American

Robnark · Post by **Robnark** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 1:18 pm

personally, i would prefer not to follow anyone. it's a tough choice between film stars and the aristocracy when it comes to who i would least like to follow, but in america at least there is (i imagine) less of an existing heirarchy in american society - only money.

thus if you want to feel inherently 'superior' to someone, you at least will have worked your way to your position, which is better than a feudal class structure, even an irrelevant and largely ignored one.

leedogg · Post by **leedogg** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 1:42 pm

What I LOVE about the USA....the cars, the freedom...The freedom to drive my car, recklessly.

Vivid Video is nice too.

The fact that I haven't paid my Alabama state taxes on time, and, I haven't been DRAWN AND QUARTERED yet.

The fact that we don't really care about suicide bombing ourselves over some dumb religious stuff is pretty nice too.(puts on flame resistant suit and smiles). Except for gang bangers, who shoot each other over colors.

I have never been to another country to base any of this against, so what do I know. MAYBE, I've been Brainwashed by all the movies.

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 6:56 pm

I am canadian. I like America as a trade partner, as the guys beneath, as our big brother that will protect us. I respect America's military and economic might, and their dedication in fulfiling their self percieved role as international good guy. More good has been done by them than bad.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 7:16 pm

Originally posted by Obsidian
More good has been done by them than bad.

*Wait until I'm elected*

Who said that??

leedogg · Post by **leedogg** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 8:53 pm

Originally posted by Weasel

*Wait until I'm elected*

Who said that??

I'll vote for ya!

Hey, send me your email address, the one you gave me the other day...I must've forgot

.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 9:18 pm

Check your PM.

RandomThug · Post by **RandomThug** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 9:56 am

Beauty

Weasel for president? ...

How about thug for president? Hmm.. nah I think I would make a better international "funds collector" type of guy.... I can be V.P. for weasel... I will be the strong arm of patroism... ooo I see a crooked Hero/badguy comic forming in my demented head...

[Strong arm of P.A.T.R.O.I.S.M.] "You owe my country millions, I have come to collect"

[Slowly developing third world country] "Please mr... I spent my last shillings on a pair of shoes for ma wife"

[Strong arm of P.A.T.R.O.I.S.M.] "Not good enough" *BOOM*

thug

frogus · Post by **frogus** » Sat Jul 13, 2002 2:41 am

Originally posted by RandomThug
I would ten fold rather live in a country that follows trends of movie stars (who actually do actually work) then some wierd hierarchy (Britain) or a country that doesnt follow anything but is blindly led by thier government/god whatnot.

'Some Wierd Hierarchy'? Care to expand, old bean?

You mean the queen or something, right? Personally I am with Robnark. I am glad to live where noone has to follow anything (apart from the World Cup, and the trains).

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Sat Jul 13, 2002 10:32 am

You don't have to give a reason.

You don't even have to love the place, they'll still let you live there and you can say so without anyone shooting you or burying you under a wall.

And some of the fine folks on Gambanshee's SYM - that's a reason for loving America. They're such damn fine people.

Bloodstalker · Post by **Bloodstalker** » Sat Jul 13, 2002 11:09 am

Damn, is that a Grunt I see?

VoodooDali · Post by **VoodooDali** » Sat Jul 13, 2002 3:12 pm

I figured Grunt would show up in this thread sooner or later...

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 12:38 am

If there is one thing I like America...

...is the concept of giving credit where credit is due.

You will reap the fruits of your labor for as long as you have proven yourself competent and worthy.

Now, Dubyah being the President is a whole different matter altogether...

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 1:08 am

Re: If there is one thing I like America...

Originally posted by Maharlika
...is the concept of giving credit where credit is due.

You will reap the fruits of your labor for as long as you have proven yourself competent and worthy.

Now, Dubyah being the President is a whole different matter altogether...

I believe Bush will fall under..."You will reap the fruits of your deeds".

It is a two way street. Good deeds will in the long run pay off for you. Bad deeds will in the long run be your down fall.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 1:20 am

Indeed...

