I dont often rant but here i am up aon my soapbox
Heres a intersting bit of information for both the Canadian and US Residents.
As of June 1st 2008 our borders (both sides)will require you to have a passport or from some states or provinces a secure border pass/integrated drivers licence to travel across the border.
Ill give you some background on myself, I grew up and spent my 1st 20 years living about 40 miles North of the US Border(nearest town in Montana was Plentywood. I have 2nd cousins that i visit plus at one time even had a girfriend on the US side.
I unfortunatly have grown used to crossing the border and dealing with customs on both sides,never had much trouble and didnt get in any trouble, i spent a lot of time in the US
I now live further west and about 90 miles from the US border ,married with 3 kids. Dont travel South to much anymore but maybe once a year well head south for a trip or visit.
Our province at this point in time does not have a integrated licence .
I was looking today into the cost of crossing the line this spring on june 4th Malta Montana has a 1/8 mile strip and we were all going to take my car down there for the weekend.
here is what it will cost me to cross the border now myself my wife and 16 year old son = 303.00 my two younger kids 102.00 total 405.00
Now i am not a cheap guy but we count our pennies cause there are lots of other things that seem to use them up especially with 3 kids.

405.00 to just be able to cross the border just seems bizzare to me even if i stretch it over 5 years it seems to not make sense.
I know that this all has to do with 9-11 and the tightening of our borders but man give me a break, a passport !! just states who you are and what country your from, it doesnt do much more.
All this is going to do is further seperate and alienate the common people who live in these 2 countries.
Am I out to lunch here, give me an opinion