Are you happy with America?

[soulcougher73]

My sarcasm was directed towards hacks like Dave and I probably should have quoted him in hindsight.

I don't think you don't understand where I'm coming from...I'm equally unhappy with 8 years of Bush and especially unhappy with both parties who cannot work together towards meaningful solutions to very difficult problems.

Dems right now hold the power and they're starting to make Bush look good. They promised so much...and they have delivered so little. So to answer your question...no, I'm not happy with America. And if that comes across to you as somehow partisan...then so be it.

Ok i take back my comment then since it was out of context without you quoting Dave

 

[Jaskalas]

Let's just take 1 single issue, immigration. Thanks to Drudge for all the recent headlines on the matter. Is it any wonder that we reaching civil unrest?

This is a nation that cannot even defend itself, and when it citizens attempt to do so their federal government comes down against them.

Amid crises, Obama declares war -- on Arizona...

Border Control Agent Shot 25 Times In Dispute...

AZ Cops Threatened by Drug Cartel Snipers...

Mexico asks court to reject immigration law...

Mexican Gangs Maintain Permanent Lookout Bases in AZ Hills...

Senators Fear President Will Grant Amnesty to Illegals by Executive Order...

VOIGHT: 'You have brought a civil war'...

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

I've lived through a few crisis, race riots, would nixon obey court, hyperinflation,

basically, things are pretty good right now.

immigration isnt a real issue, just haters. immigration is a plus.
terrorism- pretty insignificant really, and as long as we dont spend the summer at the ranch we seem on top of it.

those 2 issues are saddling us with costs beyond reason.
if you don't think these are issues, then i don't know what to say.

 

[irishScott]

Simple. Culture in general has seen a huge shift from the time most of our current politicians were born, and most haven't been able to keep up. Hell it was a big issue last election when McCain admitted he made only rudimentary use of a computer, while your average 4th grader surfs youtube fluently.

We're at that point where Washington needs a changing of the guard, and American's actually recognizing it. Hence the anti-incumbent hate that's been growing.

Suffice to say things may suck now, but crises brings people together, and America is no exception. The worse things get, the faster we find a solution. That's how it's always been, and as Tom as pointed out, things were a lot worse at various points in the past. Our current problems don't even hold a candle to the US during Vietnam.

 

[Tom]

those 2 issues are saddling us with costs beyond reason.
if you don't think these are issues, then i don't know what to say.

immigration is a net plus so it isn't costing us anything. and we can afford to fight terrorism.

people have plenty of room to sacrifice to pay whats necessary, we dont have to drive bmws and have so much crap we dont have time to use it.

 

[Jaskalas]

immigration is a net plus so it isn't costing us anything. and we can afford to fight terrorism.

Our land is being taken, our people are dying, and THIS is how you respond to the border?!

 

[drebo]

immigration is a net plus so it isn't costing us anything. and we can afford to fight terrorism.

people have plenty of room to sacrifice to pay whats necessary, we dont have to drive bmws and have so much crap we dont have time to use it.

Illegal immigration and its associated variants (anchor babies, etc) are most certainly NOT a net positive. The amount of money we waste in entitlements to illegals and that they send back across our border is in no way, shape, or form equaled out by the taxes very few of them actually pay.

Also, I shouldn't have to sacrifice my quality of life so that Rosalina Anjelica Juarez Gonzales, over there ---->, can raise her bastard of a kid just because she happened to drop it on American soil. What if I like my BMW? What if I like all my crap? I work hard for it, why shouldn't I have the choice to waste my time with it?

We're the land of EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, not the land of EQUAL OUTCOME.

 

[Zebo]

I agree with everything in OP. USA is becoming a has been and will be third world in short order. I assume many here will be on the right side of the fault line. It'll be like Mexico... All the White people live in protected areas and compounds and all the riff raff/indigenous populations fighting for scraps on the outside.

 

[Tom]

like i said, immigration isnt a real problem, hate is.

and i didnt say you cant have a bimmer, when bmw is the worlds most successful car company, thats evidence that the world isnt going to hell in a hand basket, and we arent falling off a cliff.

my point is about reality, which is things are pretty good, versus people buying into politically motivated hysteria, from either direction.

