Views on America

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Replies

  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    What? Texas is not the "wild west"???? Ha!
    Tell that to my friends in Montana. They have had not one but TWO dogs shot and killed by neighbors. No fines or penalties either. 4 broken-hearted children as a result.
    You want me to tell your friends in Montana that Texas is not the "wild west"???? Not sure I see the connection.

    Any state that allows 2 pets to be murdered in cold blood (very good dogs--one was a St. Bernard) is the Wild West in my opinion. I love Montana and all of the west (really, I do) but this shooting family dogs thing is INSANE.
  • MissTattoo
    MissTattoo Posts: 1,203 Member
    I live here and I can see why the rest of the world shakes their heads at us.

    -Healthcare is terrible. But as soon as someone says socialism, people get scared and start hoarding sh it for doomsday. Everyone should be covered. We shouldn't have people dying because they can't get treatment. We shouldn't have people debating on going to see a doctor because of cost. It's ridiculous!

    -Work/life balance. I'm always jealous of my friends in other countries who don't work crazy long hours and have crazy holiday time. I get 3 weeks paid time off and that's vacation and sick combined. Maternity/Paternity leave is a joke and there are jobs here where if you dare take a day off they are looking for your replacement.

    -Our politics suck. My goodness. Religion has no place in laws. Simple as that. Why can't they grasp it? And we don't do anything about it. We allow it to happen by continuing to vote. Bills like the abortion bill in VA SHOULD NOT have been passed! The whole US should have been up in arms, but whatever.

    -There are too many rich people on the top. They are making too much money to stop and want to change anything. Why change healthcare? Too many people on the top are making money off of premiums, deductibles, co-insurance, ect.

    That's all.
  • bio_fit
    bio_fit Posts: 307 Member
    One of the best things about the USA is that everything comes in Peanut Butter or Cinnamon.

    Mmmmmm.

    Peanut Butter M&Ms are actually the best things ever invented.
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    I love America!
    I don't agree with everyone's opinions on us, but I can't hate on someone's comments because if you've never lived here, you just don't know.

    My co-worker LOVES England. She lived there for 3 years. She says she hates America ALL the time. The reason this pisses me off is NOT because our spouses are in the military, but because she hasn't seen very much of America at all. It's like me saying, "I HATE THE UK!" When I've only been to London.
    She hasn't seen anything west of Pennsylvania. We currently live in Wash., DC. How can you hate somewhere if you haven't even experienced it all? I can agree that people around here are soooo rude, but they aren't like that everywhere.

    The same goes for other people. Basing opinions of America on what you see in the news does no justice. Visiting one city in the US or living in one city in one region of America doesn't even allow you to make harsh judgements. I have been North, East, South, and West...and the cultures are very different in each one. You can't say, "I went to New York City and Americans are rude and fat" and be right. Not EVERYONE in America is like that.

    If I judged countries based on news information, I would hate everyone.

    I think our politics are very messed up.

    Nothing makes me more heated than when someone on the news says, "Those federal employees in Washington" because I am a federal employee in Washington and I get paid like crap. lol I have strong political views, but I'll let most of them go for now. ;)

    As for the "free health care" and other crap like that...I don't like that idea. If you have grown up somewhere where that is "normal", then that's probably why you don't understand why we don't have that system. I have grown up here having to pay for health care and that is the norm for me. Giving out free healthcare just enables the American sense of entitlement. Like I said, my husband is in the military...we don't pay for health care..and do you know how many people I see abusing the system that way? OMG. So annoying! "Ow. My wrist hurts. Guess i'll go to the ER!" YEAH, go to the ER which is WAY more expensive than a doctor or urgent care. The "free" healthcare does nothing but cost more money to our fellow taxpayers. Just my opinion. I think it is a nice idea, but Americans just aren't ready for that step. (Don't hate me for that opinion!)
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    Holy crap some of you folks are hard on the USA.. for Americans that dislike their home... The grass is always greener... In Canada health care is not free... we are taxed up the wazoo and back down the wazoo and around the wazoo etc etc!!! Our Canadian political system is also so f'ed up that i would never diss another countries political system. If you don't like something where you live.... CHANGE IT! get vocal! participate! I do it here in Canada.. if i don't like something, i join forces with like minded people! We just made to gov't here ban the long-gun registry and we worked hard and it happened! Things can change, don't grumble and/or run away.. Fight for your rights and change whats wrong... It can be done!

