# Fark.com sez: Twenty percent chance that Australia will become a U.S. state. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 17, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229 "2003-07-17T20:53:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/1 "2003-07-17T20:53:42Z")
[http://www.news.com.au/common/printpage/0,6093,6760977,00.html](http://www.news.com.au/common/printpage/0,6093,6760977,00.html) > [@](#): > > [Some American-born ex-pat] listed the advantages of American statehood for Australia as: > > - Access to the world’s best higher education system. > > - Large savings on embassies. > > - Being part of the world’s most effective defence system. > > - Merger with the world’s strongest currency. > > - Being part of the world’s biggest economy. > > - A constitution bringing a republic and a Bill of Rights. > > - Fielding teams in the US national basketball, baseball and gridiron competitions. So cool. _Maaaaybe_? ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/2 "2003-07-17T21:01:35Z")
I can’t see it ever happening. A coalition like the EU is a possibility. However, I can’t imagine the Aussies much like having their governmental HQ a Hemisphere away and unable to properly represent their needs. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/3 "2003-07-17T21:04:24Z")
No, not even maybe. It will NEVER happen. I don’t find the idea objectionable, mind you- just unrealistic. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/4 "2003-07-17T21:14:42Z")
I’d dispute a few of those points: Austrailia already has a great higher education system, hough obviously the top US universities are better than the top Austrailian unis thta is only really a function of the fact that US higher education system is larger rather than anything instrincally good about it. Austrailia already has a constituion including a section simlair to the US bill of rights Everybody outside of the US hates American football and baseball, though I think they do play some basketball out in Oz but they’re absolutely mad about Rugby Union, Cricket, Swimming, Aussie Rules football ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/5 "2003-07-17T21:16:19Z")
I think the US is tapped out expansion wise. I seriously doubt we’ll ever all ANYONE as a new state…just doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Just looking at the posts on this board, who out there WANTS to join us?? We are evil incarnate after all… I think Austrailia would be one of the last countries to want to join with the US anyway (the LAST country being France…in line just after Iraq :)). The OPs list aside (seemed more like a joke to me) what would be in it for them? I don’t even see Canada or Mexico either joing or forming a closer tie to us, let alone a country thats so far away… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/6 "2003-07-17T21:25:06Z")
Australia would be nice to have on board, though. We could just make it a huge military base. It’s like a huge aircraft carrier that can’t be sunk. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/7 "2003-07-17T21:58:31Z")
I can’t see it ever happening unless there is a complete global realignment. However, were it to happen, it would be very interesting to see how many people would move from the current US to Australia. I think quite a few. Many more than the other way around. Hopefully people would start moving there instead of moving to CA.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/8 "2003-07-17T22:17:23Z")
Actually, wouldn’t it be more like 8 or 10 additional states, which is what Australia is divided into now? Uh, how 'bout if the US joins the Commonwealth, instead? Former colonies, and all that. _runs off to find the words to “God Save the Queen”_ ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/9 "2003-07-17T22:26:48Z")
Heh Heh Heh… this is a seriously funny thread. Yep, we Australians have a lot in common with our American cousins - as we also do with our Canadian, and British cousins as well. But you know, like most extended families - we like to catch up occasionally but we’d prefer to live in privacy thanks. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tsubaki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@Tsubaki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tsubaki)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/10 "2003-07-17T22:28:13Z")
It won’t happen. As it is, a large percentage of Australians are trying to get rid of Great Britain’s hold (or what’s left of it) over Australia. Why would we get rid of that, just to have some other country take over? Especially one so far away. To answer a couple of points: - I see very little wrong with our higher education system as it is. Its cheap and the level is high enough that we get students coming from overseas to study (especially the uni I went to has a very good reputation amongst Asian countries). - We already ARE part of the world’s largest defence system (as long as we remain friendly with America) - Who cares about those American sports? I don’t see Australians wanting to give up Aussie rules, rugby, cricket and netball. ---
