Move to Canada Movement

[NurseLefty]

A couple of days ago, I hinted in my posts at a plan if the unthinkable happened. Now that it has, I share this idea, and I hope that it takes off, if not from here then from someone else's efforts.
We will have four more years of Bush which undoubtedly will permanently damage this country. We now have an overwhelmingly republican Congress, a continued swing to the right in the Supreme Court, and the widespread election of ultra-conservative candidates at the state and local levels.
Couple this with sky-high ascent of corporations (the stock market is gleefully boiling as I write this), the rise of Fundamentalist Christianity, the "mandate" against gays per the passage of multiple anti-gay ballot measures, and the writing is on the wall: THE LEFT IS OFFICIALLY MARGINALIZED. WE ARE LOCKED INTO A POWERLESS POSITION.
I have been a loyal Democrat since I turned 18 in 1984. I have seen the Democrats go through identity crisis after identity crisis. Dems trying to look like republicans to win votes, second-guessing themselves at every turn. The republicans have always been more concerned with obtaining power than doing the right thing. Strategically it is their strength. We may feel we are right and true, but truth loses to aggression.
I am 38 and about to complete my bachelors in nursing. As an RN I have an in-demand skill. I can work nearly anywhere in the world if I want to.
So, as a long-term admirer of our neighbors to the north, I am taking out immigration papers to move to Canada.
My hope is that a movement forms. Our skilled people might collectively express that they do not want to be complicit in the new rise of the American Right, by forming an exodus to a better place.
Canada wants us. They want people with brilliant minds and skills. They are a democracy with many, many things we liberals could only dream of here in America. I can't bank what's left of my life on dreams of what might be (esp. now that the Right rules America) - I needs to make the dreams a reality. I can do that in Canada by contibuting to a society that TRULY values what I do.
So, check it our for yourself - find out how you score on the Skilled Worker test. (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/index.html)
If you have enough points, Canada wants you!
Anyone wanna join me? I am dead serious about this.

[Worst Username Ever]

1. see this article

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=6704292

and then read this post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1303196#

[Maple]

6. One low level immigration

spokesperson has nothing to say about it.

Don't be put off by hype. Canada can't appear too eager here, but you'll be welcome all the same.

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. Where are the bastions of progressivism up there?

-------------------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT for election reform at the municipal and state level!
Clean up the American government from the ground up!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform

[Frederic Bastiat]

22. Montreal, Vancouver & Toronto

Plus college towns all over the country.

[Canuckistanian]

24. Anywhere but Alberta

Although I wouldn't call Canada a "bastion". I consider us middle-of-the road.

It's only in the USA that the goalposts of "mainstream" politics have been radically redefined.

[ckdexter]

30. Not necessarily that difficult...

It can take over a year to get permanent residency, but that's not so long, and if you have in demand skills, you're chances are pretty good. (Google "Canada brain drain")

Also, there are shortcuts. If you can get a temporary position, you can apply for a temporary work permit which doesn't take so long, then once there seek permanent employment and permanent residency.

Finally, you can apply to a university program in Canada and move in quickly, then work on the possibility of permanent residency after you complete your program.

[Dems Will Win]

60. THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION is in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x16099

[John BigBootay]

2. No. I don't run when the chips are down. n/t

[MHS Chips]

18. Exactly.

Now is the time to stay & fight. You can always tell the most about a person's character by watching what they do when things are at their worst.

[NurseLefty]

26. I guess that's aimed at me.

I have spent many years being a good American citizen - volunteering in my community, voting in every election, entering a helping profession - serving jury duty, even.
I've done my bit. But I am being realistic. THE RIGHT IS TAKING OVER THIS COUNTRY. Think about it. If we couldn't prevail after all we've done to help get Kerry and other Dems elected, what makes you think we will acheive anything now that the republicans have absolute power?
Time to be a part of a democracy with values I really identify with. Sorry if you think that's of poor character.

[sr_pacifica]

46. Well said. n/t

[John BigBootay]

57. Is America worth saving to you?

What has America given you?

