Let's discuss how America is better than all of the other countries in the world.

[Solace]

What do you think of how America is a hegemony?

[Raptor1]

Clearly in no way superior to the most glorious Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

[Radtgaeb]

Grammar Nazi Powers ACTIVATE!

I think you meant to say "...America is a hegemon." I'll forgive you. :woot:

Anyway. As I've stated in another thread. We had our time, of which, we are at the trail end. We're hemorrhaging jobs and once those are all gone, we will have no purchasing power; which, I believe, is the only thing that's keeping us secure. That and our military, which I will cede, is probably the best standing armed force presently existing (although definitely not the biggest).

[Krauter]

Obviously North Korea is better.

1) Their leader shoots multiple hole in one's every time he plays golf.

2) Their leader had a double (that's right TWO :o ) rainbows appear when he was born.

3) North Korea is Best Korea.

Krauter

[Penguin]

Clearly in no way superior to the most glorious Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha? Pah!

Viva la Gotha-Saxe and Coburg Duchy! (and the popular front :03:)

[yubba]

If the Lefty Dems have their way, we will be just like everybody else, no better and just as screwed up, it is shameful what our government is doing, our country is great but the government is FUBAR. Oh how long do you think we got before the FCC will want too shut down this site?

[Growler]

America rules for one reason, two words:


Jack Burton.

[frau kaleun]

Freedonia über alles!

[Weiss Pinguin]

Obviously North Korea is better.

1) Their leader shoots multiple hole in one's every time he plays golf.

2) Their leader had a double (that's right TWO :o ) rainbows appear when he was born.

3) North Korea is Best Korea.

Krauter
4) THE DEAR LEADER INVENTED THE HAMBURGER

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CsoEHxuCzQA/SgA5VfIyUWI/AAAAAAAAANM/LOa4LVEGpUo/s400/cheeseburger1.jpg

Which means he wins every Nobel peace prize ever in the history of the world.

[AVGWarhawk]

Let's discuss trolls again. :up:

[onelifecrisis]

What, I have to type an answer? I can't be arsed with that. Can't you just post a poll instead?

[frau kaleun]

What, I have to type an answer? I can't be arsed with that. Can't you just post a poll instead?

Possibly, but we'd need to take a poll about that first.

[frau kaleun]

4) THE DEAR LEADER INVENTED THE HAMBURGER

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CsoEHxuCzQA/SgA5VfIyUWI/AAAAAAAAANM/LOa4LVEGpUo/s400/cheeseburger1.jpg

Which means he wins every Nobel peace prize ever in the history of the world.

That's not a hamburger, that's a bacon cheeseburger, which as we all know is the Nobelist of all culinary creations.

[onelifecrisis]

Possibly, but we'd need to take a poll about that first.

Hmm. Would 13 year olds be able to vote on it?

[Krauter]

Of course 13 year olds can!

Only those who are 22+ can't :haha:

[AVGWarhawk]

That's not a hamburger, that's a bacon cheeseburger, which as we all know is the Nobelist of all culinary creations.

It is made in America and this is what makes America great! :O:

[frau kaleun]

Hmm. Would 13 year olds be able to vote on it?

Nah, they're too busy in school, you know, chillin' and havin' sex with 21 year olds and dreamin' of ongoing world domination. Plus mommy cut off their internet access.

[AVGWarhawk]

http://images.sodahead.com/profiles/0/0/1/1/6/7/4/7/2/fffffffffffffffffff-23537953827.jpeg

[Takeda Shingen]

I think we all know what is tops.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:fLG19kcHFJqb2M:http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w173/benderillo/north-korea-is-best-korea-1.jpg&t=1

[GoldenRivet]

I think that any citizen of any nation who is to be worth anything should think of his own country as being the best there is, even if it clearly isn't.

Do i think the United States of America is the best nation on Earth?

When someone asks me that question, i think back to two people.

One is my grandfather.

He gained employment at the age of 15 during the second world war aboard a tanker. This tanker transported oil to the UK and Europe numerous times throughout the later years of the war with him aboard. His job, clean the oil storage tanks aboard the tanker so that other materials could be loaded safely. Fuel Oil, Mineral Oil, AvGas, Water etc etc. For years he would stand in that muck and clean the filth off the walls and floor of the tanks.

