[Marcarc]

Interesting link, but of course anybody can make a nice website. The problem, as usual, is one of politics. What maritimer is going to join in a group with eastern Quebec? What Quebecer, when sovereignty may be so close, is going to vote to split the 'country' in two? With free trade what reason is there to create an 'inter trade' zone, where a massive OUTER trade zone exists? I can just see those Montrealers saying "the heck with sovereign Quebec, let's get in bed with those prosperous maritimers!" And New Yawkers saying "the heck with the US, PEI is the neighbour we want!" Suuuuure. Heck, you can't even get a New Brunswicker and Nova Scotian to talk about merging the two provinces.

[KevinGagnon]

Marcarc,<br /> <br /> Your post have got to be the best post I read here. I always enjoy them. They are provocative in a sincere truthful way. I disagree with some of what you say sometimes, but I find myself later on coming to believe exactly what you say. Like basically every time I read what you say, it is just a matter of time that I see the truth. Everything you say is from a fact, which makes what you say so hard for some people to swallow sometimes. They may disagree, but its the truth that hurts them most. You speak clear, deep and true. I like and enjoying reading that.<br /> <br /> As for the response to this paticular thread. I just want to say thanks for revealing how unlikely this site can actually pose a threat. Like whoever is behind it.<br /> <br /> Thanks!<br /> <br /> Kevin

[Marcarc]

Thanks for the kind words-it's a lot better than some of the remarks I've gotten at other websites!<img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/smile.gif' alt='Smile'> However, don't be fooled by "Atlantica", it's not the beast you think, but it is a beast. The site's main sponsor is the Atlantic Institute of Market Studies which is very much a beast. At the website they have remarks about the President of AIMS giving a talk in Buffalo, when you read about it it seems very bizarre, talking to a crowd in Buffalo about the benefits of some sort of trade agreement with....Halifax? Now what person in the american northeast, which has problems of it's own, is going to be interested in focusing trade on one of the poorest, least populated, highest taxed areas of North America? You literally would have to be retarded.<br /> <br /> However, if you look at AIMS and 'Atlantica', you will see that it is not economics that is the issue at all, but politics. The main issue in "Atlantica", is of course the border, which since Sept.11, 2001 has made business even more difficult. To change this, we know exactly what is necessary, which is that Canada must accommodate american security demands. Another aside is one of AIMS pet peeves is that the maritimes have far too many governmental employees.<br /> <br /> Both sides no doubt like talking about such a thing as Atlantica, simply because it's a new idea. Ideals are wonderful and terrible things, so AIMS can go around saying, 'well, in order to join Atlantica you have to get rid of X number of public employees'. On the other side, however, you have to remember that it's also sponsored by the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, and there are plenty of inter-provincial organizations. The chamber, of course, will take any opportunity to increase business in the area, and if all the hoopla actually made wealthy, american, northeastern investors look at atlantic canada then it's certainly a win. Lord knows they haven't found any takers in other parts of Canada.