Material issues aside (wealth, income, job, possessions, etc.), I just want to ask: - On a scale from 1 to 10, how happy\content\comfortable are you to be living in America? - What is your opinion of Americans? In comparison with others? - What is your biggest criticism of America\Americans? I'm not trying to start anything, this is a purely objective question in consideration of a different perspective of American life. Thanks! ------------------
And yet, this thread had just enough "insight" to create a response out of you, didn't it? And that was before the "MORON" reference. I guess Americans are STUPID as well as whiny! ------------------
Well this thread's off to a nice start... Not a bad topic though, I hope someone from a different country steps up and answers these questions. ------------------ All work and no play makes Band Geek Mobster a dull boy. All work and no play makes Band Geek Mobster a dull boy. All work and no play makes Band Geek Mobster a dull boy. All work and no play makes Band Geek Mobster a dull boy.
Man, maybe there aren't that many foreign born citizens on the BBS,OBVIOUSLY! Damn, I thought it was a good thread too but I misunderstood Professor LIVE and he bit my head off! Geez! Perhaps if it were for everyone...I know we all have a opinion about our country! Oh well,I gave it anyhow...like...a...moron...sniff,sniff ------------------ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever."
8-9. I know you said "material issues aside", but I can't be comfortable unless I'm financially comfortable (especially in this society) so that gets equated into the rating. They take too much for granted. They spend wastefully. They don't save enough. They like to party. What's the pre-occupation with guns?! American society is beginning to degrade morally (subjective opinion). Wrapped in the shroud of "freedom" is the decay of principles, manners, decency, courtesy, and respect. They allow the freedom to succeed which is rare and wonderful, yet the same freedom may cause failure to the society due to lack of discipline. Raise your kids to have less freedom so when they acquire more freedom, they won't abuse it. Discipline is more than "timeout". It's not necessarily whipping the kid, which could be worse. It's teaching them right from wrong and paying a consequence other than "it's timeout for you Mr!". It's allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them. It's giving them responsibilities without making them responsible adults at the age of 14 and 15 when they should be hitting the books. Do something about race-relations. There's a boiling pot in the inner city and no one's going to notice it until it blows up. Educate the black kid to not hate the white man because he's white. Educate the black mother to not give up on her kid because society gave up on her. Educate the white man that if the black kid actually had any semblance of equality with him, he, too could succeed. The domino effect of failure is killing the inner cities. It's sad. I believe it was John Donne who said "no man is an island unto himself". Every person is an individual in a collective society. Your actions affect that society. More importantly so do the actions you do not make. If American minorities would realize that there are people in this world that succeed who would make them seem filthy rich in comparison, it would give a goal to strive for. Don't let politicians and politics rule your existence. In the end, 99% of them are evil whether they be Republican or Democrat. As you wait for them to represent you, time will march on, you will never really be represented as you think you should. Determine your own path, accept your failures, conquer your fears, and bring back the hard working ethic that made America what it is. Pay the blue-collar worker more. He works his ass off just as much if not more than the white collar worker. Pay teachers more. Respect education instead of just expecting education. Take school seriously. Pay law enforcement more and pray you don't need them. Pay those that save lives more. Instead of spending "the price of a cup of coffee" on a foreign child, take care of your own first. Someone great once said you can't fight a battle on two fronts. Take care of your backside before you charge valiantly to the front lines. Mind your own business unless the business is economical. **** the Saudis, **** the Israelis, **** Saddam... but the moment they **** with you, destroy them. Right now the world perspective is that the US puts its nose into everybody else's business. If others can't be grateful for the help the US provides, **** them, too. Let's go back to a speak softly, but carry a big stick approach to foreign relations. Ultimately I'm thankful the US gave my family the opportunity to succeed; nothing more, nothing less. ------------------ NBA Draft Lottery is May 20th. Start praying now. [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited May 10, 2001).]
