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#251 2026-08-22 06:36:34
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For RobertDyck re new topic on Medical Plans for Mars and elsewhere in the Solar System.
Please consider copying some of your interesting and thoughtful posts about the Canadian system to this new topic.
The Chinese and the US are most likely to set up communities of humans on Mars.
Of the two, the Chinese may have the better medical care plan, but I don't know how the Chinese have evolved since the Mao days, when the Communist model was in play.
The US focus upon individual responsibility might lead to a situation in which individuals make arrangements for their own health care. However, the US examples shows that individuals cannot be expected to assume responsibility. The result is presence of individuals who have not planned for health care, and thus become burdens upon the rest of society.
In the US system, charity of good hearted persons appears to be the fall-back plan for those who have not provided for their own care.
The US system certainly seems to allow and even encourage full force selfishness to express itself.
There might be some advantage to that system.
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#252 2026-08-22 14:56:57
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For RobertDyck re impressive artwork!
https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 75#p241075
Thanks for sharing this artwork! I'll bet it receives a positive response in Canada.
There was news of possible lifting of the liquor prohibition recently, but I'll bet the door slams back shut now.
***
A while ago I sent you a link to a paper about the use of the Bose-Einstein state to try to facilitate fusion. For whatever reason, I never heard anything, so I don't even know if you received the paper, let alone looked at it.
I remain interested in the basic idea, even though the gent who brought it to our attention has dropped out of communication.
As stated earlier, i think the challenge is to create the Bose Einstein state (which requires absolute stillness at near absolute zero) while the atoms to be fused are traveling in a stream toward the exit of a rocket drive.
Those two states do not normally go together.
I'd be interested in your analysis.
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#253 2026-08-22 16:56:17
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For RobertDyck re Bill Clinton statement: https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 79#p241079
Thanks for the link!
September 8th appears to be a date to watch.
I have a question about a detail... I ** thought ** the presentation said that Canada would impost an ** export ** tax! In other words, if the US imposes a 50% import tax and collects 50% from the purchaser, Canada will impost an equal ** export ** tax and collect the same 50% from the purchaser. In other words, if I understood the presentation, the good would increase 100% in price, and both Canada and the US would collect cash on the transaction.
This situation could get interesting fast!
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#254 2026-08-24 12:45:03
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For Robertdyck re Canada's options...
Could Canada simply cut off trade with the US?
How much US debt does Canada hold? Could it simply ask for it's monty back in gold?
Apparently the US has a stock of gold at Fort Knox.
It's not doing anything useful there, since the US currency is not backed by gold.
I asked Google and it came up with an interesting figure:
AI Overview
Canada owns $459.6 billion in U.S. debt as of June 2026.
This debt is held in the form of U.S. Treasury securities—such as bills, notes, and bonds—by Canadian entities, including the Government of Canada, the Bank of Canada, and private Canadian financial institutions.
Canada's Position as a CreditorTop Holder Status: Canada consistently ranks among the top 10 largest foreign holders of U.S. sovereign debt.
Share of Debt: Canada's share accounts for roughly 5% of the total $9.3 trillion in U.S. debt held globally by foreign countries.
Recent Trends: Canadian holdings peaked at an all-time high of $475.8 billion in September 2025, experienced fluctuations in early 2026, and recently climbed back up from $435.8 billion in May 2026.
Where Canada Ranks Globally
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's June 2026 data puts Canada alongside other major international creditors:?? Japan: $1.116 trillion
?? United Kingdom: $939.9 billion
?? China: $633.4 billion
?? Belgium: $482.5 billion
?? Canada: $459.6 billion
It appears that the gold at Fort Knox could cover the Canadian debt:
AI Overview
The United States holds approximately 261.5 million fine troy ounces of total gold reserves, with about 56% stored at the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox in Kentucky.
Gold Holdings by Location
Image of United States Bullion Depository
United States Bullion Depository
3.7
(216)
Historical landmark
Open397 Redmar Blvd
Holds 147,341,858.382 fine troy ounces (roughly 4,583 metric tons), representing the largest single share of U.S. government gold.
Image of West Point Mint
West Point Mint
4.0
(4)
Government office
West Point, NY 10996
Holds approximately 54.1 million troy ounces.
Image of Denver Mint
Denver Mint
Building
Denver, CO 80204
Holds approximately 43.9 million troy ounces.
Image of Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
3.9
(12)
Federal government office
33 Liberty St
Holds approximately 13.4 million troy ounces of U.S.-owned gold (alongside foreign deposits).
ValuationBook Value: The U.S. Treasury officially values its gold reserves on public books at a statutory rate of $42.22 per troy ounce, a fixed rate set by Congress in 1973.
Market Value: At current market spot prices, the total U.S. stockpile is valued at over $1 trillion, with Fort Knox's share alone accounting for hundreds of billions of dollars.
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#255 2026-08-24 19:33:23
- RobertDyck
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
tahanson43206,
US Mint: Fort Knox Bullion Depository
The first gold arrived in Fort Knox, Kentucky, in 1937 by U.S. Mail. Since then, the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox has stored precious metal bullion reserves for the U.S. goverment. It currently holds 147,341,858.382 fine troy ounces of gold.
Not surprisingly, no visitors are permitted at the bullion depository.
Current Gold Price in USA $4,689.23
Multiplying: $690,919,862,580.63 or rounding $691 billion
If the US were to buy back all US Treasury bonds held by Canada, using the figure you sited, that would be most of the gold in Fort Knox.
