say1988

Your reasonings are flawed: The Prime Ministers that pushed for free trade did it for Canada not just because the US wanted it. King being friendly with FDR? They were in a war together, and genuinely got along. Because you and your friend get along, does that mean you suck up to him? Many of your examples show a) common interest, or working together. Both of which should occur for two neighbouring, developed countries, that have had over a century of peace and trade and for latter examples decades as Allies. We should work with the US. For sucking up and example would be if after saying no we decided to send troops to Iraq in order to get the the good side of the US.

I would say "cushy" in respect to virtually 100% job security (you have to really screw it up). It may take some time to get a full time job, but most do within several years. And it depended what you taught if the students are annoying, the idiots normally ended up with the lazy teachers, though. Two month summer vacation every year, maybe 1.5 for a really dedicated teacher. Plus EVERY holiday, weekend, and extras. Most don't work 8 hours per day including prep. In high school they taught 3.75 hours per day with a 1.25 hour prep period. Most were at the school for less than 8 hours, and fewer and fewer are supporting extra-curricular activities. Most teachers I had teach the same classes each year, many hardly have any prep time. Many just go through the book and hardly know what they are doing. As said good teachers are priceless, but the union recognizes that the government won't, and in many cases can't, hold out and they can get what they want. With the economy in this state you shouldn't be asking for more.

A failing US economy will hurt us more than some steel exports, so long as it stays with iron and steel. Not to be callous to those workers (who will suffer) or anything, but Canada relies on the US and its trade. There is a reason our economy tends to follow theirs, and it still will. There is also nothing staying our exports will stop, just that it will not be allowed in some projects.

They should sing it. I see no reason not to. If buses arrive during it have the students stand where they are (or if necessary exit the bus and stand there). I do not believe in God, and have no problem singing "God save the Queen", it is just one word, and think what you will of it. And most non-Christians still have a God, it doesn't say Jesus or anything. That is wasn't our national anthem until 1980: Nothing was, not even God Save the Queen. It was used as such well before 1980 though. I don't know when it started being widely used, but it was well before then. In elementary school we sang it every morning and the start of any afternoon assembly. I think every Canadian should, sure it might just gloss over most of them, but some take it to heart, then or in the future. It is our national anthem, just showing a small piece of pride in our country. Overt pride in our country is rather uncommon and I think we should do more to promote it, not to the scale of the US, but more than it is. I find that most people don't know the words to O Canada. At my school also sang God Save the Queen after our weekly assembly, and when I went to high school, nobody from any other school even knew the tune. That is despicable. It would be even worse if our national anthem goes the same way.