Views on America

Serah87

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"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:
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AMEN!!!!! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!! :flowerforyou:

13519485

The people of the United States are, in general, very open-minded, intelligent, receptive to foreign culture, compassionate, generous, and opposed to bigotry, hate and discrimination. I may be biased in favour of the US because I was born and raised here, have citizenship here, and live a pretty comfortable life, but if it weren't for the kindness and receptiveness of the people and the US government I think my parents probably would have gone back to England, and then my life would be completely different. Instead, my parents were welcomed here, by the people and the government, and they were given an opportunity to become permanent residents and to have me. Then I was allowed to be born here and to be a citizen of both the United States and of Britain. I think that's pretty fantastic given that it's impossible in most other countries.

I think the main reason so many people dislike this country is because of the government, and that's understandable. The government of the US has many flaws and is quite corrupt. The politicians here basically deceive people into voting for them, or pay their way into office, and then do nothing to benefit their constituents. There are exceptions, yes, but those of pure intention usually don't make it into office because they don't have the money to campaign. The US government has become a plutocracy [and is quickly becoming a plutocratic theocracy] and it rarely acts for the good of the people and even more rarely acts according to the will of the people--unless the people's will has been altered through deception, terror, or coercion. This is a huge problem, but I believe that the people will respond soon enough and change will be realised. I don't think "Americans" are willing to be made submissive or to be oppressed for very long. Eventually they will fight back.

Speaking only from my British side I have to say that I don't think it right to judge the people of the United States based on the actions of their government because their government is not acting in the people's interest. It's acting only in the interest of their "shareholders" and what can make those shareholders more wealthy and more powerful. From an outside perspective it may seem as though the majority of the US people were for the invasion of Iraq, but please keep in mind that they were deceived, coerced, and terrorised into being for it--and even then I don't think the majority ever supported it, but that the media stated it that way for control reasons.

Remember that the US media is an arm of the government because the media is controlled by the "shareholders" who invest in the government. This may seem impossible given the differences between the so-called "liberal" media and the "conservative", but they're really on the same team working in effort to keep the people confused, uninformed, misinformed, deceived, and living in fear. Fearful, confused people tend to give more power to their government in hopes that fear and confusion will subside with government action, and better still, they rarely revolt.

Anyway, I love this country for its people and I hope that the people eventually get back a government that works for them and not against them like this government that provides bread and circuses in effort of keeping the people submissive, quiet, and non-revolutionary.

Coolhand1969

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.

Support the Libertarian party please! http://www.lp.org/

doorki

does the Libertarian Party support any kind of government infrastructure or regulation?

katielauren2001

This is not about religion! However I believe that religion serves as a purpose to cause hatred between each other. Look at Muslims, they are constantly victimised (particularly in America but UK also) for being 'terrorists' which is not the case with all people that follow the Islamic faith. It's racist! What about Christian extremists? Nobody ever mentions that.

cannonsky

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.

Really? I think they're pretty polarized... that's why there were so many republican candidates for the presidential nomination running to the extreme right.

"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.

One of the reasons for the revolution and the bill of rights was to ensure that no one is forced to subscribe to something they don't believe in. Everyone has a right to worship (or not worship) as they see fit... or they at least should.

hanna1210

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...

I have to add my two cents. First, I came from a working class family and went to a university. I worked my butt off for scholarships, grants, and received loans, but I did it. And I would do it the same way again.

Secondly, I grew up in Catholic schools (my parents worked hard for this, and so did I - not a free trip) and was never taught Creationism and neither did the kids at the public schools. Only recently did the state I grew up in pass the law allowing it in schools (we'll see how that goes). The only thing I knew abou the topic came from The Waltons or Inherit the Wind. It just wasn't something worthy of our time. I was also taught about contraceptives, as well as abstinence, in school. Yes, with a cross hanging on the wall of my school, we still learned about safe sex.

And please, don't lump the OP or anyone else with the image of Christian extremists. For a decent number of us, we take the freedom of religion seriously in that we don't condemn others for their beliefs - be that God, Allah, Jesus, the trees, or nothing at all.

katielauren2001

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.

Support the Libertarian party please! http://www.lp.org/

Getting rid of the minimum wage is not a good idea. It sounds reasonable with some of it's ideology though.

imnotyourpal

Exactly religion and edution should stay FAR FAR a part.

