Thanks, Carol, somebody else has informed me of that fact.

I will re-phrase:

Thats just it, Q, we have no clout at all.

We do, however, have the resources the U.S. desperately needs.

All we are asking is that the U.S. give Canada the 6 billion that they owe us.

It is true that jobs and income depend on exports but the U.S. is not our only trading partner and the flow of goods and services south can be disrupted and re-routed.

Is it too much to ask for what is fair and just?

Don't forget, if Canada can't trust the U.S., who can? I think that its reputation as a trading partner is at stake.

Perhaps you think that because the U.S. has clout, they can just take whatever they want. Maybe you're right in thinking that they will attempt to do that, but believe me when I say it is not just one party of Canadians that stand behind Martin. He has spoken and at least he is speaking on behalf of all Canadians. Of this, we can be proud. The U.S. should be hanging its head in shame.

So what will be done when Kinder-Morgan's pipeline blows for the third time?

I think the only thing that will save Canada is to join the European Union and convert to Euros. We should slash our economic interdependence so that when the U.S. comes begging at our doorstep we can tell them to kiss our collective butts.

Until then, the U.S. will continue to plunder, lie, cheat and steal because we let them do it. We give them their power. Without us, they would be up shit creek without a paddle. Where else will they get their water?