OT: Strange future for down-under?

Geckomlis · #1 July 18th, 2003, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by deccan:
I agree. It was obvious that the original article was a joke. The idea that Australia would join the U.S. is so ludicrous that it doesn't bear mentioning.

In the meantime, here's something for you to ponder:

What is the likelihood of California breaking away from the U.S. to form its own country?

Not a new idea - my world regional geography textbook in college actually asked the same question. Language, culture, resources, %GNP, etc make a case that California could go it alone and thrive. Kinda sci-fi, but a fun mental exercise.

geoschmo · #2 July 18th, 2003, 02:56 AM

You know it just occured to me Australia can't be the 51st state anyway. That one is slated for Iraq. Australia can be number 52 though.

TerranC · #3 July 18th, 2003, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by geoschmo:
You know it just occured to me Australia can't be the 51st state anyway. That one is slated for Iraq. Australia can be number 52 though.

No no no...

51st state - Puerto Rico
52, 53, 54, 55th states - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
56th state - Iraq
57th state - Kurdistan
58th state - Australia

deccan · #4 July 18th, 2003, 02:59 AM

Sure, the costs of switching over would be great, but at least it would be a one-off cost. Once it's done, you'd get savings from not having to maintain dual-measurement systems.

I think the main obstacle isn't economic but cultural. Suggesting the change to the American public would probably be political suicide to any U.S. politician. This isn't an issue championed by any large voter base, so no one would want to expend precious political capital on it.

Baron Munchausen · #5 July 18th, 2003, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by deccan:
I agree. It was obvious that the original article was a joke. The idea that Australia would join the U.S. is so ludicrous that it doesn't bear mentioning.

In the meantime, here's something for you to ponder:

What is the likelihood of California breaking away from the U.S. to form its own country?

...

Well, then they could apply to the IMF for help with their approaching backruptcy. They sure aren't gonna get any help from the Federal govt. while a Democrat is governor and Republicans control both the US Congress and the Whitehouse.

More than a few Americans might like to see that seperation, though. Some because of all the 'liberal politics' weirdness, and some just to get rid of Hollyweird. (Yeah, the two are linked to a certain extent...)

Loser · #6 July 19th, 2003, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TerranC:
51st state - Puerto Rico
52, 53, 54, 55th states - England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
56th state - Iraq
57th state - Kurdistan
58th state - Australia

I have it on good authority that we should leave Wales alone.

Thermodyne · #7 July 18th, 2003, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by deccan:

In the meantime, here's something for you to ponder:

What is the likelihood of California breaking away from the U.S. to form its own country?

Slim and none. They can�t even make the sacrifices needed to balance the budget. How would they be able to suffer the cost of becoming a nation? But if they move to recall the governor, I think the north will again call for a partitioning of the state into two separate states.