No Escape

No Canada safe haven for Democrats

Well, apparently there's a year wait to be admitted as a resident of Canada. We should have put in our applications last November...

Government officials, real estate brokers and Democrat activists said that while some Americans might talk about moving to Canada rather than living with a new Bush administration, they did not expect a mass influx.

"It's one thing to say 'I'm leaving for Canada' and quite another to actually find a job here and wonder about where you're going to live and where the children are going to go to school," said one official.

However, there is one way to get away that might allow folks to ride this storm out:

Those wishing to move to Canada could always take a risk and claim refugee status -- the path chosen earlier this year by two U.S. deserters who opposed the Iraq war.

"Anybody who enters Canada who claims refugee status will be provided with a work permit...it doesn't matter what country they're from," said an immigration ministry spokeswoman.

Refugee cases are handled by special boards, which can take months to decide whether to admit applicants. The rulings can be appealed and opposition politicians complain some people ordered deported have been in Canada for 10 years or more.

10 years or more? That might just be enough time for America to become the country I long to inhabit.

For a happier, more proactive outlook, I recommend James in Washington.

But, James, can we make that a slice of Canadian bacon?