America

[nw6675]

Just in case someone needed to know, Oxford defines one as:

1. referring to a person or thing previously mentioned or easily identified.
   "her mood changed from one of moroseness to one of joy"
   
   
2. 2.
   a person of a specified kind.
   "you're the one who ruined her life"

 

[Buzz Rules]

And you, despite saying you were done, are continuing the "political" posts as you criticize others. Offering "realistic solutions" WILL bring 'politics' into play.

I am done but I think it's ridiculous that mods don't just close these threads from the start. I haven't brought up political issues and I haven't been critical of others. I have said I disagree on some of their viewpoints and tried to say painting the country with a wide brush isn't helping the discussion. It seems we cannot even say "happy 4th" without someone saying "what's happy about it?".

 

[Smugpugmug]

I gotta say that I'm surprised the thread took this long to devolve. Last year's July 4th one went down way quicker.

 

[DisneyOma]

I think you're reading more into statements than what is there. No one is saying the US is perfect, or doesn't need to improve, or that everyone has an easy life. If they are, then *I'm* misreading their statements.

Let me ask YOU this... where in the world would you rather live?

Norway, but can't do that until I retire.

So you think there are places BETTER than the US?

Let me ask you - what is it about the US that you think makes it better than every other country?

 

[Buzz Rules]

I gotta say that I'm surprised the thread took this long to devolve. Last year's July 4th one went down way quicker.

This. I wonder how many watched the video I posted from Geography Now's YouTube channel? I figured that could be a new topic of discussion.

 

[sam_gordon]

Let me ask you - what is it about the US that you think makes it better than every other country?

Opportunity. Maybe that's available in other countries too. I haven't had a need to research moving.

That doesn't mean I think it's perfect.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I’m a proud American and consider myself to be patriotic. Have never lived anywhere else and no matter what, I do believe that for the most part, we’ve got it pretty good here, compared to many other countries. However, I have concerns about our future, based on events in the past few years and the growing political polarization.

Statistically, most of us (including me) are moderates but how many of us vote in the primary?

A long time ago, when I first registered to vote, I made the decision, for a number of reasons, to not be affiliated with a party. As an independent in my state, I am ineligible to vote in primary elections. Other states may be different.

We the people have the right to vote such politicians out who promote policies that the majority disagree with…Our vote (and how many people who do vote) matters and that is not true in many cases in the world. I would love for 100% of the eligible population to vote in every election, yet many choose not to and just complain about what their politicians do after they chose not to participate in voting…The bottom line is your voice and vote matters…

I agree that everyone should exercise their right to vote. I have done so every year since I was 18 years old. In regards to the bolded part, yes and no. IMO, the two-party system and the electoral college is flawed. How much influence your vote has depends very much on where you live. In a presidential election, it is mainly the swing states that determine the outcome. The red vs. blue state situation marginalizes many voters on both sides. Of the last four presidents, two of them have been elected into office despite losing the popular vote. That doesn’t happen in any other country (as far as I know, correct me if I’m wrong).

 

[Pink Partridge]

I hear Finland is ranked 2023's number one happiest county on earth.

For White people, yes. There are numerous articles about how minority populations feel about living there.

 

[Smugpugmug]

This. I wonder how many watched the video I posted from Geography Now's YouTube channel? I figured that could be a nw topic of discussion.

Tbh it's too late. Once it goes down, it's not coming back. It's the DIS special.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Norway, but can't do that until I retire.

Let me ask you - what is it about the US that you think makes it better than every other country?

We are not the best. I would like to say we try our best to become our best as a society as a whole. We are a recognized nation who has a short history of 247 years. We make mistakes, learn from them and reflect on those mistakes so we can move on from them to make better decisions (or hope to).

 

[Buzz Rules]

I agree that everyone should exercise their right to vote. I have done so every year since I was 18 years old. In regards to the bolded part, yes and no. IMO, the two-party system and the electoral college is flawed. How much influence your vote has depends very much on where you live. In a presidential election, it is mainly the swing states that determine the outcome. The red vs. blue state situation marginalizes many voters on both sides. Of the last four presidents, two of them have been elected into office despite losing the popular vote. That doesn’t happen in any other country (as far as I know, correct me if I’m wrong).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_system

 

[CdnCarrie]

Opportunity. Maybe that's available in other countries too. I haven't had a need to research moving.

That doesn't mean I think it's perfect.

Why would you think opportunity isn't available in Canada or the UK or Australia?
That's just really odd.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I’m a proud American and consider myself to be patriotic. Have never lived anywhere else and no matter what, I do believe that for the most part, we’ve got it pretty good here, compared to many other countries. However, I have concerns about our future, based on events in the past few years and the growing political polarization.


A long time ago, when I first registered to vote, I made the decision, for a number of reasons, to not be affiliated with a party. As an independent in my state, I am ineligible to vote in primary elections. Other states may be different.


I agree that everyone should exercise their right to vote. I have done so every year since I was 18 years old. In regards to the bolded part, yes and no. IMO, the two-party system and the electoral college is flawed. How much influence your vote has depends very much on where you live. In a presidential election, it is mainly the swing states that determine the outcome. The red vs. blue state situation marginalizes many voters on both sides. Of the last four presidents, two of them have been elected into office despite losing the popular vote. That doesn’t happen in any other country (as far as I know, correct me if I’m wrong).

Happens in Canada. Trudeau did not win the popular vote. Probably the same in all the countries based on the UK model.

 

[Southernmiss]

Some must have just joined the Dis recently


WELCOME!

 

[sam_gordon]

Why would you think opportunity isn't available in Canada or the UK or Australia?
That's just really odd.

Perhaps I misspoke. I don't the LEVEL of opportunity available in other countries. I haven't had a need or desire to look into moving to another country.

 

[gmi3804]

So you think there are places BETTER than the US?

Almost definitely.

Which isn't the same as saying I have a desire to move.

But then again, which is the best place for steak in WDW?

 

[CdnCarrie]

Perhaps I misspoke. I don't the LEVEL of opportunity available in other countries. I haven't had a need or desire to look into moving to another country.

Why do you think that? What would be different? In some ways probably more opportunity in Canada as we have more social safety networks, proper maternity leave (allowing people to take career risks) and our cost of college is way cheaper. And you aren't tied to an employer's healthcare.

Sorry I think your statement is just bizarre and radically uninformed.

 

[sam_gordon]

Why do you think that? What would be different? In some ways probably more opportunity in Canada as we have more social safety networks and our cost of college is way cheaper. And you aren't tied to an employer's healthcare.

OK. Canada is perfect and everyone should move there. Feel better?

What part of "I haven't had a need or desire to look into moving to another country." is so confusing? Someone asks me why makes America better and I answered based on MY opinion. You don't have to agree. Now I'm sorry I gave my OPINION of something.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Why would you think opportunity isn't available in Canada or the UK or Australia?
That's just really odd.

Example: If you immigrate to Canada, how long do you have to wait before you can receive healthcare/working papers compared to other countries? If the wait is longer then the USA it could hinder the opportunity of the individual. Not criticizing, just giving an example if Canada doesn't provide as fast as the USA (I don't know who provides faster). Opportunity may be greater in the USA due to the comparison of our economy's size.

 

[CdnCarrie]

OK. Canada is perfect and everyone should move there. Feel better?

What part of "I haven't had a need or desire to look into moving to another country." is so confusing? Someone asks me why makes America better and I answered based on MY opinion. You don't have to agree. Now I'm sorry I gave my OPINION of something.

Never said that. We are far from perfect as is the USA. No country is utopia. But it was just an odd statement.
I did find it very confusing. I was just curious about why you thought that.