US economy

This is a joke right, or is your vision of the world really based on the ability to smash a neigbour with a carrier? What about economy and cultural influence ?

 

You mean like the McBagguette?

 

That's junk food, not culture. I was rather thinking about art, or industrial successes ( U.S. Boeing, German cars, French TGV train, Italian Fashion, Dutch horticultural marketing, Europe's Airbus, and Arianne etc... ) Things like that, without the clichés. But hey, I said I was pulling out of this. So off I'm again.

 

Forgive me Skipper, I do not intend to offend, but is not the above statement a bit of Euro snobbery? Yes, the McBagguet is a fast food, but a product as well. What are the items you mentioned?

German Cars, French TGV, Italian Fashion, Dutch Horticulture Marketing, Airbus and Arianne? Product's each and every one.

Like the McBagguet, they are products designed to meet the needs and desires of the consumers. They either make life easier or more enjoyable.

A little research informs me that in 2007 the TGV generated 1.75 billion dollars or revenue in France. Sadly I cannot find a figure for McDonalds, but my research does say that they are currently the number 2 market in France with a staggering 1,200 outlets! That's one outlet for every 54,000 French citizens.

McDonalds succeeds because it either adopts an existing niche or creates one palatable ))to the local consumer. Even though the American style of fast food is quite different from many of its host counties. If this is not an effect of culture, what is? America has taken food styles from though out the world, modified and adopted them and made them mainstream here in the US. Pizza, Burriito's, and Chinese food are American staples, now.

McDonalds has simply reverse engineered our food for a world market, which has largely gobbled ()it up!

I would respectfully submit that in a 100 years if someone would put together a image montage on America's influence worldwide over the last 25 years, A image of McDonald's in French or Japanese would be as relevant as one of the Space Shuttle or a Nuclear Carrier BattleGroup.

 

Wasn't my intent to rub anything in someone else's face. I am sure that anyother country with the means would do the same. My point is that with with such power comes great responsibility; and that responsibility extends to all forms of stability: Military and Humanitarian.

Seems like the Queen may still have some influence

 

I don't know how much influence the Queen has, but her kids and grandkids and spouses, etc. seem to have an enormous influence, especially in the States.

KTK

 

We Canucks love the royals, especially Queen Liz. A lot of that love has to do with the fact that she has never meddled in Canadian affairs. There is a lot of mutual respect, but, make no mistake, if the royals did try to meddle, they would very politely be ignored and likely lose that respect.


BD

 

China

 

You don't have to like or respect your landlord either; but, they still have a key to your house. Any autonomy Canada enjoys is done at the leisure of the Queen. Granted, Canada has a much longer leash than Australia; but, make no mistake the Queen is still very much a part of Canada.

 

I think Skipper was trying to say something like this.....

"The mafia? I've shit 'em!" - Long Good Friday final scene - YouTube

 

Seriously? The only reason Canada and Australia are still part of the Commonwealth is because of the Queen and that we actually like her because she was good to us, Didnt tell us what to do =). As has been shown by many many many survey's, Once the Queen passes away most of the supporters for remaining in the Commonwealth drop away to just a minority. So seriously, If your going to criticize foreigners for talking about US politics then maybe you shouldn't talk about theirs?, Tends to make you look a little bit like a hypocrite.

 

Let's give ourselves a moment and take a breath. We are here to debate, not accuse.

Keep calm and carry on.

 

Martin is right (don't put this in your signature)

 

Blimey...the Monarchy don't even have any pull in the UK, never mind controlling the cobbers and Canuks....These threads will always only go one way. As Skip says, the ego bone kicks in...and the amount of understanding of each other countries present and past is astoundingly slim in some cases. I live in the best nation in the world no matter how much I may critisise it...I have a right to critisise my nation. You live in the best nation too...all of you..and have the right to critisise it..When someone else comes along doing so the flack hits...Stand back a little and refrain from gut reactions. I dislike some of what America stands for, and Sometimes Aussies get my goat, and Canadians can non plus me at times...I wont mention the Icelandics.....And those flaming Greenlanders....We all live in nations that have their problems both internally and externally and thats just tough...I'm not always proud to be British but I'm gratefull and I think that's the best any of us can say about our respective nations...The original post was worth discussing..the petty Englander stuff as I'll call it is not worthy of any of us...Rant for 2013 done. .

 

Hehe!

[video=youtube;JvKIWjnEPNY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvKIWjnEPNY[/video]

 

I'd have to disagree with that, I would offer that any supposed power that the Queen or her Governor General might have is entirely ceremonial, the reason that these still exist we have always been on good terms with our Limey brethren, and out of respect we remain in the "personal union" that the other commonwealth nations are also in, even though it is essentially symbolic. The monarchy hasn't been an active participant in our affairs since the war (in any real way), and our governor generals have done the part of saying "Her majesty approves of xyz", there won't be a need form reformations and abolitions in our traditions unless things take a dramatic turn and people forget where their "ceremonial place" ends.

Our dearest Kate and William on the other hand, they seem to be more important to this continent then they are across the pond!

 

Who ??

( )

 

Some English chap and his uppity colonial wife, I haven't the slightest clue! (Oh if only my friends didn't keep me informed of every small detail) :drink_a_pint:

Cheers!

 

this entire page has been about England, the commonwealth and Now The Royal Family and hasn't anything to do with the INITIAL topic anymore. This site is not a tabloid, and since this has been a low quality thread from the start, allow me to end this farce, so you fine people can post more interesting things for the benefit of all .