    Met an engineer while camping on PEI.

    He told me he had a slice of metal in his eye 12 hours in the ER before a doctor would see him.

    Universal Health care is not perfect. Not even in Canada.
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    Americans are not as educated as people in other countries, especially when it comes to international politics, environmental issues, and geography. I was watching a video the other day where this British chap asked Americans about political issues. He then presented a map of the world to them, except that the countries were mislabeled. For example, Australia was labeled North and South Korea. When people said that No. And So. Korea were hot zones for war, they were asked to put a flag on those countries. They put the flag right on Australia without even questioning if that was the right name for that continent. Australia! For goodness sakes!

    This is just a few ignorant Americans. You can't judge all Americans off of a couple of stupid people.
    I don't get the fact that, while many European countries start school early for their children (like around 4 years of age), Americans don't start until around 6 years of age.

    A lot of kids go to preschool/daycare. I went to preschool ages 3-5 and I was one of the smartest kids going into kindergarten. There are options. I went to private preschool but there is public preschool.
    I don't get the fact that second languages are not taught until middle school.

    That is a generalization - in elementary school, we learned Spanish. And in my district there are Spanish and French Immersion schools.
    I don't get the fact that everyone has an opportunity to go to university, even if they failed half of their highschool classes.

    So just because you have bad grades, you don't have the right to go to college? People mess up, and want to change their lives. Don't knock someone for trying to improve themselves. And even if they fail out, well at least they tried!
    I don't get the fact that Americans don't have Universal Health Insurance.

    There is a lot I can say about this. Yes, there are problems with our health system. But what country doesn't have issues? Countries with universal coverage generally have much higher taxes. Watch this documentary if you want to learn more: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    What? Texas is not the "wild west"???? Ha!
    Tell that to my friends in Montana. They have had not one but TWO dogs shot and killed by neighbors. No fines or penalties either. 4 broken-hearted children as a result.
    You want me to tell your friends in Montana that Texas is not the "wild west"???? Not sure I see the connection.
    Any state that allows 2 pets to be murdered in cold blood (very good dogs--one was a St. Bernard) is the Wild West in my opinion. I love Montana and all of the west (really, I do) but this shooting family dogs thing is INSANE.
    And that has what to do with Texas?
  • eightpock
    eightpock Posts: 61
    I wonder how many were smart enough and lucky enough to get out of Rome before things got really bad?

    Rome Fell in part for 2 main reasons.

    The expense of fighting wars on all fronts, and the Elite, Ruling class were gluttons, and benefited at the cost of Rome herself.
  • Coolhand1969
    Coolhand1969 Posts: 821 Member
    I served 10 years in the Marines and I am happy to live here :)

    Thank you very much for your service.
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member


    In the US census, there are 5 races (White, Black, Asian, Some other race, other) & they classify Middle Eastern & Central Asians under the "White" category. Honestly I also can't tell the difference between Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese or sometimes even some Filipinos & Thais apart from each other. I mistook two Chinese for a Filipino & some Filipinos as Chinese or Japanese. However I can tell the difference between a German and an Arab or a British and an Iranian.

    This post is not about telling the difference between races. It's about a country that is wayyyyyyy past it's heyday and long past being the "ruler of the free world"

    Sorry but the topic is about "views on america" and the OP is asking for our opinions about the US. Also I'm not talking about race difference, I'm just replying to somebody. Its about one thing I hate is the fact that US loves to give out inaccurate label to minorites. Please read my posts first before you comment OK. Enough said.
  • boomboom011
    boomboom011 Posts: 1,459
    One of the best things about the USA is that everything comes in Peanut Butter or Cinnamon.

    Mmmmmm.

