Poll: What's so good about America?

[2012 Wont Happen]

Hate the people in the country, not the country itself.

I quite like the American people in general.

However, I think that the people who generally run it, acting as the country, are completely inept

Well, thank the people acting as the country that they've allowed you the right to freely critique them without consequence. America has a lot of problems and definitely isn't perfect, but it really shines by comparison. There are very few places I would rather live than America.

One thing that causes so many problems for America is that throughout its formation up until very recently, America was extremely open to any and all immigration. We have a level of diversity in our country (and therefore, a lot of warring cultural ideologies) which few places can match. America kind of makes things harder on itself by granting so many rights and freedoms to its citizens. If we were a totalitarian dictatorship, we'd probably have a stabler economy. Of course, I'd be working in a mine or sweatshop right now, so don't think I'm advocating that.

Compared to the rest of the world- America treats its citizens absolutely superbly. Its actions in foreign countries sicken me, well, some of them do. Some are good.

However, there are very few western nations that don't grant their citizens free speech. So that point is somewhat mute as to the specific discussion.

 

[Quadtrix]

Pretty damn bad, mostly because of its citizens. I haven't met a genuinely intelligent human being in ages. It also seems to be the current home of some of the sickest criminal acts that humanity has ever seen.

 

[GreyWolf257]

I just always find it strange America proclaims itself land of the free where you can say and do anything but seems so racist, homophobic, conservative and xenophobic compared to other western countries.

How ignorant are you? The fact that we allow people to be racist, homophobic, conservative, and xenophobic just means that we allow people to say what they want. Isn't that the definition of freedom of speech?

a lot of countries allow their citizens to be racist, homophobic, conservative, and xenophobic. they're just not. thus his point stands.

When you say "we've consistently fallen behind of other western nations in ... the level of economic cooperation facilitated between our citizens" I assume you are a socialist, and that would be the opposite of freedom, considering that it takes away the freedom of how you can spend YOUR money. These political ideas aren't shared by everyone, or even most Americans, for that matter.

oh yes capitalism definitely lets the lower working class have freedom. they're absolutely not modern slaves at all. if they'd just get off their lazy asses every persn in america could own five cars an a mansion.

Sorry I don't share the same beliefs as you, I just think that what is mine is mine and not the government's. If I want to give my money to other people, then I will, but I don't want other people to force me to give up something I have worked for. If people are in an economic hole, then they should apply for financial help while they look for a job, not just because they want to get a check for doing nothing.

ok maybe that criticism of capitalism was a bit obtuse. You do share my beliefs, because on a purely me level I fucking love the system since I will be making frankly ridiculous amounts of cash after I get my degree. But I've actually done my research so I know capitalism doesn't work. that's the difference. I like my property as much as the next person, big house nice car it's all good, but I know the actual cost of those things.

It works pretty well for me. I think it is an incredible system (so simple, all it is is "Reap what you sow.").

ok if that's how you think capitalism works I can't have a conversation with you. Why? because it'll get us no where and I don't feel like wasting my time.

Same here. I don't really want to get dragged into another political thread ever again. These things just keep popping up, and they never get locked. It just got to the point of annoyance about a month ago. Feel the same?

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

I'm an American citizen, and people try to tell me I should be patriotic and all that crap. In school they play the pledge of allegiance over the loud speaker as everyone else stands chanting it in a cult-like manner as I stand in confusion at their actions.

And yet you were willing to start wars with countries that say that sort of thing is indoctrination and brainwashing. I agree, what is so great about America...this confuses me greatly. Granted, I am an Australian and even in our country, when it comes to sing the "national Anthem" I break into a rendition of Waltzing Matilda as opposed to Advance Australia Fair, but that's just me...

What is so good about this country? We were founded by men who, although having good ideals for the rights of man, still advocated slavery. In fact, we were the LAST western country to get rid of slavery.

Ahh, so those Mexicans that crawl into Texas and get given jobs and then not paid are free and not slaves? Ahh ok, coulda fooled me for a second there...

Before that, the continent was "discovered" (a good 400 years after it was found by the vikings and thousands of years after settlement of it by the Indians) by a murdering, enslaving, twat (Christopher Columbus) who had no qualms about killing for greed.

No, correction, he was the twat that was stupid enough to decide he wanted it. Like hell the Vikings would take it, they already had the perfect setup.

Other than our initial founding as a nation, which, although including slavery, was progressive for the time- we've consistently fallen behind of other western nations in level of freedom granted to their citizens, and the level of economic cooperation facilitated between our citizens.

