What is the state of your country?

[Camaero]

Just curious, what does everyone think of the conditions of their respective countries? What do you think of your government? What do you think of your economy? What do you think of the general state of your own country? What needs to be done to improve it?

I am sure I already know what most American's will say:roll: but I am curious about everyone else as well.

Edit:
I would also like to mention that I am looking for an honest personal assesment. I would NOT like to see anyone bash or try to correct anyone else's point of view.

[danlisa]

:o What a can of worms.....

UK - It's poor state but certainly better than others. I'm afraid that, although I follow legislation/economics etc, I really don't try to let it worry me. I could go on and on but I'll leave that privaledge to STEED.

@ STEED, if you can para-phrase it would be nice.;) :p

[U-533]

What does everyone think of the conditions of their respective countries?

I like my "Respective Country"... at this time I do...ask me that again in 20 years

What do you think of your government?

Better than most I believe... there is room for improvement, as Im sure is the case with most Governments.

What do you think of the general state of your own country?

We are being degraded from within...Demographics show America will be Muslim in 40 years. Seems we Americans better get off our collective BUTTS and do some baby making and learn how to keep our families together.

What needs to be done to improve it?

OMG! ... That could take awhile and I gotta go pay my taxes(go to work)... I will attempt to answer this when I get home.

:sunny:

[Melonfish]

the UK is indeed poor.
i hate the fact that the current gov't seem to think they can cure problems with legislation as apposed to affirmative policing. i almost lost my hobby recently because of some VERY poorly written legislation that was nothing more then a blanket ban full of vagaries and ill informed conceited ideologies. not only that but ask a local bobby what his current monthly quota is!
thats right police now have to LOCK UP a set number of people a month! did you know that? christ i'd rather they were out fighting crime then worrying themselves to death and mopping up after it!
not only that but in response to a request to get more bobbies on the street the government have thought up the idea of community support officers who are NOT policemen. they may look like it but that blue stripe proves that the only powers they have is to issue fixed penalty tickets.....Thats..it... i mean they can make a citizens arrest but then so could you or i.
its silly things like the lack of funding to the armed forces. we're stretched more then ever at the moment and yet they insist on cutting funding further and further.
and don't even get me started on education....oh man...
suffice to say this country is in a bit of a state and unless there are some MAJOR reforms or at least a freaking revolution (start making those guy fawkes masks ppl) then we can only expect the worst, and by the worst i mean legislation like the regulatory reform act. thus allowing the gov't to make EU legislation UK law without the need to consult the commons (no really)
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/REGULATION/reform/bill/index.asp (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/REGULATION/reform/bill/index.asp)

i could go on but for the sake of my own sanity and yours i'll stop here...
pete

[The Avon Lady]

Michigan-ah.

:yep:

[Fish]

We are doing fine I think, for the moment. :cool:

http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/6/35/20213240.pdf

[STEED]

:o What a can of worms.....

UK - It's poor state but certainly better than others. I'm afraid that, although I follow legislation/economics etc, I really don't try to let it worry me. I could go on and on but I'll leave that privaledge to STEED.

@ STEED, if you can para-phrase it would be nice.;) :p

Where the heck do I start? :rotfl:


First of all I agree with Melonfish/Pete, well said.

The EU is controlling us with there claptrap legislation and we must withdraw and get back control of our country. All the political party's are now defunked none of them give a hoot about the voters, it's all image to them and scoring Brownie points off each other. We need a massive shake up on the political scene and out law all this PC Madness which has bought about a lot of harm to our country. We must pull back from the police state we live in and dump this mad idea for ID Cards which is a disgrace bought about by the worst Government on record. Tony Blair and his spin doctors have done sweet nothing for any of us it's all smoke and mirrors with Blair, who spends more time strutting around on the world stage while the U.K. goes down the tubes.

The sad fact here is I see no end to it and mark my words this country is going to be in big trouble after we hold the 2012 Olympic games with massive debt. The cost of the build has gone way over the top. We may be 5th in the world on the economic front but that money is not being put back in to the country and why? Consumer debt last year went over the £1 trillion mark, we are heading for a rough time and I would not be surprise to see riots in this country against our political masters in Westminster.

[Tchocky]

Cant complain (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4020523.stm)

That said, I'm living in the US until September...

[U-533]

What does everyone think of the conditions of their respective countries?

I like my "Respective Country"... at this time I do...ask me that again in 20 years

What do you think of your government?

Better than most I believe... there is room for improvement, as Im sure is the case with most Governments.

What do you think of the general state of your own country?

We are being degraded from within...Demographics show America will be Muslim in 40 years. Seems we Americans better get off our collective BUTTS and do some baby making and learn how to keep our families together.

What needs to be done to improve it?

OMG! ... That could take awhile and I gotta go pay my taxes(go to work)... I will attempt to answer this when I get home.

:sunny:

OKay... here goes.

What needs to be done to improve it?

Start by learning how to keep the family unit together.
Learn how to respect.
Learn Discipline.
Learn how to love.
Learn there is more to life than money.
Learn how to spend the money you earn.
Learn how to work.
Learn how to play.
:hmm: I could go on with this endless list but it comes down to just one thing to learn really...
:up:
Learn who Jesus Christ the son of God is.:up:
:up: :sunny:

[CCIP]

For both countries of my, I would say both have problems and neither I see in any kind of rosy light.

Russia has a horrendous socioeconomic situation with a gross gap between a tiny and largely-detestable elite who gained their wealth mostly by unfair means, and a huge largely-impoverished majority. Crime rates are abhorrent; alcoholism and suicide are big social problems. The state of democracy in Russia is often something that Western media talks about, but really that's one of the more minor problems on the ground. If you were to ask me what I'd choose between democracy and a more balanced socioeconomic picture at the expense of some civil liberties - I'd choose the latter, as would most Russians I think.

