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| America | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 29 2008, 02:18 PM (965 Views) | |
| Neo-Etrusca | Apr 29 2008, 02:18 PM Post #1 |
Like Caligula, WITH STYLE!
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So I understand that a lot of the people who are on this board are from other countries, and many are from the US. I just want to know. Do YOU like America, valid reasons for your stance are required :D Personally I love America. Only in a land like this can I get my college paid for with about 30k in pocket non-taxed cash and it all goes legally on the governments bill. :D Also, I enjoy the general freedoms that we hold over some nations, and I believe our economy is fine without anything being socialized or universally covered (DIE UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!!!). Anyway, I don't want this to be for debate. Which some of you I'm sure will try. Just a "I like it" or "I hate it" for x and y reasons. |
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| New Harumf | Apr 29 2008, 02:36 PM Post #2 |
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
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I like it. 1. I was born here. 2. We may not be perfect, but we are better than most. 3. I am in control of my own destiny - no one tells me what I can or can not do for a living. 4. I am in control of my mind. No one tells me what I can or can not think. Are there things that could be improved? Of course. And we have the power to improve them, as individuals and as communities. |
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| Paradise | Apr 29 2008, 02:59 PM Post #3 |
Resident bureaucrat
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There is one thing that upsets me a lot about the US: the death penalty. This is so barbaric, I can't believe a country considering itself a modern country still kills its citizens. I also find the US to be contradictory in international commerce. While they are promoting global commerce to a level never seen before, they are looking for any pretext to protect their economy, particularly toward Canada. This is so hypocritical. I can't think of something else. I don't really care if the US intervene militarily anywhere in the World. I make the assumption that they know what they're doing and the possible consequences they are facing. As for healthcare, this is a domestic choice. If US citizens accept democratically that a part of the population can't afford healthcare, then so be it. |
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| Kasnyia | Apr 29 2008, 03:29 PM Post #4 |
Chairman of the Bank
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US = Just another country. It ain't better or worse than anyone else. Merely different, as all countries are from each other. The sooner we understand that, the less stupid mistakes we make. The less we understand that, the more we become like those we call enemies. And that goes for all nations. So do I like it? Parts of it, as much as one can. Do I dislike it? Parts of it, as much as one can. Born and raised here too, but I'm not foolish enough to praise it blindly. Or any other country for that matter. More interested in culture than nationalism anyway. |
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| Sedulius | Apr 29 2008, 03:35 PM Post #5 |
Field Marshal
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I love America because it is beautiful, I was born here, and it stands for so much I believe in. Rather it used to be beautiful until corporations built ugly buildings and billboards everywhere, and it used to stand for something until corporations corrupted the minds of everyone with lust for money and power. Corporations have since been basically selling America off to foreign countries. I hate the current manifestation of America because it no longer is America. I hate it because its general society hates me. I am hated simply because I am different, and I have been treated like sh*t my whole life because of it. What's different about me? At first I was hated simply because I was more intelligent and more cultured. Now it's simply because I'm weird. (Which I will admit I am and I'm proud to be. I'm not a mindless automation like most.) Nobody takes the time to get to know a person these days, they simply judge immediately from a distance. Because of their initial hate for me, it simply grows when I state my political opinions. They can't think outside of the capitalist, yet usually liberal, box (a hate conservatives equally). I have very socialist (yet imperialist) perspective on things. I think everything should be done for the good of the people, not profit or the good of the government. Everyone should have a realistic chance at a good, happy life. Everyone should take a look for themselves at what true poverty is, then look and see just how many suffer from it. So much injustice is commited everyday in this country by the government itself. One need only ask around and look at the figures to know. This country is a corrupt shell of what it once was. Call me crazy, but I long for a revolution. Unfortunately, the government is too powerful to be taken down by anything less than a military coup. Funny enough, such a coup would be completely legal under the U.S. Constitution. To sum it up, the federal government really isn't all that corrupt, but it has set up a mostly inefficient bureaucratic system which allows injustice to happen at lower levels of government simply because of incompetence on the government workers' parts and stupidity on the citizens' parts. Average Americans are basically sheep herded by the media and advertisements. I'm simply sick of people not being able to think for themselves, and general society consistently going against what is obviously right (or smart). Got kinda carried away, so toned it down at the end. So, that is why I dislike current America. I still love America, and I have a wish to return it to what it once stood for. Every American has the right to live the American Dream. |
