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To All Non-Americans

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posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 07:21 AM
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UK citizen here.

I've visited the US & loved it. I found people friendly (often more friendly than here in the UK) & would love to return.

Americans do get a bad wrap but I find it's usually to do with the government.

America, I love ya.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 07:22 AM
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reply to post by boomerdude
 


Mmm, you're right on your points. I jumped the gun with my post. I always get fairly worked up on these topics and don't always take the time to step back and think these things through.

In any case, I find a lot of other people do as well.

I just find that it's so difficult to communicate what other countries are like. We can talk about the 'Americanisation' of the world and the continuously high profile 'king of the hill' state of America's foreign policy but those are givens these days.



* We are trying to civilize ourselves. As far as the U.S. goes, While a lot of us are focused on blaming our politicians for all our troubles, it is we as a people who are at fault.


You're right. All of us citizen are at fault for what you said there, while the focus of this particular thread is on the US, it's the same everywhere. If one country's population would stand up and say "We want transparency and accountability for all the tax money spent by our government!" I think we'd see A LOT of interesting figures and projects.

Nevertheless, in this day and age of freedom, democracy and free speech, it seems just as difficult to rally people to demand information from the government as in a tyrannical dictatorship. I'm not sure how much success people have had with the Freedom of Information act but from some articles I've read they've only gotten limited information using that.



* Not a terrible idea, there were Muslim and Jewish victims of 9/11. Building a Mosque AND a Synagogue would be a better idea.


Yes that would be a better solution in theory but there are too many people that would be offended. You'd have to have a major PR campaign and then build a collection of houses of prayer for many religions on the same ground. Sort of like communicating that we're all one people and we should respect everyone's belief etc etc.

It's a matter of really pushing a positive message. I think that's key. Simply building a mosque would give too many people the wrong idea. You have to tell them what to think, remember?


I'm just trying to remain optimistic, there's a lot to get riled up about these days.

All the best,
T



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 07:25 AM
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Originally posted by endtimer
We the American public hate this situation we are in. A lot of other countries
are in the same boat as us. Please, let me repeat, please, do not take out your
hatred and dislike for the citizens of this country. The citizens of this great
country are fed up to the gills with all of this terrible stuff going on here.
Our leaders and the powers that be are leading this country down a path to
the largest toilet imaginable. We don't like this at all.
[edit on 11-8-2010 by endtimer]


I think I've read at least fifty posts like this one.

I don't "hate" Americans. I Hate what your leadership has done to our world, and that our previous government in the UK followed you so willingly into invading other nations for our own greed.

What annoys me in relation to the current situation though is that so many Americans say all of this, you post things like this, and what are the American public actually doing about it?

I don't mean on a one-to-one personal level (I haven't protested in I don't know how long), I mean on a national level.

Where is your mass protest? Where is your anger? Where is your violent dissent and self-defense against your Capitalist/Fascist government?

I'm sorry to be blunt, but on a comparative scale America is basically on the very edge of the cliff. You are one event, or a week, or a bad statistic away from complete economic Armageddon (the rest of us are not quite there) and yet you STILL show little national emotion about it.

I really do wonder just how medicated the American people are!

Please be assured this isn't an attack. I know plenty of intelligent, educated, aware and active Americans. But they are a minority.
Compared to the rest of the world, Americans are being viewed as victims incapable of comprehending what exactly is happening in their own country.
And because of this, when the $ does completely collapse and your entire social structure implodes (quickly followed by the UK and much of Europe) I fear America will face greater tragedy and loss than any other nation.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 07:44 AM
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Originally posted by TheSloth
Do you know that we (in India) pay more than double for almost everything we need to survive? Food, cars, gadgets... houses (more than 5-10 times)... Why? We subsidize the US.

Where is the justice in that?