Canada overall is a far more acceptable place to live, which is why I'm here. Here however the problem is a badly-managed welfare state that wastes public money while accomplishing largely nothing and often not actually helping those who need help. At the same time I geniunely dislike the political right (Conservatives) and their view of social and international policy. And yet there's no party to represent views of people like me (I hope I'm not alone!) which frustrates me at election time and often forces me to vote for the 'lesser evil' at election time, which certainly doesn't give me that much enthusiasm for the perceived democracy. I would be far happier with proportional representation.
In both countries, Canada more so, I'm very worried by the consumer society and waste of resources (and people).

Honestly I don't think I'll be ever entirely happy with any country I'm in though. Ones that come closest are some of the northern european social-democrat-run states, but then they share many of the same problems I see in Canada (just slightly less so).

***

What I think is a key point is that an individual person can be happy in any reasonably liberal society. Which I am for example.
Where I don't buy that view is that when one individual that's in all ways as good as the happy individual is left behind. This is why I'm noted for proclaiming myself a socialist around here - for me the idea of civil liberties is meaningless in a society of the have and have-not. I'll always have at best a skeptical view of any state that isn't both ideologically and practically socialist-oriented. A lot are ideologically, but in practice things are a lot messier.

[Dan D]

According to observations on „Observing Hermann the German“ by (self-description) “an amnesic American lost in Berlin” (a very funny guy actually) Germany is doing quite well:
"Germans stinking filthy rich – and cautious"
http://hermann.blog.com/1436812/#cmts

Yet, at the same time, Germany is said to be world champion in cheerful dooming and glooming. But I guess, others folks are good at it, too.
To me it seems the said German grumpiness can be labelled as moaning on a very high level.

[ABBAFAN]

The kingdom of BAWLZAK is in the middle of a boom period and just expanded its armed forces to a whole infantry battalion 6 fighter aircraft 6 frigates and a zeppelin.

And theyve just opened 20 strip clubs.

[AVGWarhawk]

State of my country???? Does Hell and a hand basket have any indication what I think? This is where the US is going and is just about there!!! GOSH can I say this? Is it politically correct? I do not want to offend anyone:doh:

[Sailor Steve]

AVGWarhawk, people have literally been saying that for 231 years. It seems that way sometimes, but conditions move up and down, and it all depends on the observer's point of view.

I suspect this is true of most countries.

[AVGWarhawk]

AVGWarhawk, people have literally been saying that for 231 years. It seems that way sometimes, but conditions move up and down, and it all depends on the observer's point of view.

I suspect this is true of most countries.

The country is going down hill at a clip that cannot be stopped. I'm not talking economically but socially it is in ruins. Just my day to day experiences. It is a selfish generation out there.

[baggygreen]

Down under is pretty alright if you ask me.

the international pressure over 'mandatory detention' in the NT a few years back, with even the un having a shot at us - what the fed. opposition and the bloody civil libertarians never told anyone was that that policy was for the 3rd offence, you got 2 other chances to smarten up your act!

Tampa 'crisis'. Again, sensationalism. I dunno, maybe you guys in the states dont care about illegals as much. we were getting literally hundreds of boats a year full of people who tried to skip the line to get into the country. Now, we get maybe 2 a year.

Detention of Illegal Immigrants. Lets see, they break a boatload of laws (pun intended) and arrive on our shores, and expect to be released freely into society! Whats worse, is there's a truckload of people who support the bloody idea! They go into detention so that 1 they can be punished for breaking our laws, and 2 they cant p!ss off somewhere to hide cos they know they really dont have a case.

Taxes. Generaly alright, except for there being 2 seperate taxes on petrol, one of which was to fund the duplication of a stretch of federal highway 24 years ago and then be dropped (the road is yet to be begun). Furthermore, everyone in the country knows that the petrol companies are ripping the hell out of us, quick to raise the price and slow to drop it. Past 3 years its gone up more than 30%! But, its not as bad as other places, ie Britain.

Politically, the sooner we get rid of the greens the better, they're bloody hippies who are led by a gay bloke who well and truly sleezed onto myself and a couple of mates a few years back at a convention (we were minors at the time). The sooner the Liberal party under howard toughen up even more and stops catering to the pansy-minded leftwing the better. And if you've heard about those draconion new industrial relations laws, have you heard that every person presented on the ads had lied point blank to the camera and thus the nation, whilst presenting their case as completely and utterly true?

We're in great shape, on the whole - better than most places out there, and def the UK - you gotta laugh, commit the crime and steal a loaf of bread, so the pommies send these 'criminals' out to a paradise where their offspring can live quite happily and kick their asses at cricket!:rotfl:

EDIT* And one thing the govt has just got to do is strip that d!ckhead sheik Alhilaly of his visa and kick him the hell outta the country. This bloke is an absolute disgrace, openly applauds the attacks against NY and the pentagon, supports attacks against foreigners in Iraq, thinks 30 years is too long for a bloke who led 18 ppl in a 18 hour long kidnapping and gangrape 'for being aussie', says that woomen who dont wear burqas and who dress immodestly are like pieces of meat - "you dont blame the wild cat for being drawn to attack the raw meat, why blame the young man for being drawn to do the same with women wearing revealing clothes". Oh and his latest is to say that muslims deserve Australia more than 'them' (namely white australians), because whites came here in chains as convicts and muslims paid their way.

