Sure - we've got National Health. That's why I'm in the U.S. to get some medical care right now - rather than wait the 6 months in line in Canuckistan.

If the separatist Bloc Quebecois has a hammerlock on Quebec with 53 per cent of support, then why does Quebecoi independence keep getting voted down ?

I wish they'd do it, since the rest of Canada would make a fine addition to the United States of North America.

Michael - I wish they'd do it too, so we could pick off Alberta and the territories and leave the rest to fend for themselves.

I wonder if Peter still believes the Liberals are not "economically socialists" after that last budget deal with the NDP?

You guys from Ontario who are reading this blog -- Ontario is the problem with Canada, not Quebec. I'd support separation of Ontario in a second.

Randall:

Sure do. The Liberals are far too corrupt and addicted to power-at-all-costs to be economically anything. As for the NDP, where would they be without you left-coasters?

PJ:

You want the territories? We gotta talk. They are probably the biggest financial sinkholes in history. Beware of the mistake State Department Arabists make about the Middle East, which is to stare at the map and dream of untold riches and influence over huge swaths of land.

In the last provincial election in Alberta, a new separatist (not "let's-join-the-States") party ran in twelve ridings and got one per cent of the popular vote. You've got some work to do.

Michael:

The Bloc will sweep Quebec in the next federal election and the Parti Quebecois probably in the next provincial election. But they still won't separate.

Randall:

A follow-up: The problem isn't Ontario or any other province. The problem facing the Conservatives is that Canada is too urbanized. The next election will be won or lost in the suburbs, just like the last one. There are about 20 surburban ridings around Toronto, none of which went to the Conservatives but most of which were very tight. Except for Calgary, the Tories were blanked in every city (Thanks, Vancouver). They did just fine in rural and small town Ontario.

One of the reasons why conservatism is stronger in the States is that rural/small town life is more vibrant.

In Canada a Liberal vote is one of fear -- fear of Christians and fear of Western "rednecks" who want to cut taxes.

That is Ontario in a nutshell.

Urbanization = collectivism = leftism and the end of individualism ... wherever.

Peter - All I want is clear ground for missile defense. If the natives are financial sinks, we'll just pay them in Canadian dollars.

Regarding Alberta, if they don't want to be with us, then I don't want 'em. Let them form their own nation.

Randall:

C'mon now, if that were true, how would you explain Mike Harris? I thought it was you nature-worshipping, earth-goddess- revering, needle-distributing, organic food and social action collective-organizing, reproductive freedom-defending B.C.'ers who really feared the Christians. Ontario is just full of soccer moms who drive SUV's and hold whatever viewpoints they heard on the CBC the previous evening.

provincial election. But they still won't separate.

Canada could be down to two provinces, Ontario and Quebec, and the Bloc will still be talking about separtion but not doing anything to actually advance it. (or Quebec and PEI, for that matter)

Mike Harris -- Christian? When we kicked out the NDP, we left them only two seats.

Of course, we've perennially sent Conservatives to office, so you know what you are saying is nonsense (and proof of what I am saying about Ontario).

In Alberta, Klein is no Christian, either, but he represents them well.

In BC, we have activists (including the mayor of shrinking Vancouver). But in Ontario, you don't need them.

Randall:

2004--Election results.

B.C.

Conservatives--36.2%
Liberals 28.6%
NDP--26.6%
Greens 6.4%

Ontario

Liberals--44.7%
Conservatives--31.5%
NDP--18.1%
Greens--4.5%

Which means 67.3% of Ontario went liberal/left while 61.6% of B.C. did, with more on the hard left. It's not easy to argue B.C. is leading the conservative charge.