Exchange rate ripoff

I didn't write the article.

Most of the things I buy are made in China.

It's nice to be in Canada.

if the writer had bothered to research the economics involved instead of just talking to a "Consumers' Association" hack who obviously has an axe to grind. Calling for government protection, as he does is just lame. He just seems to want to portray Canadians as victims in need of protection.

But then, that justifies his "job", doesn't it.

I went to the bank (in Canada) and got American funds, purchased the card in US Funds,

Where does your argument go?

buying in US$$ would pay the C$$ equivalent and then get his change in C cents?

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My statement would not apply.

I looked at some cards I've had for 5 or more years.

Printed in the USA and from Hallmark and other card companies.

Cards (other than HallMark) had less of a difference between American and Canadian prices.

Years ago the exchange between American and Canadian currency was greater, yet the price difference between Hallmark American and Canadian prices has grown.

So, since the Canadian and American currency is getting closer. and cards from other American card companies did/do not have the large price differential between Canadian and American prices, the "duties and taxes" argument is not a factor.

Unless HallMark is paying duties and taxes other card companies aren't paying. And i doubt that.

Taxes/Duties are not included in the price which is shown on the back of the card. They are shown on the cash register receipt.

Get up, go to the bank, get US dollars.

Problem solved. The nefarious plot foiled. Healthy exercise. No government or consumer group action required.

In order to make that statement they are making a lot of assumptions.

All they can really be sure of is, how much income tax they pay.

TOTAL TAXES could include property taxes, sales taxes and many more taxes that are not obvious. Those taxes would depend on their lifestyle.

I saw a report that a person could earn approx $60,000 (dividend income/with no other income) and not pay any taxes.

Here is one that shows $49,000 The other (60,000 report ) was more detailed.

The following table shows how much can be earned in 2007 in actual eligible dividends before any taxes are payable, when there is no other income besides the eligible dividends. However, federal AMT applies at all levels of actual eligible dividends in excess of approximately $49,000, when there is no other income. Non-eligible dividends do not incur AMT at any level when they are the only income.

In Canada NO Federal income tax is paid on the first $8500 and NO provincial on approx the first 5500.

I think this is better for the "little guy"


in the US

What I was searching for was to respond to Terry's comment about health insurance. It is universal in your country, but is not "free". I assume it is paid for through tax programs.

I also brought up the homeless bit to illustrate to him that homelessness is a growing problem in all developed countries.

My state has the highest tax on food in the US. 8.35%. The legislature just voted to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 40 cents. That money will be used for education and to fund hospital trauma centers. Some want the food tax either reduced or eliminated.

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Of course, your link is the table for taxable income, not gross income. If you made a taxable income of $7,825 your tax would be $0. But if you made a gross income of $11,125, you'd still have as a minimum deduction the Standard Deduction, which is AIR $3,300, which when subtracted from the gross of $11,125 makes your taxable income $7,825, and your tax $0.

They can censor me as much as they want..it is still true that people from the US are NOT trying to escape to Canada in droves. The statement, "the standard of living in Canada in general is way higher than here" is complete fiction.

why not post proof?

spend $200K in both countries, who has the most "goodies" at the end of the day?

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Thus, it is up to Terry to prove, "the standard of living in Canada in general is way higher than here". You are asking me to disprove that statement.

I've been to Canada. The houses are not grander; they are not all driving Rolls Royces; the neighborhoods are not less run down...In short , if the standard of living is "way higher" up there they certainly hide it well.

If the original complaint is that Hallmark cards, books, magazines and produce are too expensive, yet Canadians get more for their money, what's the whining for? Seems to me the complaint is that they get LESS. I know gas is much more expensive and expensive gas tends to drive up the price of everything.

Are you telling me that most goods are cheaper in Canada? Which ones?

"the standard of living in Canada in general is way higher than here".

YOU focus on the "way higher" part

Why not the "in general" part?

I understand what the sentence means?

It does NOT mean the standard of living in Canada is higher in general.

It means the standard of living is way higher in general.

That's why.

There is a big difference.

What's your point?

Who cares about Rolls Royce? I care about the poor. Where would you rather be poor and HAVE TO depend on social welfare? Where people who, for one or another reason, has ended up outside the mainstream society are being taken care of, is where I think it is better and USA is not very good at helping the poor. Apart from that I believe it is the country (of the Western Industrialized ones) with the highest rate of people without healthcare and that is definitely not a good thing, whether you feel that it is their own fault or not.

was much higher. That translates as having more and higher quality goods and services. How else do you measure standard of living?

Welfare is NOT a good measure of a high standard of living. A lot of welfare tends to indicate the opposite. I do NOT measure my life expectations on how good the welfare system is, because I do not intend or expect to be poor. It's not a matter of where I would rather be poor; I would rather NOT be poor.

If there is a high expectation that one may become poor, that would be a measure of a LOWER standard of living.

It is a huge mistake to gauge a country on its healthcare system alone. That is but one factor. And it is by no means clear that Canada has better healthcare than the US. The most you can say is that basic healthcare is more available, in theory. In fact, I know a Canadian who comes to the US for his medical needs because they can't be adequately met in Canada. According to him, this is not uncommon.

like Chicago.

that lake snow must be a REAL bummer


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whenever I visit Michigan during the winter.

the wind is blowing INTO the lake and Chicago is VERY hot. Darn lake