Interesting, thanks Martian. Its funny, I've spent a lot of time in Canada, have a lot of Canadian friends, a bunch of family in Atlantic Canada and yet the finer points of the political system were always lost on me. Every time I've ever thought to ask about it (how often does it really come up between pals having a beer?) I always gotten very vague and superficial answers so yeah...
...feeling kinda dumb...
Anyway thanks again, maybe next time I wont be a dumb ass and pick up a book.
I agree it could be cultural although I do wonder if some our somewhat bipolar political swings aren't to blame. In my lifetime its been Carter --> Reagan/Bush ---> Clinton --> W Bush ---> Obama. Not exactly a smooth slide into new leadership. The swing from right to left is often so extreme it leaves the other party feeling alienated, angry for having lost power (or creates a deep chasm between executive and legislative the Clinton years were especially tense in that regard) and voters are left resentful of the other side who lets face it is going to everything they can to ruin what his predecessor had accomplished. But you're right trying to point to one aspect is probably futile.