Comments on: Bordering on Greatness http://domemagazine.com/canadamichigan/canada1109 Michigan People, Politics, and Policy Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:13:37 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Mort (Westland) http://domemagazine.com/canadamichigan/canada1109/comment-page-1#comment-277 Mort (Westland) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:55:27 +0000 http://domemagazine.com/?p=232#comment-277 For my entire adult life, back through the last big recession in the early 80s, I've heard people talk about our position with Canada being a tremendous advantage and how NAFTA and the highway from Canada to Mexico (going through Michigan) would bring us tremendous wealth. There is no rainbow, no pot of gold. Every state has some demographic or geographic advantage over the other 49. For my entire adult life, back through the last big recession in the early 80s, I’ve heard people talk about our position with Canada being a tremendous advantage and how NAFTA and the highway from Canada to Mexico (going through Michigan) would bring us tremendous wealth. There is no rainbow, no pot of gold.

Every state has some demographic or geographic advantage over the other 49.

]]> By: Jim Brazier http://domemagazine.com/canadamichigan/canada1109/comment-page-1#comment-142 Jim Brazier Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:55:54 +0000 http://domemagazine.com/?p=232#comment-142 It is rather chauvinistic to assert that Michigan has the key role in U.S.-Canada trade. Michigan is not the only U.S. state that abuts Canada. While some economic data shows the primary ports of entry are in Michigan, this does not mean that Michigan will remain dominant in such trade. Homeland security policy has negatively affected travel between U.S. and Canada and should be corrected in order to avert a trend of greater separation between our nations. I have travelled to Canada many times and it does appear that it is more difficult since 9/11/2001. The greater difficulty causes far greater estrangement between American and Canadians than it improves the security of either American or Canada. It is rather chauvinistic to assert that Michigan has the key role in U.S.-Canada trade. Michigan is not the only U.S. state that abuts Canada. While some economic data shows the primary ports of entry are in Michigan, this does not mean that Michigan will remain dominant in such trade. Homeland security policy has negatively affected travel between U.S. and Canada and should be corrected in order to avert a trend of greater separation between our nations.

I have travelled to Canada many times and it does appear that it is more difficult since 9/11/2001. The greater difficulty causes far greater estrangement between American and Canadians than it improves the security of either American or Canada.

]]> By: AnnMarie Schneider http://domemagazine.com/canadamichigan/canada1109/comment-page-1#comment-102 AnnMarie Schneider Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:20:00 +0000 http://domemagazine.com/?p=232#comment-102 Thank you for a very informative article on international borders as an asset to our state and regional economy. Like Dr. Roberts’ said, “What are we waiting for?” We have willing partners and great minds on both sides of the border who know how to better balance security and trade. This approach is one sure way to make strides in uplifting and sustaining the state’s economic status. Further cultivating the research exchange between U.S. and Canada on this and other issues, such as bioenergy as mentioned in Dome’s/Mr. Foren’s article, is a central mission point of MSU’s Canadian Studies Center. Thank you for a very informative article on international borders as an asset to our state and regional economy. Like Dr. Roberts’ said, “What are we waiting for?” We have willing partners and great minds on both sides of the border who know how to better balance security and trade. This approach is one sure way to make strides in uplifting and sustaining the state’s economic status. Further cultivating the research exchange between U.S. and Canada on this and other issues, such as bioenergy as mentioned in Dome’s/Mr. Foren’s article, is a central mission point of MSU’s Canadian Studies Center.

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