The CBC claims,

Fifteen per cent of Canadians would give up their ballot in Canada’s next federal election to vote in the U.S. election, a new poll co-sponsored by the CBC has found.

The poll, done by the Canadian polling company Environics, asked 2,001 Canadians over the age of 15 questions about how they perceive their role, and Canada’s role, in the world.

Can you imagine a more ridiculous question to ask? I’d suggest a clearer wording would be “fifteen percent of Canadians would rather stick their nose into other people’s business than take care of their own affairs.” Sure it’s hypothetical, but let’s be fair. If we’re going to have our votes counted in their internal affairs, they’re certainly entitled to have their say in ours. Would that change your opinion, busy-bodies?

While Canadians see the United States as important, when asked what countries stand out as being a negative force in the world, 52 per cent of respondents named the U.S.

I’d love to see the international reaction should the U.S. withdraw from international affairs. Many would go mental with delight at the sight of US forces leaving other countries. I suspect opinions would change once these happy people realize the United States would also be keeping the billions it now allocates to foreign aid. I couldn’t find current numbers but the 2004 total was nearly $40 billion. I suspect plenty of people would also be unhappy the first time a disaster occurs somewhere in the world and the United States isn’t there to help.

Of course the United States isn’t the only generous country in the world, but it seems they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t. It’s also very typically Canadian to call them a negative influence and at the same time watch their TV shows, cross the border to shop in their stores, gladly accept their help when something goes wrong, and want to meddle in their affairs.