With the U.S. wallowing in a financial disaster of its own creation (see sequester, debt ceiling, possible government shutdown and $16 trillion in deb...

Mitt Romney is touring the UK, Israel, and Poland this week ­-- but not Canada. Why not? Wait, wait, hear me out: This is not the usual "they forgot Canada again!" lament. The political purpose of Romney's foreign tour was to accuse President Barack Obama of straining relationships with key allies. Right now, the bilateral U.S.-Canada relationship is working very well for both countries. A photo-op of a smiling Mitt Romney wearing a hardhat beside a pipeline in Fort McMurray, Alta., would not help.

The battle of 1812 was supposedly lost by the U.S. and therefore won by Great Britain. Apparently, it is true. But rebels in Upper and Lower Canada would continue to challenge the Anglo-Anglican Monarchists by waging a secret uprising in both parts of Canada that would end in 1838. It is remembered as the Caroline Affair.

It's just a toll booth on a bridge -- but it symbolizes the challenges to Canadians of living next-door to an increasingly dysfunctional American political system: The Ambassador Bridge over the Detroit River is the busiest Canada-U.S. border crossing, and shippers fear that the bridge's capacity will soon be overwhelmed. Unfortunately, The existing Ambassador bridge is privately owned, and the main owner -- Forbes 400 member Manuel Maroun -- does not welcome competition.