For me, America and the people who live here have given me freedom and my rights as a citizen-- and all the blood, sweat and tearful sacrifices that led to those freedoms; from the civil rights marches to the defeating Nazism-- and yes, even to Vietnam and Korea.

America's wealth and prosperity has provided my education, my income, my home-- and the same for all of my family and friends.

American science and industry has created incredible new inventions, cures and technology that makes people's lives better-- not just here, but around the world.

I could go on ad infinitum about what is so amazingly great about this nation-- IN SPITE OF the things we believe are wrong with it.

What has Canada ever done for you?

I OWE America a second chance. A third chance-- a fourth and fifth chance if need be.

I BELIEVE in America more strongly today than ever.

I will NEVER turn my back on this nation.

[NurseLefty]

59. If you look throughout human history, we are nomads

The US is made up of immigrants and their descendants. Do you think people were being disloyal to the lands they fled from? Blood has been shed and sacrified in every land.
What has Canada done for me? It has given me a sense of hope and promise, the way this country did when my family immigrated here.
The right wing wants this country badly. They believe the rapture is coming, and that God chose Bush to rule this country. Sorry, but I gotta get off this crazy train.

[John BigBootay]

It's all about attitude, LN

I hate to be so blunt, but it is this kind of defeatist attitude that leads to loss-- on many levels.

I believe our loss at the polls is related to our attitude toward Bush-- constant, unrelenting, over the top maligning MAY make us feel better and MAY EVEN be right in some respects, but the attitude doesn't play with the fence sitters and moderates.

A message of hope and responsible change is always in favor. It's not good enough that our candidates speak to issues of positive change, uplifting ideas, improving our nation and creating greater justice, eqaulity and quality of life--

WE THE PEOPLE (i.e. us democrats) need to preach this too. Not just how bad Bush is, not just how we think he's like Hitler, recreating fascism here in America and about to round up gays, liberals and (insert oppressed group here) and intern them in prison camps.

And not that if we lose an election, then this country has proven itself to be unworthy of our residency.

This is one of the reasons we lost-- attitude.

You can leave if you want-- no one is holding you back-- but realize that your attitude contributed to the loss and you take that with you wherever you go.

[NurseLefty]

71. As I have said before

I HAVE DONE MY PART! I have volunteered and contributed to campaigns, I have talked to everyone about all the GOOD things that a Kerry presidency would bring.
I DID NOT contribute to hopelessness before the election, my friend.
But, this is November 3rd. A new dark time is upon us. If you think I'm wrong to not stay and fight, you are entitled to your opinion. But I know futility when I see it. Our efforts to make things better here make us in the eyes of the repukes beasts of burden, to keep things from entirely falling apart.

[John BigBootay]

73. Sayonara... n/t

[Bucky]

66. Not at you personally, but at all the quitters & bellyachers running away

We got clobbered good. We didn't get killed. We'll live to fight another day. Running away to Canada will not stop Bush from executing his stooped plans. Maybe I can't stop him. But I can try to keep organizing and arguing and writing and fighting. It's what I can do.

If all you can do is skidaddle, then do so. Go in peace.

[mzmolly]

3. We've been considering that for a few years now.

You can view properties here:

http://remax.ca/

[NurseLefty]

11. Thank you!

[Iceburg]

36. Lots of jobs for Nurses in every province Lefty

If you want more info let me know, my wife is a doc at a teaching hospital in Ottawa

[NurseLefty]

40. Thank you -

I visited Ontario several years ago - great place! The DU forum isn't presently allowing me to look up your member info. How do I get a hold of you alternately?

[Chichiri]

4. I don't think I have an in-demand skill

Is there any other way to get in? Or is there a country that would give me political asylum?

[NurseLefty]

10. Check this Canadian Govt website

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.html
-- about other immigration routes you can pursue.