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| Kasnyia | Apr 29 2008, 03:40 PM Post #6 |
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Chairman of the Bank
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I feel for you. I know what you mean about differing opinions from the mainstream (though my own opinion is of course different from yours). Good to know you can seperate patriotism from an opinion, a feat most Americans I know simply cannot fathom. |
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| Quaon | Apr 29 2008, 03:57 PM Post #7 |
A Prince Amoung Men-Shoot First and Ask Questions Later
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We are a very flawed nation. We have allowed our government to do terrible things. Our society is desentized and, given our wealth, poorly educated. Nonetheless, I would live in no country other than the United States of America. We are not perfect, and there is a hell of a lot that we can fix. Nonetheless, we are better off than most. I remember seeing America in the days after 9/11. It was beautiful to see our country so pulled together, so caring for each other. America will be the best state in history if we can do that in peace time as well as in times of crisis. On a few specific points: Not that I'm holding this against you, as I respect your commitment to the nation in joining the army, but how is having your college tuition paid for because you enlisted any less socialized than universal healthcare? I understand your concerns. I believe parts of our country overuse the death penalty, particularly the great state of Texas, but I don't believe that that invalidates the death penalty. Mind you, I am arguing on the basis of what is best for society. The only real argument against the death penalty that I have found is from a pacifist, or somebody afraid of government error. But if we are sure oof the person's guilt, isn't it best for society that that person never reoffend? I've heard arguments that jail time is a worse punishment, but isn't the justice system about what'ss best for society, not punishment? On this point I agree completely. To some degree, American society is desentized. |
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| Sedulius | Apr 29 2008, 04:13 PM Post #8 |
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Field Marshal
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I'm still debating whether to stay and help fix things, or to leave for Europe (particularly Ireland). I believe the U.S. can be saved from its decay, but only if steps are taken very soon. This country has perhaps forty years left, maybe less, before it cannot be saved. I just feel a certain duty towards it since so many people's lives depend on the well being of this country. The world will be much worse off should the U.S. fall. |
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| Paradise | Apr 29 2008, 04:21 PM Post #9 |
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Resident bureaucrat
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Death penalty only means that State rights are greater than individual rights, which is the first step toward authoritarianism. There is also the risk of killing an innocent. It preferable to let live 1000 murderers than to kill a single innocent. |
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| Quaon | Apr 29 2008, 04:30 PM Post #10 |
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A Prince Amoung Men-Shoot First and Ask Questions Later
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I don't believe that those who so badly violate other's rights deserve such rights. If a case can be proved truly beyond reasonable doubt, with a great deal of physical evidence, and only if an expert finds the person likely to reoffend, a murderer, pedophile, or rapist should be given the death penalty. |
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| flumes | Apr 29 2008, 07:15 PM Post #11 |
CLEVELAND ROCKS!
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I Love America. A. I was born here. Even if I didn't like our principles, I would still have allegiance to it. But, I in fact love our principles... Basically it comes down to a few simple facts in no particular order... 1. I would most likely be worse off if I lived anywhere else. 2. I wouldn't have the potential to better my own standard of living like I do here. 3. I wouldn't have the right to have many beliefs about my government if I didn't live here. 4. I love the people. I love our patriotism. I couldn't stand living anywhere where people would not say I am proud to be an (American). 5. I love our history. Seriously, I have some deep respect for the Americans who came before me. No where is perfect. I can't complain as I am better off then 99% of the world's other people. |
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| Menhad | Apr 29 2008, 09:01 PM Post #12 |
ET2(IDW)
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America, as a land, is lovely. The great differences in landscapes, North Florida's springs and old oak swamps, Florida's beaches, the corals reefs around the Florida Keys. Utah's rocky cliff faces and vast deserts. Dakota's badlands and vast plains. The Carolina's mountains and pine forests. Yeah its a lovely country with alot of variety. Of course the sprawling mass of incompetencey we call our government could use several improvements like A)The size needs to be decreased, the government is way to large B)Half of our politicians are crooks, thus they need to be jailed But when you get down to it most of the working class people here are some of the kindest, hardest working and most humble people you will ever meet |
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| Neo-Etrusca | Apr 29 2008, 09:03 PM Post #13 |
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Like Caligula, WITH STYLE!
