I realized lately that, in my adult life, I have studied more about the intricacies of the various Chinese regions… history, economic development and future prospects… than equaivalent US regions. I know more about the economies of Changsha and Wuhan than I do about, say, Denver or Salt Lake City.

Likewise, I’ve also studied a fair deal about the –to use a politically loaded term– “balance of power” in Asia, including China, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, the Central Asian states, not to mention Russia and the Middle East. However, as a (not so) good American, I have neglected our own backyard: The Americas and Europe.

This isn’t to say that I haven’t been forming opinions on domestic issues and regional foreign policy. I have. But, I have been less rigorous in studying the historical circumstances and institutions since I figured I already knew most of this stuff from high school American History with Mrs Thure. Of course, that’s a really bad assumption. My current world perspective is a little different than when I was 17 years old.

So, I’m working on a more balanced and well-informed perspective.

For example, did you know that there are more than a few efforts in Canada for all or some of the country to be annexed by the US?

Check out United North America or The Annexation Party of British Columbia for a taste.

The popular press has inundated us with news about trade with China. How come no one is talking about Canada or Mexico these days?

Here are some stats to compare the US and Canada:

More stats here.

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Americans headed out west for the Gold Rush in 1849. Why did most stop before they even got to the Rockies? Availability of good farmland is one reason. In the industrial era, proximity to markets is another. However, today, some of the biggest market opportunities are along the Pacific Rim and the rail/sea shipping routes are extremely efficient. Why not create incentives to build out the west with manufacturing to challenge the best China has to offer… and do it in a way that is environmentally, human rights and US-consumer friendly? I wonder how much of the land west of the Rockies is still owned by the government?

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