[BUSHOUT]

13. Really anxious to get rid of us, huh?

:wtf:

[NurseLefty]

16. No, just trying to give people a hopeful choice

amid this despair

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Hubby's mother was from Canada but he does not have citizenship there :^(

-------------------------------------------------------------------
FIGHT for election reform at the municipal and state level!
Clean up the American government from the ground up!
http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/electionreform

[hnsez]

34. 76 :) -And I can't even say croissant correctly!

[Bucky]

68. If you can vote for liberals & argue, your skills are in demand in the USA

[budkin]

5. No, I am not abandoning this country!

I'm not conceding it to Bush!

[nickinSTL]

7. I've considered it

I don't like the idea of running any more than anyone else, but there has to be something worth fighting for.

I'm just not sure there is anymore.

[MHS Chips]

19. "but there has to be something worth fighting for."

!!!!!!!!!!! What isn't worth fighting for today that was worth fighting for yesterday???????????

[nickinSTL]

21. The country that voted for Bush, that's what

Yesterday I still believed that the majority of Americans weren't that stupid, ignorant or willing to 'drink the KoolAid'

Today I know different. Today I know that the majority seems to care more about banning abortion, banning gay marriage, and believing that that lying b@st@rd will protect us from terrorism, than they do about having a job, health care, or a real foreign policy that will work to defeat terrorism in a real way.

That's what has changed.

[Fiendish Thingy]

54. We'll never know what the "majority" really cares about

since 6 million provisional and absentee ballots will never be counted.

[truhavoc]

8. I scored a 73, I am a "skilled worker"

Does anyone know a good place to search for Canadian jobs?

[ckdexter]

28. Here's a good canadian job search site:

http://www.workopolis.com/index.html

[puddycat]

9. I can't blame you for leaving but I will to stay and fight & resist

I have no skills Canada wants (I took the online test) and I am an older person ( and they want younger ones). Plus I am poor. Anyone who is rich can buy their way in, though. But for most of us there is no alternative but to stay and resist.

I take heart from the brave souls who fought the resistance in Europe.

[BUSHOUT]

12. Anyone wonder if repukes might like to encourage us to move??

?

[NurseLefty]

17. Sure, they'll spew the usual "Love it or leave it"

But just do not have any energy left to care what they think

[qb]

20. The Blue States should cecede and join Canada

Then * would be left to rule over his banana republic.

[Union Thug]

23. I scored a 67 - the minimum requirement.

Sweating bullets! So where do I sign on? =)

[one_true_leroy]

25. marginalized my BUTT!!!

almost half the people in this country voted with us!!!

[alwynsw]

27. Just like a bunch of spoiled kids.

I'm taking my toys and leaving.

I'll not run out on the fight - EVER.

[RedSock]

29. it's a long process to move

you can't just get up and move -- and expect to work in canada.

my wife and i filed about a year ago -- and we are probably another 6-10 months away from being interviewed. we had planned to leave even if kerry won.

she has a blog about it: check the earliest/oldest posts for how we did it and what the exact process is.

http://wemovetocanada.blogspot.com

[NurseLefty]

31. Here's a better analogy

You (Democrat/liberal/progressive) have absolute loyalty and commitment of sacrifice to your marriage (life in America), but your spouse (Republican) has developed into a knuckle-dragging, abusive, fundamentalist OPPRESSOR. Do you stay in the marriage because the marriage is sacred to you? Or, because your spouse is oppressive, for the sake of your survival, do you leave your marriage?

[sr_pacifica]

48. I like how you think. n/t

[ClassWarrior]

33. Never Give Up.

[nodehopper]

63. are gay people who want a right to get married like spoiled kids too?

That's why my best friend is leaving. After this election showed the true bigotry of America.

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. They don't have real football

It's cold there, and their bacon is isn't really bacon.

[Village Idiot]

35. HONESTLY - You don't want to come here.

If the government WASTE didn't KILL you, the taxes would! We have socialized medicine, but our program (used to be the best) is now around #39 in the world. We are a Liberal democracy, but our idea of Liberal is a USAsian's idea of COMMUNIST! We have our own problems with the right-wing, although the evangelicals have not as yet taken over...and to top it all off,

IT'S DAMN COLD!!!

