America: you're already great

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The hashtag #TellAmericaItsAlreadyGreat is trending on Twitter after a Canadian ad agency started the campaign and it kinda took off.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/ne...oost-u-s-spirits-takes-off&pubdate=2016-10-19

... and now it's my turn. America: you're awesome. Not only are you home to some awesome people who I care a lot about, but you have other great things about you. A few of them:

- NASA. The only people in human history to set foot on another world did so because of your country.

- Industry and business. You guys are a powerhouse. When a country wants to increase its industrial might, it tries to copy what America does.

- Media and culture. While I try to support Canadian film and TV when I can, I have to admit that when I think of my favourite movies and TV shows, about 90% of them are American.

- Your country's physical beauty. I've visited about half of the states in the US now; all of them have had something that took my breath away, whether it's the Everglades, the rugged UP of Michigan, the Mississippi, the redwood forests of the PNW, or the Grand Canyon.

- Ribs. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The ribs at Pappy's in St. Louis (and probably many other rib joints - I don't want to start a fight over which state's ribs are best) would be enough to qualify your country as great all by themselves.

Americans: regardless of who you want to vote for, take it from someone who has seen a few countries for comparison: you don't need to make your country great. It's great already.

 

[FearGod]

The hashtag #TellAmericaItsAlreadyGreat is trending on Twitter after a Canadian ad agency started the campaign and it kinda took off.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/ne...oost-u-s-spirits-takes-off&pubdate=2016-10-19

... and now it's my turn. America: you're awesome. Not only are you home to some awesome people who I care a lot about, but you have other great things about you. A few of them:

- NASA. The only people in human history to set foot on another world did so because of your country.

- Industry and business. You guys are a powerhouse. When a country wants to increase its industrial might, it tries to copy what America does.

- Media and culture. While I try to support Canadian film and TV when I can, I have to admit that when I think of my favourite movies and TV shows, about 90% of them are American.

- Your country's physical beauty. I've visited about half of the states in the US now; all of them have had something that took my breath away, whether it's the Everglades, the rugged UP of Michigan, the Mississippi, the redwood forests of the PNW, or the Grand Canyon.

- Ribs. Thank you, thank you, thank you. The ribs at Pappy's in St. Louis (and probably many other rib joints - I don't want to start a fight over which state's ribs are best) would be enough to qualify your country as great all by themselves.

Americans: regardless of who you want to vote for, take it from someone who has seen a few countries for comparison: you don't need to make your country great. It's great already.

China first step to space start as largest.

China has put the finishing touches on the world's biggest radio telescope, whose 1,650-foot-wide dish will scan the heavens for signs of intelligent alien life, among other tasks.

http://www.space.com/33357-china-largest-radio-telescope-alien-life.html

Trump was comparing America to other nations, they're progressing.

I'll continue with Trump's views and how many goods, such as cars and other goods are coming
from other countries to America.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

China first step to space start as largest.

China has put the finishing touches on the world's biggest radio telescope, whose 1,650-foot-wide dish will scan the heavens for signs of intelligent alien life, among other tasks.

http://www.space.com/33357-china-largest-radio-telescope-alien-life.html

Trump was comparing America to other nations, they're progressing.

I'll continue with Trump's views and how many goods, such as cars and other goods are coming
from other countries to America.

I suspect you're missing the nuance of the OP.

Just my opinion, so perhaps I've missed it too, but it seems to me that @9-10ths_Penguin is tipping his hat to an America that could probably use a reminder we on the outside can see the good, as well as the bad, and that we don't think they're all idiots, or living in a craphole of a country.

People who jump on the 'America is the devil' bandwagon are generally as misguided and wrong as those who mindlessly chant that America is the ultimate expression of humanity.

 

[jonathan180iq]

Trump was comparing America to other nations, they're progressing.

I'll continue with Trump's views and how many goods, such as cars and other goods are coming
from other countries to America.

American auto manufacturers make as much, if not more, by selling their cars abroad than they do at home. That means that our goods and services are in high demand throughout most of the world. And I don't think I need to explain how automotive sales are different from cheap furniture sales and other highly replaceable goods.

Also, foreign manufacturers like VW, Nissan, and Kia have recently moved a great deal of their manufacturing plants here, at great cost to them, BECAUSE of our more efficient and stable production results, combined with competitive international labor rates.

http://www.trade.gov/td/otm/assets/auto/ExportPaper2015.pdf
http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-car-exports-top-2-million-1423174695

 

[LuisDantas]

One thing to note as well is what is meant by the intention of "Making America Great Again".

It all translates into intolerance, mistrust, hollow pride and expectations that others will surrender to one's expectation of "strength and authority".

There is not a single good item in that set.

 

[Quintessence]

Americans: regardless of who you want to vote for, take it from someone who has seen a few countries for comparison: you don't need to make your country great. It's great already.

My thoughts precisely ever since I heard Trump's ridiculous campaign slogan. I didn't watch the second debate, but I remember in the first debate that negativity and pessimism were just radiating through that human's words. I get that Trump clearly lives in a different universe than probably 99.9% of the world's human population, but... really now. The way he talks you'd think we live in the post-apocalyptic world of the Fallout universe.

 

[Revoltingest]

One thing to note as well is what is meant by the intention of "Making America Great Again".

It all translates into intolerance, mistrust, hollow pride and expectations that others will surrender to one's expectation of "strength and authority".

There is not a single good item in that set.