Well I guess I fit this criteria. Scale of 1 to 10: 8 Love living here - maybe because I know I will eventually go home it makes it easier, but the diverse range of experiences, and the mere fact of "being right in the middle of everything" makes this a very fun place for me to live. My opinion of Americans? Well, I don't like to generalize, because I hate when it is done to me. Sometimes American's can be a little self obsessed. They don't really have to know anything about the rest of the world, so they tend not to. Otherwise I find them friendly, genuine, and generally very culturally similar to Australians. Biggest Criticism of Americans? Inability to understand sarcasm ------------------ ..as a man danced so the drums were beaten for him. Current Rocket's Salary & Contract Info
Great topic, Live! If you don't mind, I would like to add some questions to yours directed towards the foreign-born BBS'ers that answered this thread. Where are you from originally? What are the main differences between life here and life there (country of origin)? Thanks, I hope this discussions blossoms a little more, because I work with many foreign born people, and hearing their opinions on me and this country has always fascinated me. ------------------ Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
I have to give America a 7.5. Despite it's many, many problems (all countries have them), I still consider the US to be tied with Oz as the finest country in the world. Sure, I hate the political system, and the many conservative ideas on sex/drugs/violence/rights, but I still love it. Most of all I love the land itself. There's nothing like going on a road trip in the States. The scenery is incredible, and the many interesting destinations are brilliant. Also, the technology is fantastic. This is where modern life begins and ends in the world. I do hate much of the legal system, and as I have said, many of the politicians. My biggest gripe is the conservative attitude that seems to flourish in this country. I know that this is nothing compared to some other countries, but I come from far-left Australia. I suppose I could say, I like 50.1 percent of Americans, and hate the other 49.9 percent! ------------------ The Protrolls.com message boards! Protrolls.com! Don't visit my site.
i didnt live in Scotland long enough and i wasnt enough but i go back often . I love america i think it is great and i will most likely stay here for most of my life but there are a few bad things. GUNS, i find it unbelievable that people find it necesary to own 20 guns or so. It is fine if you own a gun for hunting or something but i dont see the need to own several guns. One other problem that I have noticed did not actually happen to me but to some friends of mine who moved here from Liverpool.they were tormented at school because of their accents. i just didnt understand why someone would make fun of somebodys accent, I have lost a lot of my accent but i still have some and most people think it is neat. The only tormenting i get now is all in fun from my friends which dont offend me so im ok with it. Overall i give it a 9 ------------------ KD 12-21-99
I really appreciate this country. You all should too! I really love my freedom and rights. I want to live as long as I can so I stay away from undue stress and anger, drink a glass of wine daily and focus on the good things that are happening. I think a lot of Americans complain too much! They see fault in our government at every turn, and this may be true, but they do nothing about it. My suggestion for all those complainers is to: A)Move to another country and see how life is there. I moved to Mexico City after always thinking "Mexico is much more beautiful and simpler than the U.S., I wanna get outta this rat race" later realizing and appreciating how our liberties are indeed protected from day to day in the U.S.A. and how crappy and so much very more corrupt Mexico is! People complain about OUR government?! HAHAHA! That just cracks me up! Give it a shot, move to another country, you'll see what real chaos and real rat race is about. What a bunch of whimps and whiners us Americans really are! OR B) BECOME A FREAKIN POLITICIAN YOURSELF! Yeah, put the bong down and actually become involved, not just voting once every four years for your Green Party or Democrats or whatever and listening to your N.P.R. and sending your yearly dues to PETA or Green Peace or whatever (I don't mean to target anyone, really!), but become a legitimate politician, faaaaar away in never never land of government...then change something about our country. Anyhow, how much you love where you're at also really more importantly depends on YOU! I could gives a rats ass about politics, I just lead a simple life. Learn to appreciate things more. Life is really purty good, I'm tellin ya! Oh, speakin of appreciating this country or not, I'm originally from Brownsville and always read their Herald Online. Why is there always the story of the immigrant coming over for a better life and becoming Valedictorian and going on to Harvard? We should all be so hungry...BrownsvilleHeraldStory ------------------ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever."
Wow, I didn't know that there was a COUNTRY named Brownsville! Where is it located, what language do you speak, what currency do you use? MORON!! Foreign-born means not born in US!! And where I'm from, Brownsville is MOST DEFINITELY in the US! ONCE AGAIN, I was just interested in a different perspective of life in America, and not some attack on our country, no more no less. I'm sorry if that's the way this thread was interpreted. BTW, I appreciate being an American, for what its worth. I was just interested in finding out how people feel instead of telling people how they should feel. ------------------
OOOPSY! Well,considering your thread sat here for over an hour all by its lonesome I guess it was misinterpreted...but I see now its picking up some steam and insight, especially the moron reference Here come the immigrants right now! I can hear the rumble of their bare feet! WOO-HOO here we go! Hold on to your pants! Weeeeeee, this is fun! Se habla ingles? See...I told you Americans were a bunch of whimps and whiners! ------------------ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever."
First of all, mr_oily, I want to apologize for snapping at you earlier. I guess I misinterpreted your initial response and over-reacted, so you're definitely not a "MORON"- just a stupid-head. My sentiments, exactly! Thank you to those who responded! ------------------
HAHA! I knew that! ------------------ "Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever."