Originally posted by Weasel

It is a two way street. Good deeds will in the long run pay off for you. Bad deeds will in the long run be your down fall.

...as I believe in Karma.

Of course, Democracy and Freedom are hallmarks of American society...

...but please tell me, based on what I perceive among Americans that I know...

...what did America do to deserve Dubyah?

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 7:05 am

Re: Indeed...

Originally posted by Maharlika
...what did America do to deserve Dubyah?

1) We have retained the electoral college, an anachronistic institution designed to keep the "common man" from electing the president. Remember, Gore won the popular vote by about 2,000,000.

2) Not enough people cared enough to show up at the polls.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 7:29 am

Re: Re: Indeed...

Originally posted by HighLordDave
2) Not enough people cared enough to show up at the polls.

Why not make it compulsory, thats the system which we work under in Australia. Its one thing to complain that Bush got in unfairly, buts its another to criticise the system when people don't even bother to show up to vote.

EDIT- I realise that he got in because of some vague loophole, but if everyone voted wouldn't Gore be in instead. A tad off topic I know

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 9:52 am

Re: Re: Re: Indeed...

Originally posted by Tamerlane

Why not make it compulsory, thats the system which we work under in Australia. Its one thing to complain that Bush got in unfairly, buts its another to criticise the system when people don't even bother to show up to vote.

EDIT- I realise that he got in because of some vague loophole, but if everyone voted wouldn't Gore be in instead. A tad off topic I know

One of the reasons..(Most likely the main reason)

1. Some would call it forced voting.

There are people in the US would rather take a beating than vote for either party.

As to Gore winning if all voted...if it went the way it did ( the other 50% split between both) Bush still could had won by the electoral college. It would depend on the states which Bush won still being won with everyone voting.

Some states..(Like Alabama, for example) don't matter unless it is a very close election. California (on the other hand) is a must win state most of the time.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 12:52 pm

Re: Re: Re: Indeed...

Originally posted by Tamerlane
Why not make it compulsory, thats the system which we work under in Australia. Its one thing to complain that Bush got in unfairly, buts its another to criticise the system when people don't even bother to show up to vote.

Like Weasel, I believe the people should be free to vote any way they want, including through abstention. That way, we get what we deserve. I think fable has said that he hasn't voted in years and in my opinion, not voting is a statement that some people are proud to make.

At the same time, I don't pay much attention to the political opinions of people who do not exercise their right to vote. I believe that if you do not perform your civic duty by showing up at the polls, then you lose the right to ***** about the outcome or the officials who did get elected.

I could care less who people vote for; it is important to me that people value their vote and not take this very valuable individual right for granted. I remember going to one local election when I lived in Florida that was filled with candidates who I believed were either corrupt, idiots or only running for office to get a sinecure job. I wrote "Bill the Cat" in every for every race. Did my individual vote make a difference? No, not in a region of the state controlled by Democrats (it has been since the end of Reconstruction). However, I believe that by writing in a candidate I was making a statement about my disenfranchisement with local politicians (in addition, I wanted to vote for some school levys and bond issues).

fable · Post by **fable** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 5:37 pm

However, I believe that by writing in a candidate I was making a statement about my disenfranchisement with local politicians (in addition, I wanted to vote for some school levys and bond issues).

My concerns prompt me in the other direction. As long as the system is flawed beyond hope, and the process is limited to passing off leadership between two groups of millionaire lawyers and industrialists whose only idea is to get reelected, I'll be casting a vote by *not* casting a vote. Unfortunately, the candidates are cynical enough not to care that less than 40% of the electorate is voting; but at least they can't cover up the numbers. They scream from the rooftops internationally that people don't like the system--and with those on the rooftops.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Sun Jul 14, 2002 9:01 pm

Originally posted by HighLordDave
it is important to me that people value their vote

Originally posted by fable
I'll be casting a vote by *not* casting a vote.

This is what I like about being an American. No one persons idea is always right for everyone. Both of these could be the way to go. It's just up to the person to decide which way.