And North Korea is such a wonderful country to follow in the rights of citizens...I think maybe SOME liberties should be taken away, such as the right to bear arms...anywhere...any time...for any reason...

-Kaster

I would go back and comment on everything you said, as you did with my post. However, in a large degree we seem to agree and I you appear as if you'd destroy me in a debate about those things that we disagree on.

 

[Kasterborus]

I'm one of those Canadians who wishes it was still 1960 when anti-Americanism was strongest in Canada.

But don't you get pissed off that Canada Day is so awesome that the American's jsut happen to copy it 4 days later and then show it up?

-Kaster

 

[Kasterborus]

I'm an American citizen, and people try to tell me I should be patriotic and all that crap. In school they play the pledge of allegiance over the loud speaker as everyone else stands chanting it in a cult-like manner as I stand in confusion at their actions.

And yet you were willing to start wars with countries that say that sort of thing is indoctrination and brainwashing. I agree, what is so great about America...this confuses me greatly. Granted, I am an Australian and even in our country, when it comes to sing the "national Anthem" I break into a rendition of Waltzing Matilda as opposed to Advance Australia Fair, but that's just me...

What is so good about this country? We were founded by men who, although having good ideals for the rights of man, still advocated slavery. In fact, we were the LAST western country to get rid of slavery.

Ahh, so those Mexicans that crawl into Texas and get given jobs and then not paid are free and not slaves? Ahh ok, coulda fooled me for a second there...

Before that, the continent was "discovered" (a good 400 years after it was found by the vikings and thousands of years after settlement of it by the Indians) by a murdering, enslaving, twat (Christopher Columbus) who had no qualms about killing for greed.

No, correction, he was the twat that was stupid enough to decide he wanted it. Like hell the Vikings would take it, they already had the perfect setup.

Other than our initial founding as a nation, which, although including slavery, was progressive for the time- we've consistently fallen behind of other western nations in level of freedom granted to their citizens, and the level of economic cooperation facilitated between our citizens.

And North Korea is such a wonderful country to follow in the rights of citizens...I think maybe SOME liberties should be taken away, such as the right to bear arms...anywhere...any time...for any reason...

-Kaster

I would go back and comment on everything you said, as you did with my post. However, in a large degree we seem to agree and I you appear as if you'd destroy me in a debate about those things that we disagree on.

...

Someone agreed with me on the internet

...

*marks date in calendar to celebrate it annually*

-Kaster

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

I'm an American citizen, and people try to tell me I should be patriotic and all that crap. In school they play the pledge of allegiance over the loud speaker as everyone else stands chanting it in a cult-like manner as I stand in confusion at their actions.

And yet you were willing to start wars with countries that say that sort of thing is indoctrination and brainwashing. I agree, what is so great about America...this confuses me greatly. Granted, I am an Australian and even in our country, when it comes to sing the "national Anthem" I break into a rendition of Waltzing Matilda as opposed to Advance Australia Fair, but that's just me...

What is so good about this country? We were founded by men who, although having good ideals for the rights of man, still advocated slavery. In fact, we were the LAST western country to get rid of slavery.

Ahh, so those Mexicans that crawl into Texas and get given jobs and then not paid are free and not slaves? Ahh ok, coulda fooled me for a second there...

Before that, the continent was "discovered" (a good 400 years after it was found by the vikings and thousands of years after settlement of it by the Indians) by a murdering, enslaving, twat (Christopher Columbus) who had no qualms about killing for greed.

No, correction, he was the twat that was stupid enough to decide he wanted it. Like hell the Vikings would take it, they already had the perfect setup.

Other than our initial founding as a nation, which, although including slavery, was progressive for the time- we've consistently fallen behind of other western nations in level of freedom granted to their citizens, and the level of economic cooperation facilitated between our citizens.

And North Korea is such a wonderful country to follow in the rights of citizens...I think maybe SOME liberties should be taken away, such as the right to bear arms...anywhere...any time...for any reason...

-Kaster

I would go back and comment on everything you said, as you did with my post. However, in a large degree we seem to agree and I you appear as if you'd destroy me in a debate about those things that we disagree on.

...

Someone agreed with me on the internet

...

*marks date in calendar to celebrate it annually*

-Kaster

hahaha

top notch

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

America has it's good and it's bad. Personally I like Canada more( and not just because I live there). The one thing I do like about America is the amount...stuff it has. By that I mean it has anything you could really want, you just have to look for it and be prepared to pay.

