A North American Union?

[Psychic Octopus]

I have been hearing much about this, combining The US, Canada, and Mexico into a European-Union like entity, like as an extension of NAFTA. It'd have a new currency, a "Superhighway" and everything.


What do you people in Atlasia think about the idea? I cannot say I am for it or oppossed to it.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

[Franzl]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

any reason why?

I don't necessarily support it...but what's your reasoning?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

any reason why?

I don't necessarily support it...but what's your reasoning?

It sounds like a gigantic, xenophobic conspiracy theory to me.  I've never heard it discussed by a reputable source; always by some lunatic fringe radio host.

[Franzl]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

any reason why?

I don't necessarily support it...but what's your reasoning?

It sounds like a gigantic, xenophobic conspiracy theory to me.  I've never heard it discussed by a reputable source; always by some lunatic fringe radio host.

do you believe the European Union is a "xenophobic conspiracy theory"?

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

any reason why?

I don't necessarily support it...but what's your reasoning?

It sounds like a gigantic, xenophobic conspiracy theory to me.  I've never heard it discussed by a reputable source; always by some lunatic fringe radio host.

do you believe the European Union is a "xenophobic conspiracy theory"?

No, of course not.  I'm talking more about the way people describe it.

[Franzl]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

any reason why?

I don't necessarily support it...but what's your reasoning?

It sounds like a gigantic, xenophobic conspiracy theory to me.  I've never heard it discussed by a reputable source; always by some lunatic fringe radio host.

do you believe the European Union is a "xenophobic conspiracy theory"?

No, of course not.  I'm talking more about the way people describe it.

well, ok, but what makes people idiots then that consider a North American Union?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The problem is that since the United States of America is more than twice the heft of Canada and Mexico combined in both population and economic might, then an EU-style system would effectively be a transfer of control in Canada and Mexico to the United States.  That's not going to happen.  That's not even counting the language and economic disparity between Mexico and the other two members.  That said, a Pan-American Union would have a chance of progressing beyond a free trade pact, but not anytime soon.  It would need both Mexico and Brazil to advance to something closer to the United States in economic development that they currently are for it to have a chance.

[RI]

If it truly was a political and economic merger ala the EU, with open borders in every way, then I could support this.

If there are still border checkpoints and no political blending, then I definitely would not.

[Keystone Phil]

Yeah, it seems like something conspirarcy theorists love to think is true. I have one as a friend and he's been on a kick about it recently.

If this was to somehow happen, I'd be very strongly opposed. I dislike the EU's overreaching ways so I'd certainly hate something like this even more if I had to deal with it at home.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

As a Republican staffer in Texas, let me assure you this is the subject of many a wignuts attention.

[k-onmmunist]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

Just like the EU then.

[The Mikado]

I wouldn't be opposed to (note that "wouldn't be opposed to" does not mean "support") closer union with Canada, including things like open(-ish) borders, common passports, and a common currency.  Things would have to be much slower and more gradual with our neighbors to the south.

[dead0man]

If Canada or Mexico (or parts of them) want to join the US, that's cool.  If we all want to have even freer trade or they want to use our money, it's all good.

If there is going to be some "federation" that takes any of our sovereignty away, well that would be wrong.

[ag]

If Canada or Mexico (or parts of them) want to join the US, that's cool. 

About 0.001% of the population of either country, probably, does. Roughly the same proportion wants to join Martians in their conquest of Jupiter.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It's an idiotic idea talked about by idiotic nuts.

Just like the EU then.

I was talking more about how people on the radio claim we're going to join Canada and Mexico and lose our freedoms.

[Lief 🗽]

Canada and the United States should share a common currency and have open borders. I don't care what they call it.

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Kevin Rudd a while ago proposed a similar idea during a session of Parliament, however, like a vast majority of his proposals, such as taking Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to court due to his anti-semetic remarks, likewise with the Japanese due to breaching Australia law because of their whaling policies, nothing ever eventuated. Its a shame as its one of few Ruddite policies I actually supported.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

If this means that Mexico gets some real labor and environmental standards, and Mexicans aren't just used to cheapen labor costs, and that Americans can buy Canadian prescription drugs, and that California is allowed to ban chemicals without being sued by Canadians, and vice versa, then sure, I'm all for it.

Obviously it would work better with just Canada, it's really more of a question of how the thing is worded than anything else.

[MaxQue]

Canada and the United States should share a common currency and have open borders. I don't care what they call it.

We don't want your afwul money who loses his value.

[ag]

If this means that Mexico gets some real labor and environmental standards, and Mexicans aren't just used to cheapen labor costs, and that Americans can buy Canadian prescription drugs, and that California is allowed to ban chemicals without being sued by Canadians, and vice versa, then sure, I'm all for it.

Obviously it would work better with just Canada, it's really more of a question of how the thing is worded than anything else.

Mexico does have some pretty real environmental (try driving your US-registered car in Mexico City on the "wrong" day and see what happens) and labor  (hey, the unions here are, probably, stronger than in the US) standards. However, if what you have in mind is same standards as in the US, as in same minimal wage, same pension regulations, etc., etc. - that would just mean that tens of millions of newly unemployed Mexicans overnight move accross the newly open border in search of employment (or, if you don't open the border, it would mean a sharp reduction of the legal Mexican economy: zillions of people would go underground, loosing whatever access they have to, say, Mexican social security).

[justfollowingtheelections]

This would hurt Canada and Mexico immensely and benefit the US.  Which is really funny because it's right-wing Americans (U.S. citizens) that fear this the most.

[tik 🪀✨]

Canada would need a pretty epic disaster to look to join the US. Most of Canada's identity is tied to the fact that it's not its southern neighbour. And Mexico may stand to gain from such a pact, but the US would absorb a keg of carnivorous worms. It's too unstable too often to be much of an asset in my misguided opinion.

There's also the added conundrum of Canada being a part of the British Commonwealth. I wonder how that historical connection would complicate matters, if at all.