 

[Danube]

Had Al Gore won maybe we'd have different problems but I doubt we'd be in Iraq & Afghanistan

Iraq and Afghanistan would probably be over here.

 

[IGBT]

most states would be better of going back to territory status and reclaim their sovereignty.

 

[Tom]

most states would be better of going back to territory status and reclaim their sovereignty.

territories didn't have sovereignty.

 

[BoberFett]

Still butthurt after all this time? I am sure you will get a chance to lose again. Maybe then you can blow something up to stop the black man. That'll show those uppity commies!

Just giving you guys a hard time, its so easy.

Good luck at focusing that rage at who is actually screwing us, instead of following the establishments lead, you righties need it.

Lay off the drugs comrade. His complaints spanned the political spectrum. And he's right.

 

[kranky]

The biggest problem in America is a public which doesn't care to be involved. It's why politicians can be corrupt without fear, why the candidate with the most money usually wins the election, why the media can be biased, why newspapers are dying (which is reducing the oversight of government), why special interests can control the legislature, and why there is a constant chipping away at the Constitution.

 

[drebo]

like i said, immigration isnt a real problem, hate is.

and i didnt say you cant have a bimmer, when bmw is the worlds most successful car company, thats evidence that the world isnt going to hell in a hand basket, and we arent falling off a cliff.

my point is about reality, which is things are pretty good, versus people buying into politically motivated hysteria, from either direction.

Politically motivated hysteria or not, these people ARE here illegally and ARE a drain on society.

I would rather not have to pay for them. Period.

 

[werepossum]

I have read P&N for a long time now. I post some, but mostly i read and listen to the political hacks on both sides in here. Pretty much every post is here is negative and mostly rightfully so, but everyone seems angry at the world or the US in particular. I am 37 and have seen a lot change in my years here in the US, and for the worse in my opinion. Here are some of the bigger issues of late:

• Illegal immigartion is out of control. If you are not here to assimilate into our culture but instead are here to exploit it and send money back to your home country then leave.

• The war on terror seems it is going to be an ongoing affair, probably forever at this point.

• Corporate america buying politicians to get there agenda across all so someones stock can go up a quater point.

• Outsourcing of jobs is destroying the middle and lower class in America.

• PC has run amuck. Call a spade a spade and get on with it. Stop with the coddling of the people who get butt hurt of every little word.

• Is there such a thing as an honest politician anymore? They all seem to say what you either want to hear or what they need to get elected and then never follow through on those promises.

• Unions that are too powerful with big contracts with the gubment. I have no problems with unions in general but they too can amass too much power.

• Losing civil liberties slowly to things like the Patriot Act.

• Our national debt is rediculous and most likely will never be under control again. Same goes for many states now.

• Healthcare system is a joke anyway you spin it. I dont know the overall solution to this wether is be UHC or what not. But something needs to change and fast.

• Helicopter parenting and parents being the childs friend instead of a parent. Everyones a winner bullshit mentality needs to stop. You can become their friend when they are an adult, until then be a parent and teacher.

• Seems a lot of people are not proud to be American anymore. I know i have my days where i just want to run off to some nice insignificant country and live in peace away from all this crap the world has turned into.

• Personal responsibility and accountability. What is that you might ask? LOL

I know that is a lot of rambling and im not the best writer when trying to get some points across. It is more a hodge podge or ideas all across the board.

So are you happy with America or does this country piss you off most of the time and you feel powerless to stop its eventual demise? What can be done to make this country great again?

