Not sure what any developed country would be jealous of? While in the (post-WW2) 50s Europeans left in droves for the US in hopes for a better and safer life, I don't see that happening these days. Don't misunderstand me, I loved the US as a semi-tourist having lived in Arizona for a while. I had a good time. But I would never want to permanently emigrate to the US. The US is merely an attractive refuge for 3rd worlders from parts of Asia or South America, but not for G8 citizens. Why would any G8 country in the world (Canada, France, UK, Germany, Russia etc.) be jealous of ... of what, the US health care system? The national debt? The average level of education? The crime/murder rate? The average body mass index?
So why waste your time with a thread like this, you are not making sense. As to your question. You as a US citizen are living through the answer as we speak. It will take a few years for this realisation to hit you. The more you resist the reality of your existence, the longer it will take.
Canada and the United States are and will ALWAYS remain Alias and once Bush is out things will only get better. Canada does two important things for the US. 1. We are a giant shield (should Russia attack the war would be fought on Canadian soil). Our responsibility is to provide a first line of defense in the event of a Northern invasion and the Canadian Army is well equipped for this kind of survalience and battle. 2. We sell you tons of natural resources at serious discount prices. Electricity, coal, oil, lumber etc, etc... We are your largest trade partner. The United States: 1. Provides military support for Canada and yes that is a HUGE advantage to us Canadians. 2. You give us a market to sell our products in. It has been a perfect relationship for many years until Bush came to office and strained it enormously. As a Canadian I have a lot of love and respect for the US and I am truly saddened by what has happened to her since Bush took office. Once the moron is out I will even vacation there again.
Again you are wrong about this... the US finances no one....the world finances the US... America used to be the engine of economic growth and now they are the caboose... you are in the back, and you make everyone go slower...
Like I said, here is a thread that is high on self sympathy and low on facts. It will wind up with a self serving outcome as reality slowly dawns. The US will follow one of two courses. Either get busy or get bitter. Both involve substantial pain but somehow the first course turns the pain into a sense of achievement. I think that you can do it, but my opinion counts for nothing as you are the master of your own destiny.
Are you a Brit or Canadian? If so, please tell your fellow countrymen to stop coming here then. A pretty good percentage of my community is from the UK/Canada - living here permanently. (Fancy that)! Thanks to most of you for proving my point... you were supposed to explain why your economic system is superior to ours - with examples. As expected, most of you are not capable - just the typical schoolyard insults. Thanks again.
Like I say, self sympathy rules the day. But it is your country and you are entitled to do with it as you wish Within your own borders of course.
'should Russia attack the war would be fought on Canadian soil' in last 200 year history, Russia has not attacked any country unprovoked, so do not fear that Russians will want to march on Europe let alone Canada. Even Afganistan was an invitation from local government to sort out fanatic islamic issues and it blew up into a full scale guerrila war.