Good going North Carolina

[Grayhead]

I guess I don't understand why everyone gets their panties in a wad over these things. The only reason who people who are claustrophobic are not being supported in law changes is because there is no room for politicising that issue. If being gay was a big deal right now, Boone would care about these poor discriminated trannies. And to see people come to these suffering individuals rescue is an even bigger joke. To compare this to the blacks civil rights is ludicrous. Cops weren't dragging trannies out in the street and beating them like they did back in the day. Back then they were fighting for people's rights to live equally. This whole gays issue is nothing more than a play on politics. It's also another thing to drive this country apart. This country will never stand if people do not find some common ground in which to work. United is how this country was formed. Divided, it will fall. Let me be the one to say, Boone is right on this issue. That's how it was designed. And many people feel into that trap.
Name one big ticket issue today that everyone agrees on.

 

[coryfly]

I've read a couple of pages here and am mostly amazed by the fact I saw Botate post something. I don't really know anything about the bathroom law. I thought it was passed because of something Charlotte did first or something.

 

[DeanFor President]

Pathetic. It is impossible for you to ever do this without making a penis comment, isn't it?

It's why she's so obsessed with Gunslinger DICK.

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

It's why she's so obsessed with Gunslinger DICK.

Obviously, you failed to read the list of mental illnesses/disorders. I was actually referring to that because all of you have one and I was pointing out in a bullish, sarcastic way about erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation being one they most likely have from that list. I don't care how tiny, normal or big they are or how well they can work it because I would not want any of you for any reason in that way. Like you guys, I find what stings a little and use that to poke fun at you. You guys do it to me all the time. The difference is, I can take it and you guys apparently cannot. Good day sir.

 

[KramerDishDawg84]

Well, I actually believe that people fight and die so people like Soros remain wealthy and powerful.

That rah-rah "We're the greatest country because we're America" stuff because we "win" wars and kill/subjugate more people in wars is a big lie to get the poorer classes to keep sacrificing their lives so rich and wealthy people stay that way.

We're not the greatest because we win more wars and subjugate more people. WTF are you talking about? Talk about right out of left field. Good grief, man. I'm talking abut the fact that Soros promotes and perpetuates anything that will disrupt and bring American society down and pit Americans against each other (OBLM, Gender ID, Wealth Redistribution (except his, of course), Slave Reparations, The confederate flag brouhaha, etc.). The faster he can bring America down, the quicker his One World Order becomes reality. Try to keep up.

 

[strummingram]

We're not the greatest because we win more wars and subjugate more people. WTF are you talking about? Talk about right out of left field. Good grief, man. I'm talking abut the fact that Soros promotes and perpetuates anything that will disrupt and bring American society down and pit Americans against each other (OBLM, Gender ID, Wealth Redistribution (except his, of course), Slave Reparations, The confederate flag brouhaha, etc.). The faster he can bring America down, the quicker his One World Order becomes reality. Try to keep up.

I am keeping up. I agree that mega-wealthy people like him stir shit up.

That part about "his One World Order becomes reality" is paranoid hyperbole.

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

We're not the greatest because we win more wars and subjugate more people. WTF are you talking about? Talk about right out of left field. Good grief, man. I'm talking abut the fact that Soros promotes and perpetuates anything that will disrupt and bring American society down and pit Americans against each other (OBLM, Gender ID, Wealth Redistribution (except his, of course), Slave Reparations, The confederate flag brouhaha, etc.). The faster he can bring America down, the quicker his One World Order becomes reality. Try to keep up.

I don't know but all of that sounds like the right and left agendas. They take a tiny issue or sometimes nonissue and blow it way out of proportion, exacerbating it to the point the entire country feels like it's caving in and about to implode, so to speak. How does this one person contribute more than these political cults already do?

 

[tarheel0910]

I would not want any of you for any reason in that way

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

I would not want any of you for any reason in that way.

 

[Archer2]

That rah-rah "We're the greatest country because we're America" stuff because we "win" wars and kill/subjugate more people in wars is a big lie to get the poorer classes to keep sacrificing their lives so rich and wealthy people stay that way.

Sheer delusion. After helping to liberate Europe from the Nazis, something that would have been impossible without the USA, our war machine was geared up and we could have taken over Europe if we'd so desired. And there wouldn't have been a damn thing anybody could have done about it. Know what? We didn't, because that's not who we are. Instead, we provided most of the money to rebuild Germany and Japan. We didn't even annex that pimple on our butt that is Communist Cuba, when many thought that we should have. Why? Again, that's not who we are.

