In the wake of Donald Trump recently suggesting Canadians want Canada to become a US state (they really don’t, but Trump is delusional), I remembered a lengthy discussion on an old message board where someone tried to suggest Britain might benefit as a US state, and it got me thinking. Would there be any conceivable benefit to Britain become part of the USA?
The short answer is no. The longer answer is an interesting exercise.
I am struggling to think of any reason for the UK – and indeed most nations – to become part of the USA. Don’t get me wrong, I do think there are things America actually does pretty well, but the fundamentals, like education, healthcare, and public safety? On these critical aspects, I would always favour British approaches, especially in where healthcare and safety are concerned.
I’ve written in the past about the comparative performance of the US and UK healthcare systems, and they are fairly similar, with similar outcomes, yet crucially, no one in the UK is going bankrupt over medical bills. This is the single biggest reason why I prefer the UK healthcare system, particularly at the moment.
In terms of public safety, I would never, ever want US-style gun laws and policies in the UK. The UK is substantially safer in terms of murder rates, and generally safer in terms of violent crime. The gun problem is the singlest biggest reason why I would oppose US policies governing the UK. There has yet to be any evidence to suggest that guns produce a safer society, and gun culture has overriden common sense, to the point where the right to guns means more than the safety of children in schools.
I could go on, but I am tired, and will have to ponder expanding this post. It might well be worth further exploration.
@Ben Berwick
I seriously doubt that Trump wants either Canada or the UK to become part of the USA. It is a cinch that almost no Republicans would vote for it. Why would Republicans want a minimum of four new Democrat senators?
Trump has a sense of humor, and he wants Canada to contribute more to its own defense. Keep in mind that this issue came up at the same time Trump was making an issue of Greenland’s defense. Therefore, he made the point humorously that if the USA is going to pay for the defense of these areas we may as well take over before the Russians and the Chinese do.
Of course, much of the rest of NATO also doesn’t spend enough on defense. Do you really think Republicans want to add most of the countries in the European Union as states? We want you to save yourselves. We don’t want to go down with you.
Frankly, Republicans in the USA believe we already have more than enough Socialists. We don’t want any more. You, for example, brag about policies that are clearly wrecking your country. Why would we want that?
There is also this irony. Most Liberals are big on globalism. However, if the USA suggests adding Canada as a state or states, you balk without even thinking it through because it was Trump’s idea. Apparently, globalism won’t work unless it is a stalking horse for Socialism.
It honestly wouldn’t surprise me if Trump was in fact, serious about wanting Canada – and there’s no question that he genuinely believes Canadians actually want to join America, despite there being no compelling reasons to do so. It’s the same with the UK. The exercise of my post was to highlight the reasons why it would be a bad idea, and you haven’t offered up any reasons to think differently.
What policies are wrecking the UK? Healthcare that’s free at point of use? Our lack of violent crime, owing to an absence of guns everywhere? Our employment laws are better, our food regulation standards are better, indeed there is nothing that would convince me to leave the UK for the USA, nor any reason to wish for the UK to be part of the USA. You have a president who is creating all sorts of chaos, both domestically and abroad, which is hurting the average American, but since you cannot bring yourself to see any of his faults or failures, you can’t see that chaos.
It’s strange that you think Britain is a socialist country. We’re not, not even close, but then, you do have a peculiar take on that subject. Perhaps it’s time to share a post I have drafted on the notion.
@Ben Berwick
Socialism doesn’t work. Creating a government-run monopoly just allows politicians to take your money and spend it on what they want.
Here is something Milton Friedman said.
“ There are four ways in which you can spend money. You can spend your own money on yourself. When you do that, why then you really watch out what you’re doing, and you try to get the most for your money. Then you can spend your own money on somebody else. For example, I buy a birthday present for someone. Well, then I’m not so careful about the content of the present, but I’m very careful about the cost. Then, I can spend somebody else’s money on myself. And if I spend somebody else’s money on myself, then I’m sure going to have a good lunch! Finally, I can spend somebody else’s money on somebody else. And if I spend somebody else’s money on somebody else, I’m not concerned about how much it is, and I’m not concerned about what I get. And that’s government. And that’s close to 40% of our national income. — Fox News interview (May 2004)”
No crime in the UK? Bullshit! You guys just have a government that covers up problems like Pakistani rape gangs.
You can ignore human nature, but only God can change it.
So, Tom, whose money is your chum, Trump using to pay for his unsanctioned war?
That’s always the interesting thing isn’ it Ark? There’s unrestricted funds for the US war machine, yet no impetus to help those in need. It’s a sorry state of affairs.
What’s the old saying? Follow the money(trail).
As for Tom:
“The indoctrination is powerful in this one.”
I’m sure you catch the reference. 😉
Tom, your comment reads like you are responding to someone else, and indulging in some strange bogeyman tropes whilst you’re at it.
Your argument against government-run public services simply doesn’t wash. Here in the UK, we privatised water, energy and railways. All three sectors have since seen rising costs without improvements to services, whilst shareholders rake it in. Our water sector in particular is diabolical. There is nothing to demonstrate that corporate interests are somehow better at running core public services here, and of course, the prime example of healthcare only reinforces that position.
As to crime, I should have worded it better. We have much less violent crime than the USA. Our murder rate in particular is far lower. As mentioned before, we retain much higher food standards. We have much better employment laws. There really is no reason to embrace US society, least of all as a member state, given how everyone seems so indoctrinated by capitalist interests, that even a slight twitch of the needle leads to hysteria about socialism!
@Ben Berwick
So, your argument is that private monopolies are just as bad as government-run monopolies. Therefore, government-run monopolies are okay? What has that got to do with education and healthcare? There is not even a good reason why education and healthcare have to be provided by monopolies.
Also, please observe that whenever government runs something, that requires government to regulate itself. That is a blatant conflict of interest.
Amazing how you vilify goverment for its supposed manipulation and conflict of interests yet you voted for and continue to champion the current US administration and it’s deranged felonious President who is the personification of everything you bleat and whine about on almost every post you put up!
Lake America anyone?
What next… United States of Trumpville.?
Good grief, what a shower
🤦
I don’t argue in favour of monopolies, full-stop. You are conflating public services with private business enterprise. Key public services like water, energy etc, upon which people depend, are not monopolies in a government’s hands, they are merely public services. It is the same of healthcare and education. When they are run not as businesses but as public services, they don’t tend to cut corners, seek to satisfy shareholders first and the public last, and generally provide better services.
@Tom
So the USA you voted for under Trump, a liar and convicted felon is thriving, is it ?
You must be mentally deranged.( That was not rhetorical.)
I understand the sentiment Ark, but I’d prefer not to resort to name-calling please.
Fair enough, but in context with such an interlocutor I tend to regard such statements as character descriptions rather than ad homs. 😈