From this lowly position, he worked his way up to first mate, and eventually captain of heavy lift ships.

His job now became one of transporting badly needed materials to developing countries. His cargo would grow to included the main elements for the first nuclear reactor in South Korea. At one point he captained a ship so massive that there were only 2 places on earth it could put into port.

In his 40 years at sea, he had been to nearly every nation with a port. Every nation great and small, powerful and meek.

Once while he spoke of his adventures and his time at sea, I recall him saying "We have more opportunity, more individual freedom, more abundance and we do more to help others than any other nation I've personally seen with my own eyes. For all its faults; America truly is the greatest nation on the Earth and I count myself extraordinarily lucky to live there."

There is a problem i have noticed with today's youth.

they have a self loathing attitude. They have this sort of disgust about their nationality. Many of them don't believe America is the best nation on Earth.

maybe its because they have grown up with everything they ever needed being almost instantly attainable? Hungry? drive 5 minutes to the burger joint, or to the grocery store?

but they must be constantly reminded that there are nations out there still today where a young person does not have the slightest idea where the next meal will come from, where the next few scant ounces of fresh water will be found... or whether or not they will survive to see the next day.

The other person i think of is a young orphan from Honduras.

My wife doesnt even know this about my family...

When i was a boy about 8 years old, my father adopted a young child from Honduras to be my brother.

this young man was about my age. he came to live with us. He suffered terribly from malnutrition, scoliosis had warped his spine, he weighed half as much as I did. His family had abandoned him onto the street and his sole possession was a door mat infested with fleas which served as his bed.

When he boarded the plane with my father, he settled in as the plane began to taxi. My father told him he was going to miss the best part, but the young man assured my father that such a great journey at this slow pace would take many days.

his view of the world would never be the same as the airplane streaked into the air off of that runway, i am told his eyes were like saucers.

While in the US, my father saw to it that he received expert medical care. In between his trips to the doctor we would play like young kids will do, blind to our differences.

I remember once, while he was living with us for the first few days we went to the local grocery store. he swore that we were angels and his plane ride was the ascent to heaven... as gathering such an abundance of food in any place but heaven was impossible.







Yeah


America is the greatest nation on the Earth by a country mile.

and any young person in America who doesnt think that needs a good ass kicking.

[Weiss Pinguin]

Of course 13 year olds can!

Only those who are 22+ can't :haha:
No no no, 13-29 is okay, but anyone else is out of luck.

[frau kaleun]

Oh how long do you think we got before the FCC will want too shut down this site?

I understand that's on the Teenagist platform right after letting 13 year olds vote and legalizing sex with minors. :yeah:

[Takeda Shingen]

I think that any citizen of any nation who is to be worth anything should think of his own country as being the best there is, even if it clearly isn't.

Do i think the United States of America is the best nation on Earth?

When someone asks me that question, i think back to two people.

One is my grandfather.

He gained employment at the age of 15 during the second world war aboard a tanker. This tanker transported oil to the UK and Europe numerous times throughout the later years of the war with him aboard. His job, clean the oil storage tanks aboard the tanker so that other materials could be loaded safely. Fuel Oil, Mineral Oil, AvGas, Water etc etc. For years he would stand in that muck and clean the filth off the walls and floor of the tanks.

From this lowly position, he worked his way up to first mate, and eventually captain of heavy lift ships.

His job now became one of transporting badly needed materials to developing countries. His cargo would grow to included the main elements for the first nuclear reactor in South Korea. At one point he captained a ship so massive that there were only 2 places on earth it could put into port.

In his 40 years at sea, he had been to nearly every nation with a port. Every nation great and small, powerful and meek.

Once while he spoke of his adventures and his time at sea, I recall him saying "We have more opportunity, more individual freedom, more abundance and we do more to help others than any other nation I've personally seen with my own eyes. For all its faults; America truly is the greatest nation on the Earth and I count myself extraordinarily lucky to live there."

