"Why would any Protestant organization want to have anything o do with the RC damaged goods...?

I see where you are going with this, but do you really think the German CC wants to link up with the German Lutheran Church? I don't think so. We all have damaged goods, believe me! Listen to pastors on both sides of the divide in Germany. Their mutual damaged goods, petty despotisms enforce great lessons. Cardinal Marx wants ecumenical grass roots cooperation, but certainly not organic union. Nor does the UK CC want organic union with the UK Anglican Church. Everyone wants good words, however. It is the easiest obligation. And maybe from those "good words," churches, local religious communities can tackle the horrendous social issues that the people of God are facing, not least among them in the US, basic health care, economic inequality.