10 Things I love about the USA

[gypsyjim]

Especially when you watch TV in a foreign country.

I got a real kick out of watching "McCloud" reruns dubbed in Italian, and European tv ads were a shock compared to our tame American versions!

 

[tridacna]

If I list the things I don't like I might negate that notion

If you really want I'd be happy to list some things that I don't like about the US or that I prefer about South Africa but then in a private message or if it has to be public, at least in another thread.

OK. If you won't, I will!

What's better (different) in SA?

1. The weather. SA does not have the extremes that you have in the US. Rarely see snow. I bought my first winter jacket when I arrived in Minneapolis 20 years ago.

2. Cape Town, There is simply no city like it in the world. A 3000 ft mountain backdropped against the ocean. A magnificent waterfront completely unlike anything that you can imagine. Wonderful restaurants, great beaches, diving and hiking. Wine farms within 30 minutes from the city center. I could go on.

3. The food. Less processed, more nutritious - doesn't look as good as US food. (Less paint). Portions are sized for humans not elephants. Hardly any fastfood. Hooray. (Except for Nandos. The best).

4. Less calamities. No earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, mudslides etc etc. You don't have to worry about your home being blown away or swept into the ocean.

5. Great beer. This little country in the bottom of Africa, in addition to owning the 2nd largest brewery in the world (SABMiller) also brews damn good stuff. And fine wines too.

6. Politics are just as messed up in both countries. Global problem here.

7. Nature. Game reserves - big five. Absolutely incredible. I used to live in a major metropolis, Cape Town - population 3.5M and I had a game reserve within 20 miles from my home.

Lot's more. Now having said all the above, I will never go back. Why?

FREEDOM. The USA is absolutely the best. You can say what you want anytime. No worries whatsoever. I believe that too many Americans whine incessantly about how the US is becoming a socialist or fascist state. Why certain presidents were/are stupid or not. It's all Baloney BUT you're allowed to say it! Try that in Iran. This country was founded on principles of democracy and freedom. It is the best country in the world. My proudest day was receiving my citizenship.

 

[gypsyjim]

Well said.

Still, Ameriacans may have a lot more freedoms, that we take for granted, than are enjoyed elsewhere, but after watching those freedoms gradually be eroded over a lifetime I see ample cause to worry about where we are headed.

When citizens accept the gradual erosion of their civil liberties, even knowingly voting at times for increases in government controls for reasons of safety or to overcome ecconomic difficulties, the changes and losses of freedom may be incrimental, but they are substantial and nearly always irreversable. Like the frog in a pot of cold water that is gradually heated, till he is cooked alive, when he could so easily have hopped out at any time, the American citizens have let their freedoms gradually slip form their grasp while very few have even noticed the changes.

Like that frog, if and when the voters in America do notice that they have thrown away too many of their freedoms it will be way too late to undo the damages.
One downside of Democracy is that masses of poeple often make very poor long term choices, and blindly follow charismatic leaders who seem to offer them short term benefits, if the voters will only give up a little bit of their freedom to get those "benefits" now.

 

[tridacna]

Well said.

Still, Ameriacans may have a lot more freedoms, that we take for granted, than are enjoyed elsewhere, but after watching those freedoms gradually be eroded over a lifetime I see ample cause to worry about where we are headed.

When citizens accept the gradual erosion of their civil liberties, even knowingly voting at times for increases in government controls for reasons of safety or to overcome ecconomic difficulties, the changes and losses of freedom may be incrimental, but they are substantial and nearly always irreversable. Like the frog in a pot of cold water that is gradually heated, till he is cooked alive, when he could so easily have hopped out at any time, the American citizens have let their freedoms gradually slip form their grasp while very few have even noticed the changes.

Like that frog, if and when the voters in America do notice that they have thrown away too many of their freedoms it will be way too late to undo the damages.
One downside of Democracy is that masses of poeple often make very poor long term choices, and blindly follow charismatic leaders who seem to offer them short term benefits, if the voters will only give up a little bit of their freedom to get those "benefits" now.

Agree 100%. I'm in telecoms. If Americans knew what freedoms they had taken away from them by the previous administration in the "Patriot" Act, they would gag. I'm amazed how calmly they accepted having their freedoms yanked away. Fahrenheit 451 should be compulsory reading by all.

 

[gypsyjim]

Agree 100%. I'm in telecoms. If Americans knew what freedoms they had taken away from them by the previous administration in the "Patriot" Act, they would gag. I'm amazed how calmly they accepted having their freedoms yanked away. Fahrenheit 451 should be compulsory reading by all.

BUT, are you paying attention right now? The process did not halt in Jan, with almost all previous administration's procedures quietly retained, while more intrusions and controls are being added currently. Most people, I believe no longer seem to read very deeply or really examine the "truths" presented in the news sound bites, that are their source of knowledge of the world around them.

 

[on_two_wheels]

Jim, you and I could probably go on for HOURS!! Honestly, how many people have ever heard o the CFR? How many know that members of this one organization holds virtually every position of power including the presidency, Federal Reserve, Sec of Defense, etc? Oh....and most major bank CEO positions. Hmmmmm....why did they get billions without any checks/balances? How many average joes actually know that the federal reserve is no more "federal" than FedEx? It's a private entity that has never been audited to ensure they're using OUR money responsibly. Why haven't we, as a people, been given the opportunity to vote on whether we bail out banks and auto makers? Oh.....and here's a good one....Ford Foundation is a major contributor/member of the CFR. The only auto maker not being taken over by gov't or going into bankruptcy. Salary caps put on CEOs only AFTER they got the money. Coincidence? I think not. Obama said he'd get the lobbyists and contributors out of DC then appointed SEVERAL to his cabinet.

Yeah, we had a change of administration but not overall goals. They'll continue to divide us into two classes (lower/upper).