**Author:** ![robinc308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@robinc308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinc308)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/11 "2003-07-17T22:35:14Z")
Not going to happen. Never. Australian’s can’t even agree to dump the monchary, let alone join the US. Besides, why would we want to? I would disagree about the higher education system, not only are our universities world class, but you could argue our education is better than US education at all levels from high school right on through (an argument for another day), including higher education. To top it off, under the HECS scheme, university education is affordable to a huge range of school leavers. It sounds to me like another arrogant american (not saying American’s are all arrogant, but you get them every now and then) assuming that everyone wants to be like them. We don’t. Deal with it. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/12 "2003-07-17T22:36:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MC Master of Ceremonies \* > \*\*Everybody outside of the US hates American football and baseball, though I think they do play some basketball out in Oz but they’re absolutely mad about Rugby Union, Cricket, Swimming, Aussie Rules football \*\* Don’t tell that (Baseball, anyway) to Japan, Most of central america, Korea, Taiwan, the Caribbean, and yes, Austrailia. ( [http://www.users.bigpond.com/goreds/AMLBHIST.htm](http://www.users.bigpond.com/goreds/AMLBHIST.htm) ) Of course, the whole “statehood for Australia” thing will NEVER happen, and even if it did, travel would make US domestic league competition impossible, but Australia has quite a few major leaguers, and a somewhat active pro baseball league. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/13 "2003-07-17T22:53:28Z")
Italy also has a nice little baseball culture. Doesn’t come close to soccer, of course, but Italians certainly don’t hate the game. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/14 "2003-07-17T22:54:58Z")
Yes But Cricket is alot bigger in Austrailia (also noticed that the ABL is now defunct and only boasted 9 teams at the most) and the Carribean, I know baseball was big in Japan for a while but it’s popularity is on the wane as football (soccer) begins to assert itself for it’s rightful postion as the most popular sport. Austarilains are very big on all sports, I’d think you’d find baseball is probably something like 15th or so most popular sport, languishing way behind even sports like soccer which has failed to make as big as impact in Austraila as it has done the rest of the world. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/15 "2003-07-17T23:08:36Z")
**BWAHAHAHAHAHA!** ---
**Author:** ![Stemba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Stemba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stemba)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/16 "2003-07-17T23:34:06Z")
One thing, does anyone actually BELIEVE anything on Drew Curtis’s [FARK.com](http://FARK.com)? I mean, c’mon. It’s FARK. That’s like giving creedence to the daily updates on [somethingawful.com](http://somethingawful.com). It’s just comedy, and with FARK, rather lame comedy at the same time. BTW, can I get a hoo-ah from anyone with ANZAC pride? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/17 "2003-07-17T23:53:34Z")
From the talk that prompted the OP’s story: > [@](#): > > Dr Mosler told the 2003 Fulbright Symposium at Griffith University yesterday that he decided Australia was “an unreformable society” after the loss of the 1999 republic referendum. > > Australians, he said, had no flag of their own; a weak sense of nationhood; no prime minister in the Lodge, with John Howard living in Sydney; no national bushfire or water plans, even with the worst drought in history; and no “broad knowledge of nation in public discourse or popular culture”. Australians had replaced “Empire with Yanks” after 1942, and the country retained a “quasi-colonial status”. > > He said Australian governments, attuned to the British, Americans, Japanese and global capital markets, had “sold off the farm” - electricity, water, ports, airports, resources - while Australians weren’t offended by such “treasonous behaviour”. I suspect that - Mosler does not yet really understand Australian society - Mosler has been away from the States long enough that he no longer understands U.S. society - and Mosler needs to say something to get attention for some upcoming book or funding-short-project he is about to announce. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/18 "2003-07-17T23:58:55Z")
AMERICAN BEER:D ---
**Author:** ![RexDart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@RexDart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RexDart)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/19 "2003-07-18T00:06:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by El\_Kabong \* > \*\* > > Uh, how 'bout if the US joins the Commonwealth, instead? Former colonies, and all that. > > _runs off to find the words to “God Save the Queen”_ \*\* Aren’t some of our patriotic American songs actually old British nationalist songs, with new lyrics pasted over them? Anyways, I like the idea of reshaping our alliances at least, and putting the emphasis on close ties to the UK and Australia, as the nations most similiar to us in language, culture, and legal tradition. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229/20 "2003-07-18T00:41:34Z")
I think Australia and Canada should merge and form the Commonwealth of Canalia. We’d have the world’s hot babe supply cornered, I tell you. And our excellent beer cartel would make OPEC look like a bunch of amateurs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fark-com-sez-twenty-percent-chance-that-australia-will-become-a-u-s-state/189229.md?page=2)