Mexico Amazes Yet Again.....

[gimmethesimplelife]

Registration in Mexico began this April 13th for Mexico's upcoming Universal Health Care for ALL MEXICAN CITIZENS starting January 1st, 2027. Looks like I've been right about Mexico all these years - irregardless of it's many challenges, Mexico will soon be providing all it's citizens with guaranteed health care, something that lives as US citizens are not worth. Beyond this, for those who believe in some measure of equality, Mexico (even with it's fabled machismo) has a woman as President, and not only that, she has (or at least recently had) the highest approval ratings of any politician in the world. This is a politician astute enough to fly in Economy Class on commercial airlines when engaged in State Business (no need for a Qatari plane for this politician!).

I just have to say that one perk of the Trump Era for me has been watching both Mexico and Canada find their agency and kick the US to the curb and rise in stature in the world, moving beyond engagement with the United States. I also am grateful to see Mexico doing better - in my lifetime I believe the day will come when Mexico and the United States are economically equal and then Mexico will be the undisputed better deal as human life is worth socialized medicine there. I so look forward to this day! Given rising prices and no wage increases within ten years perhaps?

Anyone else taking pleasure in the rise of Mexico and Canada? Rob

[frugal-one]

You really should leave the US. You are very ungrateful for the things you HAVE received from this country!

[gimmethesimplelife]

You really should leave the US. You are very ungrateful for the things you HAVE received from this country!

I don't mean snark here, truly I don't. I don't see (personally) a given society as very much worth my time, energy and presence if it is not competitive with what I can get in other countries. I know a way to explain this, non-politically, that might make this make sense. In a way, consider me a job hopper looking for better wages/benefits/better something else in a corporate setting - but transfer this mentality to citizenship/tax rate in a given country/what's in it for me and society as a whole at this tax rate.

Does this make any sense to any one? If one can see it this way, politics and any kind of national loyalty/identity can be transcended for the best deal for yourself. I see this as Capitalism 101 personally and Conservatives - at least in theory - should be applauding my adoption of such cold blooded capitalistic thinking. Only interesting thing is, such folks never factored in that what they believe in is also not above reproach and is completely vulnerable to comparison shopping. Rob

[bae]

Anyone else taking pleasure in the rise of Mexico and Canada? Rob

I was a bit saddened by a recent several-week-long trip to Canada. I visited about 6 rural fire districts in BC, talked with their Chiefs, looked over their trucks (I'm in the process of buying 7+ new trucks for my own agency, ~$1.5 million each), got tours of their local medical facilities, etc. etc.

Most of the departments had really wonderful equipment, all made in the USA. Every single Chief told me they were moving away from the USA as a supplier of this sort of equipment - trucks, spare parts, medical gear, and so on. They are turning to Europe, and to starting up native Canadian industries to provide the gear. Sad for us.

Also, their medical facilities were quite nice, compared to what is available in rural areas of America.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I was a bit saddened by a recent several-week-long trip to Canada. I visited about 6 rural fire districts in BC, talked with their Chiefs, looked over their trucks (I'm in the process of buying 7+ new trucks for my own agency, ~$1.5 million each), got tours of their local medical facilities, etc. etc.

Most of the departments had really wonderful equipment, all made in the USA. Every single Chief told me they were moving away from the USA as a supplier of this sort of equipment - trucks, spare parts, medical gear, and so on. They are turning to Europe, and to starting up native Canadian industries to provide the gear. Sad for us.

Also, their medical facilities were quite nice, compared to what is available in rural areas of America.

Bae, I don't know that I can compare the two (Canadian rural health care with Mexican rural health care) but I will say - and I know this is not representative of all of Mexico, let me state that here and now - that I have been to a Mexican clinic in Los Algodones and it was not the nicest clinic I've ever been to but was perfectly acceptable. I am however aware that rural Mexico is health care facility challenged - something Claudia Scheinbaum actually seems to be addressing.

Also, did you hear the Canada might be joining the EU? I understand that Finland's leaders have proposed this and from what I have read online, Canada is considering. I think Canada is very smart to prioritize new alliances and to minimize trade with a country that has so cold bloodedly and no for real reason turned on it so spectacularly. I'd call that common sense. I feel bad for Bellingham, Washington - a place I almost moved to in 1996 after I sold up in Portland - I'm glad now that it didn't work out and that I moved back to Arizona, but who saw the decimation of border cities such as Bellingham 30 years ago? I just got lucky on this one. Rob

[bae]

Also, did you hear the Canada might be joining the EU?

Not a bad move, in theory. In practice, I'm wondering how the UK and Canada would work out one of them being EU and the other...foolishly not.

The Canadian stores I visited, in particular the grocery stores, had lots of signage up indicating proudly which goods on the shelves were Canadian-made, and which were from other friendly countries. US products were...generally lacking. The sense I got was that the Canadians have moved on from any cozy relationship with the US, and view us as unreliable and possibly hostile.

Canadian tourist areas were jam-packed with Canadian tourists. Talking to them, many indicated they would have gone to the US for vacation previously, but were motivated by the current situation to vacation within Canada - a good choice, the weather and beaches were amazing when I was there.

In conversations, they didn't seem to express any antipathy towards Americans in general, and seemed very welcoming. The areas I was in rely a lot on US-based tourism, which has dried up a bit - they seemed happy to have me there.

