The similarities of Australians and Americans

So what does the USA have in common with Australia? Indeed, what do most Americans know about Australians? With cousins in St Louis, Illinois, Phoenix and Miami Beach this Australian can state that the answer is “not enough”.

And you know, for most Australians this is so sad since we know so very much about the USA. We follow your news and even your politics, watch you television shows and movies, glue ourselves to NASA events and dream about Disneyland.

By comparison, many an American calls us precisely what President Bush wrongly and accidentally called us yesterday – Austrians. Sorry but I do not speak Austrian.

Indeed, we speak the very same language spoken by Americans. Just listen to Mel Gibson, Ron Randel, Errol Flynn, Rod Taylor, Kylie Minogue, Russell Crowe and so many others who left our shores over the years for the USA.

Sure the accent is different but we read the same books as do you, served along side you in both world wars, in Vietnam and now in Iraq and we enjoy a good burger. OK for me that is not a Big Mac, but so many others go nuts over the golden arches with the “M”

Australia is roughly the same area as the USA but with a population roughly equal to New York. We are low in the Pacific basin, not that far from New Zealand but no where near Europe.

We love good food and a drink, or two although our beer is stronger than standard US beer. We produce world class wines, have won many an international sporting competition but lack a space program of our own.

At home we watch Dr Who and Star Trek on television, along with NCIS, Jim Lehrer, CSI New York, Crossing Jordan, Alias and the occasional Disney movie.

Infact Australians are so alike to Americans it is amazing.

Yet while we see and hear all about President Bush, Ted Kennedy, Hilary Clinton etc every night Americans very rarely ever hear anything about Australia and most of you would have no idea that we are just six states and two territories.

At present the Liberals are in government and they are closest to the Republican Party. By comparison Labor are closer to the Democrats. And politics in Australia is as dirty as it is in the USA.

But the best short term lesson that I can give an American on Australia is to suggest an internet search. You will be amazed with what you find and I would love to hear from some of yopu as to what you do find

So bye for now, and I will await your speels (writings)