Why is America so awesome?

John Stalvern

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I think ZorroFonzarelli has it down. The U.S. is such a big world player that it is a good place to heap on scorn and criticism of flaws that are not unique. People speak of our freedoms being taken, while we can loiter innocently on the streets without being heckled by police and can play the games we want, read the controversial books we take interest in. People say the 1st amendment is dead no longer active, while their own countries have little more than dodgy legislation that only defends their rights to a point. People say we are trundling towards a police state, apparently blind to laws being considered and enacted in their country, while other real authoritarian governments somehow cease to exist in their mind. Some say violence dominates our cities as chavs, skinheads, pushy muslims and drunken soccer fans run through their streets. If the U.S. does not aid beleaguered nations it is called selfish, inactive, as if it doesn't care for world affairs. If it sends its military to try and stabilize a violent scrap of land it is imperialistic and violent.
The United States has issues no different from any other nation. It may be better in some respects, and worse in others. What many who criticize need to remember is that they share the same problems, no matter what their misbegotten sense of intellectual nationalism tells them.
 

ChromeAlchemist

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LoopyDood said:
ChromeAlchemist said:
Also, one still has not answered the question:

What is the deal with being patriotic or proud to be an American? Why do people always say 'I am proud to be an American'?

I might just start a thread if one does not exist.
Because being told to think that has been hammered into them since they were born. It was and still is done by the government as well as the media. In other words, the rich and the powerful, the only ones truly benefiting from America's corporate system. Also, they're the only ones who have the power to do so. (They control the mass media and the government.)

It's just a vicious circle. The working class people in America are being shit on by the rich and they're taught to love it. They're caught in a perpetual rat race with the rich dangling "opportunity" in their faces, like that old cliche of dangling a carrot in front of a horse. All hail the mighty dollar.
Exactly correct. I will always choose capitalism over communism, but at the end of the day communism is more for the people, while capitalism relies of the exploitation of the poor, it is just the way it is.
 

Oisnafas

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ChromeAlchemist said:
As for the healthcare part, isn't Cuba's far better than your's, Britains, or anyone elses for that matter?

how so? According to the WHO, we're ranked 34th overall. We're first in quality, selection, specialization,and a few others. we're ranked 54th in fairness. Healthcare prices here are supposedly too high for a good fairness rating. By extension, competition in the healthcare system isnt fair, either.
 

Nevins

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The Rusk said:
One of your points I would completely disagree with. From what I know, America's college system is by far one of the most corrupt college systems in the world. It doesn't matter how smart someone is, if they don't have the money to get into the top end universities/colleges then they're not going to. It's a system that basically helps the rich people stay rich.

Just another little thing I wanted to ask was whether or not you've watched any rugby? If I'm being honest I've never sat down to watch a game of American football, but from what I've seen it seems fairly similar to rugby, minus all the padding and helmets.
1. I totally agree, Rugby is awesome. When I went to France, we watched the Parisian team (Primary Team color Hot Pink) get torn apart by Lyon, and even in their Hot Pink uniforms they still scared the shit out of me.

2. We do not have "The most corrupt college system in the world" Harvard, the biggest name college in the US, is giving 100% financial aid to students whose parental combined income is below a certain point (its something around like $200,000). If you have the brains, you can get all kinds of crazy scholarships over here. Also, the colleges that are so expensive are not always the ones that are the best. I know this first hand, as I am a senior graduating from HS this year and just went through the colossal headache that college apps are. Is the college system totally fair? No. Could it be better? Yes. Is it

The Rusk said:
a system that basically helps the rich people stay rich.
No, it is not.

In response to Chrome, the face of Communism and its proponents was the Soviet Union, arguably the most evil government that has ever existed. They killed more people than Hitler in the second world war, and accomplishment that Josef Stalin was probably very proud of.

If Cuba was so wonderful, why do thousands of Cubans attempt to float across the Atlantic on ramshackle rafts, risking their lives, to get too America? Please name me some communist or communist inspired governments that did not come to power with blood on their hands or restricting the rights of their citizens.

And correct me if I am wrong, but did you ask how the United States protected the world against Communism? How about the Cold War for starters? Do you think that Stalin, who brutally subjugated the eastern european states following the war, would have stopped where he had if the US had not been in the war?

Additionally, please don't use the "But they weren't really communists argument" because we all know that no nations were truly a Marxian Communist state.
 

Aar0nDavenp0rt

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LoopyDood said:
Aar0nDavenp0rt said:
And here is one of the best reasons I can think of that we ARE awesome.
1. We aren't Canada.
Oh, low blow.
Isn't it ironic that you just demonstrated one of the reasons people hate Americans?
Yeah, I dunno why I said that. Apologies.
 

