dianavan, why would the average American care in the least about Canadian politics? IMO, your premise that Canada may end up with a stronger economy than the US is interesting, particularly in regard to the lower Canadian debt level, but given the massive disparity of population and economic scale between the two countries and the existance of NAFTA, in most ways we are inextricably linked, economically, with what happens in the US, for good or ill, which makes any sort of strength Canada could garner, rather moot.

The only way out of being massively affected by a severe downturn in the US economy would be for Canada to feverishly expand its markets further into the Far East and Europe and to rapidly develop larger sections of secondary industry to offset the almost exclusive bulk of Canadian product headed south and to stop relying primarily on the export of raw materials. IMO you are rather naive to think that the US would allow that to happen. Matin will supply the US with the vaseline.

I do take exception to your blanket statement that one doesn't become rich by being honest. It has been my experience, in those that I have met over the years, that the accumulation of wealth and honesty are not necessarily mutually exclusive. However, when it comes to the Canadian Steam Ship Lines, expediency, rather than moral commitment seem to have been the operating force. Because of my inate prejudices, I will reserve the right to view Martin's honesty in the political arena as highly suspect too.