Views on America

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Replies

  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    I get a little annoyed with how polarized we are over here.

    Example I just got back from lunch and saw two bumper stickers:

    "Don't blame me, I voted for the American"

    and

    "In 2012 vote American, not Socialist"

    Indicating that if you aren't voting republican or have republican viewpoints, you aren't really an american.
  • Apa93
    Apa93 Posts: 57 Member
    So you make that assumption because I'm not a master mfp poster? Get over yourself!

    No that was just a little jibe on my part, actually. I make that assumption because you said I was "UNeducated" (which, by the way, does not need to be capitalised for any reason) about abstinence and religion and whatnot and are therefore a perfect example of what is wrong the education system over there.
  • elexichoccyeater
    elexichoccyeater Posts: 310 Member
    Can you ask for a doggy bag??? could my partner and I share a plate of food??? do they serve adults child portions?? and more importantly what is the best dinner I should order I am going to New Orleans and NYC????
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    I get a little annoyed with how polarized we are over here.

    Example I just got back from lunch and saw two bumper stickers:

    "Don't blame me, I voted for the American"

    and

    "In 2012 vote American, not Socialist"

    Indicating that if you aren't voting republican or have republican viewpoints, you aren't really an american.

    Ugh I know, every time I see bumper stickers like that I have to work really hard to keep the vomit down. I just think "dammit guys, stop making us look bad!!"
  • carrie1013
    carrie1013 Posts: 129
    So you make that assumption because I'm not a master mfp poster? Get over yourself!

    No that was just a little jibe on my part, actually. I make that assumption because you said I was "UNeducated" (which, by the way, does not need to be capitalised for any reason) about abstinence and religion and whatnot and are therefore a perfect example of what is wrong the education system over there.

    I actually respect your opinions on religion, sex, etc. I don't necessarily agree, but if we all felt the same way, the world would be a very boring place to live in. What I take offense to are jabs at our education system. It's not perfect, but show me a country that has a perfect education system.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Can you ask for a doggy bag??? could my partner and I share a plate of food??? do they serve adults child portions?? and more importantly what is the best dinner I should order I am going to New Orleans and NYC????

    You can get a to-go box anywhere, I almost always do! And you can definitely share, I often share stuff with my friends/boyfriend. NYC---the possibilities are endless, SO much good stuff to choose from! New Orleans, make sure you find a good Cajun restaurant and ask the server what they recommend. Cajun food is soooo good!
  • tam120
    tam120 Posts: 444 Member
    good read for later
  • Coolhand1969
    Coolhand1969 Posts: 821 Member
    Can you ask for a doggy bag??? could my partner and I share a plate of food??? do they serve adults child portions?? and more importantly what is the best dinner I should order I am going to New Orleans and NYC????

    Can you ask for a doggy bag??? - definitely

    could my partner and I share a plate of food??? - definitely

    do they serve adults child portions?? -- generally. I even believe that in some states it's law that they have to do so, although it may still be frowned upon

    and more importantly what is the best dinner I should order I am going to New Orleans and NYC???? - I can't answer that.
  • carrie1013
    carrie1013 Posts: 129
    So you make that assumption because I'm not a master mfp poster? Get over yourself!

    No that was just a little jibe on my part, actually. I make that assumption because you said I was "UNeducated" (which, by the way, does not need to be capitalised for any reason) about abstinence and religion and whatnot and are therefore a perfect example of what is wrong the education system over there.

    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:
  • bio_fit
    bio_fit Posts: 307 Member
    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:

    We're not in the USA - it's capitalised :wink:
  • Apa93
    Apa93 Posts: 57 Member

    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:

    Actually that is just the American spelling of it. Here we spell it with an "s" instead of a "z," like how we spell "colour" with a "u" and the American spelling omits that particular letter.

    Seriously, you are really proving my point now. I would just stop replying; you aren't doing yourself any favours and before you "correct" me again, this is the UK spelling of it and it does have a "u."
  • andreanicole686
    andreanicole686 Posts: 406 Member
    How are her opinions sad? Religion shouldn't be taught in public schools.
    Sex education should be taught because come on, abstinence only is a joke. Sure, it works for some but it shouldn't be taught as the only option.
    Christianity is not the only religion out there and not the only religion in America.
    [/quote]
    Exactly religion and edution should stay FAR FAR a part.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    So you make that assumption because I'm not a master mfp poster? Get over yourself!