^^ This.


Wow, I worked for a world renowned research institute at which people obtained their Ph.Ds, and only a small percentage of students (and postdocs) were from the US. The rest were from all over the world. I guess not everyone feels like you do about our system.

Additionally, keep your eyes on your paper. This is a US slang for you worry about your education system and we'll worry about ours. No one is forcing you to go to school here.

macpatti

Exactly religion and edution should stay FAR FAR a part.

WHAT???? How, exactly, will people learn about world religions if they're not educated on them? I'm not sure I understand this statement. Unless, what you're meaning to say is that religion should not be taught in public schools.

Coolhand1969

does the Libertarian Party support any kind of government infrastructure or regulation?

doorki, I can continue talking specifics of the LP platform with you in pm's if you'd like. However, I shan't do that in the open forum, as we've been warned not to talk politics. I just threw it out there as a third party option in response to the parent poster.

cannonsky

Exactly religion and edution should stay FAR FAR a part.

WHAT???? How, exactly, will people learn about world religions if they're not educated on them? I'm not sure I understand this statement. Unless, what you're meaning to say is that religion should not be taught in public schools.

there is a difference between teaching religion, and teaching ABOUT religion... they were referring to the former

doorki

does the Libertarian Party support any kind of government infrastructure or regulation?

doorki, I can continue talking specifics of the LP platform with you in pm's if you'd like. However, I shan't do that in the open forum, as we've been warned not to talk politics. I just threw it out there as a third party option in response to the parent poster.

gotcha. I missed the warning.

macpatti

Exactly religion and edution should stay FAR FAR a part.

WHAT???? How, exactly, will people learn about world religions if they're not educated on them? I'm not sure I understand this statement. Unless, what you're meaning to say is that religion should not be taught in public schools.

there is a difference between teaching religion, and teaching ABOUT religion... they were referring to the former

What is the difference? Not being snarky. Trying to understand what you're saying.

MaraDiaz

Support the Libertarian party please! http://www.lp.org/

I lean toward Green/Socialist myself. That said, I respect Libertarians. Libertarians believe that, absent federal government, communities will regulate themselves. I think you're are completely wrong. I think we'd end up with a country of mill and mining towns, governed by private armies run by corporations free of all restraint. We'd have people dropping like flies from filthy food, air, water, and lack of medical care.

But at least you're an honest and principled bunch and you're not afraid to stand up and tell the truth about the direction you want this country to go in.

I reread my first paragraph, and it sounds insulting, but it's not meant to be. I really do think your ideals are commendable, and I really do respect your party. I just don't think it would work out the way you think it will.

doorki

Exactly religion and edution should stay FAR FAR a part.

WHAT???? How, exactly, will people learn about world religions if they're not educated on them? I'm not sure I understand this statement. Unless, what you're meaning to say is that religion should not be taught in public schools.

there is a difference between teaching religion, and teaching ABOUT religion... they were referring to the former

What is the difference? Not being snarky. Trying to understand what you're saying.

I believe that the difference is that one religion should not be taught as the "proper" religion. Honestly, I think anyone's spiritual questions/quests should be their own to explore.

recriger

I saw a few comments that are close, but not quite true.

These quotes aren't exact, but by gist.

"The NRA is working to keep Assault weapons legal". Incorrect statement. Fully automatic weapons have not been legal to purchase by ordinary citizens since 1948. the word "assault" is added to make it sound more dramatic. Assault simply means to be on the "Offensive". If I attacked you with a butter knife I would be on the offensive, therefore the butterknife would be an "assault butterknife". You can purchase an automatic with a class 3 license, but to get one of those you get a deeper backround check than I did for a secret clearance. So when you hear the news talking about assault weapons they are generally referring to weapons that you can buy at wallmart, but they happen to "Look" scary.

"this country was founded to be religion free." Close, but not correct. This country was founded specifically for/because of religious liberty. That's why the puritians were willing to get on the boats. The close part is that our "Government" was not supposed to use religious beliefs as the basis for law. Which is difficult to do with some things. When religions say things like "Thou shalt not kill", (dramatic example) it makes things fuzzy. Yes our laws outlaw killing, but that law specifically wasn't written "because" of religion. Some folks have trouble seperating religious control with religious agreement.

