Nope, I don't think so, Carol. Not all of us buy into the arguments you and so many others have so elequently presented anyway. I think the U.S. fits the description of a Republic L.H. found in his Canadian dictionary!

Jack the Sailor: I'll be happy to be your comrade! I doubt Karl and I would be very close friends though.

And CarolC: I'll certainly be your comrade, friend, or anything else you want me to be (other than a socialist)!

DougR