    No that was just a little jibe on my part, actually. I make that assumption because you said I was "UNeducated" (which, by the way, does not need to be capitalised for any reason) about abstinence and religion and whatnot and are therefore a perfect example of what is wrong the education system over there.

    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:

    Alright, you just made us look bad. Not sure where the other poster is from, but in some countries they spell things a bit differently than we do in standard American English. Like capitalised, neighbour, flavour, etc...
  • Coolhand1969
    Coolhand1969 Posts: 821 Member
    So you make that assumption because I'm not a master mfp poster? Get over yourself!

    No that was just a little jibe on my part, actually. I make that assumption because you said I was "UNeducated" (which, by the way, does not need to be capitalised for any reason) about abstinence and religion and whatnot and are therefore a perfect example of what is wrong the education system over there.

    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:

    Alright, you just made us look bad. Not sure where the other poster is from, but in some countries they spell things a bit differently than we do in standard American English. Like capitalised, neighbour, flavour, etc...

    I've heard some of 'em even pronounce stuff differently too... Unbelievable! </sarcasm>
  • andreanicole686
    andreanicole686 Posts: 406 Member
    I get a little annoyed with how polarized we are over here.

    Example I just got back from lunch and saw two bumper stickers:

    "Don't blame me, I voted for the American"

    and

    "In 2012 vote American, not Socialist"

    Indicating that if you aren't voting republican or have republican viewpoints, you aren't really an american.

    Ugh I know, every time I see bumper stickers like that I have to work really hard to keep the vomit down. I just think "dammit guys, stop making us look bad!!"

    I agree, the term Socilaist is being used way too freely. Just because someone thinks differently from you doesn't make them a socialist.
  • SalishSea
    SalishSea Posts: 373 Member
    I live in America and I love it.

    *I agree that our healthcare system is awful. Good care is provided IF you can afford it. Otherwise many people would be willing to let you die slowly of cancer. I am NOT kidding. The fact that we have insurance companies that are allowed to make a profit off of illness is just wrong. And when we try to make healthcare more available to ALL Americans the crazy right-wing screams.."socialism". I just don't get it.

    * I believe Corpaorate profits reign over anything. It is okay to for Wall Street to outright steal from society. It is just plain and simple okay for them to do this. No one has gone to jail. They own government, they own our elections. In many aspects capitalism is NOT working. We are powerless against these big-monied interests. And it will get worse.

    *it is sad many people in America are proud of their ignorance. Being well-read, or educated is seen as snobbish.

    *the religious fanatics actively try to make an American Taliban. They would love it if there was a constitutional amendment declaring Christanity the ONLY religion in America. Yet at the same time they scream..."America is about freedom".

    *Too many Americans don't want to pay taxes for anything but the military. No money for school, roads, healthcare, agencies. They believe everything should be privatized. And everything should be up for profit making. Crazy.

    *Our public schools have slipped. Our teachers are belittled. We no longer care to put money into educating our populace. An uneducated America is an easier America to manipulate.

    *Guns are rampant. The use of Methamphetmine is rampant. Scary combination.

    *Workers are mistreated. And if you mention unions standing by workers....people say..."unions destroy jobs". That is NOT true but people believe it. Profits above ALL else, even if that means corporations move jobs overseas where people are desperate for work at $1.00/hr.

    We are a good country. Filled with nice, friendly people. But we are easily lead astray to vote against our own interest. This is often done by appealing to our "America is the best" attitude. We have a lot of work to be done to take back our country to make it people centered. Not money and business centered.
  • I think the education system over there needs to be a lot better and they need to increase the opportunities available for the lower classes; a university education is practically unreachable. If I were living in the US I would be screwed because I come from a very working class background and in a country as developed as America I don't think that's right. The overflowing prisons and gang culture speak for themselves in regards to the quality of the education system and what help there is (or lack of it.)
    I also think that creationism should be COMPLETELY BANNED and that the US should be made into a religion-neutral country, as the founders intended it to be. I don't think Christianity should be taught as the "main" religion. I think religions of all kinds should be taught but not as fact and that no-one should have to choose.
    Abstinence should not in any way be taught. It's just stupidity beyond words. Proper contraception and safe sex should be an education available to all. Again, this ties in with Christianity and, frankly, some of its teachings are outdated and idiotic, especially in regards to contraception and abortion. People need to realise that teenagers are going to have sex and the best thing to do about it is to just educate them properly so that accidents don't happen and if they do they can be taken care of.

