When comapring crime statistics, its important to remember this-
Population density
You know... as a former Canadian I will say that I can personally attest to the fact that Canada has some enormous social problems. There is no question of this. Particularly in light of all the infernal restrictions and safeguards imposed upon the citizenry in order to "protect" them.
If indeed the
overall crime rate is in fact higher, the
violent crime rate in Canada is assuredly lower than it is in the United States.
Still, it is unquestionably high.
The question of course is why???
One cannot argue that it is a "soft on crime" approach, because, despite all the rhetoric, Canada is among the upper eschelon internationally in sentencing and the use of incarceration for criminal offenses.
One cannot argue poverty, homelessness, etc. the way is done in the United States... because Canada prides itself on its comprehensive system of social welfare (read enforced distribution of wealth) that ensures that its citizens are not left to sleep under bridges out of neccessity.
One cannot argue poor education, because Canada has, overall, a near astonishing quality and availability of public education.
One cannot conclusively argue (in either direction) population density, because Canada's population of 33 million is actually much more densely concentrated than that of the United States (6.8/sq mile urban vs. 3.1/sq. mile urban). Yes, Canada is a much larger country with many fewer people, but unlike the United States, Canada's citizens live predominantly within approximately two hundred miles of their southern border.
One cannot argue, as they do in the United States, that it is the callous and selfish nature of the citizenry that leads to demonstrations of inhumanity, as Canadians tend to believe quite strongly in caring for their underclasses as a measure toward the long-term health of their society. Canada has had a system of universal healthcare in place since approximately 1969 which ensures that all citizens receive equal (if equally deficient) health services at no cost out of pocket (other than the utterly absurd taxation shouldered by those who choose to sustain themselves through gainful employment). In addition, there are myriad benefits available in the way of unemployment insurance, maternity benefits (from the government, not the employer), family allowances (paid per child), etc., etc.
And still... we produce some of the finest misfits available to society. From juvenile car thieves to child pornographers to prostitute shredding pig farmers.
I have to tell you all... when I see Hillary Clinton pitching her universal healthcare plan on television, I begin to tic