Aar0nDavenp0rt

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ansem1532 said:
LoopyDood said:
Aar0nDavenp0rt said:
And here is one of the best reasons I can think of that we ARE awesome.
1. We aren't Canada.
Oh, low blow.
Isn't it ironic that you just demonstrated one of the reasons people hate Americans?
I honestly don't see why people would hate Canada. I mean, look at it. It is one of the most unlikely places to start a war. Just like Australia.

I actually think it would be pretty epic is Canada and Australia went to war. I mean, no one would expect it.

But now I've lost my train of thought in my foolish desires.
Hehe, yeah. I have no personal dispute against Canada. It's a nice place. I retract that statement with apologies.
 

Aar0nDavenp0rt

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Alright, I guess I was just talking out my ass. Perhaps I'll return with something more informed when I get it. Sorry guys. >_<
 

The Rusk

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Nevins said:
The Rusk said:
One of your points I would completely disagree with. From what I know, America's college system is by far one of the most corrupt college systems in the world. It doesn't matter how smart someone is, if they don't have the money to get into the top end universities/colleges then they're not going to. It's a system that basically helps the rich people stay rich.

Just another little thing I wanted to ask was whether or not you've watched any rugby? If I'm being honest I've never sat down to watch a game of American football, but from what I've seen it seems fairly similar to rugby, minus all the padding and helmets.
1. I totally agree, Rugby is awesome. When I went to France, we watched the Parisian team (Primary Team color Hot Pink) get torn apart by Lyon, and even in their Hot Pink uniforms they still scared the shit out of me.

2. We do not have "The most corrupt college system in the world" Harvard, the biggest name college in the US, is giving 100% financial aid to students whose parental combined income is below a certain point (its something around like $200,000). If you have the brains, you can get all kinds of crazy scholarships over here. Also, the colleges that are so expensive are not always the ones that are the best. I know this first hand, as I am a senior graduating from HS this year and just went through the colossal headache that college apps are. Is the college system totally fair? No. Could it be better? Yes. Is it

The Rusk said:
a system that basically helps the rich people stay rich.
No, it is not.

In response to Chrome, the face of Communism and its proponents was the Soviet Union, arguably the most evil government that has ever existed. They killed more people than Hitler in the second world war, and accomplishment that Josef Stalin was probably very proud of.

If Cuba was so wonderful, why do thousands of Cubans attempt to float across the Atlantic on ramshackle rafts, risking their lives, to get too America? Please name me some communist or communist inspired governments that did not come to power with blood on their hands or restricting the rights of their citizens.

And correct me if I am wrong, but did you ask how the United States protected the world against Communism? How about the Cold War for starters? Do you think that Stalin, who brutally subjugated the eastern european states following the war, would have stopped where he had if the US had not been in the war?

Additionally, please don't use the "But they weren't really communists argument" because we all know that no nations were truly a Marxian Communist state.
Hmm it seems that some of my American friends may have been exaggurating then.

Your views on communism are quite interesting. I think you don't realise that it's not communism that's bad, it's just there have been people (like Stalin) who have abused its ideologies for the sake of power. You do make some fairly good points though, but they all seem to be hailing the US as the world's savior. I can assure you the only reason America got involved in the Cold War was for profit. Profit is why the US has been at war/directly involved with war since World War 2.
 

SkinnySlim

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Oct 23, 2008
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Ho hum, why do we bother. I am enjoying everyone bashing on the good ol USA. Why bother defending against such idiocy? Why is America so awesome? I will tell you. I have everything I will ever want, and I earned it with my own hands, never having to ask anyone for a hand out. I have never lived in fear of the enemies of my government, nor have I ever feared my own government. I have traveled the world defending this nation, and seen those nations that are apparently so much better than mine, and found them lacking. I have never been negatively affected by any media or government corruption that in any way decreased my happiness or standard of living. Is my nation wealthy? You bet, and it shows in the %GDP that my government gives to all of you. Are my peers wealthy? You bet, and it shows in the charitable donations that they give to you, by far the most per capita of any nation.

It is easy to throw stones at the Ivory Tower, but at the end of the day, you all live in it's shadow...
 

Tattaglia

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Why is America so awesome? I'll tell you why it's so awesome.
SLAVERY! FUCK YEAH! INTERNET! FUCK YEAH! BOOKS! FUCK YEAH! SPORTSMANSHIP! ...f-fuck yeah?
All countries have flaws along with their strengths, but because America is so freakin' big and well known throughout many cultures, many people focus on their flaws which they shouldn't.
 