There is a problem i have noticed with today's youth.

they have a self loathing attitude. They have this sort of disgust about their nationality. Many of them don't believe America is the best nation on Earth.

maybe its because they have grown up with everything they ever needed being almost instantly attainable? Hungry? drive 5 minutes to the burger joint, or to the grocery store?

but they must be constantly reminded that there are nations out there still today where a young person does not have the slightest idea where the next meal will come from, where the next few scant ounces of fresh water will be found... or whether or not they will survive to see the next day.

The other person i think of is a young orphan from Honduras.

My wife doesnt even know this about my family...

When i was a boy about 8 years old, my father adopted a young child from Honduras to be my brother.

this young man was about my age. he came to live with us. He suffered terribly from malnutrition, scoliosis had warped his spine, he weighed half as much as I did. His family had abandoned him onto the street and his sole possession was a door mat infested with fleas which served as his bed.

When he boarded the plane with my father, he settled in as the plane began to taxi. My father told him he was going to miss the best part, but the young man assured my father that such a great journey at this slow pace would take many days.

his view of the world would never be the same as the airplane streaked into the air off of that runway, i am told his eyes were like saucers.

While in the US, my father saw to it that he received expert medical care. In between his trips to the doctor we would play like young kids will do, blind to our differences.

I remember once, while he was living with us for the first few days we went to the local grocery store. he swore that we were angels and his plane ride was the ascent to heaven... as gathering such an abundance of food in any place but heaven was impossible.







Yeah


America is the greatest nation on the Earth by a country mile.

and any young person in America who doesnt think that needs a good ass kicking.

Solace's assertion is quite the opposite. Much of this thread is in response to my claim that the United States of America is a setting sun, so to speak. I believe that numerous factors point to this inevitability, but included his stated attitude that school was for 'chillin with your friends' and economic conditions on the short list of reasons. I await your ass kicking.

[GoldenRivet]

the United States of America is a setting sun, so to speak. I believe that numerous factors point to this inevitability

I don't disagree.

I'm just saying that more rests on the shoulders of our youth than they can possibly imagine.

[TLAM Strike]

Why are we the best? Simple we got the biggest decks... :yep:



yea you head me! :shifty:


The deck on some of our anphibs are bigger than the ones on some nation's carriers but they are so small we don't even consider them aircraft carriers in our navy.
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/2249/800pxprincipedeasturias.jpg
And its not like we got one big one, we got a bunch of them! We got more than everyone else put together! :rock:
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5556/800pxfleet5nations.jpg
^Pictured the entire French and Britsh navy and 1/20 of the US Navy...

[Krauter]

That is an amazing post GoldenRivet.

Particularly the Honduran child is a very amazing story. If you don't mind me asking, what happened to the child and how are they today?

On the note of your grandfather, that too is an amazing story, however, and don't take this as an insult to America or your grandfather, but I think his story is more a story of how North American society rewards HARD WORK and PERSEVERANCE with opportunities.

These two abilities our youth of today seem to lack. Perhaps it is, as you mentioned, a lack of difficulty in our young lives that makes us believe everything should be so easy (Indeed, moving out of my parents house and attending University 9 hours away and living by myself has opened my eyes to see how difficult the real world is). But the mindset of the youth and young adults has dramatically changed between 1939-1945 to the present.

don't disagree.

I'm just saying that more rests on the shoulders of our youth than they can possibly imagine.

Totally agreed. I think it is the mindset of our youth today (heck I'm self-critisizing myself here too..) that will be the downfall of many great nations that were forged in the 20th Century

Just my two cents..

Krauter

[Radtgaeb]

I salute your post, Golden. That was touching.

I just hope I can do my part as a young American to fix the problems that we're going to be facing. :-\

[Takeda Shingen]

I don't disagree.

I'm just saying that more rests on the shoulders of our youth than they can possibly imagine.

Please don't think I was confronting you. I was just pointing out that Solace wasn't saying that 'America sucks'. He was arguing quite the opposite.

For what it is worth, my heart wants to believe what you wrote, but my brain says that we're in some serious sh!t.

[Cohaagen]

Only a nation as great as the US can get the world to unite under one flag. It looks just like the American one, but on fire.

Just kidding. Measured by population tonnage, America is clearly the greatest country on Earth.

