[Thanos]

The Yanks flock to the fundie right even when times are good, so I'd suggest that it's a phenomenon peculiar to America that we have no control over, and therefore it's really not worth worrying about right now. As for the Americans totally imploding? That's probably still a long ways off, despite the bursts of pessimism I tend to put on display around here.

[EyeBrock]

Yep, the supposed impending demise of the US is well overblown.

It's just a load basement dweller's who think the US is more evil than Iran et al getting all leftie excited.

[Prof_Chomsky]

I'd sure like to see Canada raise our royalty rates on the oil sands to more global standards... and a return to crown corporations investing in, and running them at profit to the state rather than taking a measily 2 billion frome the Chinese for what will amount to many times that in oil revenue.

[BartSimpson]

Thanos Thanos:

As for the Americans totally imploding? That's probably still a long ways off, despite the bursts of pessimism I tend to put on display around here.

The American notion that we the people control the government and not vice-versa is probably the best thing for staving off a revolution we've got. We blame ourselves for the government we elect and if we get really upset we take it out at the ballot box like we did last November.

The UK, on the other hand, is starting to show some signs of stress.

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/88939 ... urt_judge/

A group of 'extremists' over there are proposing the radical notion that

$1:

We, the British People have a right to govern ourselves.

which underlines the point that government in the UK is not of the people.

They'd better be careful or they'll have a republic before Canada does. Maybe you folks can take in the inevitable refugees...

[EyeBrock]

It will never happen in England Bart. The whole class/royalty system is too entrenched. I'm no fan of the royalty but the English cling to tradition and their old ways for comfort in hard times and times certainly are hard over there right now..

In Scotland, well that may be a possibility as the whiney Jocks are really beginning to grate on English nerves. I think it's highly likely that the Jocks will secede from the Kingdom and go their own way again. The Union has run its course and they can see how hard it is to do things on their own. Good luck relying on the broken-down EU.

Farewell Scotland.

PS Thanks for the oil and Scotch.