    I could go on and on but I get that most of the MFP is American and I'm and Atheist and detest religion of all kinds so the react probably wouldn't be very kind...

    Wow! Your opinions are so sad, and sound very UNeducated

    How are her opinions sad? Religion shouldn't be taught in public schools.
    Sex education should be taught because come on, abstinence only is a joke. Sure, it works for some but it shouldn't be taught as the only option.
    Christianity is not the only religion out there and not the only religion in America.


    "This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Patrick Henry.

    People attack what is real and genuine. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Light. And I think the reason this country is in such a horrible place is because of its abandonment of God. We have turned our back on Him and therefore He will not bless us as He once did.

    And abstinence is not a joke- my husband and I have only been with each other and waited until we were married. I feel so incredibly blessed to say that. That's the way God intended it.

    The above is just my opinion among many others posted here. I'm not bashing your opinion, so please don't crap on mine. Thank you. :flowerforyou:
  • blink1021
    blink1021 Posts: 1,115 Member
    Can you ask for a doggy bag??? could my partner and I share a plate of food??? do they serve adults child portions?? and more importantly what is the best dinner I should order I am going to New Orleans and NYC????


    Yes you can get a doggy bag and in some places you can share and some do not allow it. You could eat off the childs menu but in most places you would be stuck with grilled cheese, hot dogs or chicken fingers. In New Orleans alligator fries are fantastic. In NYC there are so many choices just ask the front desk of where you are staying.
  • tig_ol_bitties
    tig_ol_bitties Posts: 561 Member
    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:

    Only in the USA is it spelled with a "z".
  • sdrawkcabynot
    sdrawkcabynot Posts: 462 Member
    As an American... i am happy that Rick Santorum went against what he is believes in and pulled out... of the race!
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I live in America and I love it. If I had money I would love to live in Europe for a while.

    *I agree that our healthcare system is awful. Good care is provided IF you can afford it. Otherwise many people would be willing to let you die slowly of cancer. I am NOT kidding. The fact that we have insurance companies that are allowed to make a profit off of illness is just wrong. And when we try to make healthcare more available to ALL Americans the crazy right-wing screams.."socialism". I just don't get it.

    * I believe Corpaorate profits reign over anything. It is okay to for Wall Street to outright steal from society. It is just plain and simple okay for them to do this. No one has gone to jail. They own government, they own our elections. In many aspects capitalism is NOT working. We are powerless against these big-monied interests. And it will get worse.

    *it is sad many people in America are proud of their ignorance. Being well-read, or educated is seen as snobbish.

    *the religious fanatics actively try to make an American Taliban. They would love it if there was a constitutional amendment declaring Christanity the ONLY religion in America. Yet at the same time they scream..."America is about freedom".

    *Too many Americans don't want to pay taxes for anything but the military. No money for school, roads, healthcare, agencies. They believe everything should be privatized. And everything should be up for profit making. Crazy.

    *Our public schools have slipped. Our teachers are belittled. We no longer care to put money into educating our populace. An uneducated America is an easier America to manipulate.

    *Guns are rampant. The use of Methamphetmine is rampant. Scary combination.

    *Workers are mistreated. And if you mention unions standing by workers....people say..."unions destroy jobs". That is NOT true but people believe it. Profits above ALL else, even if that means corporations move jobs overseas where people are desperate for work at $1.00/hr.

    We are a good country. Filled with nice, friendly people. But we are easily lead astray to vote against our own interest. This is often done by appealing to our "America is the best" attitude. We have a lot of work to be done to take back our country to make it people centered. Not money and business centered.

    This. All of this.
  • 12skipafew99100
    12skipafew99100 Posts: 1,669 Member
    America the Beautiful

    Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
    Melody by Samuel Ward




    O beautiful for spacious skies,
    For amber waves of grain,
    For purple mountain majesties
    Above the fruited plain!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    And crown thy good with brotherhood
    From sea to shining sea!

    O beautiful for pilgrim feet
    Whose stern impassioned stress
    A thoroughfare of freedom beat
    Across the wilderness!
    America! America!
    God mend thine every flaw,
    Confirm thy soul in self-control,
    Thy liberty in law!

