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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 7:00:27 AM | I would also have a couple issues with the way the question is worded...starting with the use of the word "still"...
Now, before anyone assumes this is American-bashing, it's not. I have had a singularly good one-on-one history with Americans, and by and large find them to be friendly, caring, good people and no better or worse than the average citizen from any other country...
However, as a whole, the American mindset is a disaster. As far as the idea that everyone thinks their country is the best, it's really not the case. I love Canada, and prefer it to others because of familiarity and because, hell, they make better beer than Finns on the average... but one of the things about being a Canadian also is that we are essentially without a rallying identity. We are also keenly aware of our nation's shortcomings, and I've found just about every other country in the world is also.
But the vast majority of Americans are absolutely certain of their superiority, in both economic ideology (capitalism at all costs) and also moral certainty (God Bless the U.S.A.).
A number of major economic and social problems plague the United States...problems that are by and large ignored, on the whole, by the government and populace, and grow at an alarming rate as a result. This isn't new, nor unique to the U.S. I mean, Canadians allow the slow erosion of the French culture, which has been enshrined in our constitution, and seemingly have very little care about it as it happens. So this isn't a reason for slamming the U.S.
But some of the 'values' that the majority of Americans espouse, and some of the laws/policies the governments (state and federal) continually uphold are simply breathtaking in their simplicity and ignorance. A couple of examples...
Guns. The U.S. policy on gun ownership is simply breathtaking. The battle to make a gun control law, that limits the number of guns an individual can buy over the course of a month...or to try to outlaw the purchase of certain types of purely military hardware...well, the united states is unique in its inability to stop this. The rest of the world, with very few exceptions, and certainly every other western world, has put strict controls on purchasing firearms. A constitutional right to bear arms, nearly 200 years old and implemented for purposes that disappeared decades ago (including in case they need to overthrow the government, if they start getting a bit weird...) can and should be changed. The international community looks at the american policy to gun ownership, by and large, the same way that an orderly in a mental hospital looks at a big, dangerous, but obviously deranged patient.
Capital Punishment. Now, this is mostly a state issue, but the reality is that the Federal government hasn't stepped in where it really should. The united states executes prisoners at a level that I believe puts them in relatively limited company (Iran, one african dictatorship and I believe perhaps China). States have executed those diagnosed as mentally retarded. They have executed those who were children when they committed the crime. What company does the U.S. keep on this policy? No one. No other country does this...and not because the rest of the world is led by bleeding heart liberals.
These are two examples...others include the non-separation of church and state, the almost pathological sense of patriotism, the christening of the almighty dollar as the measure of an individual's worth...many others...which all put the U.S. in a fairly unique light, and not necessarily a good one in the eyes of the rest of the world.
So, if "still" counts...it counts probably for a select few Americans...the rest of the world, as I've seen it, looks at the U.S. with a fair amount of amusement, a considerable amount of nervousness and, generally speaking, very little in the way of jealousy.
(steps off soap box, apologizes for babbling, and slinks off quietly into the dark...) | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 8:02:33 AM | I dont know...i keep getting told im jealous of America...not sure what im supposed to be jealous of exactly...maybe the high crime rate, lunatic gun lobbyists, haute cuisine, shallowness, celebrity cult, cars that appear to be made out of plastic...who knows...
I must be jealous..surely..???
lol | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 8:37:29 AM | Thanks, everyone who responded so far. I beleive Americans are what keeps the good ship USA afloat. I've worked in Seattle. Great town, really friendly. Canada is not friendly. Polite, yes, but friendly not quite. That makes a world of difference to a European like myself.
Don't forget that the ideal America appeals to so many people around the world for it's message of impartial judicial systems, fair laws, and opportunity.
My mum got a job with the US Gov't after receiving a post-grad degree at Oxford when women were yet fully accepted in the working world. The US Foreign department gave her a consular rank! That is the kind of forward thinking that made Modern America such a shinig star to the East Bloc nations and third world.
Did Modern America die with the assasinations of John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy, or was it the disillusionment of Vietnam and the failed Peace Movement.
God Bless America, she really needs it now.
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 8:38:41 AM | Thanks, everyone who responded so far. I believe Americans are what keeps the good ship USA afloat. I've worked in Seattle. Great town, really friendly. Canada is not friendly. Polite, yes, but friendly not quite. That makes a world of difference to a European like myself.
Don't forget that the ideal America appeals to so many people around the world for it's message of impartial judicial systems, fair laws, and opportunity.
My mum got a job with the US Gov't after receiving a post-grad degree at Oxford when highly educated women were not yet fully accepted in the UK working world. The US Foreign department gave her a consular rank! That is the kind of forward thinking that made Modern America such a shinig star to the East Bloc nations and third world.
Did Modern America die with the assasinations of John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy, or was it the disillusionment of Vietnam and the failed Peace Movement.
