The USA.........?

[Eddi]

The USA is a very interesting place

I have always found it fascinating

It has given so much to the world and still does...

I studied American politics at college (amongst other things) and got a B in it

I aim to go on holiday there some day

But there is no way on Earth I would ever want to live there

Or be an American

Because of all the guns and the absence of any welfare state

Also, I am sorry to say that it is so obviously an oligarchy dressed up as a democracy

And there is only an extremely tiny and marginalised socialist movement

So, go on holiday there? - absolutely!

Want to be an American? - no way!

And no, I am not saying that my own country is perfect, or somehow better

 

[Yerda]

I'd love to visit for an extended trip. I have family in Boston so I'd start there then head South.

I worked with a woman from Texas and I could have listened to her just read the clock all day her accent was so lovely.

 

[Audie]

I'd love to visit for an extended trip. I have family in Boston so I'd start there then head South.

I worked with a woman from Texas and I could have listened to her just read the clock all day her accent was so lovely.

Have as good time! The USA is a wonderfully
interesting place.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The USA is a very interesting place

I have always found it fascinating

It has given so much to the world and still does...

I studied American politics at college (amongst other things) and got a B in it

I aim to go on holiday there some day

But there is no way on Earth I would ever want to live there

Or be an American

Because of all the guns and the absence of any welfare state

Also, I am sorry to say that it is so obviously an oligarchy dressed up as a democracy

And there is only an extremely tiny and marginalised socialist movement

So, go on holiday there? - absolutely!

Want to be an American? - no way!

And no, I am not saying that my own country is perfect, or somehow better

I have friends and family in the US. I've visited many times and have been to 25 out of the 50 states. It's a wonderful place in a lot of ways.

... but I always feel relieved when I cross the border coming back into Canada.

It feels very uneasy to me knowing that when I'm there, I don't have many of the rights I depend on back home... and somehow, the fact that I probably won't have to deal with the worst of that because of my skin colour just makes it feel worse.

 

[Wildswanderer]

The USA is a very interesting place

I have always found it fascinating

It has given so much to the world and still does...

I studied American politics at college (amongst other things) and got a B in it

I aim to go on holiday there some day

But there is no way on Earth I would ever want to live there

Or be an American

Because of all the guns and the absence of any welfare state

Also, I am sorry to say that it is so obviously an oligarchy dressed up as a democracy

And there is only an extremely tiny and marginalised socialist movement

So, go on holiday there? - absolutely!

Want to be an American? - no way!

And no, I am not saying that my own country is perfect, or somehow better

If you would go there and like the country why would you not want to live there? Oh, right, not enough free stuff...my bad. Good call, we don't need more freeloaders.

 

[Eddi]

If you would go there and like the country why would you not want to live there? Oh, right, not enough free stuff...my bad. Good call, we don't need more freeloaders.

Too many guns and shootings, wouldn't feel safe there

 

[Stevicus]

The USA is a very interesting place

I have always found it fascinating

It has given so much to the world and still does...

I studied American politics at college (amongst other things) and got a B in it

I aim to go on holiday there some day

But there is no way on Earth I would ever want to live there

Or be an American

Because of all the guns and the absence of any welfare state

Also, I am sorry to say that it is so obviously an oligarchy dressed up as a democracy

And there is only an extremely tiny and marginalised socialist movement

So, go on holiday there? - absolutely!

Want to be an American? - no way!

And no, I am not saying that my own country is perfect, or somehow better

I was born and raised in the USA, with roots that I can trace back to the 17th century. I have traveled abroad, but the USA is really the only home I've ever known. I didn't really have a choice in the matter.

I have considered moving to other countries, but where would I go? Who would take me? America is stuck with me, and I'm stuck with America.

 

[Wildswanderer]

Too many guns and shootings, wouldn't feel safe there

You are more likely to die in your bathtub then be shot here. And most mass shooters are terrible shots. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[Truth in love]

The USA is a very interesting place

I have always found it fascinating

It has given so much to the world and still does...

I studied American politics at college (amongst other things) and got a B in it

I aim to go on holiday there some day

But there is no way on Earth I would ever want to live there

Or be an American

Because of all the guns and the absence of any welfare state

Also, I am sorry to say that it is so obviously an oligarchy dressed up as a democracy

And there is only an extremely tiny and marginalised socialist movement

So, go on holiday there? - absolutely!

Want to be an American? - no way!

And no, I am not saying that my own country is perfect, or somehow better

1. We are not supposed to be a democracy. Those that say we are likely did worse than a B in their civics classes.

2. My guns pose you no risk unless you threaten me or someone else.

3. The constitution does not allow the federal government to establish a religion. Despite this many do keep trying to form a welfare state and limit each persons ability to provide for themselves as they see fit.


