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

[Wildswanderer]

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?

Perhaps you will remember that the people who formed this nation were against excessive taxation. Or perhaps they don't teach that in school anymore.

 

[Stevicus]

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.

I'm probably more used to rural America myself, although I live in what would be considered a medium-sized U.S. city. Prior to this, I lived in a smaller town, and much of my extended family live or lived in rural areas, so I have quite a bit of experience to the point where I can fit in rather easily in most places.

In the larger cities, there are a lot of "city slickers" who can rub one the wrong way. The culture of the big cities can seem ruder, nastier, harsher, and more aggressive - even if they think they're more cultured and sophisticated than their country cousins. I personally feel much less safe in larger cities than in small towns.

 

[Yerda]

Perhaps you will remember that the people who formed this nation were against excessive taxation. Or perhaps they don't teach that in school anymore.

That doesn't answer my question though.

 

[England my lionheart]

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.

I have cousins in Boston too,my Mother and I almost moved there when I was a child,never been but would like to travel around it.

I dated an American teacher here,she was from the Deep South and I loved her southern drawl.

 

[Estro Felino]

I think Americans are great people.
Very open-minded and so creative and modern.


Europe owes so much to the United States.
But we should not forget that Europe's uniqueness is something to treasure too.

 

[F1fan]

I have cousins in Boston too,my Mother and I almost moved there when I was a child,never been but would like to travel around it.

I dated an American teacher here,she was from the Deep South and I loved her southern drawl.

You could probably understand her speaking style better than we yankees can.

I dated a girl from Essex many years ago and one reason she liked me was because I could understand her, probably from watching F1 and cycling commentary by Brits.

 

[England my lionheart]

You could probably understand her speaking style better than we yankees can.

I dates a girl from Essex many years ago and one reason she liked me was because I could understand her, probably from watching F1 and cycling commentary by Brits.

Lol you should probably watch “the only way is Essex”,the girls on there are hilarious but some are very nice.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

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.

Your overall income tax rate is 50%?

I don't believe you.

 

[Wildswanderer]

Your overall income tax rate is 50%?

I don't believe you.

That's not what I said.
I said we have the right not to have 50 percent of our income taken for taxes. Like some countries do, because of their socialist programs.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

That's not what I said.
I said we have the right not to have 50 percent of our income taken for taxes. Like some countries do, because of their socialist programs.

Ah - okay. My mistake.

 

[Sand Dancer]

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.

We are a mixture of democracy and republicanism. Interesting experiment I think. Hope we can fix it to make it more palatable.

 

[Sand Dancer]

I'm probably more used to rural America myself, although I live in what would be considered a medium-sized U.S. city. Prior to this, I lived in a smaller town, and much of my extended family live or lived in rural areas, so I have quite a bit of experience to the point where I can fit in rather easily in most places.

In the larger cities, there are a lot of "city slickers" who can rub one the wrong way. The culture of the big cities can seem ruder, nastier, harsher, and more aggressive - even if they think they're more cultured and sophisticated than their country cousins. I personally feel much less safe in larger cities than in small towns.

Things have changed so much. When manufacturing left the smaller towns, there was nothing there except people too old to want to move or younger folks who are too poor to be able to move. Those who could, did. It has left the small towns dying wastelands of meth and crime. If you want a job or education, you move to the city, suburbs included. More people, more crime. I wish we could change things to revitalize the small towns. People are so desperate there and it makes me sad.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

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

I always feel relieved when I cross the border into Canada as well, and I am a U.S. citizen living in the Midwest.

 

[Truth in love]

We are a mixture of democracy and republicanism. Interesting experiment I think. Hope we can fix it to make it more palatable.

If people (both the masses and the elected ones) respected the Bill of Rights we could have a lot of meaningful fixes coming.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

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

Can't see why you might have gotten any better than a D, then.

Eugene Volokh of the UCLA School of Law notes that the United States exemplifies the varied nature of a constitutional republic—a country where some decisions (often local) are made by direct democratic processes, while others (often federal) are made by democratically elected representatives. As with many large systems, US governance is incompletely described by any single term. It also employs the concept, for instance, of a constitutional democracy in which a court system is involved in matters of jurisprudence. However, these republics were, indeed, democratic republics that used Soviet democracy, a complicated form of indirect democracy.

In the US, the notion that a republic was a form of democracy was common from the time of its founding, and the concepts associated with representative democracy (and hence with a democratic republic) are suggested by John Adams (writing in 1784): “No determinations are carried, it is true, in a simple or representative democracy, but by consent of the majority or their representatives.”

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

I'm afraid we can't assume, however, that you are the only gun owner in the US. I'll grant that perhaps your guns are not responsible for Uvalde or so many other recent outrages -- but somebody's guns were. And it happens on a daily -- and sometimes hourly -- basis.

Now, unless you could promise that only you and people like you will ever have access to a gun, the rest of us have no particular reason to feel safer.

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.

As you continually do, you misrepresent what you see as "socialism" (it isn't) and while you say you'd like to provide for yourself as you "see fit," you totally ignore that some cannot. Now, because you do this so often, I think I am justified in supposing it doesn't matter to you, but I point out that there are others, some for Christian reasons, some for Islamic reasons, some for humanistic reasons, some just because they're caring people, to home that does matter, and who feel that the state in which they live should have some ability to do something useful in those areas.

Aside from the above, I cannot see how on earth you got from the Constitution preventing establishment of a religion to "a welfare state." They have nothing whatever to do with one another.

