Well, we can conclude that they are not as important and/or as urgent as other factors, and only for those who are mobile. Between Canada and the US, for example, it is easiest to move if you are young, educated, and employable. So I might draw some conclusions about the lack of difference to those who are young, educated, and employable.
I wouldn't assume that there's no difference for someone who is older, uneducated, or unemployed, because the cross-border friction is WAY higher for them.
And of course, all we are talking about is perceived benefit. If one system costs a lot more than the other, we can make all sorts of statements about that. Is the Canadian system more expensive? Is the American system more expensive? I've seen both arguments given, and it looks an awful lot like you can juggle figures at will to justify either claim.
I wouldn't assume that there's no difference for someone who is older, uneducated, or unemployed, because the cross-border friction is WAY higher for them.
You might be right, but I don't think you can simply assume it.
For example, a well-educated, professionally employed person old enough to have an established family is highly immobile for those very reasons. Their jobs and their family ties are holding them in place. Who knows how these factors all net out.
Are we in violent agreement? I said that I wouldn't assume because the friction is higher. I was thinking along the same lines as you, but perhaps I should have been explicit that I include factors like family ties and roots in the community as part of 'friction.'
I wouldn't assume that there's no difference for someone who is older, uneducated, or unemployed, because the cross-border friction is WAY higher for them.
And of course, all we are talking about is perceived benefit. If one system costs a lot more than the other, we can make all sorts of statements about that. Is the Canadian system more expensive? Is the American system more expensive? I've seen both arguments given, and it looks an awful lot like you can juggle figures at will to justify either claim.