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By Larry Whitlow| Bucks County Courier Times

First and foremost, I love this country and I've always been proud to say I'm an American no matter where I have traveled. Lately it seems that there are many of my fellow citizens that don't share those sentiments.

Complaints about our sometimes-dysfunctional government which is certainly justified, protests, racial strife, gun violence and immigration problems just to name a few are in the news every day.

So, I decided to sit down and do some research as to where things are better for us to go so that we can live a more peaceful and less turbulent life. I didn't have to look too far. Canada.

Here are some very interesting facts:

What really stands out isCanada's immigration policy, which is such a hot button topic here. Canada actively solicits immigrants and has done so for years. Over 20% of all Canadians are foreign born. The obvious question is 'Why is Canadian public opinion on immigration so different from ours?"

The answers are quite interesting.

Canadians are convinced of the positive economic benefits of immigration and believe immigrants create jobs. Most immigrants to Canada are authorized under a points system tied to their credentials and employment potential. About half of Canadian immigrants have bachelor's degrees and evidence suggests that the balance of immigrants are highly skilled and net contributors.

Secondly, Canadians see multiculturalism as an important component of national identity. Other factors allow Canada to be more inviting. The country has very little to worry about from illegal immigration. Like the U.S., it shares a long southern border with a country suffering from high levels of crime,gun violence, unemployment and income inequality.

But there aren't millions of Americans yearning to get into Canada. That reduces unauthorized immigration and eases public anxiety about it like we have here.

Incidentally, the emphasis on multiculturalism points to an interesting normative distinction between the U.S. and Canada. Both this country and Canada have robust legal protections against discrimination.

But here you rarely hear somebody advocate for immigration on the grounds that it adds to the social fabric of the country. Apparently when that argument arises in Canada it has a humanitarian dimension.

Canada has its problems to be sure, but it seems to have a much better handle on the many issues that plague our country.

Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to suggest that our so-called divided political leaders in Congress and the Senate who never seem to compromise on anything for the American good should visit our neighbors to the north on one of their many recesses and holiday breaks and take a working vacation to be schooled on how to govern.

As for me, despite all our supposed problems in this great country, I'm staying put in Bucks County. Life is good. For those who continue to protest and complain, pack some warm clothes and look to the north if they will have you.

Larry Whitlow is a resident of New Hope.

Link:
Like a good neighbor, Canada is there - Bucks County Courier Times