I don't need to go too far, surprisingly calm discussion though. Good job.

Marll

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.

Yes, the healthcare system is a mess, but what makes it a mess is the government stepping in and allowing insurance companies to manipulate the market. Gone are the days when you could go to a private doctor and just pay him cash. It's all the rules and regulations about HOW we are to pay for the healthcare that have made the cost skyrocket. This is not a new concept. The same thing happened with auto insurance. Many years ago when insurance was voluntary prices were low. Now that everyone that owns a car is REQUIRED by LAW to have insurance (except a few states, where the rates are SUPER low) the cost has gone through the roof.

* 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.

Corporate America is not the enemy, it is our current government. Their policies have failed and now they need to blame someone. It's easy to blame a "faceless" corporation and not take responsibility that the decisions you have made for the people that have elected you are what is wrong. Let's see how well everything works when the government controls everything like they want. Government cars, government loans, government investments...sounds very similar to communism to me.

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

Sad to say but this is true in many places. However those that like to be ignorant are more products of their parents than our society. That's the real sad truth.

*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".

Wrong. There's nothing further from the truth. There are religious fanatics of every flavor in America, and each may have their own agenda, it's just the Christians that are vilified in our very anti Christian left wing media. America is meant to be a place that all people can worship as they want (as long as they don't violate others civill liberties or commit crimes) and that is the way it actually is for the most part. The problem is that the left wing are creating a state religion of sorts through the systematic bashing of Christianity and Judaism, while holding up Islam as misunderstood.

For what it's worth, I'm not a Christian, but a hardcore Atheist. I do however believe that EVERYONE has a right to worship as they want, and understand that this nation was FOUNDED in large part by Christians and Christian ideals. I am an Atheist and the parts of Christianity that show through in our laws just make good sense and are born of common decency to all people. Atheists that rail against everything religious are idiots, and not true Atheists, but have become a religion in its own right of being Anti-Religion. A true Atheist doesn't believe in, nor give a crap about any of it. Live and let live.

*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.

I'm more than willing to pay taxes for what is needed. The federal government should provide a military, infrastructure (roads, communications, etc) and the rest should really be left up to states. I pay plenty of taxes and think that others should do the same. We should have a flat tax of roughly 10%. EVERYONE should pay into the system. If you only made $20k last year you pay $2000, if I make $20million I'd pay $2million....seems pretty fair to me....As it stands I paid well over $20k in taxes last year and am barely middle class....

*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.

Teachers are held on such a high pedestal here that many forget what the heck they are doing, and what they are doing it for. Too many times I see school strikes and the people that are being hurt are the children, not teachers. Teachers should be getting paid on merit and tenure, not based on what union package they can get. I've had amazing teachers in public schools that I attended, and others that had no business teaching kids. Why do they get the same entitlements? Why can nobody succeed now on their own hard work and determination? If schools were left up to the states, and not the federal governemnt, I'd be willing to bet we'd see an improvement.

I do agree that an uneducated America is an easier America to manipulate, which explains the pervasivness of left wing doctrine in our schools.

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

Guns in the hands of criminals may be rampant, but your average citizen in most states has a pretty hard time obtaining one these days. Your average citizen is not going out and shooting up the streets, criminals are. Outlawing guns or stricter controls will only ensure that criminals will be the only ones with guns. Anyone that thinks they obtain them legally in the first place is an idiot.

Meth is a scourge, but one that could be erradicated if we leagalized other drugs that don't need to be illegal, like marijuana. We spend too much time busting people for petty crap, and cops giving out speeding tickets to generate revenue to actually stop crimes...

*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.

It's a free country, if your job sucks and you are being mistreated, quit and find a new one. It's really simple actually. I don't need a union taking dues and dictating when and where I can or can't work. This is about free will. You either bow to your employer or the union...

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.

We are a good country filled with nice people, intelligent and compassionate people. We are easily led astray though on pie in the sky promises. We have fallen on hard times because nodoby is taught that America is exceptional. We are not moving towards being a people centered nation, but rather towards a government centric nation.

netchik

. The quality of the student loans over there just aren't up to par. My friend went to university in the US and she asked for assistance with funding and they told her to go to a loan shark. We don't even have those over here in the first place and I really think that is testament to the quality of the student loans systems and also just funding for poorer people in general.