    Peanut Butter M&Ms are actually the best things ever invented.

    and BBQ
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    As for the "free health care" and other crap like that...I don't like that idea. If you have grown up somewhere where that is "normal", then that's probably why you don't understand why we don't have that system. I have grown up here having to pay for health care and that is the norm for me. Giving out free healthcare just enables the American sense of entitlement. Like I said, my husband is in the military...we don't pay for health care..and do you know how many people I see abusing the system that way? OMG. So annoying! "Ow. My wrist hurts. Guess i'll go to the ER!" YEAH, go to the ER which is WAY more expensive than a doctor or urgent care. The "free" healthcare does nothing but cost more money to our fellow taxpayers. Just my opinion. I think it is a nice idea, but Americans just aren't ready for that step. (Don't hate me for that opinion!)

    Universal health care is not CRAP. It allows small business owners to AFFORD health insurance for their employees as I stated earlier.

    I've only lived with Universal health care a few years (Massachusetts). It's a great thing if and only if for the reason I stated above.
  • bane0317
    bane0317 Posts: 60 Member
    my issue with our country is that every time i turn on a TV I see ads wanting me to send money to another country to help with their hungry children. I have seen too many hungry children here in our own country. We have a lot of problems here that we do not resolve. Maybe that is one of the reasons that people have issues with us is that we feel it is acceptable to tell other people what to do and how to do it but we don't have our own house in order yet.

    I also have issues with the fact that so many people in power make a lot of money off of the oil industry. i feel that this, along with the lobbyists, has helped to keep us dependent on fossil fuels. There are many other technologies that if properly funded or if incentives were offered for people who pursued being more energy independent would take off and help us to be self sufficient. Look at Brazil, they are independent by using sugar cane, etc. to make their own fuels. If the American farmers were given more of a chance and paid well to grow fuel sources we could put this country back to what it used to be and stand on our own two feet. This would also teach our children how to be self sufficient. I think that a lot of our culture is so tech based that kids don't know how to behave if they aren't plugged in. yes, i realize the irony of posting this on an internet forum. However i meet a lot of adults who don't know where foods come from or have never seen anything grown. Oil is not the only thing we are reliant on other countries for. We send enough money out to them to help support themselves.

    I heard it summed up well the other day: "If more people had dirtier hands and cleaner minds this world would be a better place!"

    Just my two cents worth.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I wonder how many were smart enough and lucky enough to get out of Rome before things got really bad?

    Rome Fell in part for 2 main reasons.

    The expense of fighting wars on all fronts, and the Elite, Ruling class were gluttons, and benefited at the cost of Rome herself.

    Exactly. Best start packing now. :wink:
  • jpuderbaugh
    jpuderbaugh Posts: 318 Member

    If I remember correctly, those questionnaires are optional. You don't have to fill them out. (I know that doesn't mean you can't complain about them, I'm not saying that).

    http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/the-problem-solver/2010/03/the-us-census-and-why-you-should-care.html

    I wasn't talking about the Census, I was talking about the questionnaires potential employers hand you asking your race, age, marital status (illegal to ask), etc. Maybe they don't ask marital status anymore, can't remember. But I wasn't talking about the other person's comment about the census.
  • crazytreelady
    crazytreelady Posts: 752 Member
    It's time for this thread to be locked.
  • bio_fit
    bio_fit Posts: 307 Member
    One of the best things about the USA is that everything comes in Peanut Butter or Cinnamon.

    Mmmmmm.

    Peanut Butter M&Ms are actually the best things ever invented.

    and BBQ

    *facepalm* how did I forget BBQ!
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    I served 10 years in the Marines and I am happy to live here :)

    Thank you very much for your service.

    Yes thank you!!
  • TheWinman
    TheWinman Posts: 684 Member
    I wonder how many were smart enough and lucky enough to get out of Rome before things got really bad?

    Rome Fell in part for 2 main reasons.

    The expense of fighting wars on all fronts, and the Elite, Ruling class were gluttons, and benefited at the cost of Rome herself.


