American Exceptionalism

[uofom3]

Europe and othe countries accomplish the first two levels nicely and possibly better than the US, and arguably the third could be had regardless of location. I feel that the US does a better job through having a greeter amount of freedom and reduction in government interference of allowing people the opportunity to get to the higher levels - particularly self-actualization. But again, this depends on what your definitions are, and what you are trying to accomplish.

[uofom3]

Does that even matter? (really) It goes both ways, and you're again assuming that our way of life is the best, although that's all you have ever known presumably.

What difference does that make that I haven't lived there? I can read. I know what I want to do and how I like to live my life. I do come into contact with people who are not from the USA, and I am able to probe their mind.

Also, do you not think that other countries, like say FRANCE, would do nothing but love to see the US fail? They want a return to power - same used to go for the UK. Everyone is self-interested... but we're not supposed to be.

[rwh11385]

Now you are talking about errosion of our society and it's moral values; which go hand-in-hand with "progressive" thinking and socialization. You take the pledge out of classrooms, remove anything resembling winning and loosing from childhood sports and grades, and you breed a generation of coddled, spoiled brats. The people who are the problem in this country are not the people in small towns who "Cling to their guns and religion" - rather they preach hard work, right and wrong, consequences, etc - the problem is people who ingest 90 hours of VH1/MTV/BET/CMT every week, read shitty gossup magazines and think that's the way it's supposed to be without having the slightest idea of what it takes to get there. This affects men and women, young and middle aged, etc.

On another point with this, the countries that you have cited think that Americans are overworked, wasteful, arrogant, rich and the downfall of the world as we know it. Well, there are lot of people who think western europe is full of stoners and drunks who rock on the gov's dime while they buy their excessively good hash from a bar down the street. Is this accurate? Probably not, but neither is their depiction. Everyone I talk to who comes back from europe talks about the architecture, the history, etc - but almost eveyryone also marvels at how easy it is to get fucked up there on some sort of substance. Painting innaccurate pictures goes both ways.

You have to ask yourself who is having the biggest influence in the country? The people who stick to their roots, families, lives, and happiness, or the consumer culture?

Western Europe is ranked below the US. It's the Northern Europeans that are happier, besides Switzerland and Austria which are not western. The only people raging in Amsterdam are English-speaking tourists: UK and some US. One of my close friends spent a semester in Holland and what you spoke of is more UK-stereotype... which I've seen and which you hear see in the music of the The Streets, a line: "Sex, drugs and on the dole" (DOLE is unemployment benefits in UK.) Dutch people were pretty chill and they like to ride bikes, etc.

[rwh11385]

Europe and othe countries accomplish the first two levels nicely and possibly better than the US, and arguably the third could be had regardless of location. I feel that the US does a better job through having a greeter amount of freedom and reduction in government interference of allowing people the opportunity to get to the higher levels - particularly self-actualization. But again, this depends on what your definitions are, and what you are trying to accomplish.

morality, lack of prejudice, friendship, relationships, family? I feel we give these things up sometimes. if you don't, fine.

[rwh11385]

What difference does that make that I haven't lived there? I can read. I know what I want to do and how I like to live my life. I do come into contact with people who are not from the USA, and I am able to probe their mind.

Also, do you not think that other countries, like say FRANCE, would do nothing but love to see the US fail? They want a return to power - same used to go for the UK. Everyone is self-interested... but we're not supposed to be.

Of the people you are in contact, how many came here? Doesn't that create a gigantic selection bias?

I wouldn't assume they want to return to power. Running the world to some people isn't as important as being with family, friends, and happy. Look at Switzerland which has a STRONG desire to be unaffiliated with any alliance, group, or other people's affairs.

[trent]

You could, but you would be making an ass out of yourself. Maybe there is a Trent in Denmark thinking that everyone in the US would only wish they could live in Copenhagen...

I am not the one making an ass out of myself. Who is the one who doesn't like the greatest country in the world? You.

[project86]

Maslow is a square, and actually you can accomplish his hierarchy anywhere, however his hierarchy is incredibly biased towards the modernized world.

[rwh11385]

I am not the one making an ass out of myself. Who is the one who doesn't like the greatest country in the world? You.

I like it here. I don't like stubborn arrogant Americans who give us a bad name, like you.

[trent]

I like it here. I don't like stubborn arrogant Americans who give us a bad name, like you.

Lets go back to where we were earlier. There is nothing wrong with pride. Just because somebody has Black Pride, Azn Pride, or Hawaiian Pride, doesn't mean that it gives them a bad name. Accepting people, such as myself, understand that everybody has their own pride and look past that understanding. Pride is what makes somebody who they are. I like people who have pride, even if it is something that I do not have pride in. Pride shows character, intergrity and a host of other enjoyable characteristics. Look at this on how you pigeon hole me, because I have pride in this country, you dislike me.

A typical liberal hypocrital view.

[project86]

I like it here. I don't like stubborn arrogant Americans who give us a bad name, like you.

Face it, this thread was born of arrogance and arrogance is what allows most of america to close their eyes at night.

[trent]

Maslow is a square, and actually you can accomplish his hierarchy anywhere, however his hierarchy is incredibly biased towards the modernized world.

We live in the modernized world? So it is biased to current day?

[rwh11385]

Look at this on how you pigeon hole me, because I have pride in this country

You pigeon holed yourself.

here:

And? I can't be the only who who could give a flying fuck about the rest of the world. Let them be envious of the amazing opportunities and lifestyles we have here in the USA. There are people all over the world who would want to be at a mediocore position in the USA. Why? Being mediocore in the USA is being 100x better than anywhere else in the world.

The USA is the best country in the world. The best. Period.

Face it, this thread was born of arrogance and arrogance is what allows most of america to close their eyes at night.

Unfortunately. A lot of people like to keep their views narrow.

[project86]

We live in the modernized world? So it is biased to current day?

We do, you and I, but basically what is forgets is everyone who is born in a third world country who doesn't have the ability to find a job or attain some of the other things listed. So what are they, screwed, unimportant?

[trent]

You pigeon holed yourself.

Did you not read my above statement? I can understand that people have pride, I have pride in America. I do not dislike somebody who has pride in something I don't agree with. I am still accepting, whereas, you are not. You try to pigegon hole me, by stating that yes, I do have pride in this country, and to hell with everybody else. However, I do not dislike people who would happen to have opposite views of me, as you dislike me because of my views.

[project86]

You pigeon holed yourself.

here:



Unfortunately. A lot of people like to keep their views narrow.

Most people only believe what they are told to believe and then they bark it out as their rallying cry and take PRIDE in their ignorance and arrogance.