So your statement about us "killing and subjugating more people" is nonsense, like most of your posts. The USA provides more humanitarian assistance to third world countries by far than any other country in the world. When there is an earthquake or a tsunami somewhere in the world, which country is first and foremost in providing humanitarian assistance? We are. And the figures below for 2012 show how the USA bears far more fiscal responsibility for the United Nations than any other country.

"Over the past six decades, the contributions, or “assessments,” provided by poor or small U.N. member states have steadily ratcheted downward. Currently, the minimum assessment is 0.001 percent of the regular budget. The 39 countries paying the minimum assessment will pay only $25,852 in gross contributions in 2012, based on the 2012–2013 biennial U.N. regular budget of $5.152 billion.[2]

By contrast, the U.S. is assessed 22 percent of the regular budget, which is nearly $567 million in gross contributions for 2012. The U.S. is assessed more than 180(out of 193 member states), other U.N. member states combined and 22,000 times more than the least assessed countries. Together, the top 15 contributors pay over 81.4 percent of the U.N. regular budget. Moreover, under U.N. rules, the 129 member states that contribute less than 1.3 percent can pass the budget over the objections of the countries paying over 98 percent.[3]"

For all our faults, we are by far the most generous country in the world. It's your right as an American to constantly denigrate our great country, many men and women have died for your right to do so. But your liberal psychobabble about how bad our country is disgusts me.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

The USA provides more humanitarian assistance to third world countries by far than any other country in the world.

Correct. But it's about damn time that dollar amount drops. I think many people need a reminder about just how helpful the US is to foreign nations. And - this country could use the extra funds itself.

 

[Archer2]

Correct. But it's about damn time that dollar amount drops. I think many people need a reminder about just how helpful the US is to foreign nations. And - this country could use the extra funds itself.

I agree wholeheartedly.

I do not, however, agree with Trump when he says other NATO countries must pay their fair share or else. NATO is still very important to world peace, IMO, and our continued support and leadership is imperative. If NATO were to dissolve, I think the results would be disastrous for Europe. I think that possibility gives Putin a woodie.

 

[strummingram]

I love it... they use the USA's "humanitarian operations" as further justification for their self-aggrandizing. THEN, they think the USA needs to do less of that. Perfect.

 

[strummingram]

Sheer delusion. After helping to liberate Europe from the Nazis, something that would have been impossible without the USA, our war machine was geared up and we could have taken over Europe if we'd so desired. And there wouldn't have been a damn thing anybody could have done about it. Know what? We didn't, because that's not who we are. Instead, we provided most of the money to rebuild Germany and Japan. We didn't even annex that pimple on our butt that is Communist Cuba, when many thought that we should have. Why? Again, that's not who we are.

So your statement about us "killing and subjugating more people" is nonsense, like most of your posts. The USA provides more humanitarian assistance to third world countries by far than any other country in the world. When there is an earthquake or a tsunami somewhere in the world, which country is first and foremost in providing humanitarian assistance? We are. And the figures below for 2012 show how the USA bears far more fiscal responsibility for the United Nations than any other country.

"Over the past six decades, the contributions, or “assessments,” provided by poor or small U.N. member states have steadily ratcheted downward. Currently, the minimum assessment is 0.001 percent of the regular budget. The 39 countries paying the minimum assessment will pay only $25,852 in gross contributions in 2012, based on the 2012–2013 biennial U.N. regular budget of $5.152 billion.[2]

By contrast, the U.S. is assessed 22 percent of the regular budget, which is nearly $567 million in gross contributions for 2012. The U.S. is assessed more than 180(out of 193 member states), other U.N. member states combined and 22,000 times more than the least assessed countries. Together, the top 15 contributors pay over 81.4 percent of the U.N. regular budget. Moreover, under U.N. rules, the 129 member states that contribute less than 1.3 percent can pass the budget over the objections of the countries paying over 98 percent.[3]"

For all our faults, we are by far the most generous country in the world. It's your right as an American to constantly denigrate our great country, many men and women have died for your right to do so. But your liberal psychobabble about how bad our country is disgusts me.

Hey, Nephew Sam (Uncle Sam... get it?), I'm not denigrating this country. I'm just clarifying it. "This country" is an abstract. The landscape, the beauty of it, the ability for the citizens to pull together, etc. are all things that occur in ALL countries. This idea that we are separated is the illusion. This planet is one, giant country. It's one big backyard.

