From: Adam 

Dave Ings wrote:

> As a Canadian working in the US for a couple of years, I really don't
> understand the fuss over the passport requirement. It seems like a very
> modest proposal to increase border security. I've had a Canadian passport
> since I was 16, what's the big deal about getting one?
>
> I've always been stunned at the reported low percentage of folks who have
> one - they need to get out more and see the world a bit IMHO. I'm
> particularly stunned when I see the same low percentages claimed for members
> of Congress or other legislative bodies in both countries.
>
> I believe the concern from many businesses on both sides of the border is
> that casual, spontaneous trips will be discouraged with an attendant loss of
> business. That may be true in the short term, when the policy is first
> enforced, but I can't see it being a problem in the long term as a greater
> percentage of the population gets passports. People will adjust, as they
> always do.

& It will make the 2 into more foreign countries than they are now. I
have seen this in reverse in the EU where the ability to pop across the
Rhine or from netherlands to belgium/france/germany etc as if you were in
the same country & simple going from county to county made a large
mental difference to people's image of "the other".

e.g. people living along the border will now drive 20 miles to the next
canadian store than 5 miles to the nearest (but in the US) store.

Over time this will make a difference as "over there" becomes
more & more foreign.

Adam

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