Quoted for truth. I agree with all of this, but - not everything is worse. In my lifetime I've seen separate "colored" schools, a sign saying "great person don't let the sun go down on you in Pikeville", poor houses (albeit abandoned before my memory.) I grew up in a rented house with no indoor plumbing, tin roof, no insulation, bumble bees living in the back porch and honey bees living on one wall. Now my parents have a nice brick house and I have a nice partially brick house, both paid for. Friends own motorcycles, bass boats, pontoon boats, electric garage door openers. For that matter I own all those things too. Homes that only a few percentage could own are now commonplace, almost everyone has a computer, everyone has a color television or three (some with screens the size of refrigerators!) We live in a time of prosperity that would have been unbelievable in my youth, and I'm not that old (49, last of the baby boomers.) We worry about terrorism and rogue states, but we're no longer doing nuclear drills in case the Soviet Union decides to launch a massive first strike attack. I have over a hundred television channels - for which I pay half a week's wages thirty years ago! We're doing a much better job with the environment and endangered species preservation than in my youth.

True, to some degree we've lost our way since those days after World War II when we were flush with manufacturing and every other major manufacturing country had been bombed to rubble. China is on track to pass us in manufacturing share next year; Toyota and Volkswagen are both nipping at Ford's heels to become the world's largest car company. We haven't figured out how to manufacture things again, which we must if we are to preserve our prosperity and our large middle class, and illegal immigration is threatening our national identity, and all the other things you mentioned are serious threats to be sure. But this is still the greatest nation of Earth, and although a lot of things have gotten worse, a lot has gotten better too.

 

[shortylickens]

I agree with MOST of the stuff on your list. But I have been spending a lot of time in macro and micro economics and theres a pretty good argument of letting certain jobs go overseas. Supposedly it creates better jobs here in America.
Of course, I havent actually seen it yet, but thats what they tell me.

But everything else is pretty much right on the dot.

 

[First]

Our land is being taken, our people are dying, and THIS is how you respond to the border?!

It's not your land, lol.

 

[Jaskalas]

It's not your land, lol.

Keep saying it. Loud and clear.

 

[Moonbeam]

soulcougher: I have read P&N for a long time now. I post some, but mostly i read and listen to the political hacks on both sides in here.

M: Being truthful to your feelings and stating them flat out is very good, in a therapeutic environment. Here, however, not all take in criticism easily, that is to say that folk who are already feeling angry as you describe, get even more angry when called hacks. Maybe partisans would be somewhat less confrontational. I say this because, naturally, you yourself don't want to become part of the problem. And I have to apologize for myself, too, because you too seem angry and I have begun by pointing out what I would say is a mistake. But since you are seeking the light, I am sure you will take it in stride.

s: Pretty much every post is here is negative and mostly rightfully so, but everyone seems angry at the world or the US in particular.

M: Here you somewhat recover your good graces by saying folk are right to be angry and that is good, but it isn't true, sadly.

To be angry in a therapeutic environment IS good but it isn't good out in the world.

And it isn't therefore good to support other people's rage, therefore, either.

s: I am 37 and have seen a lot change in my years here in the US, and for the worse in my opinion. Here are some of the bigger issues of late:

M: OK here we go>


s

• Illegal immigration is out of control. If you are not here to assimilate into our culture but instead are here to exploit it and send money back to your home country then leave.
  
  M: The wages paid are usually less than would be paid to legals, so employers benefit, families distant benefit, and money stimulates those countries who then can buy from us returning the money with interest. Everybody goes where the opportunities are. It's quite natural. You would too.
  
  So Americans are schizophrenic over immigration and we like it that way. It helps us feel helpless and divided.
  
  s: The war on terror seems it is going to be an ongoing affair, probably forever at this point.
  
  M: Lots of money in terror and lots of ways to use it to get elected
  
  We are afraid of the world and we like it that way. It helps us feel our fear.
  
  s: Corporate America buying politicians to get there agenda across all so someones stock can go up a quarter point.
  
  M: We live on the edge for the excitement. We are emotionally dead and need it.
  
  s: Outsourcing of jobs is destroying the middle and lower class in America.
  
  
  M: Are you beginning to see a death wish? It is very obvious to me.
  
  s: PC has run amuck. Call a spade a spade and get on with it. Stop with the coddling of the people who get butt hurt of every little word.
  
  M: Wouldn't want anybody to feel anything.
  
  s: Is there such a thing as an honest politician anymore? They all seem to say what you either want to hear or what they need to get elected and then never follow through on those promises.
  