Now, I realize it's not a very pleasant truth, but wars are fought for the same reasons EVERY, SINGLE, TIME. Old, wealthy men want something they don't have or want to protect something they already have, so they get poorer people to kill and maim each other in order to accomplish that.

And, the part of who is right or wrong depends on which side you happen to be. Do you think Americans are better than Germans or Japanese? Americans ARE German and Japanese, and Latvian, and French, and Sudanese, and Italian, and every other nationality. In that sense, it is an awesome country. The idea that America is better is just Tribalism. It's nationalism. It's a herd mentality. it's a lot like organized religion. Our way is the best way, so get on board or there will be trouble. Human beings are not very evolved. In our system, we still put all of the emphasis on "Might makes Right!" We've only recently stepped out of the food chain, so, I'm willing to be patient for the other advancements to catch-up and work right.

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

Oh please! Like you give two sh*ts. LOL

(I know those gifs are in humor and we all know that not one of us was even considering "going there", again this was my attempt to poke fun back at those select few that are just mean as snakes on here all of the time, not the majority of you. Most of you are pretty decent and fun to "hang out" with here)

 

[tarheel0910]

Hey, Nephew Sam (Uncle Sam... get it?), I'm not denigrating this country. I'm just clarifying it. "This country" is an abstract. The landscape, the beauty of it, the ability for the citizens to pull together, etc. are all things that occur in ALL countries. This idea that we are separated is the illusion. This planet is one, giant country. It's one big backyard.

Now, I realize it's not a very pleasant truth, but wars are fought for the same reasons EVERY, SINGLE, TIME. Old, wealthy men want something they don't have or want to protect something they already have, so they get poorer people to kill and maim each other in order to accomplish that.

And, the part of who is right or wrong depends on which side you happen to be. Do you think Americans are better than Germans or Japanese? Americans ARE German and Japanese, and Latvian, and French, and Sudanese, and Italian, and every other nationality. In that sense, it is an awesome country. The idea that America is better is just Tribalism. It's nationalism. It's a herd mentality. it's a lot like organized religion. Our way is the best way, so get on board or there will be trouble. Human beings are not very evolved. In our system, we still put all of the emphasis on "Might makes Right!" We've only recently stepped out of the food chain, so, I'm willing to be patient for the other advancements to catch-up and work right.

I think the problem here is that the people in this conversation were all born and raised in the US (I'm assuming). I would suggest everybody on both sides of this argument to talk to immigrants, legal and illegal, and ask them what their opinion of America is and why they came here.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Oh please! Like you give two sh*ts. LOL

(I know those gifs are in humor and we all know that not one of us was even considering "going there", again this was my attempt to poke fun back at those select few that are just mean as snakes on here all of the time, not the majority of you. Most of you are pretty decent and fun to "hang out" with here)

 

[Heelicious]

Hey, Nephew Sam (Uncle Sam... get it?), I'm not denigrating this country. I'm just clarifying it. "This country" is an abstract. The landscape, the beauty of it, the ability for the citizens to pull together, etc. are all things that occur in ALL countries. This idea that we are separated is the illusion. This planet is one, giant country. It's one big backyard.

Now, I realize it's not a very pleasant truth, but wars are fought for the same reasons EVERY, SINGLE, TIME. Old, wealthy men want something they don't have or want to protect something they already have, so they get poorer people to kill and maim each other in order to accomplish that.

And, the part of who is right or wrong depends on which side you happen to be. Do you think Americans are better than Germans or Japanese? Americans ARE German and Japanese, and Latvian, and French, and Sudanese, and Italian, and every other nationality. In that sense, it is an awesome country. The idea that America is better is just Tribalism. It's nationalism. It's a herd mentality. it's a lot like organized religion. Our way is the best way, so get on board or there will be trouble. Human beings are not very evolved. In our system, we still put all of the emphasis on "Might makes Right!" We've only recently stepped out of the food chain, so, I'm willing to be patient for the other advancements to catch-up and work right.

To each his own, but I do believe America is the greatest country ever, and most citizens living here would agree FWIW, and it has nothing to do with tribalism.

