Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2005 11:31:44 -0700
Reply-To: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <mailinglist@FASTFORWARD.CA>
Subject: Re: NO BORDERS IN EUROPE, WE DON'T NEED NO STEENKING BADGES!!!!!
In-Reply-To: <001301c583df$97f3a540$2f01a8c0@FirstLaptop>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I know I should not be posting this to the Vanagon List, as it contains no
Vanagon content, but in a lot of ways it does apply to Vanagons as 80% of my
customers are from the USA and border issues are a question to them.
Canada / USA / Mexico is one big duty free region called the North America
Free Trade Agreement - NAFTA. All items made within NAFTA and traded within
NAFTA are duty free. German items sold in the USA to someone in Canada are
not duty free as they were not made in NAFTA. We have border crossings
between Canada / USA / Mexico for several reasons: Money [Duty] on
Non-NAFTA items and collect provincial and state revenues. Immigration and
Security - both from bad guys and from things like agricultural bugs and
diseases. Mostly I think it is money. The biggest trading partner for the
USA is Canada and you want to bet your bottom dollar everyone wants a cut of
that money going across the borders. The big difference between the NAFTA
region and the EU is the fact that once an item lands in the USA it is
subject to duty when entering Canada. Once an item lands in the EU, duty is
paid and it is free to be traded among the EU countries.
The big difference between Europe and North America is the way we in North
America view Europe. In effect, as far as economics, immigration and
security goes, Europe or more precisely, the European Union is one big
country just like Canada or the USA. There is no duty between France and
Germany as it is the same as going from British Columbia to Alberta. BC and
AB have different laws and taxes on a provincial level, but they have the
same laws and taxes under a federal level. No border patrol, no trade
restrictions. Going between France and Germany is exactly the same as going
from province to province in Canada or state to state in the USA. No taxes
are collected as any item that has been imported to the EU, tax has been
paid on already. No real need for traditional border crossings anymore.
As far as commercial exporting and importing of Vanagon parts to and from
Europe... we have it easy here in North America!
As far as you post about a common NAFTA currency... I think it would be a
great idea, but I think pride is stuck in there too much - what would you
call this currency? Do you really expect the USA to abandon the all mighty
US Dollar in favour of something called, for example the NAFTA? Americans
won't give up their dollar bill in favour of a one dollar coin which is
cheaper to produce and lasts 20x longer - I really can see the US trading in
their currency and I can't see Canadians adopting the US Dollar again on a
simple matter of pride. I'd love to see what things look like in 200 years
from now... :-)
Cheers and back to real Vanagon stuff eh!?
David Marshall
Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
http://www.fastforward.ca mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
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Due to the large volume of email we receive, PLEASE include previous
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Zoltan
Sent: July 8, 2005 9:38 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: NO BORDERS IN EUROPE, WE DON'T NEED NO STEENKING BADGES!!!!!
It would be even better if the border crossings would be as it is here in
the US where you cross one state going into an other, having no border
posts. Well, the last time I toured Europe it was a delightful surprise to
see no border posts and change no money every time. Traveling in Europe has
become a great pleasure, including the fact that they don't call the police
if you park your car in front of someone's house and stay there for the
night. Or anywhere for that matter.
But, as we all see, the progress of peace is not possible until tribes in
the world become much more similar with respect to small differences and
with similar economic standards.
It was, and still is, a problem there and continues to be a task to even the
differences in those countries with huge investments into infrastructures.
The same has been started from here towards Mexico and the Central American
countries. Very much of an uphill battle since those countries are third
world economies with no real infrastructure to speak of. They are closer to
the men of the jungle in standards than to us.
Did not mean to write this much, but it is interesting to see why countries
control borders or elect not to. It is a puzzle why the Mexican border is
not controlled, causing so much trouble.
Now, that's enough. It is getting too long.
Zoltan
The use of the same currency is a big help for the travellers.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Potts" <Greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 5:03 AM
Subject: WE DON'T NEED NO STEENKING BADGES!!!!!
> Hi Volks,
>
> You don't need a passport, either. Just is a reminder to the list
> that crossing the Canada/US border still does not require a passport.
> Border guards only require that US or Canadian citizens provide proof
> of citizenship such as a birth certificate and photo ID. A passport
> requirement is being proposed for vehicle crossings to take effect
> DECEMBER 31st, 2007; but until then a passport is not needed, unless
> your're from somewhere else. Heck, last time I crossed the border
> they didn't even ask for my paperwork... They must be getting used to
> me now.
>
> So take the opportunity to cross the worlds longest undefended border
> with the least paperwork possible while you still can. Buses Of The
> Corn is coming up in just 4 weeks. (August 5-7th, 2005) There's more
> going on At BOTC 2005 than ever before:
>
> - Burrito Breakfast
> - Swap Meet
> - Tie Dye Workshop
> - Driving Challenge
> - Lots of Kids activities.
> - Pot Luck Dinner and Corn Roast
> - Campfires on Friday and Saturday - Bring your instrument for the
> campfire Jam!
>
> We're in the same great location as ever at Heber Down Conservation
> Area just north of Whitby Ontario Canada; about half an hour's drive
> east of Toronto. By popular request this year we're bringing in
> additional "industrial grade comfort stations". Please remember to
> bring your own drinking water and bring along some firewood if
> possible, and some quarters to operate the showers. Electrical
> hookups are extremely limited at BOTC and will be allocated on the
> basis of medical necessity. It's only two nights, so come on out to
> BOTC and try roughing it a bit for a change in a campground without a
> guard at the gate and lines painted on the ground.
>
> If you want more information please email me or visit the website at
> http://www.busesofthecorn.com
>
> Official Event T-shirt information will be coming soon... There will
> also be inexpensive plain white T's for sale at the tie dye event.
>
> Happy trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> Toronto, Ontario, Canada
>
> 1973/74/79 Westfakia Conversion **Bob the Tomato** LY3H
> 1977 Sunroof Automatic L63H/L90D
> http://www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
> http://www.busesofthecorn.com
>
