SUPER

Apparently Iceland is considering dumping their currency - the krona - after their financial collapse in 2008.

  
Adopting the euro, and joining the EU makes some sense for Iceland. But according to CNN anchor Erin Burnett, Iceland is thinking about adopting the Canadian dollar – the loonie - as its official currency, instead.

In her essay Is Canada the World's Next Superpower? Burnett posits that –  “on paper, the decision seems to make sense for both Canada and Iceland. Iceland would have a currency overseen by a very strong central bank. Canada would get even more influence in the Arctic region. And it would probably increase foreign trade for both countries.”

Hmmm. The last we heard about Canada (the sixth-largest oil-producing nation in the world,) it was contemplating redirecting oil to the Pacific coast to help out China - because the mighty USA had delayed the Keystone pipeline.

And now this.  Iceland is enamored with Canada because....?

They are both filled with ice? They feel like they are 'above' the rest of the world? They share the common letters: 'a', 'n', and 'd'?  

Clearly cold Canada is a hot ticket. It has the 10th-largest economy in the world. Its unemployment rate is 7.6%, compared with our 8.3%. Canada also has a Triple-A rating that makes our Double-A rating look, well, AA.  

Should we be worried that our northern neighbor may be a rising imperial superpower?

Heck no.

We should be doing cartwheels at the very possibility!

In fact, I say, "Why wait?!" Someone call Barack and tell him to hand our Superpower Cape over to Canada. Yesterday. 

 
Let Canada diplomatize Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and all warring nations. Their civil war was a bar fight that lasted a little less than an hour.

Let Canada figure out global warming. There are more "lakes, mountains, plains, rivers, coastline, glaciers, bears, wolves, cougars, and other wild life in Canada than almost anywhere else in the world." One can "hike, ski, skate, canoe, fish, or sail" all year round. Canadians would rather drink American beer than allow climate change to mess with one of the most gorgeous landscapes on earth.

Let Canada solve the problem of our exploding world population. The country's enormous, and outside of its fabulous cities, pretty much wide open. Neighbors who now walk for days to borrow an egg from another  neighbor would surely love interesting company (as long as interesting company loves hockey and beer.)

Now that I'm thinking about it, Canada could potentially solve all the world's problems.

Consider: 

Canada is a free and democratic society.

Canadian students rank in the top ten worldwide in Math, Science, and Reading competency.

Canada has the lowest crime rate among major industrialized countries.
Canada has more clean water than any other nation.

Canada has great infrastructure.
Canadian social programs are unsurpassed (yes, the government pays for healthcare.)

The most compelling reason to anoint Canada the world's Superpower?

Canadians are nice. They are gentle (when not playing hockey,) and treat people with respect (when not playing hockey.) They are also welcoming, polite, humble, generous, open-minded, and caring.

Take my word for it. I drive forty minutes into Canadian wine country - and Canadian kindness - as often as possible. I've often been seated next to Canadian hockey fans who amiably chat through the game, expertly explaining face-off rules without being condescending know-it-alls (and they do know all about hockey.) 

My Canadian friends are some of my favorite people - and some of my favorite people will soon be island-dwellers in Canada.

Simply stated, I'm infatuated with Canada.

You will be, too.

Google 'Best things about Canada' and discover gems like Knight's Canadian Info Collection which includes these interesting Canadian tidbits (not Timbits - those are crazy delicious Canadian donut holes.)

We knew plaid flannel was cool way before Seattle did.
We can out-drink most Americans.
We design Halloween costumes to fit over a snowsuit.
The mosquitoes (here) have landing lights.
Sexy lingerie is tube-socks and a flannel nightie with only 8 buttons.
The local paper covers national and international headlines on 2 pages, but requires 6 pages for hockey.
We use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.

Still not convinced?  

Consider:

Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal lead the world in quality of life. Quebec is spectacular.
Canada invented hockey.
Canada  invented basketball.

Canadians are 300% less likely to be murdered than Americans.
The Rush Limbaugh Show is never broadcast in Canada.

The Canadian national anthem it eminently singable.

Now that I'm really thinking about it, forget the Superpower thing.

Let's call a summit of all the world's nations. We'll jointly decide to rid ourselves of all states, countries, and continents; renaming the world, "Canada."

Best idea ever.

Eh?

QUING Hereby Decrees: American news today is 2 disturbing 2 be Bloggable (in autograph terms.) Thanks, Canada!