CAMERON FIGURES HE'D RULE AS PM FOR A DAY

If I were prime minister for a day and could have carte blanche on any
changes I wanted for this land of ours, I wouldn't waste the
opportunity. In fact, just in case it ever happens, I have a list all
ready.

First, I'd legalize marijuana. I don't smoke pot -- my preferred
poison comes from a cold can with, patriotically enough, the name
'Canadian' on it -- but the truth is that many Canadians do and will
continue to.

Let's face that fact, take the industry out of criminal hands that
grow and sell marijuana, slap a federal tax on it and get on with
life. If my government's going to collect millions of sin-tax dollars
for the legal sale of booze and cigarettes, why not green light the
controlled sale of pot?

And for those who think you can legislate the existence of our better
inner angels, one word: prohibition. This idea was a complete flop
except for the organized crime that blossomed because of it.

Next, I'd take a look at currency. I admire Queen Elizabeth but is her
crowned head really needed on something like the toonie? Why not
replace her with a former prime minister or an outstanding Canadian
like Tommy Douglas? In my Canada, there's nothing wrong with honouring
our own.

At this point, I can sense the seething of the proud members of the
Monarchist League of Canada, but this is 2010. Yes, we do have a
generous amount of British influence in our history and in our veins
- -- but if you're over the age of 40, look around. This is a much
different country than the one your parents knew. Tradition is a fine
thing but so is growing up.

Sorry, I guess that sounds harsh but I've always felt our national
identity, on its journey through history, always has one foot
tentatively up, always hesitant to take the next step. We should take
it and exult in a sky not falling.

Next on the list: putting a 50- foot high Aboriginal Canadian totem
pole somewhere in front of the Peace Tower. There's plenty of room on
the green lawn in front of the House of Commons and it would be a
healthy show of respect for the peoples whose land our forefathers
(let's be brutally honest) grabbed. It wouldn't heal all of the wounds
tied to that part of our history, but it sure would be a warm
connection to some greater spirits out there. That, plus the fact that
it would look very cool. (Hey, we have kids playing shinny on the back
of our five-dollar bill.)

Taking a few steps inside the House of Commons, I'd devote one day a
week to Members of Parliament working together, a harmonic convergence
of bipartisanship ideas and energy for the benefit of Canada.

Forget for this one day of the week those Liberal or Conservative or NDP
or Bloc colours. (A word to the Bloc: As PM for the day, I resent that
your party would label me a redneck or insensitive to the issue of
Quebec just because I feel a strong, unified country is a good idea.)

Speaking of which, I'd like the national anthem heard first thing
every morning in every Canadian elementary and high school. There can
be nothing wrong with a country liking its national anthem.

There you go, one very busy day with Prime Minister Cameron. It's got
a nice ring to it, although it sounds kind of familiar...

Bruce Cameron, a news broadcaster for ROCK95/KOOL FM, is a freelance
writer. He invites you to check out his blog, The Flotsam File.