OK, I hear some people throw out a "Canada is the best country in the world" line, but I've never noticed anyone taking it seriously - even the ones who say it. 

Living next door to the all-powerful United States, we definitely make comparisons and many, if not most, of us believe Canada is better in most significant ways.  

But basing serious political analyses on a claim that we're the best country in the world?  Not our way.