How do you like America so far? Discuss why you love it or hate it. Discuss its strengths and its weaknesses.
Interesting topic... not sure how authoritatively I can discuss what's wrong or right about the country when so much of what I'd base my judgement on is what one faction or another chooses to allow me to have based on one agenda or another. Which agenda do I favor? It is what it is and it will be what it will be... life will suck because I choose for it to and life will be good because I make that option as well. Clearly the clowns who would have us all believe that they are in charge appear not to be... at least not to the degree that they want us to believe. There is usually reason that people are kept in the dark and it generally has to do with how they'd react if they knew what was afoot. It seems quite likely that it could very well be the case for much of the rest of the world. I've concluded that there is probably no perfect system of government because of the necessary involvement of people.
Love the country...... Hate the assholes running it (corporate and government) Some of the sheeple are real asses too........
The land itself. The plains,the deserts,the forests,the lakes,the small towns that still seem to be living in the 40s-50s, the cities for art,music and all the other things cities offer. The melting pot aspect. Our Olympic teams have members whose ancestors come from almost every other country on earth. 1st generation families may not speak english,but their kids will and soon they will know just about everything that I know about us and the country. I like to know I can get in my car and go anywhere I want without restriction. I can work or not work. And my unique constitution. My family has pretty deep roots in this country and I want it to do and be better than it recently has. What I don't like is what stinkfoot shows us so well in his posts-the corporatocracy it has become with little chance for us to make needed changes. The headlong rush to turn everything on earth into a commodity with a price tag, which will be the end of all of us. To think long term is usually to make people's eyes glaze over and "yeah,well" is the end of it. "Jobs--we need jobs" is the common theme nowadays,when a complete revamping of how humans could/should live in harmony with what we were given needs prioritizing. Not happening. When there is massive wealth and power held by few and we now know that 30,000 children die EVERY DAY from starvation ,torture and murder and wars rage on as they ALWAYS have,I think we can conclude that something is very wrong with humanity. The very humans that could do something about changing the way we address the problems we all face are unfortunately the ones that like and enjoy it just the way it is. And that's what I don't like about this country--that we could and should lead the way into a future that would enhance the lives of all sentient beings on the planet. That's about it. Oh yeah--I forgot--I like the DUCKS!!!
Though the country has many faults, I'm very happy I wasn't born anywhere else. That's about all I can formulate at the moment, as I have not branched out into the 'real world' yet enough to truly experience politics and the economy. Representative democracy has it's strong points, but it also leave the window wide open for 'buying' votes to gain power, which does little for the advancement of the country. This fault cannot be solely blamed on the United States and it's citizens, because it is a weakness of simple human nature. Positively, it is a very diverse country, in both geological and cultural terms. I have witness very little of the United States as I have barely branched out of Florida and only traveled as far as Georgia. The United States are considered a laughing stock by some and a 'Land of Opportunity' to others, and I'd say it's a strong mix of both. Negative stereotypes about Americans are certainly not far from true, but that may only be relevant to the types of people I am surrounded with. Living in North Central Florida I am exposed primarily to rednecks and good 'ole country folk. I would say that it is not that Americans are stupid, but very culturally ignorant. My beau resides England, and I had to learn about cultural differences while he seemed to simply know very much about America. It is a difference between Americans and residents of other countries that has definitely become apparent to me from my time on the hipforums. Everyone seems so much more knowledgeable about different countries and cultures than Americans. Just my two cents.
