American Exceptionalism

[uofom3]

Here is a thread about how great America really is.

It seems as though every thread that people post in do nothing but discuss how terrible and generally bad we, as Americans, are in this world.

This thread is from the standpoint that, though we ARE NOT PERFECT, we live in the most free society on the planet and MANY other people on this earth benefit GREATLY from our existance/presence.

If you don't like America, fine. I understand why you are upset. I'm not happy with everything either. But this thread is a tribute to the fact that we DO live in the most free society this world offers. You can say "BUSH IS AN IDIOT!" or whatever else you want to espouse and suffer zero consequences (as it should be). You can be upset about liberalism, conservatism, the economy, the occupation, etc. None of which will get you jailed or condemned.

The USA won WWII, rebuilt most of western europe after WWII, has agreements to be fighting allies to Cananda and a host of other first world countries in the event of military conflict - and we still get shit on.

Be proud of your country. I pay my taxes, bitch about my government, and wish that certain things were different just like many do - but this is still the greatest place to live even though it has its flaws.

If it wasn't great - why would so many immigrants flock here.

I just ask that people think positively for a moment and reflect on the basic GOOD that is in this society and world because of the United States of America.

/rant

[delfin]

I agree totally but be prepared to be hit with the "it's never good enough, focus on the next thing we can improve" philosophy

[uofom3]

I agree totally but be prepared to be hit with the "it's never good enough, focus on the next thing we can improve" philosophy

People are just so negative. They have been brow beated into believing that you can't be proud of your country despite admitted flaws.

[trent]

Thank you for stepping up and making this post. This absolutely 100% true. Instead of making use of what American has to offer, many generally trash this country saying it isn't good enough. This country is what you put into it, it call be everything you want, or as little as you want.

[Turf1600]

I think the country is great - but the people are making it shitty to live in.

[Julien]

America is great, it is the place I chose to live. I just wish people could be less wasteful here.

Julien

[Turf1600]

America is great, it is the place is chose to live. I just wish people could be less wasteful here.

Julien

I don't know if it's just houston or what - but people are wasteful, inconsiderate, gluttonous, and litter a lot - all the while posessing an overwhelming sense of self satisfaction.

[Massive Lee]

"The most free society"?

I wonder what you make of, say, Italy, France, UK, Belgium, Danemark, Netherlands etc. I understand your point of asking not to continuously hit on America, but your own comments on America being the best country in the world, obviously begs for nothing less than perfection. Which it is not necessarely what it is. Better be a rich white man in good health, than a sick and poor black/hispanic woman. Nobody would claim that the US is a fascist state, but it is not heaven either. There are problems, as with any other country.

Yes, Bush is a total idiot. Not for being himself (totally uneducated, selfish, single-visionned little brat), but for representing some politicians and industrialists who think that the US is the spear of "freedom and democracy" and therefore owns the world for the sole purpose of making money.

[uofom3]

"The most free society"?

I wonder what you make of, say, Italy, France, UK, Belgium, Danemark, Netherlands etc. I understand your point of asking not to continuously hit on America, but your own comments on America being the best country in the world, obviously begs for nothing less than perfection. Which it is not necessarely what it is. Better be a rich white man in good health, than a sick and poor black/hispanic woman. Nobody would claim that the US is a fascist state, but it is not heaven either. There are problems, as with any other country.

Yes, Bush is a total idiot. Not for being himself (totally uneducated, selfish, single-visionned little brat), but for representing some politicians and industrialists who think that the US is the spear of "freedom and democracy" and therefore owns the world for the sole purpose of making money.

Lee, seriously. You present your arguments in an educated manner, but you shouldn't even be posting in this thread. You're Canadian. You probably think you're country is the "best" or better than the US or else you wouldn't live there. I'm not putting words in your mouth, but you must feel that way to be saying what you say. Most of what you say is borderline socialist from my perspective, which is fine, but part of me doesn't understand how you can post that way and be a business owner at the same time (and not just a business owner, but someone who proactively trying to GROW their business in the USA).

The US doesn't own the world, it just protects the majority of the first world countries in the event of armed conflict.

You'd be singing a different tune if Canada had some bad shit go down, and we helped you out. And we would, because that's what we do (refer back to just about every country impacted by WWII). We are sending aid to Darfur, we went into Somalia, etc.

[uofom3]

I wonder what you make of, say, Italy, France, UK, Belgium, Danemark, Netherlands etc.

Socialized healthcar, government jobs, etc. It's the absolute last thing I'd want.