 

[ottenni]

America isn't doing anything bad that other countries aren't doing even worse, its just America is very very loud. So i put average, like all states it has its issues but it also has its incredible virtues. It just has the worlds loudest idiots.

 

[twistedmic]

On the issue of slavery remember that up until 1783 (the end of the American Revolutionary war) that America didn't technically exist as a country, just an idea. And the American Civil War was fought to ,among other things, end slavery only 82 years after the founding of the country. How many other countries abolished slavery less than a century after being founded?
Yes, for quite a while kids were incorrectly taught that Columbus was the first non-native to discover America, but that can be chalked up to lack of knowledge, or the acceptance of knowledge the Leif Erickson and his crews were the first non-natives to set-up camp/discover the 'New World'. Glossing over Columbus' bad qualities is just a side effect of 'fuzzy' or 'soft' history- the kind that's primarily taught in schools. I highl doubt that America is the only country that does stuff like that.

 

[Nickolai77]

As for whats so good about America? Well, as much as the UN and other countries complain about us and our military, we do keep the crazies of the world in check. Seriously, America always gets alot of crap for being to militant and invasive and what not, but, just imagine if the US Military decided to take a year off. I don't care what people say, all hell would break loose.

We also almost exclusively fund the UN, and basically the world economy as a whole. Being a nation of consumers, we all saw what happens when we stop doing our jobs as such. You know, the entire world economy tanked.

And, aside from creating the "western" culture that most of us seem to know and love, and say that that is why America is so great.

I hope I answered your questions to your satisfaction, though, based on the nature of your original query, I probably haven't.

As someone said before, good post.

Yes i would say that America does keep the crazies in check. However, Europe too has the capabilites to keep the crazies in check, Europe's standing army amounts to 1 million men for instance, and our industrial capacity is roughly that of the US. However, the only country in Europe willing to fight is Britain, because Britain was the only European country not traumatised by WW1 and WW2. However, Britain alone does not have that much military capability. Europe simply doesn't want to fight wars, and is quite happy spending less than 2% of it's GDP on military to put the rest of it's cash into making a good welfare system. I'm not saying this is a good or a bad thing btw, i'll let you Americans judge that.


Oh, and btw America did not create western culture. Rather, America is the most recent addition to western culture. Your typing in English, using Latin text. Your also using the world wide web, a British idea. The computor too, was also British. In your post, your debating politics, a feild first codified and heavily influensed by Ancient Greek thought. Your country was founded by European's, upon European ideals (John Locke's political philsophy) and populated largelly by Europeans. America is only at the tip of the iceberg that is "Western Culture".

 

[cuddly_tomato]

What's so bad about America? Show me a country that wasn't founded on lies, violence and bigotry.

The Isle of Wight, Antarctica, and The Kingdom of Tonga.

EDIT: I have since found out the Isle of Wight does indeed have a violent history. Sorry.

I'm so sick of this anti-America counter-culture. Hate the people in the country, not the country itself.

America is responsible for this... thing...

You know one thing that's good about America? You have the freedom to hate and openly denounce its leaders. In other words, America is great because it gives you the right to hate it without consequence.

Why waste hate on your leaders when you have Michael Bay at large in your country? This is the problem with America, not enough people hate Michael Bay.

Trust me, I have at least as much hate for the man as you do. It's bad enough that he makes some of the worst movies I've seen in my film-viewing life, but he's genuinely proud of them.

Then why haven't you done anything? Why is the American military wasting time in Afghanistan looking for Osama Bin Laden while this man is still at large in their own country? Why was Milosovic charged with crimes against humanity while this man still walks free? Look, he lives in your country somewhere. Someone must know something!

http://www.stopmichaelbay.com/

Don't leave another child to suffer.

 

[Samurai Goomba]

Hate the people in the country, not the country itself.

I quite like the American people in general.

However, I think that the people who generally run it, acting as the country, are completely inept

Well, thank the people acting as the country that they've allowed you the right to freely critique them without consequence. America has a lot of problems and definitely isn't perfect, but it really shines by comparison. There are very few places I would rather live than America.

One thing that causes so many problems for America is that throughout its formation up until very recently, America was extremely open to any and all immigration. We have a level of diversity in our country (and therefore, a lot of warring cultural ideologies) which few places can match. America kind of makes things harder on itself by granting so many rights and freedoms to its citizens. If we were a totalitarian dictatorship, we'd probably have a stabler economy. Of course, I'd be working in a mine or sweatshop right now, so don't think I'm advocating that.

Compared to the rest of the world- America treats its citizens absolutely superbly. Its actions in foreign countries sicken me, well, some of them do. Some are good.

