This article is not pro war or anti war. It is not about our right to dissent or disagree with the Americans. It is not about agreeing or disagreeing with George Bush. It isn’t even about how hurtful and painful it must be for individual Americans when they hear hateful and vile words from a Canadian politician like Ms. Parrish, or seeing their neighbors burn their flag, or boo their national anthem when they have friends and family fighting and dying in a far off land for a cause that they believe in, whether we do or not.

It is not about any of those things. It is about something nearer and dearer to our pocket books. Trade with the Americans. Saskatchewan people and companies sell a lot of goods and services to Americans. If you do not believe me, ask around. Ask Kalium Chemicals how much of their product is shipped to the states. Ask Saskferco how much they sell to Americans. Ask Moose Jaw Asphalt where all their product goes. Ask Saskatchewan Potash. Ask canola producers, or flax growers. Ask beef producers who buys the majority of their beef. Ask any hunting or fishing outfitters or guides how much of their services are sold to Americans. Ask the hotels how many rooms are sold to Americans. Ask the Babcock & Wilcox facility in Melville what percentage of their products is shipped to the states. Ask Advance Engineering in Regina if they sell anything to Americans. Ask the Coop Refinery if any of their oil and gasoline is shipped to the states. Ask the trucking companies if Americans use any of their services. Ask Hitachi Canada in Saskatoon if they have any business with the states. Ask Popowich Milling in Yorkton if they sell anything to Americans. Ask any of the farm implement manufacturers in Saskatchewan if they sell anything to Americans. Ask Brant Industries if any of their products go across the 49^th parallel. If any of these companies don’t sell anything to Americans, ask them if they would like to. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

Trade is good. The more trade we have with the Americans (and everyone else) the better. It means more money and wealth for us. Wealth we can use to get more and better education for our children and ourselves. It means more and better healthcare. It means improving our highway system. It means more money for better and safer automobiles. It means better and sooner pensions. It means bigger TVs . It means longer and better vacations. It means a better and longer life.

So for those of you who harbor anti American feelings, the next time you want to give into your petty, jealous, racist urges and say something ignorant about Americans, or desecrate their flag, or boo their anthem, try to remember whose economic foot you are shooting.

Editor