Cliff Hanger

 

"Whatever happens in the United States - especially something that could happen that would significantly slow the American economy - would be of great concern to us."
"So we're watching this with great interest."
"We just urge congressional figures and the president to get on with an immediate solution, but also think seriously about how this fiscal situation is going to get under control over the next several years."
"This government is extremely pro-American.  We value the relationship with the United States.
"At the same time, we are strong Canadian nationalists.  We see no incompatibility with that."
"Every Canadian will say this, but it's just the way it is.  We always like to have more attention in the United States.  We certainly pay a lot of attention to you."
"You sometimes don't give enough attention to us.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease, they say.  And we're not the squeaky wheel.  But look, we recognize that the United States' obligations and responsibilities are global."
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

So look here, whatever else you do, newly-re-elected President Barak Obama, it's fine to go off visiting Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia and wherever else your fancy to praise and rebuke takes you, but the domestic stuff is pretty important too.  Fact is, it's domestic all right, but the financial status of the United States inevitably impacts all other economies.  And it most certainly does impact Canada's. 

So it's like this for us: we're in a fairly good place, right now.  The OECD has given us an approving green light; we're the pride of the G8, with the strongest outlook for the next 50 years.  And, you know, we'd like to keep it that way.  Not only for the next fifty years, since that's really nice, but for the present, you know, like right now?

Your fiscal cliff, if left unattended, could send us over the cliff, too.  And we'd really rather not, actually.  We like being on terra firma.  U.S. trade protectionism, NAFTA aside - since there are ways that the U.S. Congress throws its weight around that kind of makes hash of NAFTA in protecting American interests - is of huge concern to us.  Don't shut us out, please?

Engage in some serious introspection, discussion and bi-partisan decision-making on that January first deadline.  Be absolutely certain you want to proceed with the Budget Control Act of 2011.  Imposing tax increases and slashing spending simultaneously doesn't sound very balanced, to tell you the truth, and that's what friends do; we tell the truth.

You're depressing and stimulating at one and the same time.  Develop that "credible fiscal plan" that will infuse new life in your economy and aid all others in the process.  The European Union could use some good news, because a rising tide lifts all boats, doesn't it; perhaps a tired old adage, but there's wisdom there, too.

"So I would think that surely now that the election is over, reasonable people would come to those solutions and not wait for a crisis.  To the extent that I hear some people talking about a bungee cord, I think that kind of talk is foolish.  If you go over a cliff, you can't be sure what will happen next."

Right?  Right!