Americans... you all confuse me.

[Rage187]

Originally posted by: locutus12
it seems all i hear from americans these days with regards to politics is "dang bleeding heart liberals" or "stupid dumb rednecks" presumably denoting Democrats and Republicans...

i was speaking to my good friend in Oklahoma about current political affairs and he spoke about senator Clinton and Obama going for the race to the white house and he was adamant that not only would neither of them win, but it would be a disaster if a democrat got into office :/

now i put it to him that surely there were bigger issues of global importance and that clinton wasnt a bad president, not perfect but not a bad one at all from an outsiders perspective, i mean the US economy had 75Billion dollar surplus, good growth stable taxes and the best medicare provisions the US has had. To which he replied that clinton was a disater due to monica lewinsky...

now this took me back a bit, maybe its because I am not actually an american but regardless of what happens in a politicians private life surely the main argument must be "were they good professionally" and if they were, surely we can ignore private conduct providing no one has been hurt, i mean you wasted millions of dollars trying to impeach the guy for basically cheating on his wife. it was insane, stupid and looked very childish and pointless to the rest of the world, especially here in england, hell if your a politician here and your not drunk and sleeping with your secretary or a rent boy or both then your not a true member of parliament.

my point to this post is this, i get the feeling that your politicians forget that they are not actually republicans or democrats, but that you are all Americans. your all so busy trying to blame one side or the other for the political mistakes of the present that your missing out on a changing future and from what i can see, failing to prepare for it by allowing the global reputation of the USA to slide thus losing potential diplomatic and economic allies.

in 20 years the USA will no longer be the worlds economic driving power, it will no longer be the worlds richest country, and it will no longer be the most affluent country and eventually its military will be surpassed in size and technology. the Chinese, a communist country, will have successfully overtaken the USA in terms of economics, and with the massive workforce to back them up, it is doubtful anyone will be able to top them for a very long time.

Wake up America, the world is changing, the western world needs you need to change with it.

nonsense.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i really hope you brits end up in charge of the EU, if it's the french then it'll be an EU for the benefit of france and no one else

LOL, I can't see anyone ever being in charge of this clusterfvck! :laugh:

 

[ViviTheMage]

OK MAN!

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: spidey07
What confuses me is how lazy europeans are.

"I'm on holiday"

bs - get back to work you lazy bum.

ZOMG, U R TEH JEALOUS OF OUR HOLIDAYS!

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: spidey07
What confuses me is how lazy europeans are.

"I'm on holiday"

bs - get back to work you lazy bum.

ZOMG, U R TEH JEALOUS OF OUR HOLIDAYS!

I wanna be on holiday.


A nice month in the carribean would be nice.

 

[locutus12]

Originally posted by: spidey07

WTF! What are you smoking? We ARE the western world, europe is the tag along.

No. We are the single, most powerful, best country on the planet and will remain that way. This kind of euro-elitist crap is what ticks me off. We saved your butts so many times it isn't even funny.

economic growth at 9.7% per year, 7th richest country in the world in 2003 GDP now at 2.25Trillion, putting them about 5th. US GDP currently 11.3 Trillion, US growth at 2.3% ranging from 1.9 to 3.2% long term.

factor in the expanding work force, Chinas locked low currency and the massive trade surplus they have to countrys like america and you should be able to formulate your own picture.

as for saving our butts ?? we gave you the jet engine and the Cavity magnetron which revolutionised transport and communicasions and allowed for the microwave oven. p.s. the second world war started in 1939, not 1942. we had been fighting for 3 years before the USA came, and it was the russians who took the brunt of the Nazi assault, not the USA and not any european country.

Originally posted by: irishScott
Almost all that you hear about on the media are the extremists cause they make the most noise. The vast majority of the American population is much more reasonable.

Also, I admit that China could become the predominant economic power, but militarily I doubt they will surpass us. They're rich, but also about 50 years behind in a lot of high-tech technology due to their inefficient government (ie: They JUST launched a person into space).

Also, remember that the Chinese CITIZENS are rich due to capitalism. The government can't even keep it's army supplied with ammunition.

militarily they are tricky as US intelligence believes they are spending 3 times what they claim to be spending on their military and remember that there money goes a hell of a lot further due to cheaper labour and materials. spending on Chinese military assets officially stated is 60 billion, unofficially its believed to be nearer 160 billion.

