You raise some interesting points there, Claymore. I agree that English is the most influential language, and becoming more so. I think Canada may have a great future ahead of it, simply because there's still a lot of really good land and fresh water here...and not that big a population.

It depends, though, on any number of other factors which could affect us...like what the USA does or what China does in the next few decades. We'll have to play our cards carefully, I'm thinking.

The flexible political tradition you laud in the USA (quite rightly) was a further development of the British tradition, which has also been a very lasting and successful one. Canadian society is another offshoot of the British tradition, as are Australia and New Zealand.

But don't go telling the French that they are going to vanish into the sunset! :-) They are firmly convinced, and always have been, that they are the most sophisticated and civilized culture on the face of the Earth. As for the Germans, well, the Germans will adapt and endure. They're a tremendously capable people.

But the political structures? Those come and go.

Like you, Claymore, I look to the stars. Yes, I believe we will go there, and it's not too far off. I hope we are a united World when we do.

- LH