Sadly Big Mick, there is a constantly updated plan that the American government has been working on since the McKinley era. The old 54-40 or fight is not dead in the psyche of some US citizens and politicians nor in the psyche of some Canadians either.

There was a interview of an ex-military author here this week, regarding his recent book, that calls for more significant, immediate, investment in the Canadian Military.

His premise was that if Canada didn't do it and quickly, the US would use Canada's lack of military preparedness, as an excuse to step in and take over, in the guise of protecting America, because militarily Canada's ability to do so is limited. And there goes the last semblance of Canadian sovereignty.

There is hardly any political move that is made in Canada without trying to second guess how it will effect our relationship with the US and the subsequent economic and political ramifications. This is the consequence of living next to a nation that likes to win...everything.