I've not met a single Trump supporter here who infers the message you gleaned.
What people (a great many) tell me is that it's about economic recovery, not getting
our arses kicked in military adventurism, & fighting corruption.
There's a real question that Trump is the guy to achieve this, but it's his message
nonetheless....per the many people I recently conversed with.

 

[LuisDantas]

I've not met a single Trump supporter here who infers the message you gleaned.

Obviously, they would not perceive it in the way that I do. Or else they would not be Trump supporters in the first place, don't you think?

What people (a great many) tell me is that it's about economic recovery, not getting
our arses kicked in military adventurism, & fighting corruption.

Fair goals in and of themselves, but none of those is a good excuse for such a message.

Nationalism may motivate people and achieve goals, but one can not be excused for losing his or her moral center.

There's a real question that Trump is the guy to achieve this, but it's his message
nonetheless....per the many people I recently conversed with.

Personally, I have no interest in Trump's version of what is supposed to pass for a political plataform. One can't help but notice the lack of substance, let alone of coherence. It does not help that he speaks like a mentally challenged ten years old.

 

[Revoltingest]

Obviously, they would not perceive it in the way that I do. Or else they would not be Trump supporters in the first place, don't you think?

I don't understand this.

Fair goals in and of themselves, but none of those is a good excuse for such a message.

If the message purports these goals, then no excuse is needed.
I think the problem here is that Trump's foes tend to mis-read his messages,
seeking to find evil in everything.

Personally, I have no interest in Trump's version of what is supposed to pass for a political plataform. One can't help but notice the lack of substance, let alone of coherence. It does not help that he speaks like a mentally challenged ten years old.

If you want substance, you'll have to look to 3rd party candidates.
In this election, it's mostly about which candidate (of the Big Two) is least objectionable.

 

[fantome profane]

Things look scary in America because America's problems are being laid out bare for all to see. But these problems have always existed. And America is starting to face the ugly side. This is a very good thing. And it ain't always pretty, but America has never been greater than it is at this moment.

 

[LuisDantas]

I don't understand this.

The gist of it is "of course they would not be Trump supporters if they found his proposals deplorable as I do".

If the message purports these goals, then no excuse is needed.
I think the problem here is that Trump's foes tend to mis-read his messages,
seeking to find evil in everything.

I wish. There is no confort to be found in the idea that a huge percentage of Americans tolerate his ideas.

If you want substance, you'll have to look to 3rd party candidates.
In this election, it's mostly about which candidate (of the Big Two) is least objectionable.

Pretty much. I am disappointed in Hillary.

 

[Revoltingest]

The gist of it is "of course they would not be Trump supporters if they found his proposals deplorable as I do".

Perhaps you & they differ on exactly what the proposals are, & how they would be effected.

I wish. There is no confort to be found in the idea that a huge percentage of Americans tolerate his ideas.

I'm discomforted by the fact that he & Hillary both have supporters who actually like them.
Consider....
Some voters look at either, & think, "Yes, I really want that person to run the country.".
Ew.

 

[FearGod]

American auto manufacturers make as much, if not more, by selling their cars abroad than they do at home. That means that our goods and services are in high demand throughout most of the world. And I don't think I need to explain how automotive sales are different from cheap furniture sales and other highly replaceable goods.

Also, foreign manufacturers like VW, Nissan, and Kia have recently moved a great deal of their manufacturing plants here, at great cost to them, BECAUSE of our more efficient and stable production results, combined with competitive international labor rates.

http://www.trade.gov/td/otm/assets/auto/ExportPaper2015.pdf
http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-car-exports-top-2-million-1423174695

Comparing it to Germany then America wouldn't be the great,
Germany shared by 22.7% of the world market whereas USA by 8.2%
http://www.worldstopexports.com/car-exports-country/

 

[FearGod]

USA is the first in the external debt, how's that great.

 

[FearGod]

The computer devices, China shared 44.3% of the world market whereas USA shared 8.1%.
How is that great?
http://www.worldstopexports.com/computer-device-exports-country/

 

[Valjean]

Meh.... Not so great.
Scary, yes. Aggressive, imperialistic, sure. But I don't equate these with greatness.

 

[sun rise]

Things look scary in America because America's problems are being laid out bare for all to see. But these problems have always existed. And America is starting to face the ugly side. This is a very good thing. And it ain't always pretty, but America has never been greater than it is at this moment.

I see it that way as well. We started with the best ideals in the world in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Great Seal and writings of the founders and people like Abraham Lincoln.

Of course, realizing those ideals has been a great struggle and one that is not done yet. We still have more work to do.We are not yet the people we're destined to be. In some areas other countries are ahead of us. But that's part of the game - to compete to become the best we can.

As there have always been, there are dark forces trying to pull us down and apart - forces that support strong men, forces that are similar to the Islamic terrorists, forces that are trying to destroy American institutions, forces tearing apart our scientific efforts and promoting fear and hatred. Dark forces contain the seeds of their defeat in their very nature. Those forces will not win just like their current exemplar Trump is headed for defeat.

 

[idav]

USA is the first in the external debt, how's that great.

National debt by GDP.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/268177/countries-with-the-highest-public-debt/

 

[idav]

China

Try living there.

 

[idav]

Perhaps you & they differ on exactly what the proposals are, & how they would be effected.

I'm discomforted by the fact that he & Hillary both have supporters who actually like them.
Consider....
Some voters look at either, & think, "Yes, I really want that person to run the country.".
Ew.

For Trump supporters, I mainly talk to people that just complain about current administration and Hillary. No real substance in it while being able to look past the republican candidates many flaws. I keep checking for the sky falling but it isn't.