What is the state of your country?

Camaero · 01-05-07, 06:16 AM

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

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 · 01-05-07, 06:25 AM

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

Melonfish · 01-05-07, 06:53 AM

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

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

The Avon Lady · 01-05-07, 07:14 AM

Michigan-ah.

Fish · 01-05-07, 07:27 AM

We are doing fine I think, for the moment.

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

STEED · 01-05-07, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danlisa

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 · 01-05-07, 05:36 PM

Cant complain

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

U-533 · 01-05-07, 06:32 AM

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.

U-533 · 01-05-07, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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...

Learn who Jesus Christ the son of God is.

CCIP · 01-05-07, 07:28 PM

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 · 01-11-07, 11:03 AM

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 · 01-11-07, 11:47 AM

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.

Konovalov · 01-12-07, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

U-533 · 01-14-07, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konovalov

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...

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/Demogra...us_affiliation

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 · 01-15-07, 05:12 AM

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.

01-05-07, 06:16 AM	#1
Camaero The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA, Massachusetts Posts: 1,477 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	What is the state of your country? 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 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. __________________

01-05-07, 06:25 AM	#2
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	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 __________________

01-05-07, 07:14 AM	#4
The Avon Lady Über Mom Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jerusalem, Israel Posts: 6,147 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Michigan-ah. __________________ "Victory will come to us from the wombs of our women." - Houari Boumedienne, President of Algeria, Speech before the UN, 1974

01-05-07, 05:36 PM	#7
Tchocky Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,874 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Cant complain That said, I'm living in the US until September... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

01-05-07, 07:28 PM	#10
CCIP Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 8,700 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 2	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. __________________ There are only forty people in the world and five of them are hamburgers. -Don Van Vliet** (aka Captain Beefheart)

01-05-07, 06:53 AM	#3
Melonfish XO Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Warrington, UK Posts: 417 Downloads: 106 Uploads: 0	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 i could go on but for the sake of my own sanity and yours i'll stop here... pete

01-05-07, 07:27 AM	#5
Fish Eternal Patrol Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,923 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We are doing fine I think, for the moment. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/6/35/20213240.pdf

01-05-07, 06:32 AM	#8
U-533 Samurai Navy Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: On my Boat Posts: 594 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	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.

01-11-07, 11:03 AM	#11
Dan D Grey Wolf Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: 9th Flotilla Posts: 839 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	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. __________________

01-11-07, 11:47 AM	#12
ABBAFAN Commander Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 456 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ CHOOSE RFA! LESS GRAFT, MORE PAY.

01-15-07, 05:12 AM	#15
Tronics A-ganger Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 78 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	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.