"You know! I don't know!"

When was the last time you heard that line? In effect, you're saying you don't know something, but that I do! Isn't that so very typically Canadian? We're always putting ourselves down.

It's quite remarkable, this inferiority complex we have. Then again, it may be perfectly natural, given the fact that we live beside the United States, the most powerful country on earth; "America the Beautiful," as they sing so lustily.

It's unfortunate that our view of ourselves is a reflection in the giant pool of liquid assets we see when we look southward. In fact, when we actually do compare ourselves to our American neighbours, we come off quite well. In a recent news report, there were some startling differences articulated.

Of course we all know they have three times as many hand-gun murders as we do. Interestingly, they also have three times the handgun ownership. Might there be a causal relationship?

Our health care costs are $3,600 per annum per person. Americans pay about $6,000, Canadian! And that is for those who have insurance. As many as 35 million Americans don't have the luxury of health coverage.

There are a number of other intriguing differences. We take more foreign trips than they do. (Of course, looking at it from their point of view, if you live in Paradise, why would you want to leave?) We work fewer hours per week, we take longer holidays, we make more money per capita, we wait longer before we get married, and, yes, we have more sex! All around, you could say we are happier. One has to wonder, why are we Canadians not more aware of these facts?

And why this inferiority complex? Why did we all run out and spread the news recently that a Canadian horse, Mine That Bird, a 50-to-one long shot, won the Kentucky Derby? Actually, it was only Canadian in that its former trainer/owner, David Cotey, was a Canadian. But the "little guy that could" story reverberates in our souls.

It may be that when people think of Canada, ... they don't. When asked what they thought of Canada, British people replied, well, ... nothing! That's right! When the interviewer said the word, "Canada", nothing came to their minds!

In contrast, there's something very Texan about Americans. If it's not the biggest and the best, it's no good. In retrospect, you can see where our feelings of inadequacy come from. They seem to be 10 times bigger in us in everything, except size. And we are only too aware that our size is primarily rock, Arctic tundra, snow and ice -- much of which is melting into the sea. No value there until you dig below the surface. Then it becomes valuable: oil, potash, gold, copper, and what have you.

There's a metaphor in there somewhere. Our value is below the surface. The American, in contrast, is brash, presumptuous and in-your-face, almost superficial, whereas we are quiet, almost unassuming. You can see why people around the world think that we are polite. Sometimes people call us friendly. No, we're not friendly; we have a reserved politeness about us. The American is friendly. Huge grin and big slap-on-the-back friendly.

And yes, there is always a bit of anti-Americanism in our being proud Canadians. It's the teenager in us. Who else are we going to compare ourselves to?

On a personal note, as an immigrant to Canada, I have become a passionate Canadian. Much more so than many who were born here. I find our feelings of inferiority ridiculous. We are the greatest country in the world! Let's shout it from the roof tops!

And, thus, I find our government's treatment -- or the lack of it -- of Canadian citizens who find themselves in difficult situations around the world reprehensible. Is our citizenship not worth more than that? Could you see the American government leaving Omar Khadr to rot in a foreign jail? No way! They'd have the gunboats a-blazing!

Of course, that may make us less "Canadian." We carry our pride quietly in our hearts. We have no need to scream out our greatness. In that sense, we are somewhat British, stiff upper lip and all that. Let's never forget how well our soldiers fought in both World Wars. I am reminded of a documentary I saw on PBS. It described how Canadian soldiers would drive up the boot of Italy, taking out various German strongholds. Then, once it was safe, the Americans would follow, marching up the main street, flags billowing, fifes blowing and drums banging away. Typical, I say.

And today, in Afghanistan, the Canadian soldiers are doing an admirable job of balancing the necessary hand-to-hand combat with rebuilding and peace-making. Unfortunately, when more Americans come in, all may be lost, as they send drones over Afghan villages to bomb the enemy, whatever the collateral damage it may incur.

Yesirree, I sure am mighty proud of being Canadian!