Canada establishes universal health care. 27 years later, the government collapses. Coincidence??

In what appears to be a clear indication that the unrest in the Arab world is spreading, the Canadian government fell yesterday in response to growing dissatisfaction over Conservative arrogance, mismanagement, and corruption. Of course, if you rely solely on American media for your news, you might have missed what is actually a pretty big story (Rachel Maddow, thankfully, didn’t miss it).

[Pop Quiz:

1) Who is Stephen Harper? (no cheating, but the answer is here)
2) What does Queen Elizabeth have to do with all of this?
3) Who is David Johnston? (answer here)
4) True of False: Michael Myers will be the next Prime Minister.
5) Canada’s top export is: A) Hockey players, B) Cold Fronts, C) Barenaked Ladies]

The US-Canada border is the longest undefended border in the world…and yet American media outlets treat Canada as if it was Detroit’s estranged brother. If you don’t believe me, think about this: when’s the last time you saw, heard, or read a story anywhere about Canada that didn’t have to do with hockey or cold fronts.? I know; I had to ponder that one for awhile myself. Go figure….

As is his tradition when this sort of thing happens (this is the fourth time in the past seven years), my IT guru/knight in shining armor James Bow is holding a contest to see who can come up with the closest guesstimate for the makeup of the new government. Of course, those of us below the 48th Parallel generally know nothing about Canada’s parliamentary form of government. Let’s face facts, shall we? We can barely handle a form of government with only two and a half parties, much less whatever it is that Canadians have to sort out biennially. Conservative? Liberals? Bloc Quebecois? Ah, man; what time do the Maple Leafs drop the puck? My brain hurts…. ;-)