Smoky Mountains Sunrise

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Canada Rises to Top Five in World Economic Freedom Ranking as U.S. Plummets to 18th

The United States now trails the entire Anglosphere in economic freedom.  If the Kenyan is reelected, we suspect there will be a large migration north.  Anyone headed to Kamloops?

A Canadian flag waves in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, February 15, 2011. Chris Roussakis/QMI Agency


Canada has taken its place among the Top 5 countries with the most economic freedom, according to a new Fraser Institute report — now leaps and bounds ahead of the United States thanks to the gradual shrinking of the Canadian government since the mid-1990s as America’s just got bigger.

The annual Economic Freedom of the World report, released Tuesday, has Canada tied in fifth place with Australia — up one spot from last year. Hong Kong remains at the top, Singapore’s next, then New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the United States, once a “standard bearer” of economic liberty among industrial nations, spiralled 10 spots from the 2011 rankings to 18th place — its lowest position ever, and a huge drop from its second place spot in 2000.

Read the rest of this entry at National Post >>


3 comments:

Greg Benton said...

Well, Daniel, if you're heading north, you'll have to get in the habit of putting the 'u' back in colour, favour, savour, et al. You can still find things called 'Fries' and put ketchup on 'em but the real thing up here is the 'Chips' and the 'Chip Truck' all taken with vinegar and/or gravy or if you're into the French thing, Poutine...chips, gravy and cheese curds.
Now, you're in the south, so I expect that you might be in the habit of saying 'huh'. Whatever the case, 'eh' comes at the end of sentences, comments, questions, and the like, eh? You'll be oot and aboot in no time.
We like a good cheddar cheese with our Mum's apple pie and you can't beat our 'butter tarts'.
Still, one of the best things that, as an American, you'll love as you settle here is that Canada has the greatest and best neighbour in the world whose defence helps to permit the engine of the Canadian economy to grow.
Take care, eh?

Daniel J. Cassidy said...

Thanks very much, Greg, for your welcoming and enjoyable comments.

I have always loved apple pie with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese. Didn't know that was a Canadian thing. I also love my country very much; but if Obama is reelected - even though the alternative is marginally better - it will be a very tragic sign that this is not the country in which many of us grew up.

We've been through difficult times before and, as Churchill said, “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else.” But will we have the opportunity to "do the right thing" or just the opportunity to leave?

Canada's return to smaller government and the renewal of its pre-Trudeau traditions and ethos offers us example and hope. And of this I am certain -- you have the world's finest head of state. Across the span of entire lives, Her Majesty the Queen of Canada has nobly and dutifully served a purpose and upheld ideals far above the administration of an executive branch of government or the promotion of a political agenda. Long may she be Canada's proudest boast and crowning glory!

Greg Benton said...

Amen and amen, Daniel.