Opinion on the US

[NewLiberty]

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The thing that Americans generally have in common is that they are either immigrants or descended from immigrants.  This means that they tend to be somewhat more venturesome than average.  Either they or their ancestors were explorers, or more motivated and less risk averse than their cohorts.
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I think that the generations and the principle of 'regression to the mean' has pretty much nixed that for us old-timers.  We being recognized generally by having Caucasian features.

We have a strong contingent of more recent arrivals however, and this spark can be observed statistically in some of their behaviors.  Work ethic, propensity for education, etc.

Yes, I have Mayflower blood in me, (Capn Standish) and lots of mixing with all that have come since.  More in every generation until now.  If it continues...
Recent activities by TPTB against the citizenry may make it much less attractive going forward though.
The bloom may be off the rose.  I get asked by many, where to emigrate?  Where is the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Possibly Southern hemisphere somewhere.  Needs infrastructure though, so that is both a problem and an opportunity.

[Wipeout2097]

The worst thing about the U.S. is obviously meddling into other people's business, other countries, opression, war...

Regardless if I consider some folks in the U.S. backward or weird, some views or ideologies are obtuse, ultimately it's none of my business how people choose to live in their own country.

[Don007]

In my opinion the US wants to be the world leader in all kinds of markets and often think / act like they are. They want to be 'the best', for example concerning the economy, but also world politics and military. 

There's nothing wrong with that, but that doesn't mean they can claim rights other countries aren't allowed to have. Such as the telephone wiring they do all over the world. If for example Russia would do this (and i'm not saying they don't), the US would definitely try everything to stop them, I think.

They also suck on a few matters, for example the healthcare and the drugspolicy. But who am I to say that. I'm just a guy from the Netherlands, with allmost the highest costs of healthcare and a drugpolicy which is vague but reasonable in my opinion. I'm glad some US states are now accepting medical cannabis for example. I my opinion you should regulate the drugs and the use of it in your country. Not by punishing, but by education and controlling like it's happening here in the Netherlands and our "coffeeshops".

[Oldgamer]

In my opinion the US wants to be the world leader in all kinds of markets and often think / act like they are. They want to be 'the best', for example concerning the economy, but also world politics and military.  

There's nothing wrong with that, but that doesn't mean they can claim rights other countries aren't allowed to have. Such as the telephone wiring they do all over the world. If for example Russia would do this (and i'm not saying they don't), the US would definitely try everything to stop them, I think.

They also suck on a few matters, for example the healthcare and the drugspolicy. But who am I to say that. I'm just a guy from the Netherlands, with allmost the highest costs of healthcare and a drugpolicy which is vague but reasonable in my opinion. I'm glad some US states are now accepting medical cannabis for example. I my opinion you should regulate the drugs and the use of it in your country. Not by punishing, but by education and controlling like it's happening here in the Netherlands and our "coffeeshops".

So you wanna smoke some weed?
Do you want your kids smoke weed too?
Is it your biggest problem that you can not smoke grass openly in US?
If so, I am glad you are in Netherlands.

[Don007]

I'm not saying that I want to smookeweed or my kids should. I'm just explaining that in my opinion the US sucks on a couple of things, such as those policies. It's just an example. Our more open policy regarding drugs is working out way better. Simply punishing for the use of drugs isn't really decreasing the amounts of victims, education does. Atleast, it does here. And I don't think people really differ due to the country they live in.

[crumbs]

In my opinion the US wants to be the world leader in all kinds of markets and often think / act like they are. They want to be 'the best', for example concerning the economy, but also world politics and military. 

There's nothing wrong with that, but that doesn't mean they can claim rights other countries aren't allowed to have. Such as the telephone wiring they do all over the world. If for example Russia would do this (and i'm not saying they don't), the US would definitely try everything to stop them, I think.