How much have you studied the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the history of the founders - their backgrounds and study of governments and politics and human nature, in all countries, and their study of the great philosophers' teachings on these topics? I believe that is a good background in understanding the uniqueness, and the noble-ness, the humanity, love, and freedom they constructed in these documents and in our form of self - government. They learned/knew a lot about what NOT to do based on the failings of governments, societies, humans, throughout history.

Find any other country in the world, where if rulers were given the choice of dictatorship, monarchy, iron fist....or choosing to turn government over to the people, where they choose the latter. Only America did this really. I can't think of another country who is truly governed "of the people, by the people, for the people"

I think you missed the point (was it Archer?) made that USA in so many instances has either restrained from power and land grabs, when they could have....WW1, WW2, etc. AND they helped rebuild the countries of their foes..... AND they have freed millions of people world wide over the decades, sacrificing American lives, asking for nothing in return but the spread of freedom and a place to bury their dead soldiers. Ask British or French citizens alive in 1940s, or anyone in Poland, East Germany during Reagan, Thatcher cold war era if they love or hate America, or think its tribalistic.

Now, I will concede your point about some very questionable wars and war actions recently. It seems like we have very shaky foreign policy, and have certainly weakened and have lost respect and power worldwide, especially under Obama. I have two teenage sons and while our whole family respects the military as much as possible, I would be very hesitant to have them join the military given the current random, no-strategy, cavalier method that soldiers are sent into battle with no clear goal in mind, and frankly not much regard by our leaders for how many people die for no apparent goal or reason.

 

[strummingram]

I think the problem here is that the people in this conversation were all born and raised in the US (I'm assuming). I would suggest everybody on both sides of this argument to talk to immigrants, legal and illegal, and ask them what their opinion of America is and why they came here.

I've just come to understand the world as belonging to all of us. And, the whole "Where I live is the best part" is wearing-off. The part where I live is just that- the part of the world I live in. It's no better or worse than the rest.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I love it... they use the USA's "humanitarian operations" as further justification for their self-aggrandizing. THEN, they think the USA needs to do less of that. Perfect.

My opinion that the USA needs to give less of its money away to other countries, is because I think that money would be better spent being given back to the people who earn it in the first place. Americans. Call it selfish if you will, but I'm interested in looking out for myself (an American) - and those I care about (and those I care about happen to also be predominantly, if not exclusively, other Americans [not because they're Americans, but because those I care about happen to also be American])

The idea that America is better is just Tribalism. It's nationalism. It's a herd mentality.

It can be tribalism/nationalism to just always say "Oh America's the best because it is, end of story". But America being better (at certain things) can also be factually proven. America is the highest GDP nation in the world. Some would say that makes it "the best". It doesn't have the highest GDP per capita - because GDP per capita doesn't scale well (just look at where China and India are on that) - which is yet another point in the column of limiting immigration.

 

[strummingram]

To each his own, but I do believe America is the greatest country ever, and most citizens living here would agree FWIW, and it has nothing to do with tribalism.

How much have you studied the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the history of the founders - their backgrounds and study of governments and politics and human nature, in all countries, and their study of the great philosophers' teachings on these topics? I believe that is a good background in understanding the uniqueness, and the noble-ness, the humanity, love, and freedom they constructed in these documents and in our form of self - government. They learned/knew a lot about what NOT to do based on the failings of governments, societies, humans, throughout history.

Find any other country in the world, where if rulers were given the choice of dictatorship, monarchy, iron fist....or choosing to turn government over to the people, where they choose the latter. Only America did this really. I can't think of another country who is truly governed "of the people, by the people, for the people"

I think you missed the point (was it Archer?) made that USA in so many instances has either restrained from power and land grabs, when they could have....WW1, WW2, etc. AND they helped rebuild the countries of their foes..... AND they have freed millions of people world wide over the decades, sacrificing American lives, asking for nothing in return but the spread of freedom and a place to bury their dead soldiers. Ask British or French citizens alive in 1940s, or anyone in Poland, East Germany during Reagan, Thatcher cold war era if they love or hate America, or think its tribalistic.

Now, I will concede your point about some very questionable wars and war actions recently. It seems like we have very shaky foreign policy, and have certainly weakened and have lost respect and power worldwide, especially under Obama. I have two teenage sons and while our whole family respects the military as much as possible, I would be very hesitant to have them join the military given the current random, no-strategy, cavalier method that soldiers are sent into battle with no clear goal in mind, and frankly not much regard by our leaders for how many people die for no apparent goal or reason.

