From the headlines on CNN.com tonight:

The government of Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin fell Monday... An election could now end 12 years of Liberal rule in America's largest trading partner.

Wow. I thought that this day would never come. The U.S. news media actually acknowledged that Canada is America's largest trading partner with $366 billion USD. Most Americans wrongly assume that China (in third with $206 billion USD) is their largest trading partner, followed by Mexico (in second with $213 billion USD.)

Oh, the election. Let's see. Our economy is doing cautiously well. The unemployment rate is at the lowest level in 30 years. The federal government is running a $9.1 billion CND surplus. Most importantly, hockey is back in town.

Most people aren't anxious for an election. We have to spend another $127 million CND to re-elect the same government that was caught taking $100 million CND from the cookie jar. Depending on who you ask, the Liberals will form yet another minority goverment or even a majority after the January vote. 3 out of 4 people also don't trust any of the politicians to keep their promises once they're voted into office. It's a coin toss as to the outcome, although the consensus is that the balance of power will remain the same.

The phrase I'm looking for is an exercise in futility.