Maybe the U.S.A. should just tax the rest of the world.

[Sean]

Well, I don't know about you Strop but I'm ready to stand and salute Old Glory!

In fact, all the nations of the world should just apply to become US states immediately.

[Lord Jim]

Welcome Aboard!


"Australia...Where America's Day Begins"

[Gob]

Sean, obviously, as the USA spend so much of its money protecting Australia's heating oil from the Iranians what else can we do?

Jim, the day that happens I'll move to Russia.

[rubato]

We'll sell you to the Chinese first.


yrs,
rubato

[Guinevere]

Sean, obviously, as the USA spend so much of its money protecting Australia's heating oil from the Iranians what else can we do?

Jim, the day that happens I'll move to Russia.

Seriously, enough with the USA bashing. It's not funny any more. Nor is it credible, coming from someone who would rather live in a system that will jail you based on your speech. Not too far from Russia you are, m'lad.

[Gob]

Hang about? US bashing, I must have missed that while wading through Andrews "nice posts". Being a little sensitive aren't we?

On the high seas, the U.S.A. is God. Nominally, the high seas belong to everyone. In reality, we own them.

Maybe I'll go with the "pay back post-WWII reconstruction of Europe" plan first.

As shown by Little Jimmy's latest excrescence, at least part of the point of this place is to enable people for whom arguments constitute insurmountable obstacles to shit on people whom they do not like

Unless you are Little Jimmy. In that case, the Foe Feature is a free pass for spewing shit without bothering to read what you are responding to ....

Next time someone feels like oh-so-fashionably dissing the U.S., just remember this: Without us, y'all wouldn't be diddly shit.

But we don't. Because we are a kindhearted people -- the most generous people in the world

I have not said that the U.S. ought to grab the rest of the world by the balls and take whatever it wants. I have observed that the U.S. could do so if it wanted to

After all, my suggestion is far less radical than the legalized piracy that was so crucial to the development of the British Empire ....

The U.S. provides an indispensable service to the rest of the world. Without the U.S. Navy, the global economy could not function.

And guess whose navy is doing the protecting? Certainly not Australia's little navy, with its number of ships sandwiched between Israel and South Africa -- not exactly big players on the world naval scene.

But, hey, if Australia thinks that it does not need the U.S.'s naval power, Australia is free to go it alone.

The Somalis will surely be overjoyed

The bottom line is that "big deck super-carriers rule the seas", and that means that the U.S. rules the seas.

If someone acts the swaggering braggard, then they will be treated as such. Don't like the way I respond to Andrew's provocations?? Feel free to put me on ignore.

[Guinevere]

This thread is a perfect example of the clique-ism that makes PlanB a less and less attractive place to post. Apparently the tag line "above all argue" only applies to those in the inner circle. All other are taken to task for exercising their privilege to do the same.

[Gob]

So where was my USA bashing Guin?

[Andrew D]

If someone acts the swaggering braggard posts facts which I don't like, then they he or she will be treated as such vacuously derided.

Fixed that for you.

[Gob]

Really Andrew?

Can you tell me what threats the USA protects Austrailian shipping interests from?

I've asked more than once, politely.

[Sean]

No Andrew, read again. I haven't read such pomposity since the last thread you started!

I would hope that it was clear that my posts were taking the piss out of you rather than the US...

[loCAtek]

Once again, it's not all about you; you just happen to share a sea with allies we have treaties to protect: Japan, S. Korea, Malaysia, Philippine Islands, Vietnam. and Taiwan, etc.

If the US wasn't there, would Aus. be able to take over the mission?

[dales]

No.

eta: Remember S.E.A.T.O.?

[liberty]

Sean, obviously, as the USA spend so much of its money protecting Australia's heating oil from the Iranians what else can we do?

Jim, the day that happens I'll move to Russia.

Gob, would it be that bad to part of our federation and union. After all the federal government would only be in charge national and international issue; you could still run your internal affairs as you see fit as long as you did not violate the national constitution.

You could enter as one states or as six states. If you entered as one state you could retain control over the Northern territory. If you entered as six states you would have to give up the territory to the federal government whose responsibility it is to administer such lands, but in return you would get twelve senators. You guys would be a little short in the house, but you would be power in the senate. And the last time the federal government did a territorial negotiations with a state the Alaskans got a great deal. You might get most of land attached to adjoining states.

[Sean]

So what you're asking lib is whether it would be so bad for Australians to give up their national identity, independance and self-governance in order to live under US rule?

The short answer?
Yes.

The long answer?
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssss.

[liberty]

So what you're asking lib is whether it would be so bad for Australians to give up their national identity, independance and self-governance in order to live under US rule?

The short answer?
Yes.

The long answer?
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssss.

Sean, I believe that you are referring to Canada not the US. Unlike Canada the United States is a real federation. The US federal government does not rule, it serves the people. The national government has no right to interfering state issue unless they are carrying out their constitutional responsibilities such as insuring a republican form of government or defense the citizen’s constitutional rights.

You have to give up nothing but your national independence. You would still have your Australian identity in the same way that southerners are still southerner no matter how much how much the Yankees want to turn us into Yankees.

And nothing in your states would change at all. A citizen of Queensland would still be a citizen of Queensland. And you still would have the right to manage your state as you see fit and to cooperate with neighboring states.

There is also another consideration; you do live in a dangerous neighborhood. It is highly likely that someday, because of your natural resources, China will start thinking your country as southern Tibet. You might want to join the union for the same reason that Texas did.

[Gob]

Gob, would it be that bad to part of our federation and union.

Yes.

[Sean]

Lib, I am well aware to what I refer and I refer to the US.

So nothing would change for a Queenslander? Do you mean apart from the fact that they would be a US citizen and subject to US law? You said yourself that Aus would be governed at national and international level...

Oh and I for one do not fancy giving up our economy for yours!

Do you really think that ANYONE in this country would wish to become part of the US? If so, you really don't know Aussies mate!

ETA: Try the Greeks instead. They might be more up for it...

[dales]

Baklava, anyone?

[Gob]

Beat me to the punchline there Sean. In fact Lib I believe the US's problems can only be addressed by it getting smaller.

The government, especially with the USA's lunatic selection process, is too unwieldy, can anyone doubt that a system which leads to a certifiable moron leading a country into war has its faults?

The President should become a figurehead with far less power, and a democratic and sensible parliamentary system should be insigated.

Some States, notably California and Texas should break away and become self governing.

The US should drastically reduce its armed forces, and use the budget more wisely, (reducing the deficit and providing high quality education and healthcare for all should be the priorities.)