    HHHHmmmm. sounds like something I currently see.
  • debrapeterson
    debrapeterson Posts: 84 Member
    I don't dispute he was elected. I disagree with the way he governs which is my right. I'm glad you are happy with this president, this is also your right to voice. I think its great we can agree to disagree. Our constitution gives us these rights and I'm so thankful for that.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    and BBQ
    There you go with your Texas, wild west stuff again. It's all about BBQ and guns with you; isn't it???? :wink:
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    It's time for this thread to be locked.
    New mod, or just one who reports?
  • jpuderbaugh
    jpuderbaugh Posts: 318 Member
    What? Texas is not the "wild west"???? Ha!
    Tell that to my friends in Montana. They have had not one but TWO dogs shot and killed by neighbors. No fines or penalties either. 4 broken-hearted children as a result.
    You want me to tell your friends in Montana that Texas is not the "wild west"???? Not sure I see the connection.
    Any state that allows 2 pets to be murdered in cold blood (very good dogs--one was a St. Bernard) is the Wild West in my opinion. I love Montana and all of the west (really, I do) but this shooting family dogs thing is INSANE.
    And that has what to do with Texas?

    ^^ exactly what I was thinking. talking about two different states there....
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member

    But where are the illegal guns coming from? Other nations that have gun regulation do not seem to have the gun problems that the US has. Don't you think there may be some correlation? Also, while I am not a fan of hunting, I respect it but I am curious why the NRA feels that hunters need assault rifles and armor piercing bullets.

    My husband is a lifetime NRA member. I've never seen an NRA member use machine guns for hunting.

    That would violate the hunting license in every single state in America. Other hunters would turn that person in.

    Call me up on the day you see someone hunting with a machine gun.

    For real.

    Never said hunters used them, but the NRA has lobbied to keep them legal.
  • catshark209
    catshark209 Posts: 1,133 Member
    BAD
    Healthcare can be a nightmare, sad that (not all but many) people think that poor people are there through their own fault and deserve no coverage etc...

    Work culture is like slavery (high paid slavery) the hours expected from people are immense and the amount of vacation time is minimal. Employees have minimal rights.

    Blind patriotism - There is a lot of good stuff that is American, but sometimes others do it better, it's ok to admit this, but yet there are a fair few people who believe America is best at everything. This also leads to the same people perhaps having a blinkered view of the world.

    Food - processed crap is everywhere, cheap and in large portions, proper food is much harder to come by and more expensive.

    THANK YOU! Yeah God forbid I have health insurance...cuz you know I'm going to go pop out half a dozen more children on the government's dime...and of course its my fault I'm poor, cuz I'm lazy.
    Blech.
    I'm kinda embarrassed by all the shizz coming from the GOP lately...I gotta wonder if ya'll don't think we're all insane here. We're not. At least I'm not...most of the time.
  • TinkrBelz
    TinkrBelz Posts: 866 Member

    I might be one of the few Republicans that do not have a problem with Romneycare. I think he did what was best for his state and he did what his state's citizens wanted. But just because it worked for Massachusetts, does not mean that it would work for the US or my state. I think that each state should do what is best for its citizens.

    The system is not perfect.

    Having small businesses in the US not be able to afford to offer healthcare to their employees is a CRIME.

    Think about what you are saying.

    Why should MA be the only one where everyone has healthcare. For those that cannot afford it there's a state plan. If you want kids and families to be BANKRUPT because the employer can't offer healthcare go right ahead. Health related bills are the number 1 cause of bankruptcy in America. I'm glad I live in a state that's made that a thing of the past. I'm glad my aging parents and small business owners can afford health insurance. I'm also glad by law they have to have health insurance.

    If you want to live in a state that does not support the above go right ahead. I'm proud to live somewhere that had jobs in the recession and has universal health care. It's not perfect but it works.

    Please excuse my ignorance on what Romneycare covers....I honestly do not know. AND, I do think that something needs to be done with our healthcare system. But, I do not think that our federal government can provide healthcare for all. We are too big. BUT, our states can do something about it. So, what works in MA, (a wealthier state) might not work for AL (a poorer state), we might have to come up with something different.

    I live in a state that doe not offer universal healthcare. We do have it with my husband's job. Before he had a job, we paid for it all out of pocket. I do love our state, even though it does not offer universal healthcare.

