My history must be incorrect...

[Nickathome]

Lifer;

No, I am not offended at what you wrote. I agree with all you say, and realize our healthcare system has its faults. I just don't like it when foreigners talk trash about how great their countries are, or how great their systems are, and how much ours sucks, etc. I have issues when someone trashes the U.S.A in any form however how benign in their presentation.......Hey maybe Canada has a great system ,that's wonderful. However it won't sway my opinion that we live in the greatest country on the planet. No place is perfect, and anyone who thinks it's better someplace else can move out, I'll even help them pack!

Nick, while my comments may have been critical of your healthcare system, they were in no way "trashing" to your country. I can appreciate and respect your civic pride, but it makes you ignorant when it closes your mind off to the possiblitiy of a better system or new idea's.

I too have issues with people bashing my country - benign comments or outright. This isn't a singular thought however, as anyone living in the Western world would have the same issue no matter what country they live in. While we Canadians might be a little more reserved than you fine folks to the south, we do have our national pride and patriotism, and if that is offensive to you, then so be it. Thats your problem to deal with.

We both live in the two greatest country's on earth, and I firmly belive that neither one is better than the other from my perspective. I'm sure that if you were to ask any immigrant, or refugee which place they would rather live, you would find the decision split about 50/50 between us. Our two societys are so intertwined that they are virtually impossible to separate, and the proof is in the worlds longest undefended border between us. Geography might make me a foreigner, but culturally I might as well live next door.

And FYI - I went down my local gun shop yesterday, and surprisingly enough, I can legally own an assault riffle, and handguns too! I've a few more hoops to jump through to get them, but the fact remains I can legally own one, or both or multiples of each - just like you. Now if the real world developed a Hollywood theme and suddenly filled with zombies, I might have a use for one or the other, but for the moment, I'll leave them on the shelf.

I guess I can't argue with you here! You are correct. However I wouldn't go so far as to say I am ignorant of other systems. I am aware that other countries may have better systems, I just can't do anything about them.

I will admit that I thought it was illegal in your country to own assault weapons. I guess I was wrong. I got you mixed up with New Jersey!

[Master Yota]

Nick, I'm sorry to have suggested that you may be ignorant - poor choice of words on my part, that wasn't the intent - I was infering people in general.

As for being unable to do anything about other systems, thats cutting yourself short. We both live in a free and democratic society that loves to tout the power of "ONE". Anything can be accomplished if one person has the mindset to do it. And then the story will be made into a Hallmark movie....

Gary - I've always found that the most spirited debates are usually the most enlightening and entertaining! We are all passionate about who we are, where we come from, and what we love to do. Its from the sharing of those ideas that generates the friction that keeps life interesting. It would be a pretty boring existence if we were all identical.

As for New Jersey, thats a whole'nother topic...