I feel bad for Bellingham, Washington - a place I almost moved to in 1996 after I sold up in Portland - I'm glad now that it didn't work out and that I moved back to Arizona, but who saw the decimation of border cities such as Bellingham 30 years ago? I just got lucky on this one. Rob

Well, I wouldn't remotely characterize Bellingham as "decimated"... There has been a decline in sales/tourism associated with Canadian visitors, but it's a few percent in most sectors, not decimation. A problem I have observed is in Blaine, by the Peace Arch -staffing and procedure games by the various border agencies have sometimes recently caused absurd backups and delays, to the point where my partner and I are hesitant to simply drive up to Vancouver for lunch or dinner, because things are unpredictable.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Not a bad move, in theory. In practice, I'm wondering how the UK and Canada would work out one of them being EU and the other...foolishly not.

The Canadian stores I visited, in particular the grocery stores, had lots of signage up indicating proudly which goods on the shelves were Canadian-made, and which were from other friendly countries. US products were...generally lacking. The sense I got was that the Canadians have moved on from any cozy relationship with the US, and view us as unreliable and possibly hostile.

Canadian tourist areas were jam-packed with Canadian tourists. Talking to them, many indicated they would have gone to the US for vacation previously, but were motivated by the current situation to vacation within Canada - a good choice, the weather and beaches were amazing when I was there.

In conversations, they didn't seem to express any antipathy towards Americans in general, and seemed very welcoming. The areas I was in rely a lot on US-based tourism, which has dried up a bit - they seemed happy to have me there.



Well, I wouldn't remotely characterize Bellingham as "decimated"... There has been a decline in sales/tourism associated with Canadian visitors, but it's a few percent in most sectors, not decimation. A problem I have observed is in Blaine, by the Peace Arch -staffing and procedure games by the various border agencies have sometimes recently caused absurd backups and delays, to the point where my partner and I are hesitant to simply drive up to Vancouver for lunch or dinner, because things are unpredictable.

Bae, I understand that there have been numerous layoffs in Bellingham in hotels, restaurants, and retail stores, due to much lower Canadian visitation. I've heard that the only solution for some is to pack up and leave - I consider this decimation of lives, if nothing else, especially since none of this had to happen and had the other candidate been elected, we would not be having this online conversation.

So maybe decimation is a bit strong. But for lower end employees working in retail or hospitality dependent on Canadian visitation - for those in Bellingham, would it be too far off to consider this life decimation - at least temporarily - for such folks? And completely unnecessary decimation if I may be so bold as to be real. And what of the much lower sales tax receipts in Whatcom County and the upcoming consequences of such? And the fact that any turnaround is likely some unknown time off in the distance? Rob

PS Came back to add that Nogales, Arizona has the same problem. ICE agents are now stationed at the Dennis DeConcini and Morley and Mariposa ports, both for auto lanes and pedestrians, hassling some about to enter Mexico and ignoring others. This new development has led to even lower sales to Mexican nationals in Santa Cruz County (the tiny Arizona County that Nogales is the County Seat of). Nogales has been hurting for some time (dates back pre Trump to be honest) but having ICE interrogating some about to cross into Mexico has made things worse as far as business sales and sales tax reciepts in Santa Cruz County. And for what gain? Rob

[bae]

Well, all I know about Bellingham comes from living right next to it, spending time there, etc. etc. I can see it with my naked eyes from here. (I spent about $46k there just this Saturday.)

Whatcom County is down about 2% in sales tax revenues. (I just negotiated some mutual-aid arrangements with agencies in that county, and have some familiarity with their finances.). Again, not the doom-and-gloom you portray. The biggest problem Bellingham faces at the moment is the severe housing affordability crisis. (This is a widespread region in the several counties nearby)

[gimmethesimplelife]

Well, all I know about Bellingham comes from living right next to it, spending time there, etc. etc. I can see it with my naked eyes from here. (I spent about $46k there just this Saturday.)

Whatcom County is down about 2% in sales tax revenues. (I just negotiated some mutual-aid arrangements with agencies in that county, and have some familiarity with their finances.). Again, not the doom-and-gloom you portray. The biggest problem Bellingham faces at the moment is the severe housing affordability crisis. (This is a widespread region in the several counties nearby)

I've heard it's worse than what you are portraying, but it is true that I have not seen it with my own eyes. Granted and given. Nogales, Arizona and it's issues I HAVE seen with my own eyes - though I have not heard that ICE is hassling Americans about to enter Canada. Hopefully that's limited to Nogales, AZ? Rob

[frugal-one]

I don't mean snark here, truly I don't. I don't see (personally) a given society as very much worth my time, energy and presence if it is not competitive with what I can get in other countries. I know a way to explain this, non-politically, that might make this make sense. In a way, consider me a job hopper looking for better wages/benefits/better something else in a corporate setting - but transfer this mentality to citizenship/tax rate in a given country/what's in it for me and society as a whole at this tax rate.

Does this make any sense to any one? If one can see it this way, politics and any kind of national loyalty/identity can be transcended for the best deal for yourself. I see this as Capitalism 101 personally and Conservatives - at least in theory - should be applauding my adoption of such cold blooded capitalistic thinking. Only interesting thing is, such folks never factored in that what they believe in is also not above reproach and is completely vulnerable to comparison shopping. Rob

So when are you leaving?