This is an odd thought I know. And Im not sure if everyone here will agree with it.
But lets take a quick look into the future. The United States is soon going to fall back in status to at the very least Global Power but not Super Power. (If you're not sure what I mean there that would be one step lower where Canada would be Great/Regional Power) Or, what is less likely but still a possibility, a total collapse of the American state. Ie: What happened to the USSR or possibly worse. (I cant see this as bloodless.)
But seeing as how Canada and the Canadian people have always had to deal with an eternal and nearly all encompassing relationship with the United States. How will we handle it with the United States being possibly weaker than us. If it existence at all.
I think in the end the first situation would likely be less beneficial for Canada over all. A weakened but not dead united states could very well take a incredible right wing turn. I wont say Fascism, because Fascism is dead. But I can see it springing from the American longing to remain powerful and important as well as to reattain their standard of living which is likely to drop as the American economy slips into the red. America could very well turn even more isolationist and militarist. In the end, as America starts to choke on its lack of natural resources to feed its always growing hunger it would inevitably look for the softest closest target.
I also do not think that anyone would back Canada up in this situation if it were to occur. They would be to afraid of step in the way of what would be a much weaker US but still probably able to destroy most nations militarily with out even trying. As for the European Union and our friends and allies in Asia they would have more to gain economically from a United North America under the US than a joint occupation of a former Super Power.
The second situation is still rather ruff. If the US broke unto Civil War, or even collapsed into several States or Unions fighting one another. Domestically I'm not sure what would happen in the North. But Im sure things will change. If things get too chaotic in the US I could see the CAF being used to make sure that the instability doesn't consume Canada as well. In the end in the wake of an American collapse Canada would likely need to occupy the Northern States (I don't think we are capable of occupying more than that) possibly having to set up a New American Government. Turning around the way North America has been for the last 200 years and placing Canada at the rains. This would likely end however in a Republican dominated nation in the Southern US. And I don't think that would end well.
I know that its impossible to predict what may happen as the US falls more and more into the shadows but it will be an interesting and monuments event in world history. And millions of times more important than that to Canada.
Does anyone agree with my thoughts? If not why?