Jul
30
If Obama Was British
Filed Under American Politics, British Politics
, BarackDaniel Hannan makes the point that if Obama was born in Kenya in 1961 as the Birthers believe, he would have been a British citizen. He then hypothetically speculates that this would bring about a union between Britain and America (not seriously though).
He then wonders how each country would benefit from such a union. It’s not good for America:
It would be nice if Americans learned to make tea properly (clue: the water has to be seriously hot). They might even find that the rules of cricket repay study
He believes Britain would come off much better (and I agree):
As for Britain, we could begin by adopting (or readopting) low taxes, sheriffs, a separation of powers, open primaries, localism, the direct election of public officials, a non-state healthcare system, capitalism, patriotism and sovereignty
Now that’s a Britain I’d be happy to live in.
So come on then, as an alternative to writing a plot for the upcoming “Cabbie” film, what could Britain give America and what could go in the other direction. Let’s make this a positive thread and discuss benefits from one to another.
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44 Responses to “If Obama Was British”
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Britain would receive:
. a free spirit and be less inward looking
. great country and western music
. wide open spaces with a cow-girl on a horse, with a big stetsun on her head, yelling yee-haw!
.Corvette Stingrays
. nascar
. great junk food
. hot weather and decent snow, not the slush we get here
America would get:
. some pretty clever scientists
. the head office of the Illuminati
. big Ben
. the head office of the Bilderbergs
. 1.7 million extra muslims
. a lot of art and culture
. terrible hotel service
America would get:
Good trout fishing in Scotland
Castles
Really bad pizza
better comedians
lovely nights at the pub
good friends
Shakespeare
the moor
history
the Beatles
Brits would get:
Plain spoken friends
a wasteful but learning population
a sense of freedom
the desert
big cars
lots of wilderness
a society not based on one’s birth but on what you accomplish and what your values are.
America would get:
great trout fishing in Scotland
the British Open
lovely nights at the pub with friends
Darts
Castles
better Comedians
the French as neighbors
Boxer Day
history
Brits would get:
bigger cars
outspoken friends
campfires in the wilderness
the desert
great movies
NASA
Mexico as a neighbor
Alaska
Obama
oops
Boxing
Liberty,
May I add:
Brits would get:
Better salaries for the same professions and jobs
Bigger and better homes
Better health care
Much fewer intrusive cameras…on every corner
Fewer Minorities on the dole
Better TV shows
Americans would get:
Better education
More Rain
More Green
Great skin
An American
Brits would get:
Better pizza
John Denver
the fallen towers
Americans would get:
Fish and chips
Beautiful London
Shouting in the Chamber
Look, if we get more country music the deal’s off.
Britain would get more open enthusiasm.
America would get greater reserve and perspective.
Liberty
Come on, I said keep it positive
Americans would get more Vacation time… I don”t know how you live with so little holiday.
I suppose those extra days at work are to pay for your health care costs.
I’m with Ronnie no C&W please
You know, there is a club in Glasgow called ‘The Grand Ole Oprey’. Its in Govan of all places.
They have wall to wall country music, dress up and have shootouts with toy guns…
Here, see for yourselves.
http://www.glasgowsgrandoleopry.co.uk/
Whilst not a fan of C & W, I am a fan of country rock. So yes please to Maria McKee, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, 70’s Neil Young.
Cabbie ruins his conservative cred,
Sorry my friend but C&W music and conservative politics go together in Red Sates like SUV’s and obesity.
I’m with you on the 70’s leftie rock stars though..
One other difference. In America, you can buy land…lots and lots of land. In the UK, its hard to purchase land or even find land to build a new home…isn’t it?
THX
Most Americans who work full time get 2-5 weeks of vacation. It all depends on how many years you work at your workplace.
How much do Brits get?
I do agree that Brits and Europeans have more luxury time…a slower pace of life.
THX,
You really don’t understand Conservative, we are flexible…I can’t stand CW music…and I was introduced to it at an early age. My brother went to sleep listening to Hank Williams…
An American, do you mean that Hank Williams put your brother to sleep?
My dad was a big fan and always played it in the car. Eventually I had to shoot him and set fire to the car.
An American, remember that we have much less land and our planning regulation are beyond comprehension.
Liberty,
Americans would get polite children
a post note…my grandsons were incredibly polite because they went to a British grade school in the UAE. Americans were blown away by them when they would introduce themselves, shake hands and could carry on a conversation with adults while the other American kids slouched in the corned all…bored.
Brits would receive more tooth caps and tooth enameling.
An American I was joking and we get six weeks paid vacation plus public holiday. But it does depend you have worked fo the company, 25 days is typical . In France & italy it’s even longer I believe.
