Prosperity Index

According to the Legatum Institute.

How did the USA-A-OK and Canad'eh do? 9th and 7th respectively overall.

"The U.S. scores first globally in the measure of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a gauge of
which countries possess the greatest ability to commercialize ideas and launch new enterprises
in the near future. The US has some weaknesses, however, ranking 27th globally on health, and
19th in the world on safety and security."

 Here's a neat chart comparing the two countries.

Interestingly each leads in areas not compatible with perception. For example, the U.S. is ahead of Canada in education and democratic institutions- albeit marginally. Canada is ahead on personal freedoms. In other areas, the perception is right in line. America is seen to be a great innovative and entrepreneurial society - and it is according to Legatum as it leads all nations. On health Canada is said to have the better system and it does rank ahead of the U.S. but not by much. 

Personal freedoms is defined as "the degree to which individuals can choose the course of their lives."

While it's true we're pretty "free" round these parts it's all relative. Next to heavily regulated Europe and dictatorial nations, of course our numbers will be great.

We can be even freer by eliminating unnecessary red tape and obstacles.

But that's me.