Queensland is officially in crisis.
Mineral prices are down, tourism hubs are full of AFL players and of most concern, the only secure coach in the state is a New South Welshmen running the Titans.
Worse still, the state’s three proud NRL clubs are languishing near the cellar, while their beloved Maroons have now gone two barren years without winning eight series in a row.
But how does this deepening decay compare to earth’s other failing juggernaut, America?
As we know, Queensland and America enjoy many similarities. Both are geographical and cultural superpowers, both have exactly zero teams in contention for NRL finals and most notably, all of their problems can be blamed on Wayne Bennett.
Queensland first infiltrated the free world in 1988 with the Broncos, a significant move that underpinned regular Origin domination and spread the state’s imperial rezoning to include the Pacific Islands and Kempsey.
This resulted in a record eight-year stronghold on the interstate series that was broken only once in 2014, a blemish aggressively counter-attacked by the superpower with three more series wins and an all-Queensland NRL grand final, before flooding a heap of nut bars through the commentary box and the Senate.
Comparatively, America has enjoyed over 300 years of economic and cultural dictatorship – both celebrated and condemned – commanding the world scene with military might and seven serviceable seasons of Family Ties.
However, America now finds itself in the grip of social tensions, Soviet meddling and an overwhelming struggle against coronavirus, while Queensland have lost the Origin shield and the Big Brother House.
The former has particularly hurt Queensland, with public morale inextricably tied to the fortunes of its rugby league teams. For an American parallel, think of having to rely on the Brisbane Lions because you don’t have the Dream Team or Matt Petersen.
Timeline-wise, Queensland’s decline has been comparatively sharp and could be complete by year’s end. On the other hand, America’s has been in effect since the early ’50s, around the same time the Anthony Milford deal began.
To determine which international force is in the most rapid decline, we must assess the following categories:
Economy
The US is in a woeful financial state, with their national debt posted at approximately $24 trillion. Conversely, this equates to about half of Brisbane’s impending payout to Anthony Seibold.
Political state
While his approval ratings are nosediving, America could realistically re-elect Donald Trump, a man who implored his countrymen to inject disinfectant. In Queensland, they already do this with XXXX.
Biosecurity
America is home to Florida, the state with the record for the highest number of recorded cases. Queensland’s equivalent is the Gold Coast, which has the same amount of glorious sunshine and community transmission, except it can afford David Fifita.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Law and order
Much like the Trump administration, Queensland have strived to maintain judicial control by appointing dubious judges to the Supreme Court bench, like Barry Gomersall. However, this was not enough to prevent the Cowboys falling victim to a raft of infamous robberies in the 2000s.
Conflict
America enjoys a strong military presence both at home and abroad, while also boasting a handy win/loss record. On the other hand, Queensland have fared excellently out of both World Wars (Origin and Super League) despite the dissolution of the Northern Bloc (the Crushers, Giants and the Castlemaine Brewery sell-off).
Cultural significance
Ronald Reagan, James Dean, Carrot Top – these are the names that maintain the soft power America is culturally renowned for. But ask any trendoid art critic and they’ll agree they’re nothing on a topless Choppy Close singing ‘Yippy Yi Yay’.
In summary, the rate of decline between Queensland and America will ultimately be determined by whether the man in the head office has a second term, and if the Storm will allow this to happen.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Gee there are some very misguided people on this thread e.g. Nick Symonds“ who can say this “I’m under no illusion that the CCP is “our saviour”??? and “peeeko” steveng – seek help. What a terrible things to say as both of you must agree with what the CCP’s is doing which is and have killed 80 million and have persecuted over a total of 100 million Chinese people (since 1949 only) of which they are still doing it now with the Uyghurs people, Falun Gong practitioners and Christians all over China, where they are Live Organ Harvesting, Imprisoning millions of people in Gulags, Slave Labour, Sterilising people etc etc gee you’re all real “Human Rights Advocate”? Gee there are some really brainwashed and mislead people in this country especially some of the kids that have no idea! Listen here, my family came from a communist country in the late 1940’s after WW2 you don’t have to tell me anything about communism and facisium of Hitler and Stalin’s CCCP of Russia who killed about 60 million of his own people too! My family experienced both of these evil regimes, you misguided people! But and in this country, where freedom and democracy has always reigned, its very convenient and easy to talk all this globally gob nonsense and glorifying communism the left and facisium, just go to China under Xi and North Korea under Kim or any of these communist countries and speak against the regimes and leaders like you all do against Trump and Morrison etc and see where you end up.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
I was born in Brisbane, attended Eagle Junction State School and Kedron High. then QUT. I can think of only one response to this whole debate" GO THE BLUES!