I'm fully aware that, here, in the USA< things are good. They're great! But, that understanding is based on mostly subjective opinions. My OWN subjective opinions. Have people from the USA done amazing things? Generous, altruistic things that advanced the human condition? Absolutely! But, I don't see them as Americans. I see them as human beings... period.

You claimed it has nothing to do with Tribalism. The separatist, superior attitude has EVERYTHING TO DO with Tribalism! The whole notion of one group, place, club, race, religion, etc., etc., is an ancient concept of Tribalism. I'm just very glad to see that it is finally going away- slowly (very slowly), but surely.

 

[Archer2]

Hey, Nephew Sam (Uncle Sam... get it?), I'm not denigrating this country. I'm just clarifying it. "This country" is an abstract.

You seem to think that everything is an abstract. If that works for you, by all means continue to think so. But if you really believe even half the stuff you post here, I have to say I think you're mentally deranged.

And, the part of who is right or wrong depends on which side you happen to be. Do you think Americans are better than Germans or Japanese? Americans ARE German and Japanese, and Latvian, and French, and Sudanese, and Italian, and every other nationality. In that sense, it is an awesome country. The idea that America is better is just Tribalism. It's nationalism.

Where in my post did I say we "were better" than any other country? I reread my post and I don't see it there. I said we were a great country. And one of the things that make us a great country is our diversity, the fact that we have people from practically every nationality living in our country. And most came here, and continue to come here by the millions, to get away from oppression and to enjoy the freedoms many Americans take for granted every day. What I also said was that we are a generous country, one who donates by far more money and resources to humanitarian aid and to the U.N. than any other country in the world. That is irrefutable, not abstract. I guess that's why you ignored it.

 

[strummingram]

Call it selfish if you will...

Okay.... I will call it selfish... oh, and and rejecting that everyone is your equal and everyone is your brother or sister. It would benefit all of us to realize that we are all ONE TRIBE.

The idea that there's not enough of everything is a lie. There is a surplus of the stuff we need to exist comfortably. Being selfish is a huge factor in why there is suffering and why violence exists. If our instinct to share were more dominant, we'd never need laws or leaders or churches. We'd realize that we are God and we are all, collectively, the supreme version of ourselves and it's paradise. But, people don't trust their own better nature or instincts enough to do that. But, it's possible. If you can think it, you can do it.

 

[strummingram]

You seem to think that everything is an abstract. If that works for you, by all means continue to think so. But if you really believe even half the stuff you post here, I have to say I think you're mentally deranged.

Do you usually go tot his much trouble to engage in intelligent conversation with people who you believe are mentally deranged? I absolutely believe everything I post in these serious discussions. And, when one of you calls me mentally deranged, I love it. My intuition tells me "You are serving yourself well" in order to get such a reaction.

You clearly, CLEARLY, imply that "America is the best country." If you want to retract that and say that America is just one of the many great countries, be my guest.

 

[strummingram]

It can be tribalism/nationalism to just always say "Oh America's the best because it is, end of story". But America being better (at certain things) can also be factually proven. America is the highest GDP nation in the world. Some would say that makes it "the best". It doesn't have the highest GDP per capita - because GDP per capita doesn't scale well (just look at where China and India are on that) - which is yet another point in the column of limiting immigration.

To be frank, I don't give a shit about GDP's and how much wealth and stuff and profit and gadgets a place has that makes it "better." Do the people in the location share everything and love unconditionally? THAT is what counts as best, to me. And, trruthfully, there are many, many places here that do that. But, there are just as many places ALL OVER THE WORLD that do it, too.

 

[tarheel0910]

I think we can all agree that America affords more people more opportunities to succeed in life (whether that be monetarily, happiness, freedom, etc) than most countries in this world. I also think that we can agree that those things make it a great country.

 

[Heelicious]

I've just come to understand the world as belonging to all of us. And, the whole "Where I live is the best part" is wearing-off. The part where I live is just that- the part of the world I live in. It's no better or worse than the rest.

Interesting. No place is any better or worse. Would be fun to do a study. Take yourself - or a group of people..... Christians, homosexuals, Jews, women, agnostics / athiests, blacks, other persons to represent the demographics of US citizens.