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

Thank you, I do. It's nice not to have guards at our schools, so that our kids can go play outside without fear of being shot up -- and never having to go through "active shooter drills" reminding them how unsafe they really are.

Knowing there's medical care if I need it -- and if somebody who can't afford it needs it, too -- is also something of a comfort. And our politicians really enjoy not having the endless messages threatening them and their children with death for being on the "wrong side," or for not worshipping the Great Orange Turnip.

 

[Twilight Hue]

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 think its a world wide trend that going in the direction of authoritarianism. If you noticed the progression in that direction.

Understanding the Global Rise of Authoritarianism

It's a cancer.

 

[Twilight Hue]

If people (both the masses and the elected ones) respected the Bill of Rights we could have a lot of meaningful fixes coming.

There's no doubt anymore on what 'elected' officials think of the bill of rights or the constitution for that matter.

 

[Revoltingest]

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

One thing improving....
Fewer in U.S. Now See Bible as Literal Word of God
Excerpted...
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A record-low 20% of Americans now say the Bible is the literal word of God, down from 24% the last time the question was asked in 2017, and half of what it was at its high points in 1980 and 1984. Meanwhile, a new high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of "fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man." This marks the first time significantly more Americans have viewed the Bible as not divinely inspired than as the literal word of God. The largest percentage, 49%, choose the middle alternative, roughly in line with where it has been in previous years.

 

[Truth in love]

Can't see why you might have gotten any better than a D, then.

Eugene Volokh of the UCLA School of Law notes that the United States exemplifies the varied nature of a constitutional republic—a country where some decisions (often local) are made by direct democratic processes, while others (often federal) are made by democratically elected representatives. As with many large systems, US governance is incompletely described by any single term. It also employs the concept, for instance, of a constitutional democracy in which a court system is involved in matters of jurisprudence. However, these republics were, indeed, democratic republics that used Soviet democracy, a complicated form of indirect democracy.

In the US, the notion that a republic was a form of democracy was common from the time of its founding, and the concepts associated with representative democracy (and hence with a democratic republic) are suggested by John Adams (writing in 1784): “No determinations are carried, it is true, in a simple or representative democracy, but by consent of the majority or their representatives.”

I'm afraid we can't assume, however, that you are the only gun owner in the US. I'll grant that perhaps your guns are not responsible for Uvalde or so many other recent outrages -- but somebody's guns were. And it happens on a daily -- and sometimes hourly -- basis.

Now, unless you could promise that only you and people like you will ever have access to a gun, the rest of us have no particular reason to feel safer.

As you continually do, you misrepresent what you see as "socialism" (it isn't) and while you say you'd like to provide for yourself as you "see fit," you totally ignore that some cannot. Now, because you do this so often, I think I am justified in supposing it doesn't matter to you, but I point out that there are others, some for Christian reasons, some for Islamic reasons, some for humanistic reasons, some just because they're caring people, to home that does matter, and who feel that the state in which they live should have some ability to do something useful in those areas.

Aside from the above, I cannot see how on earth you got from the Constitution preventing establishment of a religion to "a welfare state." They have nothing whatever to do with one another.

Thank you, I do. It's nice not to have guards at our schools, so that our kids can go play outside without fear of being shot up -- and never having to go through "active shooter drills" reminding them how unsafe they really are.

Knowing there's medical care if I need it -- and if somebody who can't afford it needs it, too -- is also something of a comfort. And our politicians really enjoy not having the endless messages threatening them and their children with death for being on the "wrong side," or for not worshipping the Great Orange Turnip.

1. We are a republic. That is a simple matter of fact. It is the way the Constitution was written. Why the attack on me for stating fact?

2. Do you think those determined to commit murder are going to hand over their guns? If yes I've got a bridge for sale. If no then my being disarmed does not make anyone safer.

3. I don't have the right to rob you. So where did the government justly derive this power to establish a region and force me to be charitable (AKA rob me to give to someone else)? As to how this is a religion I submit that at the time of the Constitution was written the Bible was by far the most circulated book. Jame 1:27 defines religion. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Clearly the charity work of caring for the poor was a religious venture and would have been understood to be so when the Constitution and Bill of Rights came into effect.

Not sure how anyone has ever been confused by this, but I'll stick to facts and reality.

Trump has issues, but he never would have come into power if the Federal government and not abused people and denied them their rights. No one liked him that much. But when people are abused daily and treated more like a slave than a free person with countless regulations and officers to eat up their substances they take more drastic measure to secure their freedom. If the government would behave we would not be voting for angry in your face politicians.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

1. We are a republic. That is a simple matter of fact. It is the way the Constitution was written. Why the attack on me for stating fact?

I'm not "attacking" you -- I am pointing out that you do not seem to understand that being a "republic" does not in any way prevent also being a democracy, at one and the same time.

Overly-simplistic definitions lead to over-simplistic conclusions, and those are almost universally wrong.

The definition of "republic" is given as:

"A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch."

Please look carefully at that: "supreme power is held by the people." And what is "people" in Greek (where many of our terms come from)?

Democracy (from Greek δημοκρατία (dēmokratía) dēmos 'people' and kratos 'rule' is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation ("direct democracy"), or to choose governing officials to do so ("representative democracy").

You are a Republic which is also a democracy. Get over it.

The rest of your post needs more careful thought, since almost all of my immediate responses would have forced poor @RayofLight to have to return to work from the sick bed to censure me.