# Should The United States Join the Commonwealth **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712 "2010-09-05T21:13:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/41 "2010-09-06T23:44:29Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > You mean recognize the queen as sovereign, get a governor general with a right to veto acts that have passed congress and signed by the president? No thanks. > > Now I know that no act of the Canadian parliament has been vetoed by the GG in about 85 years, but in theory it could be. And Canada had to go hat in hand to the British parliament about 30 years ago to get a constitution. What a crock. Once more. > [@Simplicio](#): > > You can be part of the Commonwealth without having the Queen as your monarch. Most members don’t, in fact. India, for example, has been a Republic for a long time, but is still a member. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/42 "2010-09-06T23:52:24Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > Yes, but none of those other members became the greatest nation on Earth. > > I think you mean fattest. We’re not fat. We’re just a whole lota patriotism. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/43 "2010-09-07T00:33:47Z")
> [@Curtis LeMay](#): > > Should the United States of America join the Commonwealth of Nations? Its one of the few Anglophonic nations not to be in the Commonwealth. I voted no based on a scan of the thread which showed no reasons for it. Do you have any arguments in favor of doing this? I don’t know what the Commonwealth of Nations is really, but I seriously doubt we would give up any sovereignty for any reason, so why would we bother? ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/44 "2010-09-07T00:58:59Z")
The only good reason I can see for joining the Commonwealth would be that it might make it easier to work in other Commonwealth nations (and vice versa). Not sure if there’s a uniform set of rules for this, but I do know that Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders (at least) have an easier time getting permits to work in the UK than Americans do. As an American who’d love to work in London, that might sway me to vote “yes”. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/45 "2010-09-07T06:36:53Z")
Only fourteen of the current fifty states\* were ever really under English control, and that was long before anybody had any concept of this “Commonwealth” thing. That constitutes less than 30% of the current US population. The geopolitical ties of, say, Arizona to a island off the northern coast of Europe is less than compelling. \*: plus D.C. and parts of Vermont and West Virginia. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/46 "2010-09-07T06:48:59Z")
What, did they just invite us, or something? Joking aside, one benefit for us (IMO) is that it might help us be a little less insular. ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/47 "2010-09-08T02:48:11Z")
Politically it would be a bad move. It would risk aligning the US with the UK in any given political situation (and vice versa). In some parts of the world the US tries to portray an image of an impartial honest broker eg Palestine. In other parts of the world the UK portrays itself as an impartial honest broker eg in Africa. Both roles can be useful in bringing about peace. If the US joined the commonwealth it may harm the ability of both countries to act as honest broker in various parts of the world because it would make them seem aligned in some way. In some parts of the world people trust America but don’t trust Britain, in other parts of the world people trust Britain but don’t trust America. It may not mean they are actually aligned in any way but perceptions can be important. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/48 "2010-09-08T04:14:47Z")
Would the Queen be able to veto any plans to attack another country without a clear-cut justification as self defense? If so, then God save the Queen, say I. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/49 "2010-09-08T11:41:32Z")
Hell, no. No more kings! ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/50 "2010-09-08T12:02:44Z")
I voted yes because it tickled my funny bone. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/51 "2010-09-08T13:45:13Z")
I voted no, thinking you were referring to the British Commonwealth. From the replies here, it seems like a lot of other people did, too. Then I read the OP and discovered you were talking about the Commonwealth of Nations, which I have never heard of until this thread. What exactly is the “Commonwealth of Nations” and why would the US want to join it? ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/52 "2010-09-08T13:58:47Z")
> [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > I voted no, thinking you were referring to the British Commonwealth. From the replies here, it seems like a lot of other people did, too. > > Then I read the OP and discovered you were talking about the Commonwealth of Nations, which I have never heard of until this thread. > > What exactly is the “Commonwealth of Nations” and why would the US want to join it? Isn’t the “Commonwealth of Nations” just the current name for what used to be known as the “British Commonwealth”? I believe they’re the same thing, although if I’m wrong someone fight my ignorance! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/53 "2010-09-08T14:54:17Z")
> [@mutantmoose](#): > > Politically it would be a bad move. It would risk aligning the US with the UK in any given political situation (and vice versa). > > In some parts of the world the US tries to portray an image of an impartial honest broker eg Palestine. In other parts of the world the UK portrays itself as an impartial honest broker eg in Africa. Both roles can be useful in bringing about peace. Wait, what? There are people who believe the US is impartial and/or honest WRT Palestine? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/54 "2010-09-08T14:58:15Z")
What makes you think you can just “join?” You have to apply. We’ll call you back if we’re interested. Don’t wait up. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/55 "2010-09-08T18:49:50Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Commonwealth? Sounds too socialist. Ah yes, that explains a lot about politicians in the Commonwealth of Virginia… they are secretly socialists. ---
**Author:** ![mutantmoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@mutantmoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mutantmoose)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/56 "2010-09-08T20:25:36Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > > [@mutantmoose](#): > > > > Politically it would be a bad move. It would risk aligning the US with the UK in any given political situation (and vice versa). > > > > In some parts of the world the US tries to portray an image of an impartial honest broker eg Palestine. In other parts of the world the UK portrays itself as an impartial honest broker eg in Africa. Both roles can be useful in bringing about peace. > > Wait, what? There are people who believe the US is impartial and/or honest WRT Palestine? Did you notice how carefully I chose my words? “tries to portray an image of” And they _are_ seen as the only ones who can broker a deal - that’s why it’s always the US that is involved in peace agreements rather than any other country or organisation. ---
**Author:** ![Waffle\_Decider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/77aa72/32.png) [@Waffle\_Decider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waffle_Decider)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/57 "2010-09-09T03:37:03Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > > [@Rigamarole](#): > > > > Commonwealth? Sounds too socialist. > > Ah yes, that explains a lot about politicians in the Commonwealth of Virginia… they are secretly socialists. Heh, the word for Communism in Chinese is formed from characters that can be literally translated as “common wealth”. To avoid this, the Commonwealth of Nations is translated as “The British Federation” in Chinese. ---
**Author:** ![kim\_jung\_il](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kim\_jung\_il](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kim_jung_il)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/58 "2010-09-09T05:49:21Z")
Maybe the shelterers of our dear English words should become part of the commonwealth. We could even americanise (Ameicanize) the name, in honour (honor). Commonwealth could become comonwelth, just because its easier (or should that be izier?) And technically, America never fought with the British, as the colonials were British at that time 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/59 "2010-09-09T08:51:19Z")
> [@kim\_jung\_il](#): > > Maybe the shelterers of our dear English words should become part of the commonwealth. > We could even americanise (Ameicanize) the name, in honour (honor). > > Commonwealth could become comonwelth, just because its easier (or should that be izier?) > > And technically, America never fought with the British, as the colonials were British at that time 🙂 Well, America fought the Brits during the War of 1812. Even the British recognized the United States as a sovereign nation at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712/60 "2010-09-09T09:58:34Z")
Maybe **Curtis** wants eligibility to compete in Eurovision. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/552712.md?page=4)