God Bless America, she really needs it now.
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 9:50:21 AM |
WAR, DOMESTIC POVERTY, MASSIVE HATRED ABROAD, TERRIBLE CRIME AT HOME, PRISONS OVERLOADED, INSANE DRUG LAWS, THREE STRIKES LAW ...
Vancouverite,
I don't know why the U.S. is this way, but I agree that it is. There is far too much tolerance for violence here, in video games, the media, the laws, proliferation of guns, and the quickness to use force and violence abroad. The Christian background of many people makes them morally opposed to seeing a nipple on TV, or hearing a curse word, but they often have no qualms about their children seeing one horrible murder after another depicted on prime time TV or video games. Is that backwards, or what?! I don't know if that has to do with the fact that the so-called words of God in the Old Testament of the Bible advocated SO MUCH violence and killing, but I suspect it plays a part.
I was opposed to the attack on Iraq, and it makes me sick to know how many people in the rest of the world do not like the way the U.S. is, or the things that are done by our government. I know there are still a lot of people in other countries who are eager to come here, even if they have to do it illegally, and I know that opportunities for making money here are better than in many countries. But to say that we have the best country on earth, or the place with the most freedom, is foolish, and tends to downplay the fact that some obvious things really could be improved here.
Can anyone tell me why we have a higher percentage of our population in jail than practically any country on earth, (and I as a taxpayer am tired of footing the bill), and yet we still have a "high crime rate"??? I honestly don't understand that. As a side point I also don't understand why the untold thousands are in jail in our country over marijuana crimes. Our last president smoked marijuana, (oh, but he "didn't inhale", I forgot) and our current president did cocaine and who-knows what else (incidently, I think cocaine is a very damaging drug). | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 9:50:48 AM | | Vancouverite.....do not generalize us you import......you'll get pegged a linear thinker.......Canada is a big big place....have you been across this fine country and met the peoples of say, quebec city.....halifax....moncton ...sault st marie....oak bluff.....regina.......red deer?????..........until you have, keep you pie hole shut......or just do what your mom did....go to oxford and then get a job working for the conservative government in america....or how about this you worm....go back to europe and make a life for yourself there.....we DONT need you here....at all........maybe the attitude you emanate is causing nice canadians to appear to be unfriendly........hows this one.....ALL europeans are cigarette smoking un-bathed queers....but americans are nice....now how stupid does that sound??????? Ill tell ya...about as stupid as saying that canadians as a whole, as a nation are an unfriendly peoples????? Any other Canadians wanna pitch in and buy this fag a ticket back to europe? | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 10:27:13 AM | "Canada is not friendly. Polite, yes, but friendly not quite. That makes a world of difference to a European like myself.
Don't forget that the ideal America appeals to so many people around the world for it's message of impartial judicial systems, fair laws, and opportunity. "
This is a joke, all of it!
The black millionaire lady who appeared on Oprah pointed to how she had been shot in the back of the head, and the police responded. They ignored the fact that she was potentially fatally shot, rather concluding that the Lincoln she was driving was stolen! So much for the "impartial judicial systems, fair laws, and opportunity."
Vancouverite, on one of your first posts on here you called me insane without even fully reading what I had written.
Canadians are known around the world for being generous and friendly, hence the title "best country in the world to live in," as reported a number of years via the United Nations.
Canada is not the problem. What appears to be the problem here is an upstart with an attitude. As for Americans having appeal around the world, could that be why they often need to wear Canadian flags in their lapels when abroad?
You ought to give your head a shake. You speak as if there was actual fact in what you say, when it's nothing but hot air...
I was married to an Oxford graduate. She was no better and no worse than anyone else. One thing about her, though, she was modest. Your mother modest? Or did you come by your attitude on your own? | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 11:09:35 AM | The two Canadians above aren't being very polite or friendly. However, the opint is well made and I humbly withdraw my hot air statement. I do stand by my general idea that Canadians are polite, to be sure, but not exactly "How ya doin' stranger!" friendly. We Canadians are alright just as we are... but have you ever thought that to an outsider we seem a bit cold? I hear it all the time, especially from europeans. Maybe we are too sensitive!
We live in a multi cultural society, not a melting pot, and I think it encourages people to celebrate their differences while passing over their similarities. We need a connective culture.
Hold on, I live in Vancouver, and come to think of it most of my friends are from Quebec and the Maritimes...some of which might not even last as a part of Canada for very long. Besides most Europeans that arrive in Canada like Quebec City, Montreal and Halifax for it's european flavour. And I have been all over Canada and the USA and Canada is safer and cleaner.
The best country in the world to live in is Norway, then Sweden, and then Iceland, I believe.
Canada is around eighth now. Correct me if I'm wrong. Ireland came first in a poll recently.
