What would you do if you were Sarah Palin and were asked about Canada's healthcare system by a comedian posing as a news reporter? Just be yourself and say "Canada needs to reform its health care system and let the private sector take over some of what the government has absorbed."

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has decided it won't boycott U.S. suppliers in "retaliation of the Buy American laws." The Canadian want to give more time to talks between the nations in hopes of avoiding a trade war. Negotiations are ongoing, with a push for Canada to get an exemption that would allow Canadian suppliers to bid on projects funded by money from the U.s. federal stimulus.

Canadians appear to be heading for another election, as the Liberals vow to try to bring down the minority Conservative government.    Continues...

As America gazes at its bellybutton, the rest of the world continues to live:

In Japan, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may topple the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) nearly 50 years of rule in the August 30th general election.

North and South Korea agree to hold talks about reuniting families, further signaling a thaw in the region.

Canada wrestles with whether to do its own version of cash for clunkers.

Iran resumes trials of those who opposed the past elections. Meanwhile, the current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces a fight in parliament over his choices for cabinet positions.

Got any other bits of non-US political news? Add them in the comments.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says "The economy is looking good, no reason worry.". The Liberals say "We'll look at the numbers and see whether we should call an election".

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff... told reporters he would announce his party's plans "in the coming days" after he has reviewed the economic update.
"Do (Canadians) need an election now? Well, I'm still thinking about that," he said.
"Would it help Canada come out of the current recession if there were an election now? That's the key question here."

With a worsening economy around the world and in Canada, why has Conservative party there managed to hold onto power? Perhaps it's as simple as Canadians not being as worried about recessions.

Experience with past recessions has taught people that, in fact, unemployment doesn't rise much over 10 per cent, and so they are more right than wrong to conclude that it may not strike their household.

British Columbia: The BC Liberals have won a third term in office. The economy was the most important issue, but another significant issue was the revenue-neutral carbon tax, which the right-wing Liberals brought in last year. The left-wing NDP hoped to win votes from northern and rural voters by capitalizing on public opposition to the tax, but failed to make significant gains. A referendum on a Single Transferable Vote failed.

The European Parliament is on its way to adopting an almost total ban on seal products, except for "where the seal products result from hunts traditionally conducted by Inuit and other indigenous communities."

Atlantic Canada, home of the Atlantic seal hunt, will lose one of its key markets. Canada is threatening to challenge the ban with the World Trade Organization, a process that could take years.

"Is it possible that, in the wake of so many Bush-administration disasters—the meltdown of the economy, the Iraq war, Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo Bay, Hurricane Katrina, domestic spying, torture, and on and on—the so-called “worst president ever” could somehow manage to remake his legacy?"

Vanity Fair checks in to see what the former President has been up to and looks at how he'll be remembered.

Janet Napolitano is having a rough start as Homeland Security Secretary. First there was the memo about right wing extremism in America:

The warning about right-wing extremism was contained in an April 7 intelligence assessment warning that the U.S. recession and the election of the nation's first African-American president could be a powder keg for right-wing extremist groups. The memo also warned that proposed restrictions on firearms could lead some extremist organizations to begin stockpiling weapons and ammunition.

It also had a warning about returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans:

The memo cautioned that returning veterans who had trouble readjusting could "lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks."

House Republican members are upset and a few are calling for Napolitano's resignation.

On top that, she's gone and pissed off Canada.    Continues...

The administration has decided to work with Canada and Mexico to improve NAFTA, instead of trying to renegiote it. No big deal, right?

Obama is off to Canada for the day to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Trade and NAFTA and Afghanistan are the main focus of discussions, while oil sands and pollution probably won't come up.

Much of Obama's thoughts on relations between the two countries were articulated in an interview with CBC.

US unemployment hits 7.6%, while Canada's reaches 7.2%, prompting President Obama to get tough with Congress over the stimulus bill, while Canada considers another stimulus package.

After proroguing Parliament to avoid a vote of non-confidence, PM Harper will release Canada's budget today at four. Iggy promises to 'sleep on it' before deciding to vote for or against, or abstain. (Previously.)

Meanwhile, back in Canada, the Conservative government seems about to fall, over their proposed response to the economic crisis. The Liberals and NDP look like they have a deal to form a coalition government, with the support of the separatist Bloc Quebecois. With the Liberal leader already having announced his resignation after the election, no-one knows who would actually be Prime Minister, though. (Details, triffling details...)

As President-Elect Obama pushes for another stimulus package (and one of his advisors offers his own, unofficial suggestions), Canada considers another package for itself. Japan, Russia and Australia have already done their own.

Now China has announced plans for strengthening its slowing economy, which could really hurt world markets.

Canadian politics can be uglier and deadlier than America's.

Essential and hilarious differences between the American and Canadian elections

Federal Election 2008: Why Canadian politics will never be the same

"In 10 days, Canadians must decide whether to give Stephen Harper the majority he covets. But are enough voters ready to embrace a leader they don't really know, one who prefers pragmatism to passion, results to vision?" A very interesting profile of Canada's Prime Minister by the Globe & Mail's national affairs columnist Jeffrey Simpson and Ottawa bureau chief Brian Laghi.

The economy is set to dominate tonight's French debates in Canada. Here's an opinion on what the various leaders need to do in the debates.

AskPoliticalFilter: Blogs about the upcoming Canadian elections?    Continues...

Federal elections absurd - on both sides of the border

Carly Fiorina says none of the US Candidates can do what she did, halve the value of a company.

Obama's and McCain's plans for health are compared. Obama promises change while McCain essentially says "our Healthcare system is strong".

America gives AIG and $85 billion, two year loan. McCain blames rules, while attempting to bail Sarah Palin out.

In Canada: The Conservatives are leaving! The Conservatives are leaving! Maybe.

Remember Rwanda, that nice little country that went on a genocidal spree in 1994? They had a quietly historic election this week.

Yemen still has issues with America.

Wall Street melts down, putting the issue of the economy front and center for both the US and Canadian elections.    Continues...

The writ has been dropped. Canada's election is on.

"Canada's minority Conservative government is seriously considering having Parliament dissolved on September 5 and calling a general election for October 14" Prime Minster and Conservative party leader Stephen Harper is all for it.