[NurseLefty]

37. Yes, but Vancouver is only 125 miles north of where I live in the US

...and the climate is exactly the same. No government is free of waste - it's an ongoing thing that citizens fight. The US has more than its fair share of disgusting waste, no-bid contracts w/ Halliburton, for example.
And, yes the Canadian healthcare system has its challenges (as I remind you that the US healthcare system is about to implode).
But Canada has ranked higher than the US for several years now in the standard of living index.
Canada has a nursing shortage - I'd like to come to help.
Living among people more left than me? What a breath of fresh air that would be!

[Village Idiot]

39. We's LOVE to have you -

any immigrant from the USA is bound to be head and shoulders above the average immigrant. Vancouver is an awesome town - you'll LOVE it!

[RedSock]

44. toronto is where we are moving

i have no problem paying taxes --

i don't want them going to rich corporations and bombs. i think canada will spend my taxes a little more wisely.

i understand the stay and fight idea, but i feel like a fucking alien here -- and i live in Manhattan!

[sr_pacifica]

47. You get something for your taxes.

And puh-leaze! You at least HAVE socialized medicine. Listen up...I have no insurance, when I did I could only afford coverage for hospitalization, my medicines cost me $500 a month.

[denny1958]

38. United States Of Canada

[NurseLefty]

43. LMAO!

Thank you! That's the first laugh I've had today... through the tears, though :7 :cry: :cry:

[nickinSTL]

53. I like that!

Except my job would still be in Jesusland, think you could incorporate the city of St. Louis? Just over the border...

I could move to Illinois to live in the USC. :D

[Fiendish Thingy]

55. My first smile all day- thanks!

I live in the state, er, province of California! If only we could merge the blue states w/Canada...

[MikePorter]

69. I agree

I agree

[Cats Against Frist]

41. NOOOOO --- "Bleed the Red States Dry" movement

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1305989

sorry -- forgot my link

[sr_pacifica]

52. This looks like a good plan for the "stay and fights"

if they really want to make a change in the country. It's all about geography. :-)

[Swede Atlanta]

42. I scored a 77

I am seriously considering this now!!!!

[sr_pacifica]

45. I'm with you.

I've been researching immigration there for the past several months. I realize what a goddamn fundie-controlled country we live in. We've been taken over by insidious, neocons and I want out.
I will be grateful for any information re: immigration.

[Mr_Scarecrow]

49. Do you think the ringwraiths won't follow you?

It may take a while, but they'll come. I've heard some troubling things coming from Canada lately - neo-conservatives starting to dig in.

Still, I can't argue wanting to get away for now - if you can buy some years of relative tranquility and not pay taxes into the US military meatgrinder, then I say go for it.

Just remember this: Canada has corporations, too.

[sr_pacifica]

50. I have to say this is a concern for me too

I wonder if it's only a matter of 10 or so years before the fundie/neocon disease infects Canada as well.

Of course, Canada has corporations and no one is suggesting it's perfect, just better and a realistic option.

[NurseLefty]

56. But Canada values the common good

Anything I've read/learned about Canada tells me this. They believe in a basic fairness for their fellow Canadian, and they support government as a tool for the people.
Something that has always struck me when I've driven to Vancouver. When you cross the border from the US the roads are in much better shape. Why does that matter? Because they see maintaining infrastructure as a priority. Here in the US, everyone boo-hoos about taxes ad nauseum, so very basic things like fixing roads get funding cuts. I invite anyone to see it for yourself. Compare the roads the next time you cross the border. This difference of thinking between the US and Canada is society-wide.

[doodlebugs4kerry]

51. ..so depressed.......

THE LEFT IS OFFICIALLY MARGINALIZED. WE ARE LOCKED INTO A POWERLESS POSITION.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[davhill]

58. If 48% of us leave

Won't the continent get top heavy?