Have them live a few months in the following countries:
Venezuela (nice economy you got there..... a great testimony to the wonders of socialism for the Bernie Sanders crowd. People fighting / starving in the streets for enough food to stay alive, in a natural-resource-rich country)
Africa - still widespread slavery and human rights persecution
China - persecution, killing of Christians, zero free speech, election rights.
Middle East (Syria, Iran) - slaughter of Christians, homosexuals, Jews; severe persecution of women (they have no rights, and are killed for freedoms American women enjoy)
Russia - nice economy, nice freedoms (speech, etc), nice legit open elections /sarc
North Korea - where to start......

but all of these places are "no better or worse than US". Wow. OK. None of those ills or persecutions listed above exist in the US on any scale remotely close to the offenders in the examples I listed above.

If what you said is true, then it'd be logical for most people to just leave this country for one with better scenery or weather or whatever....since all else about the country is equal. That's just crazy to me.

 

[strummingram]

Interesting. No place is any better or worse. Would be fun to do a study. Take yourself - or a group of people..... Christians, homosexuals, Jews, women, agnostics / athiests, blacks, other persons to represent the demographics of US citizens.

Have them live a few months in the following countries:
Venezuela (nice economy you got there..... a great testimony to the wonders of socialism for the Bernie Sanders crowd. People fighting / starving in the streets for enough food to stay alive, in a natural-resource-rich country)
Africa - still widespread slavery and human rights persecution
China - persecution, killing of Christians, zero free speech, election rights.
Middle East (Syria, Iran) - slaughter of Christians, homosexuals, Jews; severe persecution of women (they have no rights, and are killed for freedoms American women enjoy)
Russia - nice economy, nice freedoms (speech, etc), nice legit open elections /sarc
North Korea - where to start......

but all of these places are "no better or worse than US". Wow. OK. None of those ills or persecutions listed above exist in the US on any scale remotely close to the offenders in the examples I listed above.

If what you said is true, then it'd be logical for most people to just leave this country for one with better scenery or weather or whatever....since all else about the country is equal. That's just crazy to me.

"Better" and "Worse" are totally subjective! It depends 100% on the person. I understand that all of these conditions exist. I am aware of which ones I find to be deplorable and which ones are favorable. But, it's very important for me to realize that I am interpreting all of this through MY FILTER.

If we all agree that discrimination is not serving us very well, then we will all take steps to eliminate it from our physical condition. I think it's pretty clear that that exact thing is taking place, slowly, but surely.

 

[strummingram]

I think we can all agree that America affords more people more opportunities to succeed in life (whether that be monetarily, happiness, freedom, etc) than most countries in this world. I also think that we can agree that those things make it a great country.

I can agree with that... a little. The possibility for a person to achieve as far as their ability and ambition will take them, is a great thing and is afforded here. I've never been to other countries, so I can't speak for them. I hope it gets even better here. It should. It needs to. And, it can be a good example for others in those specific cases. But, when the "leaders" of the USA run around dropping bombs and killing innocent people, it doesn't set a very good example. When it acts-out in it's own self-interest and disregards innocent lives, it doesn't set a very good example. In fact, it creates a lot of resentment.

 

[Heelicious]

To be frank, I don't give a shit about GDP's and how much wealth and stuff and profit and gadgets a place has that makes it "better." Do the people in the location share everything and love unconditionally? THAT is what counts as best, to me. And, trruthfully, there are many, many places here that do that. But, there are just as many places ALL OVER THE WORLD that do it, too.

I think you do care about GDP, you may just not realize it. Maybe a better term than GDP would be "standard of living". I bet you would be pretty disappointed if you had to give up your cozy US standard of living to instead have a socialist country standard of living.

I believe on whole the standard of living for America is higher for all people - from poorest to richest - than for any other country. Maybe you would find fault in America for that. I think instead that is what attracts people to the US. Somebody can come here or be born here in poverty and become very successful and have a good life. That is not possible in most other countries. The political and economic systems keep them impoverished by design.

Your "share everything and love unconditionally" wreaks of socialism / communism: the most evil, murderous, mass slaughter socio-economic systems in the history of the world. Millions suffered, then slaughtered, in China, Russia, Korea, etc. There is no LOVE in this system except love of power by the ruthless dictators.

But again if you want a present day example of the virtues of "share everything" system, just google Venezuala economy.

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

I think we can all agree that America affords more people more opportunities to succeed in life (whether that be monetarily, happiness, freedom, etc) than most countries in this world. I also think that we can agree that those things make it a great country.

Apparently Trump thinks differently because he wants to make it great AGAIN....soooo????