Frankly, i vote that he is stripped of visa etc, and sent away. but cos i dont want more money be spent on him than necessary, take him to international waters, then dump him. some fish offal thrown overboard would also be nice, attract the sharks a bit faster.

[Bort]

I think the US is in a bad way for a variety of reasons, most of which can be attributed to downright ignorance and lack of practicality. Many think that the greatest threat to the overall health of the USA comes from immigrants, and that couldn't be further from the truth. Immigrants of all nationalities and religions will only make America a better place to be in the long run. Honestly, I will really get worried if the immigrants ever stop coming, because that means there is no more American dream and no more reason for this to be the greatest country on earth. Sure the new diversity these immigrants bring will cause some difficulty in the short term, but in the future America will be even stronger and improving all the time. People who panic and think that the English language will disappear and we will all be following Sharia instead of our constitution are so far off the mark. People wouldn't spend their life savings, leave their families, and risk arrest to come to another country just to make it like the one they left, that's absurd. Face it, the problem isn't America's newest residents, it's the ones who have been here all our lives and have either lost or never had an appreciation for what is important in this nation.

[bookworm_020]

Australia does have one big problem, where in a drought!! It's considered the worst in a 100 years (the records only go back that far!) Every major city has water restrictions, some major towns have run out or have levels at extreamly low levels.

All levels of government have been slow to address this (Federal, State, Local). Some of their 'Fixes' leve alot to be desired.

Just one question for the rest of you, does anyone know of an effective rain dance???;)

[baggygreen]

lol yeh thats true, but soon enough la nina will rise again and we'll be complaining the crops cant grow cos they're waterlogged!

[Chaotic42]

USA:

Quickly sliding down the slope of socialism. Huge minimum wages, social security benefits for illegal immigrants (I think the government just stands at the border handing out $100 bills and free cars now). The 10th amendment seems to have been flushed down the toilet.

The socialist aspects of our government make me sick. :damn:

[Camaero]

USA:

Quickly sliding down the slope of socialism. Huge minimum wages, social security benefits for illegal immigrants (I think the government just stands at the border handing out $100 bills and free cars now). The 10th amendment seems to have been flushed down the toilet.

The socialist aspects of our government make me sick. :damn:

I agree.

[Ducimus]

Divided.

[Gizzmoe]

Huge minimum wages
I´m not so sure that those who have a minimum wage job would agree. The federal minimum wage is $5.15, that´s basically nothing! In the UK it´s $9.50, in France $10.70. I know that some states pay more than $5.15, but that´s still not "huge".

[Konovalov]

Australia does have one big problem, where in a drought!! It's considered the worst in a 100 years (the records only go back that far!) Every major city has water restrictions, some major towns have run out or have levels at extreamly low levels.

My mum has a property which is neither huge nor small (boundries are 1.5km x 4km), that is located west north west of Sydney located at Colo Heights which is about 2 to 2.5 hours drive from Sydney CBD. She is spending thousands of dollars on additional new water tanks because the dry spells are so long and in the past she has had to have water trucked in. This is all despite the fact the property has 4-6 tanks of varying size with the main house one being bigger than a normal sized swimming pool. If I knew of a rain dance I would have been on the first flight back home from England and up to Colo to do my dance. ;)

[Konovalov]

We are being degraded from within...Demographics show America will be Muslim in 40 years. Seems we Americans better get off our collective BUTTS and do some baby making and learn how to keep our families together.

U-533,

Can you please provide evidence to support your assertion? How did you come to such a conclusion? Look forward to your evidence based reply. Thanks.

[Tchocky]

USA:

Quickly sliding down the slope of socialism. Huge minimum wages, social security benefits for illegal immigrants (I think the government just stands at the border handing out $100 bills and free cars now). The 10th amendment seems to have been flushed down the toilet.

The socialist aspects of our government make me sick. :damn:
I agree.
Yeah, $5.15 is way too much. i can feel the bile rising in my throat.

I mean how dare they (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6246969.stm)?

[Chaotic42]

Huge minimum wages
I´m not so sure that those who have a minimum wage job would agree. The federal minimum wage is $5.15, that´s basically nothing! In the UK it´s $9.50, in France $10.70. I know that some states pay more than $5.15, but that´s still not "huge".
I've worked for minimum wage. Those jobs aren't designed for someone to be able live comfortably. They're secondary jobs or jobs for kids. $10.70? Why should a company have to pay an employee that much? That just means that the costs of their service will skyrocket.

You aren't entitiled to anything. You have to work for it. There are plenty of programs available for poor people to go to college and work their way up. Sure, a lot of people get college degrees and new cars handed to them by their parents, but that doesn't mean that everyone deserves those things, just that life is unfair.

I should also note that these kinds of decisions should be left up to the states. It's not for the Federal Government to decide.

[bradclark1]

I've worked for minimum wage. Those jobs aren't designed for someone to be able live comfortably. They're secondary jobs or jobs for kids. $10.70? Why should a company have to pay an employee that much? That just means that the costs of their service will skyrocket.

You aren't entitiled to anything. You have to work for it. There are plenty of programs available for poor people to go to college and work their way up. Sure, a lot of people get college degrees and new cars handed to them by their parents, but that doesn't mean that everyone deserves those things, just that life is unfair.

I should also note that these kinds of decisions should be left up to the states. It's not for the Federal Government to decide.

Minimum wage hasn't nationaly been raised in ten years. Its from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour over a two year period.
What people are entitled too is a fair wage and don't say employers pay what people are worth. Most pay the least they can legally get away with. You talk like a minimum wage earner is a piece of s#!t.
It's better holding a job then no job at all. What would life be like without minimum wage job holders? Someone has to do them.
A fair number of states have raised their minimum wage because the fed wouldn't. Try living in Connecticut on $5.15 an hour. It would be impossible. You can't even get a 14 year old babysitter for that.