PS: GoldenRivet, I get emails like that too. You can stop them by clicking "Spam".

[Takeda Shingen]

^Pictured the entire French and Britsh navy and 1/20 of the US Navy...

We won't be going to war with the British or the French. It's not them I am worried about, as they will be our allies, not our enemies.

[mookiemookie]

One can be proud of their homeland, but the idea of American Exceptionalism, and the idea that we're the best ever at everything, is stunningly arrogant, ignorant, conceited and self important. To think that one is above any sort of criticism, and to discount the notion that others may have a better way to do things is foolish.

Americans should cherish their culture, the ideals we strive for and the good aspects of our country. The opportunities available, the progress we've made and our values our country holds dear. But we should not lose sight of the fact that we have many flaws and foibles, we have dark times in our history, and have been flat out wrong at times. To say so is not unpatriotic. To say so is being a rational adult who sees the world as it is, instead of some imagined storyland place. To ignore reality in favor of some imagined idea of American Exceptionalism is foolish and a danger to our country.

That being said, I think the proclamations of America's decline are very, very overblown. If there's one thing history's taught, it's to never underestimate the United States.

[the_tyrant]

Why america is better than the damn nazis:
http://mydisguises.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ww2-superheroes-3.jpg
http://planetoddity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/super-hero-7.jpg
http://planetoddity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/super-hero-1.jpg
http://planetoddity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/super-hero-8.jpg
http://mydisguises.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ww2-superheroes-4.jpg
http://hiphotos.baidu.com/%D2%B9%D2%B9%BA%CD%D0%B3/pic/item/5324bef87272931e4e4aeae7.jpg
http://hiphotos.baidu.com/%C1%B9%B3%CF%B0%D7%D1%C7/pic/item/04308f228d7bdf7f925807a2.jpg

[Takeda Shingen]

One can be proud of their homeland, but the idea of American Exceptionalism, and the idea that we're the best ever at everything, is stunningly arrogant, ignorant, conceited and self important. To think that one is above any sort of criticism, and to discount the notion that others may have a better way to do things is foolish.

Americans should cherish their culture, the ideals we strive for and the good aspects of our country. The opportunities available, the progress we've made and our values our country holds dear. But we should not lose sight of the fact that we have many flaws and foibles, we have dark times in our history, and have been flat out wrong at times. To say so is not unpatriotic. To say so is being a rational adult who sees the world as it is, instead of some imagined storyland place. To ignore reality in favor of some imagined idea of American Exceptionalism is foolish and a danger to our country.

That being said, I think the proclamations of America's decline are very, very overblown. If there's one thing history's taught, it's to never underestimate the United States.

I agree completely (minus the decline part). Governments are run by people, and people are corruptible. As such, deifying a government or style of governance is a very dangerous thing to do.

[Growler]

That being said, I think the proclamations of America's decline are very, very overblown. If there's one thing history's taught, it's to never underestimate the United States.

Maybe we Americans would do well to remember that - and live up to it. A good start might be turning off our TVs and getting out into our communities again. When we work together, we are indeed an amazing nation.

[Krauter]

And where is our OP trying to discuss how America is so great?

Mookie though I agree with the first part of your post, it is also my belief that Americans also rely too heavily on the last part of your post.

America WILL rebound from its decline, but who's to say it will happen this decade or in another Generation :hmmm: As I stated in a different post, I believe the path America is on will follow in the footsteps of the USSR.

Please don't take this as a comparison to the Communist USSR, rather I believe that, as the USSR was a superpower that collapsed for a number of reason, so too do I believe that the U.S will fall (Not collapse and disintegrate mind you). It is my belief that no superpower can stand alone without competition nor huge resource production, two things the U.S is lacking currently. After a superpower lacks competition, there is no incentive to keep pushing, and thus after a time, it will consume itself. Indeed, the amount of debt that America owes to the new budding superpower, China, is staggering.

Please don't take this as a knock against the states, rather this is just my un-proffessional opinion and prediction of what will happen to the States.

Edit: Sorry thought just came to me as I clicked submit; but perhaps this modern day and age isn't really America falling back as a nation, but rather, the rest of the world catching up to America as it remains stagnant? What do you think?