    O beautiful for heroes proved
    In liberating strife.
    Who more than self their country loved
    And mercy more than life!
    America! America!
    May God thy gold refine
    Till all success be nobleness
    And every gain divine!

    O beautiful for patriot dream
    That sees beyond the years
    Thine alabaster cities gleam
    Undimmed by human tears!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    And crown thy good with brotherhood
    From sea to shining sea!

    O beautiful for halcyon skies,
    For amber waves of grain,
    For purple mountain majesties
    Above the enameled plain!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    Till souls wax fair as earth and air
    And music-hearted sea!

    O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
    Whose stem impassioned stress
    A thoroughfare for freedom beat
    Across the wilderness!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    Till paths be wrought through
    wilds of thought
    By pilgrim foot and knee!

    O beautiful for glory-tale
    Of liberating strife
    When once and twice,
    for man's avail
    Men lavished precious life!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    Till selfish gain no longer stain
    The banner of the free!

    O beautiful for patriot dream
    That sees beyond the years
    Thine alabaster cities gleam
    Undimmed by human tears!
    America! America!
    God shed his grace on thee
    Till nobler men keep once again
    Thy whiter jubilee!
  • carrie1013
    carrie1013 Posts: 129
    So you make that assumption because I'm not a master mfp poster? Get over yourself!

    No that was just a little jibe on my part, actually. I make that assumption because you said I was "UNeducated" (which, by the way, does not need to be capitalised for any reason) about abstinence and religion and whatnot and are therefore a perfect example of what is wrong the education system over there.

    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:

    Alright, you just made us look bad. Not sure where the other poster is from, but in some countries they spell things a bit differently than we do in standard American English. Like capitalised, neighbour, flavour, etc...

    I guess you got me there :).
  • carrie1013
    carrie1013 Posts: 129
    And by the way, if we are correcting each other, the word is capitalized, not capitalised. :smile:

    Only in the USA is it spelled with a "z".

    I get that now, I was wrong.
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    "This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Patrick Henry.

    People attack what is real and genuine. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Light. And I think the reason this country is in such a horrible place is because of its abandonment of God. We have turned our back on Him and therefore He will not bless us as He once did.

    And abstinence is not a joke- my husband and I have only been with each other and waited until we were married. I feel so incredibly blessed to say that. That's the way God intended it.

    The above is just my opinion among many others posted here. I'm not bashing your opinion, so please don't crap on mine. Thank you. :flowerforyou:

    I'm not crapping on your opinion, rather on the parts you are leaving out. Like the many dozen quotes from Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and George Washington that denounce organized religion and make claims that a nation should have a seperation of church and state (you know... those "other founding father guys") ;)

    America was seen as a place where religious freedom was having the freedom to worship as you please. Not having a state sponsored religion that has more rights or is better than those who worship another flavor of Jesus or God, or none at all.

    I am firmly in the camp of seperation of church and state. This is not a theocracy. I happily support and defend anyone's right to worship as they please. Just keep it out of politics and the law. You'd go into a frenzy if non-christian religion was suddenly making laws you had to follow, and for a good reason. Because religion has no place in law in a country that provides freedom of religion.
  • andreanicole686
    andreanicole686 Posts: 406 Member
    "This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Patrick Henry.

    People attack what is real and genuine. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Light. And I think the reason this country is in such a horrible place is because of its abandonment of God. We have turned our back on Him and therefore He will not bless us as He once did.

    And abstinence is not a joke- my husband and I have only been with each other and waited until we were married. I feel so incredibly blessed to say that. That's the way God intended it.

    The above is just my opinion among many others posted here. I'm not bashing your opinion, so please don't crap on mine. Thank you. :flowerforyou:
    [/quote]

    Well actually:

    Such a view of American history is completely contrary to known facts. The primary leaders of the so-called founding fathers of our nation were not Bible-believing Christians; they were deists. Deism was a philosophical belief that was widely accepted by the colonial intelligentsia at the time of the American Revolution. Its major tenets included belief in human reason as a reliable means of solving social and political problems and belief in a supreme deity who created the universe to operate solely by natural laws. The supreme God of the Deists removed himself entirely from the universe after creating it. They believed that he assumed no control over it, exerted no influence on natural phenomena, and gave no supernatural revelation to man. A necessary consequence of these beliefs was a rejection of many doctrines central to the Christian religion. Deists did not believe in the virgin birth, divinity, or resurrection of Jesus, the efficacy of prayer, the miracles of the Bible, or even the divine inspiration of the Bible.
  • cannonsky
    cannonsky Posts: 850 Member
    I'm just hoping for a nice strong third political party eventually... or, you know, for the other two to grow up.