[feistydem]

61. I grew up in Seattle, went to college near the WA-Canadian border

and love both Vancouver and Victoria. Hell, I even like the Yukon.

My country abandoned me first. My ancestors came to this country to escape persecution first in Ireland then others from Russia and finally Germany.

Survivors migrate when they recognize that the time has come.

The world is my home --not just one country. What is the most important to me is that my children be raised in a nation that exercises tolerance --if not an honest appreciation for our individual uniquenesses.

Canada is the North American melting pot the United States only pretends to be.

[kostya]

62. An alternative is to join progressives in the Northwest, OR and WA

Oregon especially has been a long-time progressive state (Measure 36 passing nothwithstanding, sigh...). But, it seems more and more conservatives are moving here and we need help! It's an absolutely beautiful state and Portland is one of the most livable cities on the planet. You are an hour from the mountains or an hour from our very scenic coast. Come here and let's lead the country again in health care, the environment, and REAL American values. - K

:toast:
p.s. Portland is also the micro-brew capital of the world I dare say! ;)

[NurseLefty]

67. Yeah, I love Portland, too...

But like my hometown of Seattle, it is a pocket of liberalism. Drive a few miles in any direction and you get the land of wingnuts. My car is plastered w/ lefty bumper stickers (including 2 for Kerry/Edwards :cry: :cry: ) and I fear for my safety if I drive to the sticks around here.
The city about the same distance in the opposite direction (Vancouver, BC) is the coolest. This Seattle native is becoming a Vancouverite.

[Blaq Dem]

64. Have more BABIES!

Make LOVE not WAR.

- Increase the population of liberals in America by simply making babies. Remember to raise them properly not to stray.

- Become school teachers to teach young children the truth about the right ringed cults that threatens our freedom.

- Organize the Latino population to inform them they're new SLAVEs of the 21st century. Conservatives want to lock them into these dead-ended underpaid, barely a wage jobs for the rest of their lives.

- Make a connection between all groups: white liberals, women, blacks, latinos, native americans, and any other working class american. We are the TRUE majority of this country.

- NEVER GIVE UP!!!

[Copperred]

75. THIS IS A GOOD SOLUTION.....

As bad as some people may see this.....I AM ALL FOR THIS....EVERYONE SHOULD BE GOING FOR 3 to 5 CHILDREN...PER>...NO JOKE>....have kids.....and have many....

[gimmeacookie]

65. mmmmmmmm ...canadian bacon

[Charley_Dog]

70. I will not give up on my country when it needs me most...

I intend to get involved in local and state politics and work on things that affect me more directly than what comes out of the White Hous...whioch is mostly hot air anyway.

[demgrrrll]

72. I am going to buy some acreage and a berm home with solar panels.

We know how to grow our own vegetables and take care of ourselves.
That is how I want to live now.

[NurseLefty]

74. Update: Got my paperwork today

This afternoon, I paid a visit to the Canadian Consulate here in Seattle. They do not handle the processing of immigration paperwork at this location; however, they do have work permit and visa applications. I was told that they were currently out of the immigration packets but that I could get the forms online. (I didn't ask, but I wondered if they'd had a rush on those immigration packets.)
Immigration is handled out of the consulate in Buffalo, NY. That's where I'll mail the forms when they're complete.
There are some hoops to jump through, for sure. I'll need to arrange for an English proficiency test and a criminal background check. The application fee is $550 (!)and there are other smaller fees, also.
I'll need to show that I have employment lined up, and at some point, they will arrange for me to have a physical. Since I have 2 more quarters of nursing school to complete, that sets the timetable back a little. Also, I might consider the visa route as a first step.
But I feel good that I got the ball rolling today. This is not a knee jerk thing for me. Privately, I looked into this some time ago. I am glad that I did. I wish anyone else who decides to move to Canada the best of luck!

[JCMach1]

76. the UAE is also a land of wonderful economic opportunity

if you go for a more exotic locale...

I am here teaching the elite who will be the backbone of the future democracy...