Comedian Bill Maher recently issued a warning to Americans to not admire Canada’s “woke” policies on immigration, unemployment, and health care. On his show Real Time, Maher positioned Canada as a cautionary tale about the impacts of liberalism. He pointed out Canada’s 6.1% unemployment rate, higher than the 3.8% rate in the U.S., and mentioned that 14 out of 15 North American cities with the worst air pollution are in Canada. Maher joked about American perceptions of Canada as a perfect liberal paradise with single-payer health care, gun control, and abortion on demand.
Despite his love for Canada, Maher emphasized that not everything is better in the country. He criticized what he called “zombie lies,” where people continue to talk about things in the same way even as they change. Maher highlighted Canada’s housing crisis, noting that the median price of a home in Canada is $487,000, significantly higher than the U.S. with $346,000. He also criticized Canada’s healthcare system, saying that despite high spending for free coverage, many Canadians struggle to see a doctor.
Maher concluded his cautionary tale by warning that moving too far left can push people towards the right. He stated that while he usually supports liberal policies, going too far in that direction can lead to disastrous consequences. Maher urged Americans to learn from Canada’s mistakes and find a balance between progressive and conservative policies. He emphasized the importance of not driving off a cliff with extreme ideologies.
Overall, Maher’s message to Americans was to be cautious in admiring Canada’s progressive policies and to avoid blindly following in their footsteps. He encouraged viewers to learn from Canada’s experiences and find a balanced approach to governance that takes into account the potential downsides of extreme liberalism. Maher’s critique of Canada’s healthcare system, housing crisis, and other issues serves as a reminder that even seemingly ideal systems have their flaws and challenges. By examining the limitations of other countries’ policies, Americans can work towards creating a more sustainable and effective approach to governance.