Heavily edited to keep my opinion on those comments to myself.

[Camaero]

Remember when I asked not to try and "correct" someone elses point of view? That simply leads to a back and forth argument which leads to an all out angry furious typing contest. I know it is so hard not to start shxt with someone you don't agree with, but please try!:roll:

[bradclark1]

Remember when I asked not to try and "correct" someone elses point of view? That simply leads to a back and forth argument which leads to an all out angry furious typing contest. I know it is so hard not to start shxt with someone you don't agree with, but please try!:roll:
Just for you so you won't be disappointed I'll put my :sunny: face on.

[Gizzmoe]

I don't know where you got $10.70 from
As I wrote that´s what they pay in France.

Not everyone is as gifted or as talented as you I'm afraid.
Be nice, ok?

I've worked for minimum wage. Those jobs aren't designed for someone to be able live comfortably. They're secondary jobs or jobs for kids.
No, not comfortably, but someone who has to work a minimum wage job for 160 hours a months should at least earn enough money so that he or she is above the poverty line. For millions of people such jobs are the only source of income.

Even now that they´ve raised it to $7.25 that´s still only a yearly income of roughly $13k.

[waste gate]

Even now that they´ve raised it to $7.25 that´s still only a yearly income of roughly $13k.

Which is more than the illegal immigrants can make in their own countries. I see the increase as making our illegal immigration problem worse than it already is.

Very few people work for minimum wage in this country. Mainly, illegals, secondary school students, and those that choose to work for that pay. In the summer of 1979 I worked at a bakery, as a summer replacement at the rate of $7.50/hr. Even McDonalds pays more than minimum wage today.

[AVGWarhawk]

Two problems with minimum wage increase:

1. increase in minimum wage increase the cost of things to cover this increase thus leaving said minimum wage earner in the same predicament.

2. increase in minimum wage often makes these wage earners loose jobs. The business owners soon discover that any of the others in the office can do the job of the minimum wage earner is doing and off he goes. All of a sudden the salaried guy can do what the hourly guy is doing. I have seen it many times.

[Chaotic42]

No, not comfortably, but someone who has to work a minimum wage job for 160 hours a months should at least earn enough money so that he or she is above the poverty line. For millions of people such jobs are the only source of income.

Even now that they´ve raised it to $7.25 that´s still only a yearly income of roughly $13k.
If the lowest pay possible puts you above the poverty line, then how can there be a poverty line? I think there will always be those who are poor in a capitalist society.

Minimum wage hasn't nationaly been raised in ten years. Its from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour over a two year period.
Isn't that the job of the states, though? I mean, if you can nationally legislate everything, what exactly is the point in having separate states? All that will happen with this is that the rent that these people pay will go up, the price of food will go up, and they'll be at the same quality of living that they're at now. The people that will be affected most is those who now make $7/hr. They'll go from 35% above minimum wage to being at minimum wage.

What people are entitled too is a fair wage and don't say employers pay what people are worth. Most pay the least they can legally get away with.

I disagree. They're entitled to what the market will pay. Of course, this is just my opinion.

You talk like a minimum wage earner is a piece of s#!t.
I don't see where you got that from. Like I said, I used to live on $6/hr. Rent, power, food, insurance, I paid all of it. Did it suck? Like you can't imagine. I decided that I was tired of it, so I worked hard, got a college degree, took jobs with long hours and unforgiving bosses so that I could build up a resume. Now I make a pretty comfortable wage.

It's better holding a job then no job at all. What would life be like without minimum wage job holders? Someone has to do them.
If no one will work them, the places will raise their pay. After Hurricane Katrina Walmart went from paying $6/hr to $9.50/hr here and they're only recently getting enough people to work to keep the store open. When they aren't open, they lose money, so it's in their interest to pay well.

A fair number of states have raised their minimum wage because the fed wouldn't.
My point is that it isn't the Federal Government's job to set a minimum wage. It may take $15/hr to live comfortably where you do, but it might be possible to live comfortably on $8/hr in West Virginia. That's why if they're going to be set, the states should set them.

Heavily edited to keep my opinion on those comments to myself.
We're all adults here. I'm not angry and I'm not going to fly off the handle. These are all my opinions and if I were presented with new information, I might change my opinion. My mind is always open to new views on old subjects.

[Gizzmoe]

Even now that they´ve raised it to $7.25 that´s still only a yearly income of roughly $13k.
If the lowest pay possible puts you above the poverty line, then how can there be a poverty line? I think there will always be those who are poor in a capitalist society.


Try to feed two or even three mouths with that $13k, then there are taxes and perhaps even health insurance. That should make you poor enough... ;)

[waste gate]

see below

[waste gate]

Try to feed two or even three mouths with that $13k, then there are taxes and perhaps even health insurance. That should make you poor enough... ;)

That goes to personal responsibility. If you cannot afford to feed two or three mouths why are you bringing them into the world?[/quote]

[Gizzmoe]

Try to feed two or even three mouths with that $13k, then there are taxes and perhaps even health insurance. That should make you poor enough... ;)
That goes to personal responsibility. If you cannot afford to feed two or three mouths why are you bringing them into the world?
There are many, many more scenarios than just "You have a lousy job, are already poor, but still wanted the children". The second mouth to feed to could also be a sick brother/sister/mother/father, or you lost a good job, can´t find a new good job, have two children and now you have to take a minimum wage job. Use your imagination and you´ll find dozens of possible scenarios.