[onelifecrisis]

I think overt patriotism has been unfashionable in western Europe for quite a while now. And I think that's a good thing.

[frau kaleun]

And where is our OP trying to discuss how America is so great?

I suspect he's too busy starting another thread titled "Let's Discuss How You Stopped Beating Your Wife." :D

[Growler]

I suspect he's too busy starting another thread titled "Let's Discuss How You Stopped Beating Your Wife." :D

Wait... when was I supposed to start?

[Krauter]

Wait... when was I supposed to start?

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[I-25]

I'm all for the glorious tequila wielding United states of Mexico
BOW BEFORE US
http://stoptheinvasionoforegon.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/mexico.jpg

and dont forget kids..
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images/users/uploads/10959/Funny_Sign_In_Mexico_by_Genius_and_Clueless.jpg






FYI.... United States of Mexico is the official full name of Mexico

[AVGWarhawk]

One can be proud of their homeland, but the idea of American Exceptionalism, and the idea that we're the best ever at everything, is stunningly arrogant, ignorant, conceited and self important. To think that one is above any sort of criticism, and to discount the notion that others may have a better way to do things is foolish.

Americans should cherish their culture, the ideals we strive for and the good aspects of our country. The opportunities available, the progress we've made and our values our country holds dear. But we should not lose sight of the fact that we have many flaws and foibles, we have dark times in our history, and have been flat out wrong at times. To say so is not unpatriotic. To say so is being a rational adult who sees the world as it is, instead of some imagined storyland place. To ignore reality in favor of some imagined idea of American Exceptionalism is foolish and a danger to our country.

That being said, I think the proclamations of America's decline are very, very overblown. If there's one thing history's taught, it's to never underestimate the United States.


Plus the fact that hundreds are jumping the fence daily! Must be something in the US that is making it great! :03:

[I-25]

Plus the fact that Thousands are jumping the fence daily! Must be something in the US that is making it great! :03:

fixed it for you:DL

[Krauter]

Hah half of them ended up in my home town anyways :)

But seriously, North Korea is Best

[AVGWarhawk]

fixed it for you:DL


:yeah:

[Bubblehead1980]

One can be proud of their homeland, but the idea of American Exceptionalism, and the idea that we're the best ever at everything, is stunningly arrogant, ignorant, conceited and self important. To think that one is above any sort of criticism, and to discount the notion that others may have a better way to do things is foolish.

Americans should cherish their culture, the ideals we strive for and the good aspects of our country. The opportunities available, the progress we've made and our values our country holds dear. But we should not lose sight of the fact that we have many flaws and foibles, we have dark times in our history, and have been flat out wrong at times. To say so is not unpatriotic. To say so is being a rational adult who sees the world as it is, instead of some imagined storyland place. To ignore reality in favor of some imagined idea of American Exceptionalism is foolish and a danger to our country.

That being said, I think the proclamations of America's decline are very, very overblown. If there's one thing history's taught, it's to never underestimate the United States.


Mookie, nothing wrong with American Exceptionalism, we would be better off if libs would just see that but they'd rather talk down about the US and apologize as Barry O is famous for doing.Of course America is not perfect, no nation is but we are an exceptional nation, have been since the day we were founded and it is not foolish or arrogant to say so.

I do agree that the decline is overblown.We are in trouble and must change course soon but we will bounce back better than ever.

[I-25]

http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Everyone%20Else/images-8/north-korea-is-best-korea.jpg

[longam]

Its amazing how many world economy's go down when ours tanks out.

[Krauter]

It just proves how everything is interconnected.

Sorry for my french education but I'm not sure what the english term is,

but Mondialisation I believe is the right term for this no?

[Growler]

Globalization is the word, Krauter. :)

[Krauter]

Ahh thank you :) That's the one problem with an education in another language :( I know what I want to say, just can't vocalize it :DL

[Growler]

You did fine, my friend.

[Krauter]

To try and get back on track (sort-of)

What do you think the emerging super powers of China and India will do to the U.S?

Obviously I don't think that they'll be overcoming them in the military sector? But in others such as politically, culturally and economically, how do you think they'll affect the U.S in the next few years/decade?

