Answering the call of Canada

Re “Red-Zone Blues? North, Americans!,” by Robin Abcarian, Dec. 10: President Bush better act quickly to close the borders between the U.S. and Canada, or he might find his evil empire toppling.

What if U.S. citizens become contaminated by Canadian policies? Americans might decide that they want to live in a peaceful nation that provides governmental health care for all, affordable housing, has no soldiers in Iraq, no death penalty and -- oh, my God -- Legal. Gay. Marriage.

When Americans stop being afraid of the world, they may realize that the real threat to our well-being is the Bush administration.

Nancy Chand

Culver City

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The federal government should provide free bus transportation for these mentally deficient Americans from their hometowns to the Canadian border.

As they surrender their passports at the border and formally reject their U.S. citizenship, they should be permitted to cross into Canada on foot to seek asylum. Oh! Rejecting citizenship also means giving up Social Security benefits, but nothing’s free, eh?

Bill Gourlay

Westlake Village

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I am just as upset with the course this country is on under George W. Bush as the Oregonian who has decided to pack it up and move to Canada. Though I fully appreciate the temptation to move away, what a mistake it would be to leave! I plan to stay firmly planted here, to strengthen my resolve and to work for this country along with the other half of the population who think the way I do.

Thank goodness, Bush can have only eight years, four of which are already gone. We who care about social and environmental justice must stay for the long haul.

Gloria D. Sefton

Trabuco Canyon

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As an expat Canadian (and U.S. citizen) living in the United States, I would just like to warn any American who wants to move north that Canada is not the paradise that everyone seems to think it is.

There are millions of Canadians living and working in the U.S. right now. The company I work for employs hundreds of Canadians.

Ask any one of these expatriates why they are in the U.S. and you will get one answer: employment.

Employment prospects north of the border are poorer, much poorer, than in the U.S. The amount of opportunity in Canada simply does not compare with that in the U.S. Add to that tax rates that approach 50% of income in some places.

Do your homework before making any move.

James Vincett

Riverside