They also suck on a few matters, for example the healthcare and the drugspolicy. But who am I to say that. I'm just a guy from the Netherlands, with allmost the highest costs of healthcare and a drugpolicy which is vague but reasonable in my opinion. I'm glad some US states are now accepting medical cannabis for example. I my opinion you should regulate the drugs and the use of it in your country. Not by punishing, but by education and controlling like it's happening here in the Netherlands and our "coffeeshops".

The silly thing is, while Russia was SSSR, it was King Kong to USA's Godzilla.  She kept Godzilla occupied & focused.  With the great nemesis gone, Godzilla has to find new outlets for all the pent-up rage & aggression.

So careful how you talk at Godzilla

[Don007]

Hehehe. Maybe it's time for Russia to be a King Kong again then. In my view there always should be 2 "world leaders" / countries which act like they are, as they can put pressure on each other in cases of faults. Some of you might say 'Well, Europe is the opposite player' (like Russia was), but I don't really agree with that.

Europe isn't as solid as one country is (in my opinion), allthough they act like they are.

[tvbcof]

The silly thing is, while Russia was SSSR, it was King Kong to USA's Godzilla.  She kept Godzilla occupied & focused.  With the great nemesis gone, Godzilla has to find new outlets for all the pent-up rage & aggression.

So careful how you talk at Godzilla

The USSR provided a boogieman that leaders need to cultivate fear among the population, and, relatedly, served as the pressure to keep the military industrial complex fat and happy.  When in collapsed we simply needed a replacement or series of them in order to perpetuate the structures that had evolved under the cold war scenario.  I don't think that very many leaders in very many countries are driven by 'rage and aggression'...they would not have the skills to attain a high position.  Nor do normal people fall into that orbital state by nature.  The job of leadership is to provoke and direct 'rage and aggression' among the citizenry in order to achieve more useful objectives.

[crumbs]

The silly thing is, while Russia was SSSR, it was King Kong to USA's Godzilla.  She kept Godzilla occupied & focused.  With the great nemesis gone, Godzilla has to find new outlets for all the pent-up rage & aggression.

So careful how you talk at Godzilla

The USSR provided a boogieman that leaders need to cultivate fear among the population, and, relatedly, served as the pressure to keep the military industrial complex fat and happy.  When in collapsed we simply needed a replacement or series of them in order to perpetuate the structures that had evolved under the cold war scenario.  I don't think that very many leaders in very many countries are driven by 'rage and aggression'...they would not have the skills to attain a high position.  Nor do normal people fall into that orbital state by nature.  The job of leadership is to provoke and direct 'rage and aggression' among the citizenry in order to achieve more useful objectives.

The "rage and aggression" part was pandering to the anti-US folks here.  I pretty much agree with you.
Though USSR was more than simply a bogeyman -- it was truly a potential adversary.  Like two different cultures in a petri dish, US & USSR kept each other in check.  Until they didn't.
 
The fat military complex is a complex thing, from the economic perspective -- not simply a drain on economy.  But that's a whole other thread.

[superresistant]

USA is the country that waisted the greatest material and intellectual resources of all humankind's history combined to achieve the impossible materialistic dream and imposed it to the rest of the world which will probably cause the end of humankind as we know it.

Apart from that, US is cool. I want to go there one day.

[tvbcof]

USA is the country that waisted the greatest material and intellectual resources of all humankind's history combined to achieve the impossible materialistic dream and imposed it to the rest of the world which will probably cause the end of humankind as we know it.

Apart from that, US is cool. I want to go there one day.

Nothing wrong with pragmatism.  A lot of people I know were delighted to move here, and sometimes permanently, yet still held a critical eye to some of the ways and means of our nation.

A country which can arrange a decent place to live can 'high-grade' people from all around the world.  With good leadership, the advantage this confers can perpetuate the phenomenon.  I think the US 'had it goin' on' for a period of time and benefited hugely, but we are 'losing it' in a variety of ways.  Oh well.  The pages turn in every book.

[NewLiberty]

USA is the country that waisted the greatest material and intellectual resources of all humankind's history combined to achieve the impossible materialistic dream and imposed it to the rest of the world which will probably cause the end of humankind as we know it.

Apart from that, US is cool. I want to go there one day.