    Like you said, nothing is perfect, but I feel it is up to the state and its citizens to decide what will work best for them, just like Massachusetts did for themselves. One blanket statement will not work, we need real solutions.
  • tig_ol_bitties
    tig_ol_bitties Posts: 561 Member
    I understand that the person who started the thread asked for the opinions but as I go through the thread reading I just have to laugh at how ignorant some of the responses are. I am not trying to be mean but really all you have to do is see the high rate of people trying to get citizenship here and the fact that there are quite a few people here illegally. As for politics all countries have their own problems no matter where you live. If people were to go back and brush up on their US history they would understand why and how this country was settled. As for complaining about our school systems when you have never attended an American school...... Lets just say I would not complain about your school system.

    Really? You are calling people ignorant for speaking poorly of our educational system? Have YOU ever attended school outside of America? Have you ever read a report on how POORLY our educational system is doing in regards to the rest of the world? Obviously not. I actually did attend school in the United States (in 9 different states) as well as in Argentina and in Spain. I can honestly say that the education I received outside of the USA was by far superior than any that I received in the USA. I even attended one of the top high schools in the country for about a year and a half (clearly, my family moved around a lot), and it didn't even come close in comparison to the studies I received outside of the US. Before you call someone ignorant for not attending a US school, you may want to step back and take a look at the bigger picture.


    Good for you. Yes I attended school outside of the US. It is ignorant to discuss educational systems you know nothing about. I do not express my opinion unless I personally have experienced it. Most of these people are going on stereotypes and generalizations so before you attack people you should read what they write.

    And exactly which educational system is it that I know nothing about? Refresh my memory please.

    Your ridiculous{/b] trying to start an argument once again read the post did I call you ignorant? No if you want to blast the country you live in by all means go ahead but do not fault me for finding an issue with people who have no knowledge running off at the mouth because of something they heard or saw on t.v.



    I asked which educational system I know nothing about, because you said I was speaking of a system I knew nothing about (it's in the quotes, see for yourself). I was just asking you to enlighten me on which system I am speaking of without knowledge. I'm not ridiculous, I'm curious. And I rarely turn on a television, and when I do, you can rest assured believe it wouldn't be to watch US news stations!

    You are again read the quotes I was referring to people who do not know anything from a personal basis. By all means take it personally never once did I say you. Thats fine you do not like the U.S. school systems, news, etc. I am surprised you live here. Congratulations and good for you once again and it will be the last time I repeat myself so read carefully I never said you personally!!!!

    Aside from the grammar misuse which I assume was learned in the US system (don't worry, I won't point it out to embarrass you), are you really going to tell me that you "never once referred to me"??
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    This thread should be allowed to stay. It's no more controversial than discussing whether it's okay to work in the sex industry or not. Just because some people get their knickers all in a twist about something doesn't mean the adults shouldn't be allowed to discuss it.
  • blink1021
    blink1021 Posts: 1,115 Member
    One of the best things about the USA is that everything comes in Peanut Butter or Cinnamon.

    Mmmmmm.

    Peanut Butter M&Ms are actually the best things ever invented.

    Yes they are!!!!!
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    I live in America, and frankly I hate living here.

    I work my butt off monday through friday for pay that barely covers my bills and groceries.
    I go to college monday through thursday nights, for which I pay out of pocket for. (yes full time school and work leaves me tired all the time!)
    I don't have any health insurance, so I just try to keep myself as healthy as possible.
    I only get 1 week, yes 1 week of vacation a year - and it's not even paid vacation.
    The political system scares the *kitten* out of me.
    And the way people here view the gay community, and people of other cultures/skin color/etc is just horrific.

    The boyfriend and I are just trying to get through college, and then we're looking to gain citizenship elsewhere and get out of here!

    I would love to help you leave. Good riddance!

    oh let me just get the education and them were out. My gut tells me you received a pell grant.
    BTW I get 3 weeks paid vacation and a week of sick pay. 2 personal days and lots of overtime if I like it. I get to work in an office with ac in the Texas summer and heat in the winter. I get to jump in my mercedes when I leave and drive on a gorgeous freeway paid for by the citizens of this Great State of Texas to a home that I own in a gorgeous neighborhood that my job paid for and its MINE. God Bless the USA! Oh and if I want I can throw a big *kitten* ribeye steak on my big Texas sized gas grill in my big *kitten* back yard too.

    Those interstates are from Federal Highway Funds. What is up with all of this Texas pride? Hasn't Texas been part of the US since they came seeking to join in order to avoid being conquered by Mexico?