Oh please! That is just so much Bull****. How many Indian charities are here in the U.S., how much foreign aid does India send us? How much bakshish have American Chemical companies paid the Indian Government. When I was in your country as soon as I walked out my hotel room door everyone had their hand in my pocket, no peace unless I was invited to someone's home. Why? Because of your Caste system. Most of your commodities and labor go to other countries, not the U.S. You folks sold your souls too Britain long before we ever came along. Your Elites keep what's left.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 08:06 AM
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Originally posted by Tarrok
reply to post by boomerdude
 



Nevertheless, in this day and age of freedom, democracy and free speech, it seems just as difficult to rally people to demand information from the government as in a tyrannical dictatorship. I'm not sure how much success people have had with the Freedom of Information act but from some articles I've read they've only gotten limited information using that.

Absolutely. The problem is that most Americans think they have a choice when it comes to elections. We don't. It has been a set-up for most of our existence. It's all money. We who see this don't have a clue as to how it can be remedied.



* Not a terrible idea, there were Muslim and Jewish victims of 9/11. Building a Mosque AND a Synagogue would be a better idea.


Yes that would be a better solution in theory but there are too many people that would be offended. You'd have to have a major PR campaign and then build a collection of houses of prayer for many religions on the same ground. Sort of like communicating that we're all one people and we should respect everyone's belief etc etc.

* That's an even better idea for sure.

I'm just trying to remain optimistic, there's a lot to get riled up about these days.

All the best,
T


* Hang in there, maybe the sleeping giant will once more awaken.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 08:32 AM
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I just have to make on more reply and then I'll shut-up.

The current administration wants a New World Order. I say, let's give them one. Let the "Sleeping Giant" awaken once again. Do you really think this "Tea Party" movement is anything more than same old same? Look at these mooks. Rangel, "I'm not going anywhere." Really? Do you see people? Some of these abominations die in office, and yet their petrified bodies still sit in those seats, proxies by any other name.

Some think that a clean sweep of Congress will change things. Not if you vote Republican. Democrat, Tea Party, etc. Find a local candidate and use a write in vote. Deny your State Government the power to force us to vote for the candidates of their choice. not ours.

Those folks on street corners and polling places with signs. Shame them every time you get a chance. Their just doing it for a job in the Government machine where Federal, State and City employees are paid a much higher wage. Who do you think holds the delegate seats at both party's conventions? The sign holders, that's who.Their the only ones that got raises in the last couple of years. Well, except for the Banksters that is.

1984's Brave New World was late but it's here now. This is really our last chance folks. If you refuse to look, refuse to participate and hide away, then we our doomed. All of us. As the U.S. goes, so does the rest of the World.

Our Economy is a myth. We don't make anything much anymore. If we don't have money to buy, then a poor Chinese or Indonesian loses their job and their family goes hungry. Our Economy is an electronic netherworld where most of us sit at a keyboard all day, propping up the myth.

So, wake up! Or take another Zantac and go to Zombie World.

[edit on 13-8-2010 by boomerdude]



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 08:50 AM
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reply to post by endtimer
 


you could just replace "american" with "iranian" and the whole OP would still apply



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 09:04 AM
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reply to post by endtimer
 


I have wrote this same kind of message many times.

I pray that the world wakes up and see's that we are just waking up to and our government is corrupt and we are doing what we can to change it without burning down D.C. and sniping any members of the world banks.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 09:11 AM
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in fact it would be even MORE applicable if the OP was about iran. kinda creepy eh



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 10:36 AM
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Originally posted by boomerdude

Originally posted by TheSloth
Do you know that we (in India) pay more than double for almost everything we need to survive? Food, cars, gadgets... houses (more than 5-10 times)... Why? We subsidize the US.

Where is the justice in that?





Oh please! That is just so much Bull****. How many Indian charities are here in the U.S., how much foreign aid does India send us? How much bakshish have American Chemical companies paid the Indian Government. When I was in your country as soon as I walked out my hotel room door everyone had their hand in my pocket, no peace unless I was invited to someone's home. Why? Because of your Caste system. Most of your commodities and labor go to other countries, not the U.S. You folks sold your souls too Britain long before we ever came along. Your Elites keep what's left.


You may hate us and I'm sure you have your reasons. But we cannot afford to do likewise (economically, politically, socially), or else!

Aid... charities... all meant to keep us enslaved. Caste system has nothing to do with it. We were going happily along with our caste system till the West decided that it was time to point out that caste system was somehow "wrong" and we should instead confirm to their "superior" standards. This was of-course a necessary step to divide society and keep us enslaved. Bakshish from the west ensured that we became and stayed a corrupt nation. Easier to corrupt a few in power than to deal with the whole of society.