Nothing wrong with pragmatism.  A lot of people I know were delighted to move here, and sometimes permanently, yet still held a critical eye to some of the ways and means of our nation.

A country which can arrange a decent place to live can 'high-grade' people from all around the world.  With good leadership, the advantage this confers can perpetuate the phenomenon.  I think the US 'had it goin' on' for a period of time and benefited hugely, but we are 'losing it' in a variety of ways.  Oh well.  The pages turn in every book.

"Ways and means" = subtle humor? (its the name of the US congressional committee that taxes, and spends on entitlements)

The bankers have had their way with the USA for a handful generations now. The US glory days were the interbank period which began its decline 100 years ago.  Those days with stable money and low taxes are beyond the memory of those that live.  The time since has been momentum and milking the laurels upon which the US now rests.  Bitcoin provides us the vain hope this time may come again, but worldwide, rather than constrained by national borders and tied to a national identity.  It is, for the good of all.

For the patriotic of all the worlds nations, there is some hope that those that govern whatever place you hold dear through your own experiences there, may recognize Bitcoin's merits and not crush it, like a sleeping giant rolling over in its slumber smothering an infant.

The US currently is the largest state holder of Bitcoin.  Maybe that will infect it with some needed sanity?  Hope for change springs eternal.

[tvbcof]

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The US currently is the largest state holder of Bitcoin.  Maybe that will infect it with some needed sanity?  Hope for change springs eternal.

I think I'm hearing a giant sucking sound as BTC move to China.  I could be wrong though.

Anyway, I am actually actively looking for countries which, if not embrace, are at least not actively hostile to Bitcoin.  Such countries will likely enjoy my attention as a tourist destination and possibly more should the values continue to rise.

I doubt that there are enough BTC holders to make it worthwhile for a country to adjust their policies for persons such as me, though a cycle might evolve where it is worthwhile to do so.  OTOH, until and unless the makeup of those who tend to end up with BTC jingling in their pocket changes, it may be a mixed blessing to entertain such guests.

[NewLiberty]

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The US currently is the largest state holder of Bitcoin.  Maybe that will infect it with some needed sanity?  Hope for change springs eternal.

I think I'm hearing a giant sucking sound as BTC move to China.  I could be wrong though.

Anyway, I am actually actively looking for countries which, if not embrace, are at least not actively hostile to Bitcoin.  Such countries will likely enjoy my attention as a tourist destination and possibly more should the values continue to rise.

I doubt that there are enough BTC holders to make it worthwhile for a country to adjust their policies for persons such as me, though a cycle might evolve where it is worthwhile to do so.  OTOH, until and unless the makeup of those who tend to end up with BTC jingling in their pocket changes, it may be a mixed blessing to entertain such guests.

By state holder, I am referring to the government itself, not individual humans.
I was thinking the buying in China is not the government but individuals, but who can say?  I would think it to be too small for a government to be engaged.  I suspect like other governments, it is accustomed to currency transactions in many millions or billions, not thousands.

[AndrewWilliams]

America is slowly being turned into a socialist state.

Millions have everything bought and paid for with food stamps, subsidized housing, and cushy government jobs for "minorities," (non-whites).

Whites are being discriminated against in the jobs sector, and it's getting worse every day Obama's administration continues it's reign of terror.

Privacy of US citizens is a thing of the past; with ObamaCare, Obama is driving the final nail in the coffin of free enterprise.

Pretty soon, medicine will no longer be considered a profitable career thanks to ObamaCare.

[tvbcof]

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Pretty soon, medicine will no longer be considered a profitable career thanks to ObamaCare.

Fine with me.  If doctors want to be in the field because it is challenging and helpful to people, that's great.  If they want to get rich and play golf, fuck 'em.  I'd rather have a Cuban doctor.

I'm actually perfectly fine with MD's making a good bit of money.  I don't like that the insurance industry makes a lot.  They are, in my opinion, almost completely parasitic.  And the more they screw people, the more they make.  I dis-like Obama-care because it will stretch out our completely fucked up (private) health care system by another decade or so before we can start to catch up with the rest of the developed world.

