And America's economy is still beating Canada's, despite a cyclical recession that is now over. Yes, our GDP has been risinig the past year, and despite the hurricanes our un-employment is falling and now stands at about 5%. Though the state I live in (Michigan) is ranked 46th with 6.7% last time I checked and only Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi are lower and we're tied with Alaska. Right now, nationaly, inflation is the main concern. Don't believe the hype kids! And why and what would anyone attack Canada? Really, I have trouble seeing why Canada would even need a really advance army, they have us to the south. Even if we had sour relations with Canada, we would not allow a hostile and aggressive force entrench itself so close to our borders. All they really need is a modern defense force and use the money saved from defense spending for other things, like getting the QEW repaired. Seriously, that road gets rough around Hamilton sometimes and Canadian truckers are friggin' evil! Edit: About the Bush thing. Even though he is partially to blame with an ill advised tax cut and increase govt spending at a time when we should've cut back and try to save the surplus, the govt is not the sole cause of the recession. Did anyone here remember the internet boom? Does anyone remember what happen to a lot of those companies? They aren't here anymore now are they? Which, means the goverment has less of a base to collect taxes from and eliminated quite a few jobs. That was the main cause on the recession, even if Bush cut back spending and didn't push through those tax cuts, there still would have been a recession, though probably not a pronounced. Then there is the little matter of Sept. 11 which help extend the recession for about another year and ate further into the surplus, though by that time we were starting our deficiet trend. So as with many things in the economy, Bush was only a factor. ow large is always up to speculation and debate.