haygirl,

Many countries have benefited from the judicial and partliamentary systems forced on the British Monarchy by its Nobles. John I was forced to sign the Magna Carta and Cromwell's rebellion built Constitutional Monarchary. The Greeks gave us citizenship representation and Roman modern-style legal system [even primative cland have rules].

WWII Britain wanted Australian to leave the defense of the Pacific Theatre to save England. Curtin said no way. Churchill would have a resource rich contintent fall, instead of an island one-fifteith size with a few tin mines. In c. 1957 we were dropped by England so it cold enter the Common Market. England on the wrong side of the US over taking independent action in Suez/Sadat could not rei=ceiev e Amercian assistance with develop an A-Bomb. At Los Alamos, the British* Team was led by Sir Mark Oliphant: Guess whuch country helped them build and test an A-Bomb?

[I think Australians were British back then.]

QEII is a dutiful person and I have great respect for her. Moreover, the diplomatic knowledge she must have gained over decades must be valuable to her Prime Ministers, Brititish MPs.

In a sense the sun does set on the Western Empire on that now it has two centre states UE and the US. China is emerging and Australia, if it plays its card right is at the entre of the hub. I haved Asia for nine years. The Chinese like egalitarian Australian because they feel the Americans think they know everything and the Pomps don't realise the days of colonisation are over.

I feel some may have mistaken what i meant in my earlier post.I am a royalist and am quite happy with the status quo.I realise that eventually we will make the break from The U.K. and i do not want to become part of a little America.I have no love for their way of speaking,spelling or politics.I imagine this post will set the cat among the pigeons but it is my opinion.

No it doesn't set the cat amoungst the pigeons, at least for me. But you seem to have ignored the previous comment I made re US links. Can you explain to me why we should necessarily be closer to the US for cutting ties with Britain? The influence of the US is independent of any constitutuional changes sought by republicans. Cultural imperialism and the desire to have a strong ally are two of the main reasons we side with the US. But at the same time, being a republican does not imply any desire to move culturally away from Britain. I have nothing against the royal family. We don't pay for their upkeep fortunately and having them visit here occasionally is no problem or big deal financially.

And I believe we could still attend the Commonwaelth Games if that is what is worrying you.

Their is no reason why we should become more involved with the USA.I look around me and see so much of their influence, on our younger people in particular and it saddens me that Aussies are losing their identity.Our slang is almost forgotten,we are copying their every move.
I did not particularly mean, allied to them in a political sense.I think it a shame so many feel the need to emulate every move the USA makes.When we do make the break from the U.K,i would hope we would still retain our sense of belonging to that great race.As for our national anthem,i don't really give a hoot.To me it's just a song to sing at sporting events.

The Royals of Europe going back to at least the tenth century were basically MAFIA on horseback. [Often related] Families fighting for territory.

The US to paraphase Gore Vidal never wanted to frame a democracy. Recall it has an Electoral Council. People really don't vote for their representatives as seems. Ins Revolutionary War [War of Independence] it was British whom didn't want to pay taxes but to have a seat in the HP.

I guess one cannot blame the Royal Family for lunatics like Winston Churchill who purchased trench diggers for the WWII: He lived 50 years before real time and thought England superior to the rest of the Commonwealth.

haygirl: "I would hope we would still retain our sense of belonging to that great race."

Uh-oh!
I know you probably didn't mean it "that" way, but please don't ever use the word "race" on OLO.

Allergic reactions. Potentially dangerous. Causes sudden cerebral spasms.

"As for our national anthem, to me it's just a song to sing at sporting events."

I thought that was "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye".
Why not make Gary Glitter's Rock and Roll Part Two the anthem.
You know the words: "HEY!!"

Here's another cat for the pigeons:
As we're already in the OECD, and have much common with Europe, why not become part of the EU?

Using the Euro would mean our currency wouldn't have to vulnerably sit all by itself, tossed about by the whims of ignorant traders (Where's Australia again?).

It would also do wonders for tourism (one of our biggest industries) as Europeans wouldn't need passport and customs checks.