[calcowgirl]

Lots of unions and currency consolidations going on. It looks like the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries are really making some headway. A GCC common market was launched on January 1, 2008. They've already got their GCC Patent Office established. And they're working toward common currency in less than 2 years. The table at the bottom of the link is interesting, summarizing all of the regional trading blocks and their statistics.

So many flocks to herd at one time.

[hedgetrimmer]

Saving the North American Security and Prosperity Partnership: The Case for a North American Standards and Regulatory Area

“With its focus on setting common product standards, regulations, and border measures that will improve trade and the movement of goods, the SPP agreement has the potential to provide huge benefits for both the Canadian and American economies,” said Dr. Alexander Moens, author of Saving the North American Security and Prosperity Partnership and a senior fellow with the Fraser Institute.

Now it has a different name.

[Czar]

"So many flocks to herd at one time."

Too many to watch, which is the idea. Politicians like nothing better than getting as far away from the voters as possible. Appointed but unelected officials are the order of the day. It really doesn't matter what they choose to name it--boards, districts, associations, commissions, advisers, consultants--they are all designed to mask and shield elected officials from responsibility and accountability.