[Publius]

Perhaps Bush should pick up Robert Conquest's idea of a loose association of English-speaking nations--one that derives its stature from the long history of shared language and culture.

First proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1774 as a possible solution to the taxation/representation issue. The key difference is that Ben wanted the Parliament in London to function as the "Parliament of Empire" with MP's from Philadelphia, Boston and Bombay sitting next to the MP from Manchester.

I've always been fascinated by what would have happened had King George's ministers not been complete dolts.

[Poohbah]

This would be (of necessity) even looser than that proposal.

But it does make for an interesting speculation.