Award-winning student news since 1978

The Brookhaven Courier

Award-winning student news since 1978

The Brookhaven Courier

Award-winning student news since 1978

The Brookhaven Courier

Moving to Canada may not solve voters’ election dilemma

By Stephanie Salas-Vega
Contributing Writer

 

Some Americans are so disappointed with this year’s presidential election that many have flirted with the idea of leaving the country after the new president is elected. But leaving the country is no easy task.

Twenty-eight percent of Americans are considering leaving the country if Republican nominee Donald Trump is elected president, according to theguardian.com.

An Ipsos poll for Global News, a Canadian online news outlet, of 2,000 American registered voters said 19 percent of respondents would probably leave the U.S. for a country like Canada. Fifteen percent said they would do the same if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton becomes president.

But saying you’ll leave the country if either candidate is elected is easier said than done.

You might find yourself in a financial crisis. If you do decide to move abroad, the U.S. will make you feel like you never left. The IRS will continue to make you file tax returns, even if you don’t live in or visit the U.S. any more, according to an article by The Guardian. Imagine having to pay taxes on your new home in addition to a place you no longer live.

Additionally, marrying a Canadian citizen will not automatically make you one, according to marketwatch.com. If you do decide to apply to become a permanent resident, you’ll have to pay a $550 fee.

A work permit is required for noncitizens to work in Canada. You can obtain a work permit only if you already have a job offer before applying for your visa. The unemployment rate in Canada is at 7 percent, according to Statistics Canada, a website that compiles Canadian statistics. Unemployment in the U.S. has dropped to 4.9 percent, according to marketwatch.com.

The race between Clinton and Trump has been getting tighter. Trump has been catching up to Clinton in national polls. On Oct. 26, polls showed Trump was three points away from Clinton; seven weeks before, she had been up by seven points, according to foxnews.com.

Throughout the election and even before, Trump and Clinton have been involved in scandals. In various speeches, Trump has said he wants to build a wall along the southern border, ban Muslims from entering the country and withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The leaked 2005 tape of Trump bragging he can touch women without their consent also sparked outrage. Fifteen women have accused Trump of sexual assault, according to vox.com.

I wouldn’t want to have a creepy guy for a president, either.

The FBI has investigated Clinton for using a private email server to send classified emails. Trump threatened to send her to jail in the second presidential debate if he is elected president. She has been called a liar many times based on her change in stance on political issues and alleged cover-ups. Should Clinton be trusted?

Ultimately, packing everything up and leaving the U.S. is not worth it. The best choice is to vote for the appropriate candidate in your opinion and remain in the U.S. for future elections.

Sometimes things get worse before they get better.

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