[A. Pole]

American workers are unwilling to adjust the price of their labor to third world levels and suffer the hit in standard of living that this would bring about. This, however, is what Bush and the corporations would like to see happen.

The key problem is that even if American workers were humble and long-suferring enough to accept this - they CANNOT do it because the costs of living are too high.

Similar reason why Russia CANNOT become a banana republic - it is too cold for bananas.

[Cronos]

Similar reason why Russia CANNOT become a banana republic - it is too cold for bananas.

You jest! A banana Republic is one that depends on a single commodity to keep afloat -- like many Central American and West African countries. Russia won't become a banana republic (it could become other things) -- it's too big and it's economy is too diversified. I would call SAudi A, Iran, Norway, Brunei as banana republics (no wait on Iran and Norway are republics).