But if these things are not appealing no worries. Enjoy where you live.

 

[Yerda]

If you would go there and like the country why would you not want to live there? Oh, right, not enough free stuff...

Or as we like to put it in the civilised world, not enough rights.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

If you would go there and like the country why would you not want to live there? Oh, right, not enough free stuff...my bad. Good call, we don't need more freeloaders.

For me, I like visiting the people and places, but I dislike the whole "lack of habeas corpus" thing especially.

 

[Revoltingest]

Because of...the absence of any welfare state

Also, I am sorry to say that it is so obviously an oligarchy dressed up as a democracy

And there is only an extremely tiny and marginalised socialist movement

And yet you still managed to get a B?
They must grade on a curve.

 

[Eddi]

And yet you still managed to get a B?
They must grade on a curve.

Yes, and in hindsight I'd have probably got an A had I not put so much Marxist rubbish in my essays/exam answers

I like the social democratic model

That is what I always vote for

That is what I believe in

Hence I would not personally want to live in a place that is so obviously not social democratic

It seems to me that the prevailing political culture in your nation is hostile to social democratic policies

 

[Revoltingest]

Yes, and in hindsight I'd have probably got an A had I not put so much Marxist rubbish in my essays/exam answers

I like the social democratic model

That is what I always vote for

That is what I believe in

Hence I would not personally want to live in a place that is so obviously not social democratic

It seems to me that the prevailing political culture in your nation is hostile to social democratic policies

You should'a studied harder.
We do indeed have a welfare state.
Just cuz it isn't as extensive as you
want doesn't mean there's none.

 

[Stevicus]

It seems to me that the prevailing political culture in your nation is hostile to social democratic policies

I still remember a time when it wasn't really like that. The hostility you're referring seems to be relatively recent, growing mainly out of the Reagan era - a time of great toxicity which has irrevocably damaged our political culture.

 

[Wildswanderer]

Yes, and in hindsight I'd have probably got an A had I not put so much Marxist rubbish in my essays/exam answers

I like the social democratic model

That is what I always vote for

That is what I believe in

Hence I would not personally want to live in a place that is so obviously not social democratic

It seems to me that the prevailing political culture in your nation is hostile to social democratic policies

Let's hope so.

 

[Wildswanderer]

Or as we like to put it in the civilised world, not enough rights.

We have more rights than any of the welfare countries. Like the right not to have 50 percent of our income taken for social programs.

 

[F1fan]

It really depends where you go in the USA. Cities and tourist spots are more diverse and open minded to differences. I've been to the Grand Canyon twice and it was funny how Americans are outnumbered by people of other nations. Totally cool experience to hear all the different languages being spoken.

As a straight, white, liberal male I find rural America more problematic. In my experience you need to stay neutral and invisible. Anyone who is different and stands out can get unwanted attention. As long as you are neutral the hospitality is great. As a cyclist I have faced more hostility in rural America than in cities, so there has to be some care about where you are and who you are.

For the most part the USA is pretty safe. Mass shootings are a daily thing but with 330 million people the lottery is high in your favor that you will not be a victim. The thing is even a lottery of a billion to one, there's that one loser. And the number should be zero. Then the mass shooter lottery hits those few poor losers we hear about it.

A few members talk about carrying their guns wherever they go, and I'm not sure where they live or need one, but I never have, and I never had any use for have a gun.

So anyway, the USA is safe for visitors and residents.

 

[F1fan]

Yes, and in hindsight I'd have probably got an A had I not put so much Marxist rubbish in my essays/exam answers

I like the social democratic model

That is what I always vote for

That is what I believe in

Hence I would not personally want to live in a place that is so obviously not social democratic

It seems to me that the prevailing political culture in your nation is hostile to social democratic policies

The funny thing about Marx is that we Americans learn from our social and political experience that Marxism is bad, that socialism is bad. However none of us have ever read Marx. In college my philosophy class was assigned the Communist Manifesto. The majority of the class was shocked. About 90% agreed with it's argument and positions. It is highly ideal and unrealistic, as all political/social ideals are. But we changed our minds about what Marx advocates for, and realized the operating knowledge about Communism and socialism vary quite a bit from the ideal.

Americans are a lazy people. We avoid knowledge in my experience. Few are well informed. Few are skilled thinkers. We fall into our tribes quite easily and get complacent. We see this laziness in some members here who have beliefs, but under questioning cannot explain why they believe what they do.

 

[Yerda]

We have more rights than any of the welfare countries. Like the right not to have 50 percent of our income taken for social programs.

You have the right "not to have 50 percent of our income taken for social programs"? Is this in the US Constitution or an act of Congress?