[AVGWarhawk]

Try to feed two or even three mouths with that $13k, then there are taxes and perhaps even health insurance. That should make you poor enough... ;)
That goes to personal responsibility. If you cannot afford to feed two or three mouths why are you bringing them into the world?[/quote]

Poverty breeds poverty. Not my opinion. We see it every day. It is a bad cycle. Yeah, you can ask me to show proof, blah blah blah....I don't have too, go look at the larger cities across the US. You tell me.

Your right, it is personal responsiblity. Furthermore, 13k would quailfy you for Child Tax Credit. Basically, you pay no taxes. As far as health insurance.....they just show up to the emergency rooms and do not pay. What, is the hospital going to turn them away? NO. It is a freebie world on Uncle Sam if you know how to work the system correctly.

[bradclark1]

Isn't that the job of the states, though?
Yes it is. The standard of living dictates cost but what the fed does is set the bar.
I don't see where you got that from. Like I said, I used to live on $6/hr. Rent, power, food, insurance, I paid all of it. Did it suck? Like you can't imagine. I decided that I was tired of it, so I worked hard, got a college degree, took jobs with long hours and unforgiving bosses so that I could build up a resume. Now I make a pretty comfortable wage.
I respect you for that but your comments came across as kind of snobby. Because you pulled yourself up by the bootstraps doesn't mean that everybody can. The motivations or lack thereof of people could be a topic by itself.
If no one will work them, the places will raise their pay. After Hurricane Katrina Walmart went from paying $6/hr to $9.50/hr here and they're only recently getting enough people to work to keep the store open. When they aren't open, they lose money, so it's in their interest to pay well.
That is because of the situation, population, and cost of living. I'm sure a loaf of bread doesn't cost what it did pre Katrina.
I'm not fluent in economics but there has to be guidelines to go by.
More jobs less people = higher pay.
Less jobs more people = lower pay. <= That is where you have to have a limit. Ten applicants for one Kmart job, the manager is going to go real low on pay.

We're all adults here. I'm not angry and I'm not going to fly off the handle. These are all my opinions and if I were presented with new information, I might change my opinion. My mind is always open to new views on old subjects.
I'm an adult but I reserve the right to throw tantrums.

[waste gate]

There are many, many more scenarios than just "You have a lousy job, are already poor, but still wanted the children". The second mouth to feed to could also be a sick brother/sister/mother/father, or you lost a good job, can´t find a new good job, have two children and now you have to take a minimum wage job. Use your imagination and you´ll find dozens of possible scenarios.

That is where natural selection and Darwinism and atheism falls apart. perhaps if people believed in something other than themselves help could be provided by the church instesd of bleeding others be cause the state cannot and should not provide for all your needs.

[TteFAboB]

or you lost a good job, can´t find a new good job.

Ah, then it's a matter of opportunity. Higher minimum wage = less opportunities. You hire somebody who can do more for less and not less for more.

[Gizzmoe]

That is where natural selection and Darwinism and atheism falls apart. perhaps if people believed in something other than themselves help could be provided by the church instesd of bleeding others be cause the state cannot and should not provide for all your needs.

Could be provided? They do provide help, so do many charity organisations.

[waste gate]

That's my point. Governments should only provide for the national security and deliver the mail. Not be a charity.

[AVGWarhawk]

That's my point. Governments should only provide for the national security and deliver the mail. Not be a charity.

Unfortunate that is how the system is worked here in the US. Most are professionals at being on welfare and many think they deserve it. Furthermore, the stigmata that was once associated with welfare (seen as bad) is long since gone. Some towns it is kind of sheek to be on welfare and if your not, there are plenty that will show you how to work the system. Furthermore there are too many taking and taking and no watch dogs.

My sister-in-law had a baby and was getting money every month from the state and she also was living with the father of the child for all intensive purposes was just the sperm donor. She told the state she was a single mom and Dad was not around. He was working and both living the high life. Then one day they said they were cutting her off and go find a job....boy was she insensed that they would do something like that. Come on, take some responsiblity. She is great at working the system. Some how she got the state to pay a $1200.00 electric bill. WTF, she and the old man could afford to pay for utilities but thought best to go to Atlantic City instead and blow money on the slots. This is just one of a billion working the system.

[bradclark1]

When we talk about the U.S. system and some(to include me) see it as a way of helping people that are in a hole. Others see it as people being lazy and working the system. We are talking about two different groups of people, the legits and the illegits. Our goverment works at making people dependent on them. To them you either need assistence or you don't, period. Take for example a single mother of (insert number). If she is working a job but is not making enough money to support her family it is beneficial to her to quit work altogether because she can't provide through her job. The goverment is all or nothing. There is no increments of help. You are totally dependent on the goverment or you don't get anything. They don't reward trying, they only reward failing.
Same with medical. If you don't work and don't have anything you can get all the medical you want. If you are trying to make it, the answer is sell whatever you have in order to pay medical bills. All or nothing.
If you are on welfare etc there should be a work corps that you go to for the state or federal goverment doing work on public land, working a farm, providing daycare for others, job training, etc.
When you are working but not making enough to support your family you should be elegible for incremental benefits. You make so much you get so much. You get so much benefits you provide so much time to community service.
We are supposed to be one of the most civilized countries in the world and no one should go hungry or go without medical care. It should be your right as an American.
A system should be put in place that does not reward failing but rewards trying.

[U-533]

We are being degraded from within...Demographics show America will be Muslim in 40 years. Seems we Americans better get off our collective BUTTS and do some baby making and learn how to keep our families together.

U-533,

Can you please provide evidence to support your assertion? How did you come to such a conclusion? Look forward to your evidence based reply. Thanks.

Working on it...:up:

I have had some work and computer problems ...but Im back in the saddle... please be patient.