Oh bless yor sheltered little heart!! There are indeed loan sharks in the UK, and every other country on the planet! They are just advertised in different ways

Marll

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.

Support the Libertarian party please! http://www.lp.org/

More and more as a patriot, conservative Atheist, and someone that just likes to use logic I'm drawn toward the Libertarian ideals.

cannonsky

Exactly religion and edution should stay FAR FAR a part.

WHAT???? How, exactly, will people learn about world religions if they're not educated on them? I'm not sure I understand this statement. Unless, what you're meaning to say is that religion should not be taught in public schools.

there is a difference between teaching religion, and teaching ABOUT religion... they were referring to the former

What is the difference? Not being snarky. Trying to understand what you're saying.

I believe that the difference is that one religion should not be taught as the "proper" religion. Honestly, I think anyone's spiritual questions/quests should be their own to explore.

what I mean is that teaching about religion would entail a student gaining knowledge about various world religions, their thoughts, beliefs, practices, etc... and an anthropological study of sorts... Teaching religion is teaching a student to follow a specific religion on the grounds that it is the proper religion. That type of education should be reserved for church and privately funded schools

Marll

. The quality of the student loans over there just aren't up to par. My friend went to university in the US and she asked for assistance with funding and they told her to go to a loan shark. We don't even have those over here in the first place and I really think that is testament to the quality of the student loans systems and also just funding for poorer people in general.

HAHAHAAHAH! What?! I could see perhaps if a foreign student wanted assistance how that migh be hard, but your average US citizen that has the wherewithall to actually go apply for a student loan is VERY likely to get one. The only time I've seen issues is when someone is still a dependent of their partents and their parents make TOO MUCH money. I put myself through college with the GI Bill and student loans. I applied and literally had 0 income and got the loans. It's not as big of a problem as people make it out to be.

It HAS however become more of a problem now that the government is the sole lender in the US and not multiple institutions.

cannonsky

. The quality of the student loans over there just aren't up to par. My friend went to university in the US and she asked for assistance with funding and they told her to go to a loan shark. We don't even have those over here in the first place and I really think that is testament to the quality of the student loans systems and also just funding for poorer people in general.

HAHAHAAHAH! What?! I could see perhaps if a foreign student wanted assistance how that migh be hard, but your average US citizen that has the wherewithall to actually go apply for a student loan is VERY likely to get one. The only time I've seen issues is when someone is still a dependent of their partents and their parents make TOO MUCH money. I put myself through college with the GI Bill and student loans. I applied and literally had 0 income and got the loans. It's not as big of a problem as people make it out to be.

It HAS however become more of a problem now that the government is the sole lender in the US and not multiple institutions.

It's not so much an issue of getting the student loans... it's paying them back at a time when a degree no longer guarantees a well paying job. Reports are coming out now showing that senior citizens still have student loan debt and that many are having trouble making those payments. I had NO problem getting money for school... I'm just screwed when I graduate this fall

k8blujay2

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.)

A university education is actually quite attainable, and rapidly becoming worthless. Grad school is what is difficult to obtain access to and funds for.

Also, even if every American had a graduate degree, there aren't enough jobs that require them. The real issue isn't educational opportunities, it's the treatment of workers in all jobs. Even unskilled workers deserve a decent standard of living, but because the minimum wage is not a living wage, because so many jobs have been outsourced, and because services for those in need are not readily available, most unskilled workers live very precarious lives. Providing for all instead of for an elite few is where our society fails.

I don't just mean university, I mean both higher and further education. It seems to be either you have a degree or nothing; there is no middle ground. We have ex-polytechnics and further educational colleges all over the UK and you get full funding over here so there's no money to pay whatsoever. The quality of the student loans over there just aren't up to par. My friend went to university in the US and she asked for assistance with funding and they told her to go to a loan shark. We don't even have those over here in the first place and I really think that is testament to the quality of the student loans systems and also just funding for poorer people in general.

Also somewhat inaccurate. We have trade schools as well, tons of them, and it is actually very easy to get funding assistance to attend them. I have many friends who have attended non-traditional universities and gotten assistance to pay for it.