Google found a forum in which one person claimed the US holds $329 billion of Canadian debt. In Canadian dollars, 2 years ago. I skimmed through the last Canadian federal budget. They're supposed to be issued every March, but Mark Carney didn't until last November. Debt breakdown into Canadian Treasury bills, Domestic bonds, and other foreign debt, but not who holds them. Treasury bills have a maturity date: 2 year, 5, 10, or 30 year. Canada could offer to trade US Treasury bonds held by Canada for Canadian Treasury bonds held by the US. To me that makes sense. Reduce exposure. Using today's exchange rate, C$320 billion = US$237.59 billion.
The quote you posted said US debt is held by "Government of Canada, the Bank of Canada, and private Canadian financial institutions". The government can't force private institutions to do anything. But the Bank of Canada is the Canadian equivalent to the Fed, and in Canada it's a branch of the federal government. So we could reduce debt holdings somewhat.
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#256 2026-08-25 06:29:11
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For RobertDyck re Post #255...
Thanks for considering the option.
Your reply reveals the gentle nature of Canadians.
Even when Canadians have every right to be angry, there appears to be a tendency to avoid use of force to influence a sparring partner.
In this case I inquired about a demand by Canada that the US pay back funds loaned by Canada.
Your observation about most of the gold in Fort Knox is accurate. You (Canada) would want to get that gold before the rest of the world, because a demand by Canada for that gold would awaken a general run on the US debt
The US would have difficulty sustaining a payout of the trillions owed to other Nations.
One might assume there would be efforts on the part of some in the US to try to appease angry creditors.
The US might simply refuse to pay what it owes, which has not happened previously, but it would end the position of the US as a reliable investment.
***
Your point about Canadian debt held by the US is interesting.
At the very least, Canada could encourage lenders to bring home the funds they invested in the US when the bonds expire.
That very announcement could send a significant message to the government of the US.
Right now, it appears to me that some people in leadership positions in the US are living in an information bubble.
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#257 2026-08-25 15:09:37
- SpaceNut
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
I found the post 3261 was done quite well 
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#258 Yesterday 07:12:24
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For RobertDyck,
Recently I reported to you seeing a news release that used the word "export" for taxes that Canada might impose. I now think the reporter was confused, but I asked you at the time for clarification. For whatever reason, I never saw your reply.
It seemed to me that an export tax that matched the US ** import ** tax dollar for dollar would make sense.
If you don't want something you put a tax on it. Clearly the US does not want Canadian lumber. US importers are required to pay the import tax, which goes to the US government. If Canada were to impose a matching ** export ** tax (duty) then the US importers would pay the same amount and the Canadian government would benefit. Thus, the US citizen purchaser would provide a nice benefit to both governments.
I now think the Canadian policy is to tax ** imports **, so the reporter was probably confused.
However, it seems to me that use of the **export** tax would have made sense under these circumstances.
If you want less of something you tax it. In this case, the Canadian government would want less ** import ** tax imposed by the US, so a matching ** export ** tax would tend to suggest it might be a good idea to decrease the import tax.
The problem with ** import ** taxes (which the Canadians are set to impose in September) is that they are an indirect punishment for the offensive taxes imposed by the US. The items being taxed are likely NOT the same as the ones being taxed by the US.
That said, the US citizens who are selling LESS to Canada might be in a mood to protest, and perhaps such protest might have an effect on US policy, but the flow of force is indirect.
Google came up with a list of sites where the difference between import and export taxes is discussed:
AI Overview An import tax is a fee charged on goods entering a country, while an export tax is a fee charged on goods leaving a country.
Core Definitions
Import Tax (Tariff/Duty): A tax collected by customs authorities on products brought into a nation from abroad.
Export Tax (Export Duty): A tax levied by a government on goods and commodities sent out of the country to foreign markets.
I would imagine this exact same scenario is going to play out in Solar System trade. Absolutely NOTHING that plagues humans today is going to be missing from the Martian experience. Humans are going to bring their many foibles and weaknesses and flaws with them, wherever they go.
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#259 Yesterday 13:38:57
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For RobertDyck re your report on oil imported by the US from Canada.
I'm wondering if oil is included in the current tariff dispute?
I understand that not all products are included in the current dispute, because some are still covered by a previous agreement that has not yet expired.
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#260 Yesterday 17:45:31
- tahanson43206
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Re: RobertDyck Postings
For RobertDyck ....
I decided to ask Google about tariffs on Canadian oil...
Apparently there are NO tariffs being charged on Canadian oil.
This would be an opportunity for Canada to impose a 50% Export tax on oil it exports to the US.
AI Overview
No, the United States is not imposing tariffs on crude oil from Canada.
Current Tariffs StatusCrude Oil Excluded: Although the U.S. has placed 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods (such as dairy, furniture, and clothing), Washington specifically excluded crude oil from these measures.
Market Reliance: The United States relies heavily on Canadian imports, which accounted for roughly 63% of all U.S. crude imports.
Exports: The U.S. remains the primary buyer for Canada, purchasing about 90% of its crude exports.
I did a little reading about the history of export taxes and learned that Canada had imposed them during the OPEC oil crisis.
Subsequently, NAFTA eliminated them. An issue of significant concern was the East/West divide in Canada. The western provinces wanted to sell oil to the US, and for the sake of preserving the union the East acquiesced to the "request".
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