Something Americans aren't taught in Civics 101

[GliderGuider]

16. No political system can be completely secure - they're all made of people.

I think you're right on the money about Canadian distrust of extremism. Harper was about as far as we've gone recently, and he was booted rather resoundingly once we'd had enough.

Here we run into the contrasting mottos of the US and Canada: "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" vs. "Peace, order and good government." That says a lot about the difference in national characters. I'm still surprised that Canada has maintained such a degree of distinction, given our physical and cultural proximity to the elephant.

But depending on national character to secure your political system is more than a bit foolish. As the saying goes, "Hope is not a strategy." Nothing can take the place of sound political laws, with mechanisms to keep those who won't abide by them out of the system.