Quote:
Originally Posted by KG_Jag
In less than 7 generations the U.S. went from a handful of frontier hicks to the most powerful nation in the world--in all respects, including economically. We must be doing a great deal that works. The core of our success is individual freedom, small government (until now), capitalism and the ability of the people to throw out the politicos every 2, 4 and 6 years--depending on the office.
The U.S. was founded on the concept that we were to be very different than Europe. It was a good idea then and just as good an idea now. Apparently many former Europeans agree because a great many came here from there, including my own ancestors. The flow of immigrants from the U.S. to Europe? A few Hollywood guys and a handful of others.
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I won't even try and tell you how complex the set of question you set are as it is too late for me to concentrate properly. Suffice to say, there are many variables which concern immigration in the past and present.
Plus I was never, and I believe most Europeans do the same as I do, talking about the greatness of a state. That is purely subjective, limited only by ones ability of self-denial about the true state of the world. No, we are talking about human beings which make up the state and the society. A state may be great, yet at what human cost. How does the old maxim go, What you do not see, doesn't hurt you? Yes, you might have a great state if measured in the number of people, troops, technology. Do you have any idea how many natural resources the USA have/had? Christ, put Europeans there (which is in fact a stupid division, as we are the same, the differences we perceive today appeared after your separation from the United Kingdom).
Yet do you have a majority of the population which is happy? Are the people, which you Americans so fondly mention, with all their rights; are they truly happy? It is impossible for everyone to be happy (even the idea of happiness is subjective, let's just say it is connected with life in general), yet I believe Europeans do sleep and feel better knowing there is a net, created and fought for by them, which will help them when the
laissez-faire will let them down, not by their action or their own volition, yet due to the system itself. The ending statement was adeptly said by Biggles, read his response.