industry over the past 10 years.

“I feel more connected to the US,” he said.

Shawn Harvey, here wearing a team USA jersey, says he loves the idea of Alberta being the 51st US state.4

Shawn Harvey, here wearing a team USA jersey, says he loves the idea of Alberta being the 51st US state.Courtesy Shawn Harvey

Like Harvey, many “51st Staters” live in Canada’s western provinces – Alberta and Saskatchewan – the country’s two largest oil producers.

Alberta has long been nicknamed the ‘Texas of Canada’ because it’s oil rich and conservative. Under Trudeau, whose policies were widely viewed there as anti-oil and gas, the Alberta separatist movement — or ‘Wexit’ — gained steam.

Since Trump’s comments, billboards have sprung up across the province urging Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith, “Let’s join the USA.”

This picture of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith next to Trump at Mar-a-Lago has made its way to a highway billboard.Alberta, USA Statehood Movement/Facebook

Mobile ad campaigns have launched in Washington, DC, declaring, “Dear President Trump, we are ready to be the 51st state,” and new merchandise – including baseball caps with the US flag slapped over a map of Alberta — are letting these Canadians show their true colors.

Dennis Modry, a retired surgeon who chairs the provincial sovereignty advocacy group Alberta Prosperity Society, is helping arrange a trek to Washington, DC, next month to discuss the union with US officials.

“Where there would be a possibility for Trump to achieve his objective of Canada as a 51st state is in Alberta,” Modry said.

This is the mobile ad campaign that was sent to DC-area devices.Courtesy America Fund

Anti-Canada Canucks are also fed up with a federal policy they say is out of communist China called “equalization payments,” whereby richer provinces, such as Alberta, send money to the federal government to be redistributed to poorer provinces. Joining the US would mean lower taxes.

“It’s time for us to shine,” said Harvey.

For Alberta to secede from Canada or join the US, the province would have to hold referendum and obtain a majority in favor of the move.

What do you think?

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said Harvey, 52 who lost three back-to-back jobs as a truck driver in the oil and gas industry over the past 10 years.

I think these folks have the luxury of a vocal opinion without being constrained by either education or critical thinking skills.

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These guys are like the Canadian version of Florida man.

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Trump has not suggested individual provinces becoming states, which (if all joined) would be even more senators for what is now Canada.

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canadian provinces have, well, varying provincial identities. this story from alberta doesn’t surprise me.

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Is this an April Fool’s joke?

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If Trump could pick one province to join the US, it would probably be Alberta. It is oil rich and probably would elect Republican senators and mostly Republican congressmen.

I worry that Trump’s 51st state rhetoric is unduly encouraged by Canadians such as these. They represent a very small minority opinion on US union.

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On the map, it would add to the USA a giant middle finger.

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A couple of months old but I would doubt the percentages have increased. While Alberta leads it is still less than one in five.

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And they have someone to put them in the news for it. Cuz stupid people are like fires and car chases.

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The numbers make sense. Albertans, like Quebeckers, have relatively strong separatist leanings. That does not translate into wanting to become part of the US.

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Greenland is close by.

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I have a cousin who’s of this type of opinion. They have a giant ‘Fuck Trudeau’ sign on the back of their SUV, alongside another ‘we the fringe’ sticker.

Lemme tell you a bit more about them. They have four kids. They don’t keep the microwave plugged in, I don’t know why, I didn’t ask. They drink all day and all night, i.e. when they go camping, they get hammered everyday and the kids are free range.
She has no license or vehicle because of a DUI.
Last time I was down visiting, she was over with her kids. Was drinking while we were working. Then she wanted to go back home, because they didn’t have the right kind of beer at my sister’s place. So she borrowed her father’s car, drove with her daughter back to her house, had a beer I’m guessing, then drove back. Yes, no license because DUI, yes, after drinking all day, yes, with her daughter in the car.

When these people offer their opinion on politics, I’m beyond dismissive of them. I’m very confident that most of the other folks offering similiar opinions, have similiar backgrounds. They’re idiots.

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Greenland might consider becoming an autonomous territory of Canada if it wanted to join anyone after its independence from Denmark. The US would still be welcome to set up military bases in both Nunavut and Greenland to address its security concerns. Greenland has more in common with Nunavut than any part of the US.

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From Discworld:

“Vimes had once discussed the Ephebian idea of ‘democracy’ with Carrot, and had been rather interested in the idea that everyone had a vote until he found out that while he, Vimes, would have a vote, there was no way in the rules that anyone could prevent Nobby Nobbs from having one as well.”

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Meanwhile, I’m seeing one in 5 Americans would like their state to join Canada.

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And yet her vote counts just as much as yours.

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I’m aware that’s the case.

Just don’t write a whole article and discuss it like they’re bringing something if value to the conversation.

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Polling shows support for Canadians joining the US around 5% IIRC, the fact the OPs article doesn’t seem to mention that makes it sound like little more than propganda.

Next thing you know the US will throw passports at these guts to justify invading a la Georgia and Ukraine…

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If they can come up with $5 million in cash or other assets, maybe they can get one of those gold passports - but I’m guessing coming up with $50 would be more than enough of a challenge.

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