As for Conservatism, please guys, can't a guy have his own opinion? Or do I have to conform to your version of history? This is a forum, not a smack down arena of anger. Lighten up.
I am talking about an IDEAL AMERICA, look up the word IDEAL. It is a perfect standard, not a reality, I mentioned that the Ideal America died a while back.
As for insults to my mother, you've got another thing coming if you want to go down that road, because it doesn't even merit a full reply.
Here's one for you: "Have a nice day,eh" < Yank and Canuck lingo combined.  | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 11:10:17 AM | The two Canadians above aren't being very polite or friendly. However, the opinion is well made and I humbly withdraw my hot air statement. I do stand by my general idea that Canadians are polite, to be sure, but not exactly "How ya doin' stranger!" friendly. We Canadians are alright just as we are... but have you ever thought that to an outsider we seem a bit cold? I hear it all the time, especially from europeans. Maybe we are too sensitive!
We live in a multi cultural society, not a melting pot, and I think it encourages people to celebrate their differences while passing over their similarities. We need a connective culture.
Hold on, I live in Vancouver, and come to think of it most of my friends are from Quebec and the Maritimes...some of which might not even last as a part of Canada for very long. Besides most Europeans that arrive in Canada like Quebec City, Montreal and Halifax for it's european flavour. And I have been all over Canada and the USA and Canada is safer and cleaner.
The best country in the world to live in is Norway, then Sweden, and then Iceland, I believe.
Canada is around eighth now. Correct me if I'm wrong. Ireland came first in a poll recently.
As for Conservatism, please guys, can't a guy have his own opinion? Or do I have to conform to your version of history? This is a forum, not a smack down arena of anger. Lighten up.
I am talking about an IDEAL AMERICA, look up the word IDEAL. It is a perfect standard, not a reality, I mentioned that the Ideal America died a while back.
As for insults to my mother, you've got another thing coming if you want to go down that road, because it doesn't even merit a full reply.
Here's one for you: "Have a nice day,eh" < Yank and Canuck lingo combined. | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 11:19:31 AM | AS for Poetic Prince, sorry man, I now realise you really do beleive that someone can control the weather of the whole planet. Do I have to respect that? I think you should make that call.
Don't expect not to be laughed by the general public if you spout the plotline of a James Bond Movie as a factual reality.
Here's a rule of thumb: If they claim it makes common sense, it means it should be common knowledge. You can't hide the truth if it's just plain facts. | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/12/2005 3:25:58 PM | "AS for Poetic Prince, sorry man, I now realise you really do beleive that someone can control the weather of the whole planet."
I never said I believed someone was controlling the weather of the whole planet. I posted something from a site I came across. Others may have made comments about someone being in a position to control the weather. I have no idea. I suppose anything is possible. But I don't claim to know much, even when I ask or even challenge certain things...
I bear no ill will toward you, Vancouverite, but I was not the one who said to you, "Are you for real. What a lunatic!"
I am a Canadian. Beyond that I am a world citizen. I do my best to promote peace in the world. But I do question things, and I question the legitimacy of what you said to me... | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/13/2005 12:33:49 AM | UNITED NATIONS -- Norway is the best country to live in, and Sierra Leone the worst, according to a United Nations report.
The Human Development Report, released on Tuesday, ranked 162 countries according to per capita income, health care, life expectancy and educational levels.
Australia followed Norway in second place, with both countries narrowly ahead of Canada, the leader for the last six years, which slipped due to statistical revisions, the authors said.
note*....anyone who lives in Canada and does not like it here or its people should pack their
suitcase and ****o#f | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/13/2005 12:46:33 AM | Really..at the end of the day...whereever you are born...is the best ....
its like cooking...mums is best....apart from mine ....bit past it now...scared to eat anything she cooks, but, back in the day!!!...wicked...lol | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/13/2005 12:51:32 AM | I personally apologise to you, Poetic Prince, and harbour no ill will towards you at all. I had to laugh, and got a bit carried away. Lunatic is a bit harsh, sorry man, and please don't be so touchy yourself. Once again, sorry. | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/13/2005 1:46:28 AM | Archaic laws fill our prisons with drug offenders. we ruin their lives, and then dump them on the street like trash. what a great system. The only answer to drug abuse is education. not lying to school kids and telling them smoke one joint and your headed straight to heroin. try the truth. you cannot stop the flow of drugs. but get this one folks. suppose Columbia slipped a dozen bags of anthrax into the coke? our foolish system would never find out until the bodies were waist deep. SO. and this will make you choke bad right wingers... we NEED TO LEGALIZE IT ALL. just for this reason. not because its good. because legalizing it will stop the smuggling. EDUCATE THE PROBLEM AWAY. Otherwise real bad guys will soon use the drug routes for other purposes.