DMV…Department of Motor Vehicles is famous for its long waits and incompetent employees, most of whom have received their jobs through having a father, brother or uncle in state government.
THX…it’s approximately the same here, we have lots of political holidays too…but the Europeans, especially the Italians and Spanish do know how to enjoy their lives…although, they don’t accomplish much in their lives.
Liberty,
My husband and I enjoy watching the British politican’s repartee on CSpan…it’s entertaining.
And the winning comment is…tarraaa….
Liberty’s…campfires in the wilderness.
How I miss that in Africa, where the stars above are like nowhere on earth. Where Hyenas slink past your campfire, at the periphery of your night vision, whooping and heckling, trying to snatch something to eat; possibly even you. And the elephant reaching up into the branches above your tent, so close you can hear its heart beat and stomach juices squidging….the roaring flames, happy tanned faces…a beer and thick steak…your kids nuzzling into your chest as you recite stories your grandparents told you…..I miss it so much
An American
I think yo need to spend more time in Spain & Italy
My sister-in-law has worked for State Farm for nearly 20 years and she gets 20 days and doesn’t get Martin Luther King day but always throws a sickie on principal along with all the African American employees.
O. Tony,
We had campfires every night while on our Safari in Africa…great memories. The Africans have the most fantastic voices. One night, I heard a leopard pull a baboon out of a large tree in front of our cabin…I could see it’s eye in my flashlight and hear it crunching away…I loved all the animal sounds at night…like a symphony.
My Fellow Bloggers,
I have both sorts of music, as they say, Country AND Western. Amongst which are;
The original Hank Willams, Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys, Hank Thompson and His Brazos Valley Boys, Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris. Then throw in Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs,(as a would be banjo picker) and many others including Alison Krauss & Union Station for Bluegrass. Bob Dylan who brought Nashville into the purview of many, The Band and then of course The Byrds who both brought rock ‘n roll and all of the above together which led to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Not to forget those great Canadians Neil Young and KD Lang.
To All
Will ask Mr. Liberty to send some C&W that is beautiful and soulful and will change your mind.
Brits would get:
Jazz (the best and what your R&R is based upon)
AnAm…yes the africans have superb voices; they dont need to be trained.
Hayward…now you are talking my type of music!
Ever heard of Chip Taylor? He is brilliant and is Angelina Joleys uncle…brother of that famous actor…name eludes my very ill brain though….darn, my memory is bad….
His lyrics are so casual, you know,writing about a girl in a yellow dress on a hot summers day. Saw him in London in an Irish pub
Hayward has an open mind. Every genre (except rap) has its charms. Music is so important to all cultures.:)
DMV get it now.
Used to be like that in the UK but now deal them totally on-line and you know what…It works like a dream .
Gotta go and pump some more into the US economy at Wholefoods- See ya
If you are into African music but don’t have any, see if you have Paul Simmon’s 1980’s work he did in South Africa. I dare to say it rivals Mozart? Perhaps an over statement.
Hayward,
Our son introduced us to Allison Krause several years back…we now have all of her CDs.
When we were in Ireland, I loved their music. Every night we looked for a pub with live music. When you hear it, you definitely know this is where CW and Bluegrass originally came from. Many Irish immigrants settled in southern states with their music becoming part of the south.
My Irish Uncles played guitars and banjos at dances in their youth.
THX will be completely in sync with all the people shopping at Whole Foods…It’s the yuppie, liberal place to shop. God…they all look alike and they don’t smile. They all look like they have the burden of the world on their shoulders…What is it about liberals not smiling. But, Whole Foods does have great bread!
Liberals not smiling!! lol
Hey AnAm do you know how to make a smiley yet?
O. Tony,
Sorry, my program can’t make smiley faces…here they are…guess I could do these and everyone would know what I mean…:)
Anyway, who wants to be like everyone else…I am a bit skewed…
O. Tony,
Oh…my goodness, it worked! Thanks.
Wholefoods was founded by a Republican friend of “W” and it does have great bread and just the best meat and fish
THX,
Finally…something you approve of that is Republican!
But, don’t tell your fellow shoppers, they would leave in droves…they would feel like they have to stay true to the cause.
BTW…you strike me as a smiler with a forgiving nature…unlike most liberals.
O. Tony,
What does lol mean?
An American
It means “laugh out loud”. It’s a way of showing someone that you found their comment funny.
Liberty
Graceland. An excellent album.
Campfires in Africa:
Leopards crunching away and the squidging stomach juices of elephants. You’re not selling it to me guys
Hayward, you heard of Chip Taylor??
John Voight’s brother? brilliant C & W singer, with a very laid-back and original style?