Canadians have their own political problems
Re Guy Camerlain letter Sunday on recycling and other topics:
It was nice to see that Mr. Camerlain of Quebec voiced his opinions on Myrtle Beach and our country. As a Vermont resident, I frequently visit Quebec and other parts of our friendly neighbor to the north. Therefore, as with Mr. Camerlain, I feel free to voice my own opinions.
▪ Canada is a socialistic country in which they do not allow their citizens to protect themselves. Personal protection devices such as handguns, pepper spray and other devices are strictly prohibited.
▪ They have socialized health care by which people have to often wait long periods to see a doctor and for medical procedures. Patients have died waiting for treatment in emergency rooms. All of my physicians and dentists in Vermont are Canadians who prefer to practice in the U.S. Canadians will lose their health care if they are out of the country for more than six months and must have additional insurance.
▪ The tax rate on goods and services is 15 percent. This, along with high prices, discourages tourism. Much of the goods, production and services are governed by federations which set prices and how much they can produce.
▪ Quebec is officially a French-speaking-only province. There are two segregated school systems – one for French and one for Anglo-speaking people (we stopped school segregation decades ago). People who cannot speak good French in Quebec are excluded from provincial government employment.
▪ Canada has elected Justin Trudeau as prime minister. He is a liberal, inexperienced, weak leader whose claim to fame is the fact that his father was Pierre Trudeau.
▪ Canadians are good people but they must realize that they have given up many freedoms to become a nanny state. Instead of giving opinions of other places, they would be better served by an introspective look to see how they can stop being enslaved by their political system.
While being far from perfect, we must remember that the U.S. is unique in being the only free country in the world. I hope that we can stay that way.
The writer lives in Murrells Inlet and Vermont.
This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 10:30 PM with the headline "Canadians have their own political problems."