Edited


I cannot find the site for the Southern Baptise Convention Preacher that I heard on the Radio...I am still looking.

But here is the site I believe he pulled his statements from... not really to sure about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States#Religious_affili ation

Yes yes I know ...it has a religious tone but I did say Muslim

as you look under the Population decreases and increases it shows and defiant drop in American Christians ... here I would like to point out that this shows some religions I do not consider to be true Christian Faiths ... that said if you look at the increase of immigrants and we know that as they enter the USA they bring their own religions and family values to bare on our way of life here in the USA.

Now the Christian Faith asks you to take responsibility for your actions and way of life... if you don't you get prayed for in hopes that you will change your mind and heart... there will be no be-headings or guns pointed at you in an attempt to change your mind.

The Muslim religion asks you to do good also...but if you don't take their way yooouare an infidel and we know what they like to do to infidels

Now with that said Americans (most of them anyway) have no stomach for fighting over good and evil we just want money and stuff ... so giving ones life for the keeping of freedom is uncalled for and should be avoided at all costs....

Now that said If the birth rate of Muslim Immigrants is not kept in check buy out producing them in babies ...
Over a Million American babies a year are Aborted
American Family units are down to 1.5 children as opposed to the Muslim belief in huge families I think the average was close to 4.5 children ...
keeping the American way of life here ... If our Government doesnt close its borders and clean up
start supporting larger families
... Is it not safe to assume that the USA will be Muslim Country in the near future?

Yes I do see America becoming a Muslim country in 40-45 years... maybe sooner...
Paranoid?... I hope not.
If I am then no worries for everyone else.
I live here and I watch every day as my countrymen are bombarded with Liberal Media telling us "not to worry all of man kind will be at peace we just need to talk our way out and GIVE everyone what they want then you will be happy and peaceful"...I watch everyday as my countrymen fall into that trap...

Im going to stop here I tend to ramble and chase rabbits trying to prove a point... My loving wife has pointed this out to me several times.

one more thing there are Mosques being built on almost every corner in Florida ... well in the big cities anyway... and they are packed to the gills...

[Tronics]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

I'd say that my country is in a state of mass confusion but aside from that it's somewhat fine.

Despite a growing trend of lunacy and idiocy infecting the ever growing waistlines of state and local governments, the lights are still on, however there are some things that worry me.

1. State Education: There has been a noticable decline in the 'quality' of American education across the board to makeup for increased 'quantities' of students being ushered into an ever dwindling number of schools. States have had to apply filters to the respective 'levels' of their education, usually they are of the terms Above Grade, On Grade and Remedial.

Most public schools are forced into the system of promoting students that utterly fail the academic requirements designed to somehow "faciitate the creation of well-rounded individuals", so therefore those guidelines are ovbiously inadequate so the state decides to lower the bar every three years or so for their mandatoy assessment tests. In turn we have an education system that has no real reprocussions for failure and therefore it becomes tolerated and bred into a new generation as an 'acceptable' standard.

This is exceptionally sad in the southern states, TX, AZ, NM, and CA where there is a massive influx of ESOL students and a load of state sponsored 'red-tape' to "protect student rights" resulting in situations where teachers cannot fail students because they cannot comprehend the subject matter since the state decided that it is "outside of their culture".

Literally a student that does not speak, read or otherwise comprehend English CANNOT be given a failing grade for an English (Social Studies) class, or an English as a Second Language class since the language is ovbiously "outside their culture".

In essence most public schools have become nothing more but elaborate daycare centers.

2. Mass Media:

Has clearly overstepped it's bounds, we now live in a world of 24 hour news and the rivalries have developed to a point where basic fact checking has become completely irrelevant. The worst of it is that people seem to accept what they are told for face value, and the culture has become infested with the constant monitoring of celebrities lives.

It's rather sickening, however I've never noticed it untill I started spending large spans of time traveling between Japan and the US and the media situation is spiraling out of control.

However there is hope, I've noticed that a rather large portion of frequent internet users are unknowingly abandoning the use of TV alltogether, as I rare bother to watch it anymore.

3. The Political System is Fine:

It's just going through a regular cycle, oddly enough I don't care for either Dem's or Rep's and I don't push any loony third parties either.

Personally I want the Electoral College to split the number of electoral votes based on the popular vote swing of that specific state in order to give third parties a chance, the U.S to withdraw from the UN, and for real laws to be enacted calling for elected officals to freeze their stock assets while in office to avoid all the backroom dealings, and I'd like for NASA to get more funding since the future of mankind is destined in the stars since we have a bad habit of collectively consuming resources.

However I'm realistic enough to not expect any of these to happen, ever, and I reluctantly accept the merits of the current system as it is.

4. Religion:

I'm tired of hearing the extremists being popularized on national syndications and I'm pretty sure that the other 90% of America is tired of it too.

Personally I don't believe in any of it. I've come to terms with the possibility that all there is and all that will ever be eventually decays into it's most fundamental forms and ceases to exist, whatever happens past this step will forever remain unknown untill personally experienced by everyone.

It's a stark view but it seems to have given a greater value to individual life.

[Konovalov]

We are being degraded from within...Demographics show America will be Muslim in 40 years. Seems we Americans better get off our collective BUTTS and do some baby making and learn how to keep our families together.

U-533,

Can you please provide evidence to support your assertion? How did you come to such a conclusion? Look forward to your evidence based reply. Thanks.

Working on it...:up:

I have had some work and computer problems ...but Im back in the saddle... please be patient.

Edited


I cannot find the site for the Southern Baptise Convention Preacher that I heard on the Radio...I am still looking.

