The Federal Republic of The Pacific States of America is a massive, safe nation, ruled by President Merriam with an even hand, and remarkable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, compulsory military service, and punitive income tax rates. The hard-nosed population of 3.536 billion Americans are prohibited from doing almost everything except voting, which they do timidly and conservatively.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Sacramento. The average income tax rate is 52.9%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The strong American economy, worth 281 trillion PS dollars a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Retail, Book Publishing, and Information Technology. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 79,571 PS dollars, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.0 times as much as the poorest.

The "temporary replacement bus service" is now a permanent fixture, kids looking for shark teeth have become ancient history, street preachers spend more time condemning government bureaucracy than passers-by, and perverts across the land rejoice after 'sexual harassment' was recently renamed 'persuasive courting'. Crime is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. The Pacific States of America's national animal is the grizzly bear, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

The Pacific States of America is ranked 44,484^th in the world and 32^nd in Changuu for Safest, scoring 104.39 on the Bubble-Rapp Safety Rating.