While I believe your post ought've been titled "About Canada", I can't help but agree with you wholeheartedly. The Canadians have about as legitimate and open government as New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, New York City or Raleigh -- cities in the United States noted for their "alternative styles of governance and administration". I can't really compare the Canadians against other national governments, except as you said certain banana republics and some hard-line ideological Middle Eastern states. They are, however, only taking cue and leading the way in the style of power-grabbing which seems to have taken Western countries by storm.

The age-old struggle reveals itself, as bits and pieces of the facade of democracy, republicanism and freedom-nurturing fall away over recent time -- and will continue foresseably. It's a game, and it's called "Who Gets The Power, Whatever The Cost?"

Nice post.