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Like i said guys, I don't really want us to get debate to heavily. Remember what happened to the day of silence thread :P |
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| East Anarx | Apr 29 2008, 10:03 PM Post #14 |
Anarchitect
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America = Meh, better than some countries in some ways, worse in others. Too bad America is in the grip of a mercantilist, fascist, imperialist government. Texas = I feel more strongly toward Texas than the rest of America, both good and bad. Again, the government sucks, but you couldn't ask for a prettier country than Texas. Austin = Damn liberal nanny-state commie bastards. Other than that, a heck of a little ol' town. |
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| Paradise | Apr 29 2008, 10:22 PM Post #15 |
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Resident bureaucrat
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You guys are lying to yourselves if you believe the USA is a better place to live than 99% of other countries. |
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| Tristan da Cunha | Apr 29 2008, 11:35 PM Post #16 |
Science and Industry
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As Dwight Schrute would say, "It is better to jail 1000 innocents than to allow 1 guilty man to roam free" |
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| Sedulius | Apr 30 2008, 01:00 AM Post #17 |
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Field Marshal
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I honestly don't think murder is that bad of a crime compared to other things one could do. I would think most murder is either a matter of business or of anger. The few cases that are psychological disorders that cannot be cured should be put to death as they have no use to society, but otherwise they should simply be rehabilitated. One's who killed for business purposes are the ones who truly deserve jail time, but since they are a functional member of society they shouldn't simply be put out of use. If the killing is justifiable, such as vengeance for an innocent death, it should not even be considered a crime. They took the law inot their own hands, and if vigilantism is a crime, then that is all they should be charged for. There's more to all of it, but I need to sleep. |
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| Catholic Europe | Apr 30 2008, 08:17 AM Post #18 |
Spammer
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I do like America and I wouldn't mind living there. However, I don't like their gun ownership, their refusal to create an NHS, the terrible wealth gaps that exist and I don't really like the Bible belt states. I think I would just have to live in NYC. |
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| New Harumf | Apr 30 2008, 08:37 AM Post #19 |
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
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A couple of points: E, you forgot to mention FAGS, like you normally do, regarding Austin. CE, the bible belt isn't as bad as you think, and NYC isn't as good as you think. I doubt if you could ever encounter kinder, more helpful, more sincere, more honest or harder working people anywhere else in the world then in the bible belt. Also, New Yorkers have their prejudices, shallowness and dishonesty just like any other big city. The one thing I really like about Manhattan is that people are generally friendly (contrary to popular stereotypes) - I have this odd habit of saying "hi" to people I pass, and striking up conversations with total strangers, and New Yorkers are very receptive to that type of behaviour. Also, CE, don't worry about the guns - if you don't go to the gun range and don't own one you will probably see fewer guns than you would in Londontown. Let's not turn this into a recap of death penalty pros and cons, or national health care arguments!! |
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| Filo | Apr 30 2008, 08:55 AM Post #20 |
General
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Pro: 1) America Peoples are good people and lovable. 2) You aid your own people as i see when tornadoes hit your southern costal city, i am very proud to be your friend. 3) America pay more attention to reserch that any othr country(not as Swened anyway :lol: ) 4) You have same my gran-parents from Nazi-fascist dictature and preserve Italy to become a soviet puppet(you cannot belive me...but i'm thanking you eache morning) 5) Your country is beautyfull(ok it is not Italy but is Nice and have some interesting historical events) 6) You have Marvel Comics, White Wolf and Wizards of the coast ;) 7) You pay, belive me, little taxes respect to my homenation. 8) Rock & Roll. 9) You are a free country(your laws antiterrism are dated in Italy) Contro: 1) America under Clinton-Bush administrations is become more unilateral, ok your the only superpower but fairplay is required... 2) You support incontionatly Israel, i say bot that Palestians are right but that you should hear both bells. 3) You lack of medical care, and in your country i was be dead... 4) Deathpenality is cruel and useless. 5) Free firearms, are dangerous and are an invitation to violence 6) I don't like your historians when talking on a non america argument(but are anyway better than english ones) 7) Political sistem need an upgrade is too old, you, that like or not, are no more 13 colonies on Atlantic but a great nation. 8) Little respect for human rights. Total: America wins by measure my pleasure. If i should have possibility i'll come to live in America... |
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| Catholic Europe | Apr 30 2008, 09:12 AM Post #21 |
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Spammer
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Ah yes, I must also add your total support of Israel and their genocide of Palestinians. |
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| New Harumf | Apr 30 2008, 09:50 AM Post #22 |
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
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I think, just maybe, we might have a hard time getting people here to swallow giving total support to Palistine and committing genocide against Israel. We'd have a bit of a bug-a-boo about that one, especially since most of our Christians (and I think we have more then you Europeans) think there has to be an unified Israel before the second coming of Christ. |
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| Sedulius | Apr 30 2008, 10:35 AM Post #23 |
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Field Marshal
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Ha, Bible Belt people are some of the meanest and most shallow people in the world from my experience. I would go to Ireland to find that kind, hard-working type (of course, I don't REALLY know how nice they are, just that it's rated as one of the top ten best places to live, and also one of the most free countries). Never been to New York, though. Myself, I love my guns. :) I'm more of a collector than anything else. Not a great shot, though I'm a confident shot. I own two Mosin-Nagants, one a carbine from 1944, and one an infantry line rifle from 1901. 7.62x54R... sweet sweet death. :lol: |
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| Nag Ehgoeg | Apr 30 2008, 01:27 PM Post #24 |
The Devil's Advocate
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Dislike. Revolutionary traitors. |
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| Sedulius | Apr 30 2008, 01:36 PM Post #25 |
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Field Marshal
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The government are traitors to the people! :lol: That was so bloody communist... It is the duty of every American soldier to defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. If the government is an enemy of the Constitution, it is the military's duty to overthrow and replace it. Revolution brought to you completely legally by the U.S. Army. :P |
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