Your comments about the white man seem to be racist and stereotypical which shows some ignorance on the matter. It also seems self-loathing, being as how as far as I can remember you're a white guy (though not an American white man, which apparently makes it different).

Finally, you do business in the US. You benefit directly from the success of the American populous/economy as, last I checked, big brake kits were not a necessity for the American consumer (well, some of us may argue that they are :)). It's a luxury good unless you own a money making race team. The better we do, the better you do. You tapped into the US market because you know it's got more people who are financially secure and willing to spend money on goods such as BBK's. You also would benefit directly from tax cuts, economic stimulous packages, etc.

[Julien]

Socialized healthcar, government jobs, etc. It's the absolute last thing I'd want.

looks like you are
rich
white

*kisses*
Julien

[uofom3]

looks like you are
rich
white

*kisses*
Julien

What am I supposed to do, turn down college scholarships, well paying jobs, and not work as hard? Julien, you have no idea who you are talking to, what my circumstances are, or the path I or my family have travelled to get where I am today. Frankly, it's none of your business. You keep drinking the haterade, and I'll keep working on my m3.

It has nothing to do with being white, you want rich/educated/hyper successful people - go talk to Asian-Americans. They aren't "white", but yet they do very very well.

Why is everyone racist against white people?

[Julien]

What am I supposed to do, turn down college scholarships, well paying jobs, and not work as hard? Julien, you have no idea who you are talking to, what my circumstances are, or the path I or my family have travelled to get where I am today. Frankly, it's none of your business. You keep drinking the haterade, and I'll keep working on my m3.

It has nothing to do with being white, you want rich/educated/hyper successful people - go talk to Asian-Americans. They aren't "white", but yet they do very very well.

Why is everyone racist against white people?

oh whatever, you've got upper-middle-class-my-dad-worked-his-ass-off-to-get-us-here-why-can't-other-people

written all over you.. people hate, us white people, because we have ruled for the past 1000 years and have made some good, some bad and some terrible moves.

anyways, go live in another country, be poor, be rich, live other lifestyles/cultures then pass judgement.

i've got a muffler to pull. cya
Julien

[Massive Lee]

uofm3

Your assumption that I cannot comment on the US's status because I don't live in the US is pretty lame. I have lived in more countries around the world that you will ever. I lived in Africa, France and Canada. I visited most European, Asian and Pacific countries and travelled across the US, coast to coast on bikes and cars, perhaps more times than many members here. I have lived different environments and seen different ways to govern a country. So, yes, I can comment on the US based on my experiences.

"The better we do, the better you do. You tapped into the US market because you know it's got more people who are financially secure and willing to spend money on goods such as BBK's. You also would benefit directly from tax cuts, economic stimulous packages, etc."

Are you serious when you write stuff like that?

50% of my market is the US. 50% is the rest of the world. My business supplies US customers, and buys from US sources. My business beneficiates US businesses too. I have no idea where you got that because I do business with American customers, I should shut the fuck up on the US government or the US lifestyle. I'll say up front what I think of good or bad US policies. What do you make of the first amendment? Please don't patronize me and tell me otherwise.

[uofom3]

oh whatever, you've got upper-middle-class-my-dad-worked-his-ass-off-to-get-us-here-why-can't-other-people

written all over you.. people hate, us white people, because we have ruled for the past 1000 years and have made some good, some bad and some terrible moves.

anyways, go live in another country, be poor, be rich, live other lifestyles/cultures then pass judgement.

i've got a muffler to pull. cya
Julien

I'm not going to argue with you, Julien, this thread is not about the personal financial situation of UofOm3 and his family. You've obviously got a beef with me because I, and my family, work hard. That's fine.

If you say "ruled for the last 1000 years" or whatever.. that's a whole different discussion. And if you really think white people have "ruled" or whatever, fine. I don't really see it that way but OK. If that were the case of being in a "ruling" position, wouldn't you expect there to be some bad decisions along the way? If someone is 50 years old, they have made some good, bad, marginal and indifferent decisions in their lifetime.

Don't pin the problems on someone because they are white. It's OK to assume that every white person has it easy and are some racist hick jackass who clings to their religion and their guns - but it's not OK to see a guy on a plane wearing a turban and feel uneasy. I don't look at people as colors, I judge them by the content of their character - as I think most people here do. American society would improve drastically if that's how people thought and tried to get over the racial divide. I'm doing what I can to change it, but unfortunately I just see a lot of people perpetuating problems.