I must confess that there are times when I wish I didn’t live in Canada, but only because I was born in England and I sometimes imagine moving back to the land of my birth. 

There are reasons for that of course: my only blood relations outside of our immediate family are there; I appreciate its history and architecture; I enjoy its proximity to the sea and to Europe; and I prefer the food. 

Do I harbour any illusions that England is without its problems? I do not. 

Do I harbour any illusions that Canada is without its problems? I do not. 

Do I believe that the United States of America would be preferable to either of them? I absolutely do not! 

And so it is with a mix of mild amusement and equally mild alarm that I see a small number of Canadians in various pockets of the country, including right here in Chatham-Kent, who believe that the U.S. is in fact a better option. 

There are also those who believe that Canada as the 51st state, under the leadership – and I use that term very loosely – of the current administration would somehow be advantageous to everyday Canadians. 

I hold the opposing view, although in all fairness, there is a lot about the U.S. that I absolutely love, including the vast majority of people that I have encountered there. 

At this time of year especially, I miss being able to drive down south out of this wintry weather into the delightfully warm and open arms........

© Sarnia Observer