[ETR3(SS)]

What do you think of how America is a hegemony?If you want to discuss how America is better than all of the other countries in the world, shouldn't you involve yourself in the discussion that you started?

[Krauter]

I believe he's sitting in a corner trying to decide how to come up with another useless poll.

Either that, or SubSims shown its remarkable ability to get rid of trolls :DL

[ETR3(SS)]

I believe he's sitting in a corner trying to decide how to come up with another useless poll.

Either that, or SubSims shown its remarkable ability to get rid of trolls :DLI prefer a more direct approach at the door, but hey if it works. Besides I'm sure it takes time to write and copy/paste the same thing to 2 dozen forums.

[Krauter]

It's also probably a nuisance he's not an admin here too. Kind of hard to enforce your opinion when you have no authority

[Solace]

One can be proud of their homeland, but the idea of American Exceptionalism, and the idea that we're the best ever at everything, is stunningly arrogant, ignorant, conceited and self important. To think that one is above any sort of criticism, and to discount the notion that others may have a better way to do things is foolish.

Americans should cherish their culture, the ideals we strive for and the good aspects of our country. The opportunities available, the progress we've made and our values our country holds dear. But we should not lose sight of the fact that we have many flaws and foibles, we have dark times in our history, and have been flat out wrong at times. To say so is not unpatriotic. To say so is being a rational adult who sees the world as it is, instead of some imagined storyland place. To ignore reality in favor of some imagined idea of American Exceptionalism is foolish and a danger to our country.

That being said, I think the proclamations of America's decline are very, very overblown. If there's one thing history's taught, it's to never underestimate the United States.
You do realize that like 80-95% of Americans believe that America is better than all of the other countries in the world, right?

[Solace]

I prefer a more direct approach at the door, but hey if it works. Besides I'm sure it takes time to write and copy/paste the same thing to 2 dozen forums.
206 actually.

[Takeda Shingen]

You do realize that like 80-95% of Americans believe that America is better than all of the other countries in the world, right?

Link?

[Skybird]

You do realize that like 80-95% of Americans believe that America is better than all of the other countries in the world, right?

And do you realise that US-Americans form only 4.5% of world population? ;)

[Task Force]

I will never look at america as better than any other country, we all have done bad things in their history, and america is still young in terms of countrys. Who knows how things will go in its future.

[Takeda Shingen]

I begin to get the feeling that we are lending undue credibility to the OP.

[mookiemookie]

You do realize that like 80-95% of Americans believe that America is better than all of the other countries in the world, right?

So? Belief in something doesn't make it true.

[razark]

You do realize that like 80-95% of Americans believe that America is better than all of the other countries in the world, right?
And the point of that is?

Wishing doesn't make it so.

[Platapus]

Why does any country need to be "better" than another country?

[Krauter]

It shouldn't, if any citizen feels proud to be part of their country, then it is a country worth living in.

[Sailor Steve]

What makes a country "great"? America is a nation full of people. We supposedly have a freely elected government, and yet the national pastime is complaining about that very government. Go ahead, Yubba/Torvald, now is your chance to once again divert the true discussion by blaming it on the Libs/Cons. But that is also a favorite sport in most other countries.

America was the first country to be created out of whole cloth, based on principles rather than domination, coercion or subjection. But it wasn't from thin air. Those principles were adapted from the ideas of ancient and contemporary philosophers, and developed from a Europe that was in the process of reinventing itself. Being on a different continent helped accelerate the change, and the principles adapted here found their way back to the mother countries. Our forbears shaped the ideas that created America, and America bounced them right back to influence the rest of the world.

But people and times change. Today we still talk about freedom, but we hand over the reins of power to whoever will take care of us. The same is true anywhere, and every nation has its ups and downs. I see many Americans, including some on these boards, who are more concerned with the idea of America being strong, or great, than with the ideals that made us what we are in the first place.

America still has the strongest military in the world, but that's not what made us great in the first place. Today many other countries live by the ideals of freedom and justice, and are every bit as good as any.