But here is the site I believe he pulled his statements from... not really to sure about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States#Religious_affili ation

Yes yes I know ...it has a religious tone but I did say Muslim

as you look under the Population decreases and increases it shows and defiant drop in American Christians ... here I would like to point out that this shows some religions I do not consider to be true Christian Faiths ... that said if you look at the increase of immigrants and we know that as they enter the USA they bring their own religions and family values to bare on our way of life here in the USA.

Now the Christian Faith asks you to take responsibility for your actions and way of life... if you don't you get prayed for in hopes that you will change your mind and heart... there will be no be-headings or guns pointed at you in an attempt to change your mind.

The Muslim religion asks you to do good also...but if you don't take their way yooouare an infidel and we know what they like to do to infidels

Now with that said Americans (most of them anyway) have no stomach for fighting over good and evil we just want money and stuff ... so giving ones life for the keeping of freedom is uncalled for and should be avoided at all costs....

Now that said If the birth rate of Muslim Immigrants is not kept in check buy out producing them in babies ...
Over a Million American babies a year are Aborted
American Family units are down to 1.5 children as opposed to the Muslim belief in huge families I think the average was close to 4.5 children ...
keeping the American way of life here ... If our Government doesnt close its borders and clean up
start supporting larger families
... Is it not safe to assume that the USA will be Muslim Country in the near future?

Yes I do see America becoming a Muslim country in 40-45 years... maybe sooner...
Paranoid?... I hope not.
If I am then no worries for everyone else.
I live here and I watch every day as my countrymen are bombarded with Liberal Media telling us "not to worry all of man kind will be at peace we just need to talk our way out and GIVE everyone what they want then you will be happy and peaceful"...I watch everyday as my countrymen fall into that trap...

Im going to stop here I tend to ramble and chase rabbits trying to prove a point... My loving wife has pointed this out to me several times.

one more thing there are Mosques being built on almost every corner in Florida ... well in the big cities anyway... and they are packed to the gills...

You managed to say a great deal there without providing me any statistical evidence what so ever to support your case. Nor did you display a formula that could be used to calculate your dramatic projection as to the demographic of the United States in 40 years time. I can only conclude that your claim is wild, baseless and without any foundation. What a total bummer. :down:

[The Avon Lady]

Let's just say possiblly somewhere between 40 and 100 years (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14952&only). :shifty:

[Konovalov]

Let's just say possiblly somewhere between 40 and 100 years (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14952&only). :shifty:

Little green vommit link and your post don't hold water. :shifty: I ask for facts and evidence and all I get is boo-hoo scare. :zzz:

[U-533]

We are being degraded from within...Demographics show America will be Muslim in 40 years. Seems we Americans better get off our collective BUTTS and do some baby making and learn how to keep our families together.

U-533,

Can you please provide evidence to support your assertion? How did you come to such a conclusion? Look forward to your evidence based reply. Thanks.

Working on it...:up:

I have had some work and computer problems ...but Im back in the saddle... please be patient.

Edited


I cannot find the site for the Southern Baptise Convention Preacher that I heard on the Radio...I am still looking.

But here is the site I believe he pulled his statements from... not really to sure about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States#Religious_affili ation

Yes yes I know ...it has a religious tone but I did say Muslim

as you look under the Population decreases and increases it shows and defiant drop in American Christians ... here I would like to point out that this shows some religions I do not consider to be true Christian Faiths ... that said if you look at the increase of immigrants and we know that as they enter the USA they bring their own religions and family values to bare on our way of life here in the USA.

Now the Christian Faith asks you to take responsibility for your actions and way of life... if you don't you get prayed for in hopes that you will change your mind and heart... there will be no be-headings or guns pointed at you in an attempt to change your mind.

The Muslim religion asks you to do good also...but if you don't take their way yooouare an infidel and we know what they like to do to infidels

Now with that said Americans (most of them anyway) have no stomach for fighting over good and evil we just want money and stuff ... so giving ones life for the keeping of freedom is uncalled for and should be avoided at all costs....

Now that said If the birth rate of Muslim Immigrants is not kept in check buy out producing them in babies ...
Over a Million American babies a year are Aborted
American Family units are down to 1.5 children as opposed to the Muslim belief in huge families I think the average was close to 4.5 children ...
keeping the American way of life here ... If our Government doesnt close its borders and clean up
start supporting larger families
... Is it not safe to assume that the USA will be Muslim Country in the near future?

Yes I do see America becoming a Muslim country in 40-45 years... maybe sooner...
Paranoid?... I hope not.
If I am then no worries for everyone else.
I live here and I watch every day as my countrymen are bombarded with Liberal Media telling us "not to worry all of man kind will be at peace we just need to talk our way out and GIVE everyone what they want then you will be happy and peaceful"...I watch everyday as my countrymen fall into that trap...

Im going to stop here I tend to ramble and chase rabbits trying to prove a point... My loving wife has pointed this out to me several times.

one more thing there are Mosques being built on almost every corner in Florida ... well in the big cities anyway... and they are packed to the gills...

You managed to say a great deal there without providing me any statistical evidence what so ever to support your case. Nor did you display a formula that could be used to calculate your dramatic projection as to the demographic of the United States in 40 years time. I can only conclude that your claim is wild, baseless and without any foundation. What a total bummer. :down:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Well Im sorry I only have 12 years of American education all the way though the 4th grade.
:rotfl: :rotfl: :roll:

[Konovalov]

No skin off my nose. :D

[The Avon Lady]

No skin off my nose. :D
Go out and get some sun. :sunny:

[Konovalov]

I would except for the fact that at this very moment it is wet and grey here in London with the sun no where to be seen. So this emoticon :sunny: is about as close as I will get to it. :down:

[The Avon Lady]

Let's just say possiblly somewhere between 40 and 100 years (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14952&only). :shifty:

Little green vommit link and your post don't hold water. :shifty: I ask for facts and evidence and all I get is boo-hoo scare. :zzz:
My post and LGF's entry only reflect what some Muslims themselves said. In no way did I mean to imply that these animal's ultimate goals are actually factual. LGF reader's general response, in fact, was to say "over their dead bodies".

