THE PREMIER TRAVELS SOUTH – AT 5:40 P.M. ET:  Reader Meg Lewiston alerts us to this late medical news from Canada:

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams will undergo heart surgery later this week in the United States.

Deputy premier Kathy Dunderdale confirmed the treatment at a news conference Tuesday, but would not reveal the location of the operation or how it would be paid for.

"He has gone to a renowned expert in the procedure that he needs to have done," said Ms. Dunderdale, who will become acting premier while Mr. Williams is away for three to 12 weeks.

"In consultation with his own doctors, he's decided to go that route."

Mr. Williams' decision to leave Canada for the surgery has raised eyebrows over his apparent shunning of Canada's health-care system.

COMMENT:  Ah, a return to socialist tradition.  The peasants get the national health-care offerings, and the leaders go to the U.S.  It's nice to be back in the good old days.

Quick!  Get him the operation before Obamacare tells him he's too old.

February 2, 2010