Gun control. my idea of gun control is every american being able to put 6 rounds into a paper plate at 100 yards, and 20 yards with a hand gun. EVERYONE. bye bye violent crime. end of criminals. Florida enabled their citizenry to carry handguns. the rate of violent crime was predicted to quadruple. ha 13 repeat offenders shot dead in the act of violent crime in the first year. lower crime and gun accidents state wide.
Civil rights. well they hack at them every day, and i expect someday, the will of 5 or 6 people will rewrite every word of it, to fit some liberals insane agenda. gay marriage, WTF. Crime has risen 750 percent since Madilyn Murray Ohare sued god out of the country. {on a lighter note she was a victim of violent crime}
Canada we used to vacation there every year, had a blast. last 2 times i was there i was treated so poorly, and rudely, i wont ever be back. i dont dislike canadians, just the ones i met last 2 times i was there.
I never knew there was a contest on the best land. our freedom is eroded daily, and all in the name of some supposed common good, which usually means some wealthy lobbiests favor.
Our laws are getting out of hand. Michigan is going nuts writing new laws, they doubled all the fines and fees for everything in last 2 yrs. added new fees for traffic violations, now they punish you 3-4 times for each offense. Cut the school budget to shreds, while increasing the size of the government. Contrary to the Michigan constitution, schools funding has taken last place. It is number one in our state constitution. they added blanket fees to all kinds of things. i am about to abandon this state. While cutting education to shreds, they are going to increase state police by 50 percent. the goal is to enforce the new huge traffic fnes on every road in the state, to extract every dime they can from us poor stool pigeons.
say you make a mistake and hit a car turning left. here is what happens
1 your ticketed you go to court. 2 your fined. 3 points go on your licence. 4 your insuarnce goes up 5 jan 1 following year your fined $150 from the state for its new bad driving penalty
6 jan 1 the next year your fined $150 for bad driving penalty. now any failure to meet criteria is an automatic suspension of licence. this is instant. the letter takes 3 days to get to you. IF your stopped in those 3 days your guilty of a high misdemeanor, punishable by 1000 fine and 6 months in jail. sentence served, pay 100 cash to state to reinstate your licence... 3 mouse clicks btw. repeat steps 4-6.
I could go on all day about this country. but anyone that thinks its better elsewhere is welcome to try their luck.
When i am King things will be different. Heads will roll. | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/13/2005 9:38:01 AM |
anyone who lives in Canada and does not like it here or its people should pack their
suitcase and ****o#f
As much as I agree with your point HT, this kind of knee-jerk reactionism is exactly what I can't stand when I see it in people from the States.
Not everyone in the US is an arrogant ass.. On my trip there last year I was completely over-whelmed by the generosity and friendliness of the people I met. Even going so far to give me a place to stay for a few weeks when I bombed out my knee...
But unfortunately, the myth of the ugly American is all too true as well.
But like everything, its not black and white. And I'd be careful because you're starting to take on the exact attitude you're arguing against... | |
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| Black and white ...
Posted: 1/13/2005 10:07:17 AM | It is not the people but the war machine! It is about profit, oil profit mostly! The U.S. ELITE want to keep the people uninformed. From the Rockefellers to the Arabs.
You could use Tidal Solar and Wind to power everything! With the Fuel Cells and batteries now a days We could cut our oil usage by 80%
Everything from your election to the oil ties is so Nazi like. Buy this slaves be a sheep do not question us. Be a round peg. Every gun shot every bomb drop is theft from another. Is it not?
Fu&^%& REDNECK AGENDA. I don't want to be an American Idiot.
We have an issue. The issue is peak oil, Countries like China are going to need much of it. We want to keep our profits but this pollution thing is getting in our way. A shift of power and money is comming and Canada/Greenland/Finland/Norway/Austraila lead the way from all ethical points. The mighty fist in todays age is quashed by knowledge. Global mindset will not let One world Government happen. The future is not written.
I am the 13th warrior. Bow before me. lol | |
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| Black and white ...
Posted: 1/13/2005 10:09:52 AM | ok, new conspiracy theory:
we're gonna wipe out their entire country, then nuke it and then we'll have a lot of glass. it's all about the glass profits!
disclaimer: i really hope that doesn't happen, i'd love to see peace there. i'm only making fun of the conspiracy theories. | |
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| conspiracy theory!
Posted: 1/13/2005 10:18:26 AM | Look man! 100,000 DEAD. From this war. If that is not a conspiracy what is?
It is about profit! Is it right?
Are we animals and the big dog eats first? You have not looked in far enough if you think this was about terror. It has always been about power and money. | |
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| Is America Still the Finest Land Upon This Earth?
Posted: 1/13/2005 10:23:19 AM |
That makes a world of difference to a European like myself.
We Canadians are alright just as we are... but have you ever thought that to an outsider we seem a bit cold? I hear it all the time, especially from europeans.
I'm confused, Vancouverite. Are you Canadian or European? | |
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