First of all, thank you for giving me one more way to show half of my fellow citizens the damage that indulging in their "victimhood" has done to the rest of the nation. But also, please take note ... the dynamics that have deluded so many Americans could also prevail in Canada (or anywhere else, for that matter) if you don't innoculate yourselves. Two factors, in particular, are worth pondering.

First, are the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy taught in your public schools--and I mean really taught--in a comprehensive and consistent way? Can young Canadian voters recognize slick propaganda when they see it? Do they know how to verify the accuracy of their sources?

South of the world's longest, undefended border, many of us took the nation's commitment to democracy for granted. Courses in American history, civics and government were pushed aside as the business world clamored for emphasis on math and technology. We forgot that the entire point of public education is to prepare our young people for citizenship--not to prepare them to work for Wall Street.

Second, do not fall for the notion that news and scientific information can't be relatively objective, and that holding news sources responsible for disseminating false information is somehow suppressing free speech. If someone starts blathering about the merits of 'advocacy journalism' send him or her down to work for Fox News--and don't let him or her back in. The stark reality is that propaganda is effective ... don't make the mistake of assuming that your public is too bright to fall for it!

And above all, hold onto Canada ... in many ways, you are the nation that we should have become!