America Bashing

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What's the rules? I've been in the US over two years. Pay taxes but can't vote. Can I 'bash' America?

I plan to become a citizen. Can I 'bash' America then?

If I speak out against health insurance versus 'socialised medicine', am I 'bashing' America?

If I lament that we're still debating what constitutes torture, am I 'bashing' America?

Can I call strip malls ugly, at least?

Cheers.

Good questions - and you're not the only one who thinks that taxation without representation is a tad unfair.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

SteveLaura didn't say that they found the UK perfect. I'm sure there are plenty of things in the UK that they could voice their displeasure at, too. I didn't think they were being a jerk. It's very possible to love a country but still be frustrated by many aspects of it.

[jundp 191]

What's the rules? I've been in the US over two years. Pay taxes but can't vote. Can I 'bash' America?

I plan to become a citizen. Can I 'bash' America then?

If I speak out against health insurance versus 'socialised medicine', am I 'bashing' America?

If I lament that we're still debating what constitutes torture, am I 'bashing' America?

Can I call strip malls ugly, at least?

Cheers.

Ok, now that's just crossing a line, SteveLaura.

I don't think this post comes across as sounding "#######-holish" (is that a word?). Didn't Mark Twain say something about patriotism being proud of your country but still being able to disagree with your government?

There's a great deal I prefer about Germany over the US and there's a great deal I prefer about the US over Germany. Hell, I prefer quite a lot about Canada too. Just because we don't like something about our country and we voice it does not mean we are "bashing" it.

Amendment 1: free speech

[Empress of Groovy 373]

It seems that Americans are more defensive when someone from elsewhere notes that things here could be improved in some way. This is, of course, a generalization, but it doesn't take long for the "love it or leave it" folks to stamp their feet and declare, "If you don't like it, go back to _______."

It's hard to find a better place to live if you're healthy, intelligent, young, and ambitious (and well off!). If you're not at least two of those things, you could have a tough time. If you're not so smart and have a chronic illness, you're in trouble.

I do think that a lot of Americans take it personally--like you're insulting their mother and everything they stand for--if you even suggest that the U.S. isn't a wonderland where only the lazy or otherwise morally flawed don't achieve success. Most of us were brought up to believe that the U.S. is by far the best place in the world, and if you don't buy into that idea, well, then aren't you just a commie #######? Why not get the next ticket to the USSR and stand in the bread line?

U.S. history in this country is taught like religion, like you're in CCD or Sunday school--lots of larger than life characters, fables, myth, legends, and a feeling that you're a part of it as an American. To question any of it just isn't the done thing. To some, engaging in critical inquiry is tantamount to blasphemy. Certainly, to suggest that another country may have a better way of doing things ruffles feathers. Which is really sorta lame and doesn't further the discussion.

I know that it can be annoying to listen to someone who has moved here harp on about the idyllic life in ______ that he or she left behind. A British friend I've known for years who moved here in '93 loves to go on about our barbaric health care system (which I sort of agree with, to be honest), obsession with guns, foreign invasions, big cars, etc. It can get tiresome--yes, he still lives here--but often he has a point, and it's interesting to get another view. Telling someone to go back home just exposes ignorance and a lack of willingness to entertain other viewpoints.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Pay taxes but can't vote.

I just noticed the beautiful twist of a brit complaining about paying taxes in America and not being given a vote. History do change the woild.

Hmmm... there might be an irony there if the Brits were still Gung-Ho about colonialism and 19th century imperialism. Outside of the BNP or the National Front that isn't really the case anymore.

Contrast with some folks in the US (I say 'some' as it does seem to apply to a particular subset of the US population - specifically the ones behind Bush for ideological reasons) who chest beat over each and every war and their 'undisputed' moral rights to lord over the rest of the world.

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

SteveLaura didn't say that they found the UK perfect. I'm sure there are plenty of things in the UK that they could voice their displeasure at, too. I didn't think they were being a jerk. It's very possible to love a country but still be frustrated by many aspects of it.

I didn't mean to insinuate he was being a jerk, although I kind of did looking back on it. I was curious as to why they aren't in England. There is probably a very good reason that could easily be bitched about.

Plus, I tend to stir the pot occasionally.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

SteveLaura didn't say that they found the UK perfect. I'm sure there are plenty of things in the UK that they could voice their displeasure at, too. I didn't think they were being a jerk. It's very possible to love a country but still be frustrated by many aspects of it.

I didn't mean to insinuate he was being a jerk, although I kind of did looking back on it. I was curious as to why they aren't in England. There is probably a very good reason that could easily be bitched about.

Plus, I tend to stir the pot occasionally.