So you and LGF commenters seem to actually agree. :yep: Vomitacious! :o

[Konovalov]

Let's just say possiblly somewhere between 40 and 100 years (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14952&only). :shifty:

Little green vommit link and your post don't hold water. :shifty: I ask for facts and evidence and all I get is boo-hoo scare. :zzz:
My post and LGF's entry only reflect what some Muslims themselves said. In no way did I mean to imply that these animal's ultimate goals are actually factual. LGF reader's general response, in fact, was to say "over their dead bodies".

So you and LGF commenters seem to actually agree. :yep: Vomitacious! :o

All of which in no way is an answer to my simple request for evidence and data that supports the wild claim made by U-533. :down:

[The Avon Lady]

Let's just say possiblly somewhere between 40 and 100 years (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14952&only). :shifty:

Little green vommit link and your post don't hold water. :shifty: I ask for facts and evidence and all I get is boo-hoo scare. :zzz:
My post and LGF's entry only reflect what some Muslims themselves said. In no way did I mean to imply that these animal's ultimate goals are actually factual. LGF reader's general response, in fact, was to say "over their dead bodies".

So you and LGF commenters seem to actually agree. :yep: Vomitacious! :o

All of which in no way is an answer to my simple request for evidence and data that supports the wild claim made by U-533. :down:
Indeed. I never meant it to be a scientific or statistical answer.

[dean_acheson]

I am here in the States, and the state of the union is good.

The election last year did not go well for my party, but it is always good to let somebody else try it for a bit, besides, Pelosi, Reid & Co. ought to be good for some laughs, and usually divided government has the possiblity of gridlock, which is how I like my government, gridlocked, and not working.

The economy here is good.

You still get ahead if you work hard.

Folks at the UN seem to hate the President, which means that he is #1 in my book! lol!

Now, once this Iran thing is taken care of.... life will seem pretty good!

[NEON DEON]

Let's just say possiblly somewhere between 40 and 100 years (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14952&only). :shifty:

Little green vommit link and your post don't hold water. :shifty: I ask for facts and evidence and all I get is boo-hoo scare. :zzz:
My post and LGF's entry only reflect what some Muslims themselves said. In no way did I mean to imply that these animal's ultimate goals are actually factual. LGF reader's general response, in fact, was to say "over their dead bodies".

So you and LGF commenters seem to actually agree. :yep: Vomitacious! :o

All of which in no way is an answer to my simple request for evidence and data that supports the wild claim made by U-533. :down:
Indeed. I never meant it to be a scientific or statistical answer.

I must say that the notion of Islam being the largest religion in the USA in 40 to 100 years is pure fanaticle paranoia.

Here is a list of the top four religions In the US from a study done in 2001.

Christianity 76.7% = 230,100,000
No religion 14.2% = 42,600,000
Jewish 1.4% = 4,200,000
Islam .6% = 1,800,000

I think you need to find something else to be worried about.;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States#Demographics

[Konovalov]

I forgot to add about my home. I think Australia is doing pretty well. The guy I voted for, Little Johnny is still PM. It has been a long time in office and poor Peter Costello (stuck as Treasurer) has been waiting to take over as leader for years. Keep waiting Peter. Prime Minister Howard is like the little Energizer Bunny. He just keeps going on and on. The economy is stable and performing ok. Steady yet low unemployment. Apart from that the nation is dry. It seems the country is in a permanent state of drought. All in all we still are the lucky country and when you reside overseas you realise that even more. Ok, homesick now. :down:

[U-533]

Let's just say possiblly somewhere between 40 and 100 years (http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=14952&only). :shifty:

Little green vommit link and your post don't hold water. :shifty: I ask for facts and evidence and all I get is boo-hoo scare. :zzz:
My post and LGF's entry only reflect what some Muslims themselves said. In no way did I mean to imply that these animal's ultimate goals are actually factual. LGF reader's general response, in fact, was to say "over their dead bodies".

So you and LGF commenters seem to actually agree. :yep: Vomitacious! :o

All of which in no way is an answer to my simple request for evidence and data that supports the wild claim made by U-533. :down:
Indeed. I never meant it to be a scientific or statistical answer.

I must say that the notion of Islam being the largest religion in the USA in 40 to 100 years is pure fanaticle paranoia.

Here is a list of the top four religions In the US from a study done in 2001.

Christianity 76.7% = 230,100,000
No religion 14.2% = 42,600,000
Jewish 1.4% = 4,200,000
Islam .6% = 1,800,000

I think you need to find something else to be worried about.;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States#Demographics

=========================

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/BreakPoint/archives.asp?bcd=1/3/2007

Wait I for got the title BRB...

Here it is "Nothing to hold on to" or "America Alone"

I am still looking for the web site from the man who said "America Muslim in 40"

And Im not really worried just concerned a whole bunch.

[The Avon Lady]

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/BreakPoint/archives.asp?bcd=1/3/2007
Common sense broadcast. :yep:
Here it is "Nothing to hold on to" or "America Alone"
Mark Steyn's book: America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It (http://www.amazon.com/America-Alone-End-World-Know/dp/0895260786/sr=1-1/qid=1169034332/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1410328-2591853?ie=UTF8&s=books).