North American Union

[Raditzu]

Relating the development of a world culture to global economic participation is an interesting idea. I don't think I would, personally, subscribe to the idea, but still intriguing. And I guess I'm going to be answering your overall question with a question of my own: is it necessary for a nation to be at the "global economic table" in for them to be assimilated by a global culture?

Aqua, I hope you post some of your writings for the study.

[Aqua]

Alright. I'll post my first chapter on defining "culture" towards the end of the week. It looks like this semester I will be working mostly on three chapters. I. Culture, II. Cultural Relativism, III. Evolutionary Cultural Relativism. I have about 6-7 pages typed in each chapter right now, but my adviser and I are now in the editing stages. So my "culture" chapter will be in it's second draft when I post it. So, it will by no means be final, but, then again, defining "culture," though essential to my project, is not the most difficult thing I will have to do. Turns out, the faculty at my school is very anti-relativism.

[Bra]

So, what are your thoughts about the the combining of Canada, US, and Mexico, and the abolishment of the borders and a rewriting of our decelerations of independence for our respective countries.

Never heard of this? Likely because it's not being discussed generally with the public, this is being done by the higher ups in our government without our approval or permission.

Yeah, actually, I think it's a good idea.

Also, to the guys wondering (I can't remember if it was answered) if Britain approves... it doesn't matter. Do you think we actually answer to them?
The only thing we're actually bound to is to help Britain in times of crisis.

The fact that we're still part of the Commonwealth is more or less for posterity's sake. Yeah, the Governer General has to approve our laws, but if he/she refuses to do so... we just fire him/her and find someone who will sign for it. It's happened a few times.

[Bra]

Oh, yeah, double post, whatever.

I guess I should define "good idea" since I'm being prodded on AIM.

I don't like the idea of merging with the US, since it means an exorbitant loss of freedom as I've come to know it.

But, the reason I say it's a good idea is because it's almost inevitable. I firmly believe that if we don't merge willingly that someday the US or the next hyperpower will annex us, with force if necessary, and that's a worse way to go.

At least by negotiating the terms on our own time we can make a few demands that wouldn't otherwise fly.

I'd prefer neither happened, but that's kind of overly-optimistic, I find. We are a sovereign state, and I hope we remain as such for as long as possible. But if worse comes to worst, a merger is better than a takeover.

Lesser of two evils, I guess.

So yeah, I don't much like being swallowed by the US amoeba, but it's a hell of a lot better than being taken by China.

EDIT: I do have a question though. To anyone who might be researching this, how would this work? Would Mexico and Canada retain their own political heirarchy and operate as 'satellite states', or would we fall under US law?

[Tobias]

I've not looked to far into it but I imagine that would have to do with he circumstances. Is it a union or annexation by the US? Either would have different results.

[Raditzu]

but if he/she refuses to do so... we just fire him/her and find someone who will sign for it.

Now that's a system of government I could get behind.

[Bra]

XD It's not as horrible as it sounds.

We have a governing body that votes for laws and shit, and once they pass they just have to be ratified by this Governer General person despite the fact it already won in house. The position is, in effect, mostly figurehead.

[Krillin]

'Zaphod Beeblebrox, adventurer, ex-hippy, good timer, (crook? quite possibly), manic self-publicist, terribly bad at personal relationships, often thought to be completely out to lunch.

President?

No one had gone bananas, not in that way at least.

Only six people in the entire Galaxy understood the principle on which the Galaxy was governed, and they knew that once Zaphod Beeblebrox had announced his intention to run as President it was more or less a fait accompli: he was the ideal Presidency fodder.'