February 16th, 2011 at 10:10:47 PM
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http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2011/02/16/obama-budget-canada-fee.html?ref=rss
Obama's budget has a proposed $5.50 fee for all passengers entering the US from Canada and Mexico that are not in private vehicles.
So much for NAFTA, I guess. Very annoying for any trips I make over the border (hard not to enter the US by sea or air from here).
Obama's budget has a proposed $5.50 fee for all passengers entering the US from Canada and Mexico that are not in private vehicles.
So much for NAFTA, I guess. Very annoying for any trips I make over the border (hard not to enter the US by sea or air from here).
"Then you can admire the real gambler, who has neither eaten, slept, thought nor lived, he has so smarted under the scourge of his martingale, so suffered on the rack of his desire for a coup at trente-et-quarante" - Honore de Balzac, 1829
February 16th, 2011 at 11:25:11 PM
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Yea, great idea, make it more expensive for people to come to the US and spend money. :)
February 17th, 2011 at 12:16:44 AM
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Quote: soulhunt79Yea, great idea, make it more expensive for people to come to the US and spend money. :)
I think that Canadians spend money here because of the strong Canadian dollar. The Mexican's spend money here because the cost of goods is lower by virtue of our huge economy. The borders on the US side are full of off price stores. The Mexicans are smart enough not to charge Americans for crossing the border unless they go more than 75 miles.
It's a false economy. The government gets $5.50 a oerson, and the economy loses several times that amount.
February 17th, 2011 at 6:48:25 AM
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I already pay the US government $140 for a visa. Sure, it lasts ten years, but I visit the US once a year at most, and I pay the fee upfront.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
February 17th, 2011 at 9:46:29 AM
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Canadians love to pay tax. Take this flight from Toronto to Vancouver return on Air Canada.
Flight cost: $478
Airport Improvement Fee: $40
Air travellers Security Charge: $14.25
Harmonized Sales Tax: $75.02
NAV Canada Surcharge: $40.
Total Cost: $653.27
Or this flight from Toronto to San Francisco (also on Air Canada)
Passenger Type Adult
Flight Cost: $588.
Surcharges NAV Canada: 15.00
Canada Airport Improvement Fee: 25.00
U.S.A Transportation Tax US: 32.28
U.S Agriculture Fee: 4.95
Air Travellers Security Charge (ATSC): 12.10
U.S Passenger Facility Charge: 4.46
Canada Harmonized Sales Tax: 34.01
September 11 Security Fee 2.48
U.S.A Immigration User Fee: 6.93
Total airfare and taxes before options (per passenger) 725.21
The USA already charges for an immigration user fee, September 11 Security fee, Passenger Facility charge, Agriculture fee, and Transportation tax. Another $5.50? Who gives a rat's ass? What's missing is that most people don't realize that we already pay variety of fees to the US government and its agencies when we fly and that a $5.50 additional charge is meaningless.
Flight cost: $478
Airport Improvement Fee: $40
Air travellers Security Charge: $14.25
Harmonized Sales Tax: $75.02
NAV Canada Surcharge: $40.
Total Cost: $653.27
Or this flight from Toronto to San Francisco (also on Air Canada)
Passenger Type Adult
Flight Cost: $588.
Surcharges NAV Canada: 15.00
Canada Airport Improvement Fee: 25.00
U.S.A Transportation Tax US: 32.28
U.S Agriculture Fee: 4.95
Air Travellers Security Charge (ATSC): 12.10
U.S Passenger Facility Charge: 4.46
Canada Harmonized Sales Tax: 34.01
September 11 Security Fee 2.48
U.S.A Immigration User Fee: 6.93
Total airfare and taxes before options (per passenger) 725.21
The USA already charges for an immigration user fee, September 11 Security fee, Passenger Facility charge, Agriculture fee, and Transportation tax. Another $5.50? Who gives a rat's ass? What's missing is that most people don't realize that we already pay variety of fees to the US government and its agencies when we fly and that a $5.50 additional charge is meaningless.
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You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
February 17th, 2011 at 10:01:41 AM
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Quote: pacomartinI think that Canadians spend money here because of the strong Canadian dollar. The Mexican's spend money here because the cost of goods is lower by virtue of our huge economy. The borders on the US side are full of off price stores.
I wonder about that. I recently brought back an ipod for a co-worker, and I think including the sales tax she paid only $5 or so less than she'd have paid locally. Minus she can't deduct the Nevada sales tax from her taxes, whereas she could deduct the federal value added tax if she'd bought it here.
What really can be cheap are clothes, especially at outlet stores. We have outlet malls now, and sometimes you find amazing bargains. My dad once bought 3 cashemre vests at around $14 US each. But in the US they're still cheaper overall. Well, just consider, there are two outlet malls in Vegas, and one more nearby. In Mexico City there are two, and both require a rather long drive for most people (one is just 25 minutes from my place, though).
There are also things in the US you can't find locally. Less so than there used to be, but still some.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal