The United Socialist States of Thorn138 is a mammoth, efficient nation, renowned for its parental licensing program, zero percent divorce rate, and devotion to social welfare. The hard-nosed, humorless population of 8.572 billion Thorn138ians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Administration, and Defense. The average income tax rate is 77.1%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Thorn138ian economy, worth a remarkable 1,424 trillion Deneroes a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Arms Manufacturing, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Trout Farming. Black market activity is rampant. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 166,192 Deneroes, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.9 times as much as the poorest.

Formula One cars in Thorn138 boast 56 miles per gallon, diaper ads feature vertically-challenged adults wearing bootees, coffee cups have grown in size to accommodate the huge ingredients list, and prodigal children celebrate as charitable bequests plummet. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Thorn138's national animal is the Eagle, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Thorn138 is ranked 11,050^th in the world and 69^th in the Plains of Perdition for Largest Trout Fishing Sector, scoring 8,131.29 on the Nemo Depletion Efficiency Index.