Wife's financial obligations for my part, as well as me/her being closer to her family than I am to mine.

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

Pay taxes but can't vote.

I just noticed the beautiful twist of a brit complaining about paying taxes in America and not being given a vote. History do change the woild.

Hmmm... there might be an irony there if the Brits were still Gung-Ho about colonialism and 19th century imperialism. Outside of the BNP or the National Front that isn't really the case anymore.

I really wasn't trying to imply anything. I just found it funny. I do hope some sort of American Rerevolution doesn't occur, though.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

No worries, British GC holders aren't the revolutionary type.

Those illegal Mezikans, now...

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

SteveLaura didn't say that they found the UK perfect. I'm sure there are plenty of things in the UK that they could voice their displeasure at, too. I didn't think they were being a jerk. It's very possible to love a country but still be frustrated by many aspects of it.

I didn't mean to insinuate he was being a jerk, although I kind of did looking back on it. I was curious as to why they aren't in England. There is probably a very good reason that could easily be bitched about.

Plus, I tend to stir the pot occasionally.

Wife's financial obligations for my part, as well as me/her being closer to her family than I am to mine.

Those are pretty much the same reasons why Lindsay is coming here. That and the warm climate. Although, I have much more job flexibility because of my degree and certifications. So, in the future we may move back to Canada depending on the political climate here. I've really become quite disgusted by the american political machine, but I guess that happens everywhere there's democracy.

[Peikko 1,575]

America is #######, I don't want to live here, but my husband keeps me in shackles so I can't run away.

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

No worries, British GC holders aren't the revolutionary type.

Those illegal Mezikans, now...

Reconquista!

[sj5 4]

I was just reading posts and thinking alot and came up with some conclusions... I think I have talked about living a great deal overseas. From the age of 8 years old, I spent several months a year in Europe and then a few years later moved to Northern Europe. I lived in Sweden, Portugal, Greece and the Middle East during my childhood and teenage years before going in the military at 18. I began travelling back a few years later and then most of my time was in France and North Africa. I would beg to say that I have seen all kinds of living situations, social situations, how women are treated..... I have experienced a whole boondoggle of things. From all of this, as exciting as it is to travel, this is why I love the USA

HEALTH CARE..... The insurance situation is an absolute disaster, but if I have a sick baby, which I had in Algeria, there is no place I have seen in the world with the first class trauma units as the USA. Our doctors are amazing. Our hospitals are amazing. After my daughter getting stiches the size of yarn with no anaesthesia and this was a private clinic. I would rather get sick here than anywhere else. I sure as hell cannot pay for it, but I think I stand a much better chance of surviving a heart attack here than in North Africa

Womens Rights...... I have seen forced abortions in North Africa, women relegated to just doing what their family tells them, divorced with very little future. As an American, I can reinvent my life, go back to school, change communities, live without stigma. I am more than a wife or a mother. I am American and with those opportunities, there is no reason that I should not be successful

Santitation

For as much as I hate to say this. the US system of sanitiation is much better than many places I visited in the World. While Europe is pretty clean, it also does not have as many wide open spaces as the US. It actually felt conjested to visit Europe this last time. You get used to wide open spaces.

there was no regular garbage pickup in several of the places I lived. it laid in the streets

OPPORTUNITY AND THE GENERAL COMPASSION OF AMERICANS

Americans are extremely compassionate. Yes our soldiers have done some pretty horrific things during the IRaQ occupation. But americans for the most part as irriatated as i get with our government, are EXTREMELY charity oriented and compassionate people .... dollar for

dollar, much more than many people I have seen in the world. You just do not see the huge level of compassionate giving in many places in the world, organ donation,, charity in general. Its part of American culture to be giving.

I see alot of america bashing going on and frankly, I think i am in a position to say that we have alot more rights in this country and access to help here than many places in the world. I am not forced by law here to abort a baby if I am not married . My children belong to me and I can get them a passport ( not so in several countries in the world where a father can prevent his wife and children from leaving the country)

I am not thrilled with the immigration system and many of my current governments policies. But its absolute hogwash to constantly bash the USA. This is a great place to live and has wonderful qualtities for all that I have seen in my years, Europe might be cleaner, but there are alot more opportunities here to start a business and reinvent your life

I love the United States...

just a few of my thoughts

You're so damn right specially about sanitation.

Edited February 7, 2008 by SJ

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

America is #######, I don't want to live here, but my husband keeps me in shackles so I can't run away.

The VAWA forum is that-a-way

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

America is #######, I don't want to live here, but my husband keeps me in shackles so I can't run away.

Hahaha. One of Lindsay's friends tried to warn her that that is something that happens in america. Ignorance is bliss.