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Good read as always Dane. I tip Trump to limp across the line again. His only rivals are Biden and Kanye. Kanye's part of the "K" family only because his name starts with "K" and he's not all there. Biden's a candidate because he's got a nice smile, but he's so old that they don't use his blood type anymore. He's no worse a candidate than Clinton was, but at least Hillary had a pulse. The American economy is a bit of a problem as you say. But money troubles have beset both professional baseball and football there for years. You can see reports of this history on Wikipedia where players have been locked out of stadiums. Some of the problems have been the usual argy bargy during collective bargaining negotiations. But some of it relates to team owners being short of money. Trump used to own or part-own a football team (New Jersey Generals) and got out of it because both he and the league were bleeding money. If the Yanks can get into financial trouble, so can we - and we have from time to time.
Luke S
Roar Rookie
Both :happy: and :crying:
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Queenslnd's decline isn't comparable to USA's. After saving the world from the Axis countries in WW2 they were so scared of the USSR they produced a range of WMDs for defence. Fortunately JFK was in power during the Cuban Missile crisis and he ignored his adviser's, the Joint Chiefs of staff, advice to start WW3 and made a deal with Kruschov to avert the crisis. When JFK refused to go to Vietnam he was assassinated by the CIA who wanted war with Vietnam. We went all the way with LBJ thanks to Bob Menzies' Liberal Party.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I think you're right on the money IB. My nephew has lived in Trump land for several years now, and his view is that Americans are focussed on all things American. Some fans know about RL but American focus is on gridiron (I know they don't call it that anymore), and soccer (they still call it soccer). The Toronto experience doesn't surprise me. I was there in 2017 and the predominant interest was in ice hockey, even in summer. Also keep in mind that almost no-one in the world seriously plays RL. It's always puzzled me but, at last count, almost 100 countries can field a 15 man RU side. RU has been played in the USofA in my experience since 1967 (Californian Golden Bears), and they've competed in World Cups. And yet RU struggles over there too.
Andrew Nichols
Guest
But the Reds are on top in the wee Aussie Super Rugby comp!
peeeko
Roar Guru
dont waste your time with these 2 , wolly. not much between the ears. steveng - seek help
Nick Symonds
Guest
With you there Wolly. Just for the record, I too dislike both. I'm under no illusion that the CCP is "our saviour", but neither do I think that Trump is in anyway qualified to lead the free world. In a 1990 interview with Playboy, Trump admonished the Soviets for not cracking down hard enough on democratic activists, then followed that up by praising the CCP for Tiananmen Square. Then there's his business record with failed cassinos, Trump Steaks, Trump University and even the Tour De Trump cycle race. He seems to have carried that business form into his presidency going by all of his appointments and firings along with his chaotic and dysfunctional leadership style. Trump is like a combination of Kevin Rudd, Clive Palmer and Pauline Hanson. He's not just a dog's breakfast, he's a complete dog's breakfast with pike. The American people should tell him to get on his bike. Maybe he can even restart that cycle race he used to have after he leaves the White House.
Admiral Ackbar
Guest
Only Queenslanders would complain about losing the Big Brother house to New South Wales.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Criticising Trump automatically makes someone a CCP supporter? The fact you can’t rationalise that is possible to dislike both (I’m but one of millions who feel this way in this country alone) makes you the sheep.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Fully agree, the CCP have take Australia over, thank god that Trump and Morrison are doing something about the carnage that the CCP have cause here in Australia especially but, our young kids have no idea, as our unis are full of the influence of PRC students $$$$ and Confucius Institute brainwashing as they all think communism is better.
Skidmarx
Guest
Ya wasting ya time on the sheep old mate . The dummies believe the PRC is our saviour and our friends. Good will win out in the end , bad will make its wrath felt in the interim.
steveng
Roar Rookie
:happy: hahaa is that suposed to be funny or some sort of a joke? I would like to have the power that Trump has and the USA has, if the USA declines in power we should all be worried in Aussie of what is around the corner, as should the QRL should, as its not looking good!
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
Funny read one good thing is we can still put a very good origin side together out of the ashes of some very dismal Qld club performances.
Rob
Guest
I’m wondering if George Orwell would have imagined writing a novel with Trumps characters traits. Or did he ?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
But then again it could be the Socialist Roaring Front. Not to be confused with the Socialist Roaring Rear!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Oh? I thought it was The Socialist PEOPLES Republic of The Roar. Without good people in your life...well you would lack a certain something.
Skidmarx
Guest
The socialist republic of the roar .
In brief
Guest
With the demise of the Toronto Wolf pack perhaps the answer is American rugby league?