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: illusion88

Originally posted by: locutus12
in 20 years the USA will no longer be the worlds economic driving power, it will no longer be the worlds richest country, and it will no longer be the most affluent country and eventually its military will be surpassed in size and technology. the Chinese, a communist country, will have successfully overtaken the USA in terms of economics, and with the massive workforce to back them up, it is doubtful anyone will be able to top them for a very long time.

Wake up America, the world is changing, the western world needs you need to change with it.

China very well could be the next superpower because of it's workforce. But having alot of laborers was never Americas strong point, innovation is. We are innovators. Our ability to overcome challenges (such has a smaller workforce) will always put us one step ahead of competitors.

I'd actually consider China's massive population an extreme detriment to their country.

You think we've got a class war going in the West - just wait until the haves and have-nots really start getting fed up with each other in China. Both sides will blame the government, and more than just sparks are going to fly. Their situation is untenable.

That is, of course, if the fuel situation doesn't get markedly worse before the above can occur and they have riots for that issue instead.

Then there's the massive amount of spending waste their communist system practically demands.

The demographic imbalance issues.

The civil liberties and denial of religion issues.

Territorial concerns.

The outdated education model.

Worried I am not.

 

[funboy6942]

Ah this is that "English Humor" I heard so much about, and people are right that if your not English, or hip with their way of thinking you dont quite get it.

I kid, I kid, whats your pint though?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: illusion88

Originally posted by: locutus12
in 20 years the USA will no longer be the worlds economic driving power, it will no longer be the worlds richest country, and it will no longer be the most affluent country and eventually its military will be surpassed in size and technology. the Chinese, a communist country, will have successfully overtaken the USA in terms of economics, and with the massive workforce to back them up, it is doubtful anyone will be able to top them for a very long time.

Wake up America, the world is changing, the western world needs you need to change with it.

China very well could be the next superpower because of it's workforce. But having alot of laborers was never Americas strong point, innovation is. We are innovators. Our ability to overcome challenges (such has a smaller workforce) will always put us one step ahead of competitors.

yeap i agree.

china has a darn goos shot at being the next superpower.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: spidey07
What confuses me is how lazy europeans are.

"I'm on holiday"

bs - get back to work you lazy bum.

ZOMG, U R TEH JEALOUS OF OUR HOLIDAYS!

hwo many you get?

 

[locutus12]

i love the way some of you are calling me European... im British or English, not European, i haven't given up my currency, we are not ruled by Brussels. show a little respect. Also some of you have taken this all very very badly. Listen to me very closely, i hope i am wrong, totally wrong about china, i hope the USA remains on top, i have to say i hope it does a better job in future of leading the world in terms of global issues than it has done during its current administration, but all this aside i am not trying to bash the USA, i am trying to make sense of its current position and its policy of ignoring the coming change in terms of the emerging global economic powers. and i am trying to understand a political system that seems to survive by seeing who can throw the most crap at their opponent.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Clinton wasn't impeached ever...

you fail at high school civics!

I thought he served both terms fully...

 

[locutus12]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Clinton wasn't impeached ever...

you fail at high school civics!

I thought he served both terms fully...

he did, there are just some misinformed people around for some unknown reason. i havent botherd trying to argue that point to them as some of them seem to be kids posting on what i hoped would be a mature topic, pity it hasnt turned out that way

 

[kstu]

Originally posted by: locutus12

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Clinton wasn't impeached ever...

you fail at high school civics!

I thought he served both terms fully...

he did, there are just some missinformed people around for some unknown reason.

yes he did serve two full terms. yes he did get impeached.

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: spidey07
What confuses me is how lazy europeans are.

"I'm on holiday"

bs - get back to work you lazy bum.

you are just jealous of our paid holiday system

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: locutus12

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Clinton wasn't impeached ever...

you fail at high school civics!

I thought he served both terms fully...

he did, there are just some misinformed people around for some unknown reason. i havent botherd trying to argue that point to them as some of them seem to be kids posting on what i hoped would be a mature topic, pity it hasnt turned out that way

Impeached by the House but not convicted by the Senate.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: locutus12
he did, there are just some misinformed people around for some unknown reason. i havent botherd trying to argue that point to them as some of them seem to be kids posting on what i hoped would be a mature topic, pity it hasnt turned out that way

That's because you're starting off without enough real information to carry your end of the discussion.

