Being that I have lived in both Canada and the USA, I have a number of observations about the differences between the two in cultural, tax, and governmental attitudes.

1) Americans are generally more individualitic; that is, they put more view on themselves as an individual than as a group of individuals. I am not saying that Americans are selfish or self-centered, it's just that the view events around them with a "how-does-this-effect-me?" attitude. Canadians, as a general rule, are more willing to take a more communal (sp?) approach to events; that is, with a "how-does-this-effect-*us*" mentality. Canadians are more willing to pay higher taxes, and have less personal rights, if it means a stronger country for *everyone*.

2) Americans view government as, at best, a necessary evil. This country has founded on the principle of overthrowing the yoke of tyranny, and because of that, have skewed most of the original laws toward personal freedoms. The American federal government has very little true control over Americans; most of the laws obeyed by Americans are state and county laws, so the federal government cannot get too powerful. The problem, now, is because of 230-odd years of this has prevented most Americans from understanding that the federal government sometimes *needs* have that power, and when the federal government tries to acquire that power, the masses riot. Then, the government, worried about its power base, starts enacting tougher laws, which makes the already individualistic and government-distrusting people push back harder, which makes the government enact tougher laws, which...etc. Vicious circle. This circle will not be broken until American people understand that some powers are best left at a federal level, and until the American federal government understand which powers should be absorbed, and which should just left be.

One note about this: Americans like weak government. During the second debate, Al Gore claimed to be part of a government that cut hundreds of thousands of government jobs to streamline the federal government. This was met with agreement; to Americans, this was a Good Thing. In Canada, had a politician claimed that, he would have dragged to the Arctic cirlce and left to die. The Canadian federal government is the single largest employer in Canada; and a lot of people count on the government for their jobs.

Most Canadians trust their government, and for the most part, the Canadian government does little to abuse that trust. While, in written laws, Canadians have less official rights, they have more personal freedom.

One word of advice I was given by Canadians who lived in the States: "Remember: be polite to police, as in 'Yes, sir, officer, sir. Thank you for pistol whipping me, sir.'" In Canada, if a peace officer pulled me over onto the side of a road, I would feel comfortable, and act naturally. In the States, I wouldn't.

3) Taxes. Americans have less infrastructure, and as such, pay less taxes. Period. Don't let anyone tell you different, because they are wrong. Canadians pay about half of their income on taxes; they have higher income, alcohol, fuel, and sales taxes then Americans.

4) Education. Measured by UN studies (which I have no links for), Canadians generally have a higher level of literacy and a better education from playschool to undergraduate studies than Americans. Americans have one of the world's best post-graduate ratings, however. As well, most Americans are geographically illiterate. Between their individualism and the fact they are a super power, Americans do not need to know much of the rest of their country (admittedly, 50 states is way too many) or of the world around them.

5) Internationally, Americans are considered ignorant, rude, bossy, and vain. The quote "I love to travel abroad, except for all the foreigners there" is considered internationally as the summation of the average American tourist. Militarily, Americans are bullies, not heroes. Americans in Beirut are the prime example of how NOT to peace keep. And generally, America sticks its nose in international affairs when and only when America's interests are in jeopardy.

Contrast with Canadians, who are considered internationally as polite and friendly; whose peace keepers are known as peace keepers, and who care about international affairs. The UN was created largely by the efforts of a Canadian.