[AndrewWilliams]

Fine with me.  If doctors want to be in the field because it is challenging and helpful to people, that's great.  If they want to get rich and play golf, fuck 'em.  I'd rather have a Cuban doctor.

I'm actually perfectly fine with MD's making a good bit of money.  I don't like that the insurance industry makes a lot.  They are, in my opinion, almost completely parasitic.  And the more they screw people, the more they make.  I dis-like Obama-care because it will stretch out our completely fucked up (private) health care system by another decade or so before we can start to catch up with the rest of the developed world.

ObamaCare gives more power to insurance companies, less to consumers like you and I. Increased insurance costs, less choice, etc.

Didn't you read the memo?

The point is, they are taking capitalism out of the equation, and that always ends badly. Whether you think doctors should make as much as they do now is irrelevant.

Every American is now even further beholden to the government thanks to ObamaCare.

If you like paying for other peoples health care, ObamaCare is great.

[tvbcof]

Fine with me.  If doctors want to be in the field because it is challenging and helpful to people, that's great.  If they want to get rich and play golf, fuck 'em.  I'd rather have a Cuban doctor.

I'm actually perfectly fine with MD's making a good bit of money.  I don't like that the insurance industry makes a lot.  They are, in my opinion, almost completely parasitic.  And the more they screw people, the more they make.  I dis-like Obama-care because it will stretch out our completely fucked up (private) health care system by another decade or so before we can start to catch up with the rest of the developed world.

ObamaCare gives more power to insurance companies, less to consumers like you and I. Increased insurance costs, less choice, etc.

Didn't you read the memo?

The point is, they are taking capitalism out of the equation, and that always ends badly. Whether you think doctors should make as much as they do now is irrelevant.

Every American is now even further beholden to the government thanks to ObamaCare.

If you like paying for other peoples health care, ObamaCare is great.

I cannot defend Obama-care.  In case it escaped you, I said 'dis-like'.

As far as I am concerned, there is more than enough capitalism in the health care industry and that's a big part of the reason that it's so fucked up.  I'm for single payer or at the very least, public option so that a good sized pool has some negotiating power at the capitalist table.  That neither of those came with the so-called 'reforms' is a sadistic joke on the American people.

A good capitalist will realize that when a person is sick or has a sick family member, they are vulnerable to exploitation.  And they do just this without regard or remorse (using the insurance industry as something of a buffer.)  For that reason I am in favor of going the route of pretty much every other Western country and socializing the whole fucking thing.  Until then I plan on self-insuring and practicing medical tourism if/when I need some sort of treatment.  Most of my liberal friend are completely bamboozled by the Obama-care joke/scam.

[hawkeye]

A good capitalist will realize that when a person is sick or has a sick family member, they are vulnerable to exploitation.  And they do just this without regard or remorse (using the insurance industry as something of a buffer.)  For that reason I am in favor of going the route of pretty much every other Western country and socializing the whole fucking thing.  Until then I plan on self-insuring and practicing medical tourism if/when I need some sort of treatment.  Most of my liberal friend are completely bamboozled by the Obama-care joke/scam.

I live in one of those socialised first world countries and it isn't as great, nor as free as it's cracked up to be.  Here now you have to pay private medical insurance or you end up getting penalized in tax, essentially forcing people to get it.  Health professionals are getting paid more and more money due to an ever increasing shortage of workers thanks to the medical union racket.  Waiting lists are shocking.   You still have a gap to pay so it's not free.   

If I get sick, medical tourism is the way to go I think.  The scare-mongering over that is completely unjustified and just shows what a  government run racket health care has become.  Not unlike the government-run banking cartel screwing their customers.  Because that's why these industries want to get government involved.  So they don't have to submit to market competition.  They want benefits for themselves at the expense of their customers and the government complies.

[AndrewWilliams]

The worst thing about it is having to foot the bill for every illegal alien / welfare family in the country.

What's next?