 

[waggy]

wow im shocked so many did not know he was impeached. kinda figure with all the news there was on this it would be common knowledge.

 

[Mo0o]

Get the redcoat!

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: waggy
yeah another US bashing thread!

not its not. he asked some good questions.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: locutus12
i love the way some of you are calling me European... im British or English, not European, i haven't given up my currency, we are not ruled by Brussels. show a little respect. Also some of you have taken this all very very badly. Listen to me very closely, i hope i am wrong, totally wrong about china, i hope the USA remains on top, i have to say i hope it does a better job in future of leading the world in terms of global issues than it has done during its current administration, but all this aside i am not trying to bash the USA, i am trying to make sense of its current position and its policy of ignoring the coming change in terms of the emerging global economic powers. and i am trying to understand a political system that seems to survive by seeing who can throw the most crap at their opponent.

I actually agree with you for the most part. :thumbsup:

I'm a registered republican but I didn't vote for Bush and I don't agree with the right wing extremists on most issues. I'm more of a moderate republican. I'm not at all religious and I am pro-choice. I guess you could say I'm an Arnold Schwarzenegger republican.

If the republicans put up a Bush clone in 2008 I'll vote for Hillary.

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: locutus12
i love the way some of you are calling me European... im British or English, not European

You call us American, but we live in The United States of America (a country on the continent called North America). England resides in Europe, thus you are European. Only fair you see.

To call me American associates me with both Cananda and Mexico (both have different currencies)

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: locutus12
i love the way some of you are calling me European... im British or English, not European, i haven't given up my currency, we are not ruled by Brussels. show a little respect. Also some of you have taken this all very very badly. Listen to me very closely, i hope i am wrong, totally wrong about china, i hope the USA remains on top, i have to say i hope it does a better job in future of leading the world in terms of global issues than it has done during its current administration, but all this aside i am not trying to bash the USA, i am trying to make sense of its current position and its policy of ignoring the coming change in terms of the emerging global economic powers. and i am trying to understand a political system that seems to survive by seeing who can throw the most crap at their opponent.

I actually agree with you for the most part. :thumbsup:

I'm a registered republican but I didn't vote for Bush and I don't agree with the right wing extremists on most issues. I'm more of a moderate republican. I'm not at all religious and I am pro-choice. I guess you could say I'm an Arnold Schwarzenegger republican.

If the republicans put up a Bush clone in 2008 I'll vote for Hillary.

So you're a RINO?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: waggy
wow im shocked so many did not know he was impeached. kinda figure with all the news there was on this it would be common knowledge.

Meh, I remember there were impeachment hearings but I also remember he served his 2 presidential terms fully.

 

[locutus12]

Originally posted by: sixone

Originally posted by: locutus12
he did, there are just some misinformed people around for some unknown reason. i havent botherd trying to argue that point to them as some of them seem to be kids posting on what i hoped would be a mature topic, pity it hasnt turned out that way

That's because you're starting off without enough real information to carry your end of the discussion.

well i wasnt intending to debate clinton, i was hoping to understand your politicle system and understand why in "some" ways the USA seems to be ignoring events in other parts of the world that will effect it in the long term, i.e. 20 to 40 years. so for me actually wanting america to do well in the future and recognise the coming changes and for me wanting to understand more about the frankly insane(to me) political system you all seem to have, im suddenly a basher of the USA, jealous, a European, and a whole bunch of other things combined.

my friend in Oklahoma said America is a place where you can talk about anything, disagree with anyone about everything, and still be there best friend for lunch. this thread is unfortunately proving him very wrong.

Originally posted by: illusion88

Originally posted by: locutus12
i love the way some of you are calling me European... im British or English, not European

You call us American, but we live in The United States of America (a country on the continent called North America). England resides in Europe, thus you are European. Only fair you see.

To call me American associates me with both Cananda and Mexico (both have different currencies)

well lets be fair now, if you were in canada i would call you canadian, if in mexico, a mexican. your assumption that all these three would be "americans" is without much basis.

for any of you that know the history of England and know our current position in the European union, you would understand why we prefer to be called British. We are the United kingdom, a collection of 4 sovereign nations who have pretty much always been at odds with European policy right up to the present day. most of us have no wish to integrate with Europe in any way.