Trysonswood & Scratcho said it. The lay of the land the hills,trees, swamps, Mountains open plains. That works and it worked a helluva lot better a 100 years ago before so much got butchered for that era's 1%ers. At sixty five I easily grieve childhood hangouts long since fallen to parking lots. Pastures I walked through as a kid no longer hold American cows but now house asphalted acres of fast food dumps selling "meat products". There is nothing to be said about the government. On this beautiful continent there once was a government that somewhat responded to the needs of the people. Now look at this sad mess of cowards liars and cheats, none of them even fit enough that I'd want them watching my dogs to say nothing of my country. I'm just sad. I really believed we would always be on the side of good. Ya wanna know how bad it's gotten, just stop for a minute and think about the jokers that are running for the republican nomination. Scarier even is that one of those will be the nominee. And Obama, damn man You got me, I really did think you might do something. AAhhh Well. So I blather a lot about Peru here on the forums. Do I think Peru has an Ideal government? NO, not even. What Peru has is the jungle and River which quite simply are ungovernable. The original government that mankind first encountered is still active and is running on a platform of "be smart and quick or be somethings else's lunch" Free medical care if you know which plant cures what ailment. Free housing if you know how to thatch palm. Heart healthy food if it doesn't eat you first. In reality I could not make it there on my own. I am fortunate enough to have become family with a great family there. Over the last 20 years we have helped each other. Now I am welcome to "Come Home" and take up my role as grandfather to a beautiful group of smiling kids who like to tease and play with Papa Steve. Adios amigos Que te vaya bien :sombrero:
this would depend entirely upon where else. and i'm by no means convinced that i am. every place anyone is born, some will say that, some will say the opposite, and some, perhaps wiser then either of us, will refrain from assuming either way. i would have no problem with so called conservatives, if they actually wanted to conserve anything, instead of trying to turn america into a pseudo-christian dictatorship (in imitation of the 'islamic republics' of the middle east?) controlled by a corporate mafia "priesthood".
I'm becoming increasingly convinced that the whole mess is choreographed- and the nominee will be Romney- the process appears engineered to produce that result. I've followed each Repugnican getting his/her turn leasing the polls... Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich; now they are reporting that Santorum is experiencing a surge in the polls- yet it's also reported that he is unable to draw a crown in Iowa. It makes me suspect that these statistical advantages are as contrived as a WWE championship match. Methinks that the numbers racket is just that and the fact that the establishment seems to be triangulating towards Romney has me automatically disliking him.. as though any one of them actually represents any difference. Yes, I had a small measure of hope that Obama would change things for the better- with him went the last of my hope. The lesson in all that is that we're foolish if we expect someone else to effect change in our favor... particularly considering that whoever takes the oath will function as little more than a puppet to the money behind the campaigns. So much of of the congressional debate and testimony appears to be put on for public consumption in order that the premise that government is a business that strictly originates and transpires with the "fairly" elected is maintained. The pretense of legitimate governing is getting really thin.
The republican race is quite the comedy show. America is a pretty sweeeet place...but there is a lot in America that is crashing down and falling apart...I truly believe its going to get much worse before it gets any better...
The curtain is being pulled away from the wizard. Who among us will see? When political situations become intolerable and affect so many and are so noticable by the inhabitants of a country--any country--there inevitably will be an adjustment. If our constitution means anything at all--we have been given permission to make such an adjustment here and now. Will the adjusters be deemed terrorists and subject to the most recent usurpation of citizens rights to peacefully assemble and address legitimate grievances? We shall see. Spring's 'a-comin'.
I also love the land itself. There are so many beautiful places and such different landscapes, I just want to experience and know them all. I love our National Forests and our National Parks. I also love all the different cultures. I don't love the way that our government is going these days. And Stinkfoot pretty much already stated the reasons why.
I agree. America is a beautiful country. Nothing makes me so nostalgic than watching a movie of people cruising in a car along a desert highway int he gorgeous Southwest. I just wish the personal freedoms that our forefathers wanted and the brotherly love of Philly would have remained a big part of our culture. The former has remained a big part of Texas at least. Cops in Texas understand the private landowners do a lot of drugs and get out of the city for a reason and they leave people alone. But national pressure has even moved the hand of cops in smaller towns unfortunately. Can't drive and have weed sitting out anymore for example. Texas used to be a very Libertarian state but things are changing. Slowly. But they are.