 

[strummingram]

I still laugh at how you guys were pushing the altruism of the USA toward other nations as being evidence of how great "we are." But, then insist that we need to back-off of that and "take care of ourselves."

The more you give, the more you get. It's a really cool cycle. The more altruistic you are, the more altruism you, yourself, will experience.

 

[tarheel0910]

Apparently Trump thinks differently because he wants to make it great AGAIN....soooo????

It's just a campaign slogan. He doesn't literally mean that America isn't a great country. Just like Bill Clinton didn't mean that America isn't a great country when he used the same exact words several times in his speeches.

 

[Heelicious]

Apparently Trump thinks differently because he wants to make it great AGAIN....soooo????

Well played. We're all just a bunch of stupid losers. Sad. We lose at everything. Everything.
{FWIW - as much as it pains me to vote DT, I will vote to stop HRC - not that it matters in my state}

 

[Archer2]

Do you usually go tot his much trouble to engage in intelligent conversation with people who you believe are mentally deranged? I absolutely believe everything I post in these serious discussions. And, when one of you calls me mentally deranged, I love it. My intuition tells me "You are serving yourself well" in order to get such a reaction.

You clearly, CLEARLY, imply that "America is the best country." If you want to retract that and say that America is just one of the many great countries, be my guest.

Even mentally deranged people can sometimes be reached, with time and patience. So I still hold out hope for you.

And I notice you still refuse to acknowledge the facts regarding our country's magnanimity vis a vis the rest of the world. Again, we are the most generous country in the world, hands down. We're also the most diverse. Our citizens also have more freedoms and opportunity than any other country in the world. Those are the marks of a great country, ergo the reason that we have more immigrants than any other country in the world. Why do you think that is?

 

[strummingram]

Your "share everything and love unconditionally" wreaks of socialism / communism: the most evil, murderous, mass slaughter socio-economic systems in the history of the world. Millions suffered, then slaughtered, in China, Russia, Korea, etc. There is no LOVE in this system except love of power by the ruthless dictators.

How does that make ANY sense to you? I guess sharing and loving unconditionally have different meanings for you than it does for me.

That paranoia of socialism/communism crap is from watching too much TV, dude. I don't recognize those "isms", I just act on my intuition. Evil, murder and mass slaughter don't really go hand-in-hand with loving unconditionally and sharing. I think some of your wires got crossed.

 

[strummingram]

Even mentally deranged people can sometimes be reached, with time and patience. So I still hold out hope for you.

And I notice you still refuse to acknowledge the facts regarding our country's magnanimity vis a vis the rest of the world. Again, we are the most generous country in the world, hands down. We're also the most diverse. Our citizens also have more freedoms and opportunity than any other country in the world. Those are the marks of a great country, ergo the reason that we have more immigrants than any other country in the world. Why do you think that is?

I have already acknowledged the benefits of the conditions here. I've done it several times now. I'm just not proclaiming superiority to other countries and cultures. I have just as much to learn from them as they have to learn from me. I don't need props for "things being good here." I don't see this world as being divided up into countries! It's one, big country. We're all the same nationality. THAT will be the "BEST" country, when we all realize that!

 

[strummingram]

It's just a campaign slogan. He doesn't literally mean that America isn't a great country. Just like Bill Clinton didn't mean that America isn't a great country when he used the same exact words several times in his speeches.

I don't credit the greatness of a place with it's leaders. I credit the greatness with it's citizens. When I see conditions getting better, I don't think "Thanks, Obama!" I think "Thank you, EVERYBODY! We did it!"

 

[Archer2]

I have already acknowledged the benefits of the conditions here. I've done it several times now. I'm just not proclaiming superiority to other countries and cultures. I have just as much to learn from them as they have to learn from me. I don't need props for "things being good here." I don't see this world as being divided up into countries! It's one, big country. We're all the same nationality. THAT will be the "BEST" country, when we all realize that!

The point is that the "benefits of the conditions here" don't just apply to people living within our country's borders. They extend to the peoples of the world when we are so generous with the bounty of our country. It's not required that we share that bounty, we do it because of who we are, and because we can. This isn't a difficult concept, Strum.

 

[tarheel0910]

I don't credit the greatness of a place with it's leaders. I credit the greatness with it's citizens. When I see conditions getting better, I don't think "Thanks, Obama!" I think "Thank you, EVERYBODY! We did it!"

I agree. I just mentioned it since it was brought up by chick.