    I'm also hoping for people to learn a little about things before they start spouting off opinions. THAT would make America a better place.
  • Apa93
    Apa93 Posts: 57 Member
    "This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Patrick Henry.

    People attack what is real and genuine. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Light. And I think the reason this country is in such a horrible place is because of its abandonment of God. We have turned our back on Him and therefore He will not bless us as He once did.

    And abstinence is not a joke- my husband and I have only been with each other and waited until we were married. I feel so incredibly blessed to say that. That's the way God intended it.

    The above is just my opinion among many others posted here. I'm not bashing your opinion, so please don't crap on mine. Thank you. :flowerforyou:


    Such a view of American history is completely contrary to known facts. The primary leaders of the so-called founding fathers of our nation were not Bible-believing Christians; they were deists. Deism was a philosophical belief that was widely accepted by the colonial intelligentsia at the time of the American Revolution. Its major tenets included belief in human reason as a reliable means of solving social and political problems and belief in a supreme deity who created the universe to operate solely by natural laws. The supreme God of the Deists removed himself entirely from the universe after creating it. They believed that he assumed no control over it, exerted no influence on natural phenomena, and gave no supernatural revelation to man. A necessary consequence of these beliefs was a rejection of many doctrines central to the Christian religion. Deists did not believe in the virgin birth, divinity, or resurrection of Jesus, the efficacy of prayer, the miracles of the Bible, or even the divine inspiration of the Bible.

    Exactly my point.
  • Coolhand1969
    Coolhand1969 Posts: 821 Member
    I think the education system over there needs to be a lot better and they need to increase the opportunities available for the lower classes; a university education is practically unreachable. If I were living in the US I would be screwed because I come from a very working class background and in a country as developed as America I don't think that's right. The overflowing prisons and gang culture speak for themselves in regards to the quality of the education system and what help there is (or lack of it.)
    I also think that creationism should be COMPLETELY BANNED and that the US should be made into a religion-neutral country, as the founders intended it to be. I don't think Christianity should be taught as the "main" religion. I think religions of all kinds should be taught but not as fact and that no-one should have to choose.
    Abstinence should not in any way be taught. It's just stupidity beyond words. Proper contraception and safe sex should be an education available to all. Again, this ties in with Christianity and, frankly, some of its teachings are outdated and idiotic, especially in regards to contraception and abortion. People need to realise that teenagers are going to have sex and the best thing to do about it is to just educate them properly so that accidents don't happen and if they do they can be taken care of.

    I could go on and on but I get that most of the MFP is American and I'm and Atheist and detest religion of all kinds so the react probably wouldn't be very kind...

    Wow! Your opinions are so sad, and sound very UNeducated

    How are her opinions sad? Religion shouldn't be taught in public schools.
    Sex education should be taught because come on, abstinence only is a joke. Sure, it works for some but it shouldn't be taught as the only option.
    Christianity is not the only religion out there and not the only religion in America.


    "This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Patrick Henry.

    People attack what is real and genuine. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Light. And I think the reason this country is in such a horrible place is because of its abandonment of God. We have turned our back on Him and therefore He will not bless us as He once did.

    And abstinence is not a joke- my husband and I have only been with each other and waited until we were married. I feel so incredibly blessed to say that. That's the way God intended it.

    The above is just my opinion among many others posted here. I'm not bashing your opinion, so please don't crap on mine. Thank you. :flowerforyou:

    You are entitled to your opinion. Do you realize that many of the founding fathers may not have been Christians at all, but deists? A google search will turn up may interesting tidbits, but in the middle of the Wikipedia article is a good place to start: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deism
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I'm just hoping for a nice strong third political party eventually... or, you know, for the other two to grow up.

    I'm also hoping for people to learn a little about things before they start spouting off opinions. THAT would make America a better place.

    I would like to see that, too. Or for the other two to grow apart! They're way too similar, I can't really tell them apart anymore.