[truth_seeker]

"As an American, I would vote a resounding "NO". Remember what happened to the West German economy when it joined with its poor illiterate cousin to the East."

I would not equate Canada with East Germany. Canada is not poor, and is not illiterate.

For example, under Alberta province lie hydrocarbon reserves equal to that of Saudi Arabia. Granted, it is harder to extract, but the technology exists today.

Combined with similar oil and tar sands in our mountain states, we could become freed from importing oil.

I see nothing wrong with a few more willing states. My bet is that Canadians are at least as well educated as our own present population is (not as well as should/could be....granted).

[Heatseeker]

I agree with your idea - Alberta and Saskatchewan are OK but anything else is questionable.

But, as an American who has long followed Canadian politics, I can tell you that every Canadian I've ever talked to sees union with the US as a fear, not as a hope. There are obviously a few in the two above provinces that don't feel that way, but even conservatively-minded Canadians are proud of their country.

Don't mistake the current Liberal government (Chrétien/Martin) for what Canada is like all the time. Heck, even we elected Clinton for 2 terms! As I write this, I'm waiting to hear if Martin is going to call the Canadian federal election for June 28th. If he does, the next Canadian Prime Minister may be Stephen Harper of the Conservatives (yeah I know the 5/8/04 Ipsos-Reid poll suggests the Liberals are recovering, but I'm not sure I believe it). If that happens and if, God forbid, Kerry wins in November, Canada will have a more conservative government than the US!