Cahlee

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Aug 21, 2008
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SkinnySlim said:
Ho hum, why do we bother. I am enjoying everyone bashing on the good ol USA. Why bother defending against such idiocy? Why is America so awesome? I will tell you. I have everything I will ever want, and I earned it with my own hands, never having to ask anyone for a hand out. I have never lived in fear of the enemies of my government, nor have I ever feared my own government. I have traveled the world defending this nation, and seen those nations that are apparently so much better than mine, and found them lacking. I have never been negatively affected by any media or government corruption that in any way decreased my happiness or standard of living. Is my nation wealthy? You bet, and it shows in the %GDP that my government gives to all of you. Are my peers wealthy? You bet, and it shows in the charitable donations that they give to you, by far the most per capita of any nation.

It is easy to throw stones at the Ivory Tower, but at the end of the day, you all live in it's shadow...
That made me laugh. You guys over extend your budget each year so much so that your health care system is rubbish and your education system lacking. Your country was the butt of every nations jokes since George Bush was first elected. Who the hell are you to say that your country is so much better then everyone elses? America is not without its flaws. Nor is any country.

Sorry, I'm not usually an America basher by any means, I just found this guys post so pretentious it made me ill.
 

Aura Guardian

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Cahlee said:
SkinnySlim said:
Ho hum, why do we bother. I am enjoying everyone bashing on the good ol USA. Why bother defending against such idiocy? Why is America so awesome? I will tell you. I have everything I will ever want, and I earned it with my own hands, never having to ask anyone for a hand out. I have never lived in fear of the enemies of my government, nor have I ever feared my own government. I have traveled the world defending this nation, and seen those nations that are apparently so much better than mine, and found them lacking. I have never been negatively affected by any media or government corruption that in any way decreased my happiness or standard of living. Is my nation wealthy? You bet, and it shows in the %GDP that my government gives to all of you. Are my peers wealthy? You bet, and it shows in the charitable donations that they give to you, by far the most per capita of any nation.

It is easy to throw stones at the Ivory Tower, but at the end of the day, you all live in it's shadow...
That made me laugh. You guys over extend your budget each year so much so that your health care system is rubbish and your education system lacking. Your country was the butt of every nations jokes since George Bush was first elected. Who the hell are you to say that your country is so much better then everyone elses? America is not without its flaws. Nor is any country.

Sorry, I'm not usually an America basher by any means, I just found this guys post so pretentious it made me ill.
No need to apologize. This is so true. Trust me.
 

PatientGrasshopper

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Sensenmann said:
This is no hate speech... Just wondering, and it angers me when people say that they, Americans are the best.

Infact, by doing this many who hate America for it's stereotypical hate of ROW. So its the clone of that french thread, but reversed and for America.

So why do you think America is Awesome.

NO HATE SPEECH

Edit: Changed ROE to ROW. Im sure America dont hate ROE.
I am American and I would argue we are not,not right now. I mean I have always been patriotic it makes me mad to see people being unpatriotic but I do not like the state we are in. However that does not mean that I don't think we can change. I donot find it at all unpatriotic to question your country, quite the contrary, however what I do find unpatriotic is for people to badmouth those who are trying to make America better. Also,I hate Roe.

Edit: Oops I thought you meant something else by ROE,that's why it seemed weird to me.
 

PatientGrasshopper

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Trace2010 said:
sheic99 said:
Jbird said:
I think its awesome that the first black president is also a comic book geek.
I am suddenly happy I voted for him. Does anybody know when his inaugural address is?
Odd guess- January 20th??
I have trouble sleeping with the prospect of Obama becoming president, it is the worst thing. No it is not because he is black,I know that is why most people voted for him,I even considered voting for someone twice as Black as Obama.
 

Trace2010

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PatientGrasshopper said:
Trace2010 said:
sheic99 said:
Jbird said:
I think its awesome that the first black president is also a comic book geek.
I am suddenly happy I voted for him. Does anybody know when his inaugural address is?
Odd guess- January 20th??
I have trouble sleeping with the prospect of Obama becoming president, it is the worst thing. No it is not because he is black,I know that is why most people voted for him,I even considered voting for someone twice as Black as Obama.
-sighs- Not another Clinton supporter.
 

Cahlee

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Aug 21, 2008
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PatientGrasshopper said:
Trace2010 said:
sheic99 said:
Jbird said:
I think its awesome that the first black president is also a comic book geek.
I am suddenly happy I voted for him. Does anybody know when his inaugural address is?
Odd guess- January 20th??
I have trouble sleeping with the prospect of Obama becoming president, it is the worst thing. No it is not because he is black,I know that is why most people voted for him,I even considered voting for someone twice as Black as Obama.
Can I ask why? I'm not an American but I followed the election pretty closely and I thought he was the best candidate. I liked that his focus was Economy orientated not war orientated.