However, there are very few western nations that don't grant their citizens free speech. So that point is somewhat mute as to the specific discussion.

They might grant them that, but it's usually not in writing that they have it as a right. In other words, it can be taken away anytime the government feels like it.

 

[WrcklessIntent]

I just always find it strange America proclaims itself land of the free where you can say and do anything but seems so racist, homophobic, conservative and xenophobic compared to other western countries.

Still I want to go and travel round America so you do have some appeal.

If you plan on visiting here i would not go to the south. They are the worse offenders of all the things that you are complaining about. I live in the north and we are very tolerant and open minded on many subjects.

 

[firedfns13]

The Right to Bear Arms is awesome. I love the furry claws I own.

Seriously though, I'm so anti gun control, I'd feel better if everyone were packing. Except some of the kids in the school. (I'm thinking you need a minimum gpa to get one, or at least let teachers have them) It has been proven in 2 states that concealed weapons reduce the amount of violent crime (? i think that was the category).

 

[Kasterborus]

The Right to Bear Arms is awesome. I love the furry claws I own.

Seriously though, I'm so anti gun control, I'd feel better if everyone were packing. Except some of the kids in the school. (I'm thinking you need a minimum gpa to get one, or at least let teachers have them) It has been proven in 2 states that concealed weapons reduce the amount of violent crime (? i think that was the category).

True, I mean, who would rob someone you think would shoot you...

But I notice Canada has similar laws, but it requires a lot more education before you can get them. That's the key, firearm education.

-Kaster

 

[DevilSShadoW]

Well...
McDonalds!
Oh, and KFC!

 

[RYNO]

This is why America sucks. Uneducated, over opinionated fools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWCPAXgrm2U&feature=related

Highlights:
Q: "Which Iraqi is most responsible for the countries upheaval? 1) Usaf Islam 2) Osama Bin Laden 3) Barrack Obama"
A: "First One"
A: "All 3"
A: "The last one" (Barrack Obama. Seriously.)
A: "Barrack. The way he presents himself is very.... evil"

Q: "Do you think Saddam Husain's Body doubles should be executed?"
A: "To hell with anybody who looks like him"
A: "All the Iraqis should be executed." "why?" "Dont like them"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx7CfSCTpgU

Highlights:
"The leaning tower of Pizza. Thats the one in Australia"
"Adelaides most famous landmark (While holdin a picture of BigBen)"
"You know that Steve Irwin used to live in the TajMahal"
"China is a town, just outside of Darwin" (Picture of the Great Wall of China)
"This would be your favourite Australian landmark to see" "Yeah" (Picture of mount rushmore. Mount FREAKIN Rushmore)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1N351vzY-M

Highlights:
Q: "What year did 9/11 take place?"
A: "2004"
A: "2000"
A: "2002"

Q: "What Month?
A: "October"
A: "August"

Q: "What was the date of 9/11?"
A: "9/11, September 1st"
A: "September 9th"
A: "16th of August"

Q: "What religion were the attackers? 1) Hindi 2)Islam 3)Atheist"
A: "Hindu" x2
A: "They were stupid religion, thats what they were"

Q: "How many people died"
A: "30,000" x2
A: "Millions"

Q: "Where did the attacks take place?"
A: "NYC and.... just NY"
A: "Are you serious? It thought it was just NY. Did i miss something?"

 

[Lexodus]

What's so bad about America? Show me a country that wasn't founded on lies, violence and bigotry.

The Isle of Wight, Antarctica, and The Kingdom of Tonga.

EDIT: I have since found out the Isle of Wight does indeed have a violent history. Sorry.

I'm so sick of this anti-America counter-culture. Hate the people in the country, not the country itself.

America is responsible for this... thing...

You know one thing that's good about America? You have the freedom to hate and openly denounce its leaders. In other words, America is great because it gives you the right to hate it without consequence.

Why waste hate on your leaders when you have Michael Bay at large in your country? This is the problem with America, not enough people hate Michael Bay.

Trust me, I have at least as much hate for the man as you do. It's bad enough that he makes some of the worst movies I've seen in my film-viewing life, but he's genuinely proud of them.

Then why haven't you done anything? Why is the American military wasting time in Afghanistan looking for Osama Bin Laden while this man is still at large in their own country? Why was Milosovic charged with crimes against humanity while this man still walks free? Look, he lives in your country somewhere. Someone must know something!

http://www.stopmichaelbay.com/

Don't leave another child to suffer.

IENJOYEDARMAGEDDON *whispers* Quickly, Candlejack, come and get me before