And that's my point. Is America a better place to live than any other advanced modern nation? Ask Dowly. Ask Jimbuna. Ask McBeck. Ask Skybird. No, we are not "better", but we are just as good, and that's what really counts. It's the ideals that America is supposed to stand for, not the country itself. National pride is fine. National arrogance is not.

[Platapus]

Nicely put. :yeah:

[onelifecrisis]

What makes a country "great"?

Thank you, Steve, for writing what I couldn't be arsed to.

[mookiemookie]

And that's my point. Is America a better place to live than any other advanced modern nation? Ask Dowly. Ask Jimbuna. Ask McBeck. Ask Skybird. No, we are not "better", but we are just as good, and that's what really counts. It's the ideals that America is supposed to stand for, not the country itself. National pride is fine. National arrogance is not.

Great way of putting it, Steve. :salute:

[Skybird]

I think it is helpful to never forget that nowadays there is a big difference between how a country was meant to be (usually basic documents like constitutions etc. give a hint), and how it really is. The dream always beats reality. And of course it is fair to say that some countries are better to live in than others. Nobody with a sane mind wpould chnage his home for a life in let's say Somalia or Bangladesh. The range of freedom available in various countries, is wide.

The probvlem with modern Wetsern nations is not how they once were meant and designed and planned to be. The founding principles of the US are great. The modern German constitution is not less so. The way these principles are secretly being eroded, perverted, abolished and taken away is what turns them into societies that are anything but democratic or free. Much of what I see in Germany happeniong, the slogans and paroles being used by poiliticians instead of reasonmablke arguments, remind me of the former GDR. The EU behaves like the central committee of the USSR. Americe slowly seems to shift towards a somewhat militaristic, totalitarian model. None of all this was laid or can be explained by the founding pricniples of these countries and institutions - but by the explciit ignoration if not even intended violation of these.

Take this quote by the current chief of the Euro-group, Jean-Claude Juncker.

"Wir beschließen etwas, stellen das dann in den Raum und warten einige Zeit ab, ob was passiert. Wenn es dann kein großes Geschrei gibt und keine Aufstände, weil die meisten gar nicht begreifen, was da beschlossen wurde, dann machen wir weiter - Schritt für Schritt, bis es kein Zurück mehr gibt.” (SPIEGEL 52/1999)

"We decide something, set it up in public space and then wait a while to see if something happens. If there is no big turmoil and no rebellion, because most people do not even understand what it is that was decided, then we move on - step by step until there is no more return."

That speaks for itself. Damn bastard. Like all others in the EU, he is just after more totalitarian control for the bureaucrats and beyond the reach of the people of Europe, and German tax money from German workers. Maybe because Belgium, with third or second highest debt level in the EU after Greece, is starting to falter, too?

[Tchocky]

In America they think 100 years is a long time, and in Europe they think 100 miles is a long way.


*obligatory thumbs-up to Sailor Steve's post*

[onelifecrisis]

In America they think 100 years is a long time, and in Europe they think 100 miles is a long way.

Good one :DL

[August]

Of course America is better than all other countries. It's just like how my wife is the prettiest woman in the universe or that my Patriots are the best team in football.

It doesn't mean that it's true (although it is ;)), or that it's provable, or even that we truly believe it ourselves. It's just the American way of displaying pride and team spirit.

After all, only an idiot would think the phrase "USA Roolz!" means that we are claiming ownership over the world.

[mookiemookie]

Of course America is better than all other countries. It's just like how my wife is the prettiest woman in the universe or that my Patriots are the best team in football.

Good way of looking at it!

[GoldenRivet]

Of course America is better than all other countries. It's just like how my wife is the prettiest woman in the universe or that my cowboys are the best team in football.

It doesn't mean that it's true (although it is ;)), or that it's provable, or even that we truly believe it ourselves. It's just the American way of displaying pride and team spirit.

After all, only an idiot would think the phrase "USA Roolz!" means that we are claiming ownership over the world.

This



oh and fixed

[Takeda Shingen]

The Cowboys? The soon-to-be 4-9 Cowboys?

I hear that the CFL is looking for teams. :O:

[mookiemookie]

Q: What do you call a Dallas Cowboy with a Superbowl ring?
A: Old