  M: That is exactly how we like it. Notice yet that what is is a reflection of who we are? But keep it quiet. We are pretending to be otherwise.
  
  
  s: Unions that are too powerful with big contracts with the gubment. I have no problems with unions in general but they too can amass too much power.
  
  M: Mommy Sally and Bill are picking on me. They have too much power.
  
  Mommy, we had to pick on Bob because he's stronger than either of us.
  
  
  s: Losing civil liberties slowly to things like the Patriot Act.
  
  M: We can't feel what we feel so it is a small loss. We live in emotional prison, physical prison is a minor issue.
  
  s: Our national debt is ridiculous and most likely will never be under control again. Same goes for many states now.
  
  M: We need because we can't feel. Got to get gratification somewhere.
  
  s: Health care system is a joke anyway you spin it. I dont know the overall solution to this wether is be UHC or what not. But something needs to change and fast.
  
  M: It keeps us stirred up so it feels like we have feelings.
  
  s: Helicopter parenting and parents being the childs friend instead of a parent. Everyones a winner bullshit mentality needs to stop. You can become their friend when they are an adult, until then be a parent and teacher.
  
  M: All the assholes who created this world had parents like that. Parents just need to be real which means they need to feel.
  
  s: Seems a lot of people are not proud to be American anymore. I know i have my days where i just want to run off to some nice insignificant country and live in peace away from all this crap the world has turned into.
  
  M: I know. We are angry but we don't want to know what we are angry about and the tension is so painful we want to run away. But running away is winning even though we don't go anywhere.
  
  s: Personal responsibility and accountability. What is that you might ask? LOL
  
  M: An impossibility when you don't know what you feel. Folk who are asleep to their emotions have no free will.
  
  s: I know that is a lot of rambling and im not the best writer when trying to get some points across. It is more a hodge podge or ideas all across the board.
  
  M: We are all afraid we aren't good at things and will be criticized because we don't know we feel that way already.
  
  s: So are you happy with America or does this country piss you off most of the time and you feel powerless to stop its eventual demise?
  
  M: I am powerless to stop its demise. It is what we want unconsciously and you can't stop fools who are hell bent on self destruction and will kill you if you told them.
  
  s: What can be done to make this country great again?
  
  M: That's easy. The nation should devote all its resources to helping folk learn to feel, to teach them they hate themselves because they were put down as children, and that everything they were taught about everything is a lie.
  
  We are and always will be perfect. We just don't know it because we feel we are the worst in the world. To remember that, the childhood trauma, should be our goal, the very last thing on earth anybody will or wants to do. We simply will not rediscover there is nothing wrong with us because we are absolutely and deeply convinced we are worthless and evil. Catch 22 of cosmic proportions.
  
  Love you.

 

[Infohawk]

Great question.

I'm generally happy with America but see it as something fragile that I'm afraid will go away. I have a hunch this is what many people are also getting at when they whine on this forum.

Happy about:
- Individuals probably have more liberty and freedom than about at any time in history. (Sure, there are more CCTVs around but in the past there was a lot more neighborly intrusion.)
- We are scientifically and technologically advanced.
- We are materially wealthy (even poor people are fat.)

Unhappy about / Fears:
- People not understanding how fragile the democracy that underpins our freedom/liberty is. It is not enough to have elections, we need an informed electorate and base of people. This takes many other forms.
- Our culture does not seemed to have adopted to certain modern realities: people are too materialistic despite wealth, stupid despite amazing educational opportunities, unhealthy and overworked despite scientific and technological advancements.

 

[Moonbeam]

Great question.

Unhappy about / Fears:
- People not understanding how fragile the democracy that underpins our freedom/liberty is. It is not enough to have elections, we need an informed electorate and base of people. This takes many other forms.
- Our culture does not seemed to have adopted to certain modern realities: people are too materialistic despite wealth, stupid despite amazing educational opportunities, unhealthy and overworked despite scientific and technological advancements.

Why?

 

[StageLeft]

Overall yes

 

[sportage]

Im so happy I could shit
(line from the movie "serial mom")

 

[Infohawk]

Why?

Can you be more specific?