If you want to go to college, you can. My family did not pay one dollar for my education---I made it happen. I worked my butt off to receive several scholarships, I found tons of extra scholarships to apply for, I also applied for federal grants, and a grant from my University. I do have a little student loan debt, but I'm ok with that because I also have a really amazing job that I worked hard to get.

Also, when I attended public school, I was not taught to follow a religion, I was taught about different world religions and their basic beliefs and roots. I was also taught about safe sex, condoms, abortion, stds, etc. This was over 10 years ago, but I did learn all those things in public school. I have never ever been taught that Christianity is the only religion, aside from when I attended Catholic school, and even then, I was taught about other world religions and their basic beliefs.

Not to say our education system is perfect or anything, but I feel as though the op here had a somewhat inaccurate impression of the way things actually are.

I agree... I came out of a Community College (and there are TONS of them) where I didn't have to borrow a dime... and they have all kinds of trade programs... the one I went to had welding, auto repair, electrician, nursing... and many others...

Marll

I saw a few comments that are close, but not quite true.

These quotes aren't exact, but by gist.

"The NRA is working to keep Assault weapons legal". Incorrect statement. Fully automatic weapons have not been legal to purchase by ordinary citizens since 1948. the word "assault" is added to make it sound more dramatic. Assault simply means to be on the "Offensive". If I attacked you with a butter knife I would be on the offensive, therefore the butterknife would be an "assault butterknife". You can purchase an automatic with a class 3 license, but to get one of those you get a deeper backround check than I did for a secret clearance. So when you hear the news talking about assault weapons they are generally referring to weapons that you can buy at wallmart, but they happen to "Look" scary.

"this country was founded to be religion free." Close, but not correct. This country was founded specifically for/because of religious liberty. That's why the puritians were willing to get on the boats. The close part is that our "Government" was not supposed to use religious beliefs as the basis for law. Which is difficult to do with some things. When religions say things like "Thou shalt not kill", (dramatic example) it makes things fuzzy. Yes our laws outlaw killing, but that law specifically wasn't written "because" of religion. Some folks have trouble seperating religious control with religious agreement.

I don't need to go too far, surprisingly calm discussion though. Good job.

"Assult" weapons are just another liberal buzz word used to scare people. I could easily make a BB gun LOOK like an "assult" rifle and it'd probably end up on a banned list.

Gun control is a scheme to control the masses. It's no coincidence that the first thing that some of the worst tyrants in history did when gaining power was to outlaw guns for the citizens of their countries.

"The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to posses arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by doing so." -Adolph Hitler 1938

k8blujay2

Wow... just skimming the current pages there are so many misconceptions that I don't even know where to start... *sigh* and health care CAN be affordable if one learns how to navigate the system.

Gwen7121

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.

I'm still trying to figure out where you get the idea that creationism or religion is taught in public schools? Definitely wasn't taught in mine.

I don't expect the government to pay for my education. I expect the government to find a way to keep American jobs in our country rather than letting them be outsourced to other countries.

stevenc78

I live in the US. From the extremely blurry line between the separation of church and state to the unwillingness of the politicians to comprise. There is plenty to dislike and it can bog you down if you spend too much time thinking about it quite frankly.
Sometimes I can't help to think that America is on the decline. We live on our past achievements too much in this country and expect to always coast through on them while telling the rest of the world we are the best and that they aren't.
You know like when some dudes have a big ol' wang and it gives them overconfidence and they think they can do/have anything. Thats us and our military. We have the biggest and strongest so we can overreach and then tell ourselves, "It's ok, We are awesome! We are protecting and spreading democracy!" And then we find ourselves in some country forever (Hi people from those countries!) and slowly erode the gratitude from helping them out (if there was any to start with, Korea comes to mind) and start them hating us. Plenty of Americans think we shouldn't be rubbing our big ol' wang all over the place. Of course if they speak up theyre derided as unpatriotic or a commie.
I dont know why "socialism" is such a dirty word here. Police? Firemen? Public library? Dirty god d*mn socialism at work! And my favorite.. Keep your dirty goverment hands out of my medicare! (Medicare is a national social insurance for those 65 and older and disabled people). I'm pretty sure in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution that it is "LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". These are our unalienable rights, we came up with this and it has inspired many countries around the world to include it in their constitutions and declarations. I think its pretty kickass. I just wish we followed the first part and had healthcare for everyone. Life isn't a privelidge, its a right.
Democrats (the liberal in America) think that guns are bad. They're not. Some people are bad. Besides, we could never get rid of all the firearms in the states even if people wanted it. It just seems that this is the easy answer to solve crime when there are so many underlying reasons for why there is crime in the first place.
If only we stuck with the separation of church and state instead of just saying it while we winked our eye. The inclusion of religion into our politics is the biggest *%ck up. It should be left in your home and not dictate policy. With that being said, religion is great for some and not so much for others. The people who hate on religion are just as bad as the ones that push it. Sometimes worse it seems. Live and let live.
Republicans (the conservatives in America), creationism should be taught in schools? Really? Abstinence instead of birth control? Really? (What la la land are you living in where your kids arent banging in the back of your F150 while you are out on date night at Applebees?) Oh yeah, and please keep your hands out of every womans vagina. You're not wanted there. Your hands are cold. That we are still fighting over a woman's rights to control her reproduction is ridiculous.

