As bad, venal and corrupt some of our Canadian politicians may be, they can't hold a candle to the American pols. That being said, it seems to me that the best course that Obama could have followed would have been to refuse to negotiate with the Tea-Baggers over raising the debt ceiling.

The rational response would have been to declare that his government would not negotiate with blackmailers, and if the Republican controlled congress refused to raise it, he would use his powers under the 14th Amendment to do so.

In that way, he would have appeared to be a strong leader to the American people, and he would have exposed the Republicans for what they are, blackmailers.

Instead, he is caving, showing himself as leader who cannot or will not defend the interests of the middle class, and he will also carry the blame for the dire economic consequences of cutting government spending in the midst of the most severe recession since the Great Depression.

No doubt that here in Canada, we will feel the effects of the insanity that has overtaken the US, after all, they are our most important trading partner and customer for our goods, but I believe that we will, out of necessity, eventually find new markets in China, India and Brazil.

After this bill/legislations is passed is when we should worry about our relationship with the USA the damage this will do to the middle class, elderly and the poor is astronomical while of course still giving a few solid tax Breaks to the richest 4%. It amazes me that the Upper class seems to find no value in investing in at least a minimum standard for healthcare education retirement benefits for it's people. How can they doubt that they will soon be smoked by countries that do like China ( the guys that hold the mortgage) and basically the rest of the entire world.

I can think of 2 more...
7. Hopefully Canadians will greatly appreciate not allowing News Corp. set up shop on your soil to misinform and dumb down your electorate. Without this enterprise of yellow journalism, the US wouldn't have elected the idiots whose ideology may actually bankrupt this once wealthy country.
8. Your population may explode as Americans seek to live in a country whose democracy hasn't been hijacked by corporate lobbyist who can sell a dumbed down electorate anything as long as it calls itself christian or wraps itself in the flag. Don't worry about them bringing this level of ignorance with them. The people immigrating north will be the smart ones.