Wow, I sound like im a liberal who hates America. I don't hate America and I think liberals and conservatives are both full of crap. America was great, can be great and is great in many ways still. We just need to lop off the bad stuff before it overwhelms us. I suppose I obviously lean more towards the "liberal" end of things. But call me crazy if I think healthcare and education should be provided to all. If we can maintain our huge military presence in the world and bomb some folks every few years we can find the money to pay for these two things.

Marll

. The quality of the student loans over there just aren't up to par. My friend went to university in the US and she asked for assistance with funding and they told her to go to a loan shark. We don't even have those over here in the first place and I really think that is testament to the quality of the student loans systems and also just funding for poorer people in general.

HAHAHAAHAH! What?! I could see perhaps if a foreign student wanted assistance how that migh be hard, but your average US citizen that has the wherewithall to actually go apply for a student loan is VERY likely to get one. The only time I've seen issues is when someone is still a dependent of their partents and their parents make TOO MUCH money. I put myself through college with the GI Bill and student loans. I applied and literally had 0 income and got the loans. It's not as big of a problem as people make it out to be.

It HAS however become more of a problem now that the government is the sole lender in the US and not multiple institutions.

It's not so much an issue of getting the student loans... it's paying them back at a time when a degree no longer guarantees a well paying job. Reports are coming out now showing that senior citizens still have student loan debt and that many are having trouble making those payments. I had NO problem getting money for school... I'm just screwed when I graduate this fall

AND? That should not be the problem of the people, nor the government to solve. Sorry you choose to study something that became worthless, but you made that decision. I sympathize though, I too went to school for electronics, got my degree and was met with no jobs in areas that I wanted to actually live. I then made an effort to change the direction of my career slightly and am now in IT.

I'll be paying for my student loans for years and years to come, but oh well, my problem not someone elses.

LizKurz

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.

And this is why I would love to leave. I'm embarrassed to call myself an American to anyone else in the world. And for those that offered assistance to those of us that wish to leave, I'll seriously take you up on it. Feel free to send me a pm with what you're willing to help out with. We have four kids and a mortgage. Though our house inst underwater, so buying out our mortgage wouldn't be a bad investment.

Seriously, you know what m bumper sticker says? "Obama/Biden 2012" that's it. I don't feel the need to tear anyone else down, just so i can support the moderate democrat up for reelection. As a socialist, I can tell you, he is not a socialist, and is too right winged on many issues for me. But, I know there is no other choice out there. For those that cant seem to get over the "me me me" mentality, I feel sorry for them, they're missing out on such joy in life. To me, the hive having health care is more important than my being able to own guns. The hive having equal rights regardless of race, creed, or sexual orientation is more important to me than shoving my religion down everyone's throat.

When people stopped caring about the hive, in favor of more and more and more for them, and people are suffering with no food, no place to live and no access to affordable health care, this country turned south for the sh!tter.

When there are 18 million vacant foreclosed homes in this country, and only 3.5 million homeless people yet, we can't as a country come together to house them and get them back on their feet, yeah, it's kinda disgusting to me.