I don't see anything happening in India that the US (West) does not want.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 10:39 AM
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Originally posted by dannyfal
reply to post by endtimer
 


you could just replace "american" with "iranian" and the whole OP would still apply


Nop. The Iranian people went up against the Ayatollah unarmed, and several of them died for it. They are an isolated country just like China and Tiamenan. They got shut down without support from outside.

America on the other hand may not have the guts to go through another Ohio State.

The song applies to both - "What if you knew her, there dead on the ground?"

[edit on 13-8-2010 by boomerdude]



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 10:46 AM
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Originally posted by TheSloth

Originally posted by boomerdude

Originally posted by TheSloth
Do you know that we (in India) pay more than double for almost everything we need to survive? Food, cars, gadgets... houses (more than 5-10 times)... Why? We subsidize the US.

Where is the justice in that?





Oh please! That is just so much Bull****. How many Indian charities are here in the U.S., how much foreign aid does India send us? How much bakshish have American Chemical companies paid the Indian Government. When I was in your country as soon as I walked out my hotel room door everyone had their hand in my pocket, no peace unless I was invited to someone's home. Why? Because of your Caste system. Most of your commodities and labor go to other countries, not the U.S. You folks sold your souls too Britain long before we ever came along. Your Elites keep what's left.


You may hate us and I'm sure you have your reasons. But we cannot afford to do likewise (economically, politically, socially), or else!

Aid... charities... all meant to keep us enslaved. Caste system has nothing to do with it. We were going happily along with our caste system till the West decided that it was time to point out that caste system was somehow "wrong" and we should instead confirm to their "superior" standards. This was of-course a necessary step to divide society and keep us enslaved. Bakshish from the west ensured that we became and stayed a corrupt nation. Easier to corrupt a few in power than to deal with the whole of society.

I don't see anything happening in India that the US (West) does not want.


You can't blame someone else for your own problems. And I didn't say anything about hating the Indian people. I love them to tell the truth. A great Civilization with Premier Mathematicians for one. Remember, you kicked out the Mongols and the British. If the majority ( Untouchables ) want that kind of a system then more power to them.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 12:21 PM
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Hey mid twenties guy from near London, my views on america .. im beginning to dislike it, but the people. Ive never been to the US myself and the onbly reason why i can say im beginning to dislike it is because of the people who run the show. i was talking to a friend, america meant to be the land that you can get anything you want, live anywhere and be happy. But no all i see is the government just wanting to be world police and fight everyone just becuase they dont want to do it the american way.
I work with a few american people and they seem really nice, i just like the way how things are getting run



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 12:39 PM
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To be honest I dislike Americans, for no matter what circumstance there like little crying kid crying for attention.
You always here poor USA they didn't stand a chance.
The truth? They did see it coming, and let it happen, and now expect the world to bail them out while still have the money to throw across seas the army. They're spending too much For how stable the economy is.

Good luck with your economic crash and your useless Government.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 12:39 PM
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reply to post by Skippy1138
 


Hmmm, but whose vision of 1984 (the real one or the watered down Teapartiesque vision)?

In one vision of 1984, the "liberals" are coming and trying to turn the US into Nanny State Socialist Marxism with Hitler Eco-Youth and Islamic Apologists and Newt Gingrich's nightmare (or, is it his wet-dream, perhaps?) Welfare Queens and no more 2nd Amendment (although no one sheds a tear at the fading 4th, the watering down of the 1st and the total obliteration of the 14th).

In the other vision of 1984 (perhaps more akin to Orwell's vision of how it would be), State Socialism is actually Privatized Patriotism with corporate control, lack of personal freedoms, on-going, pointless wars of profit and imperial expansionism; the Monroe Doctrine on rBGH. Price-fixed morality and so on.

I'd say the mainstream media has done a good job of making the first vision of 1984 the one that people are getting riled up against; a specter that distracts from the second version: the real 1984.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 12:44 PM
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The major problem with MOST American citizens is that they HATE socialism and Communism. This has brought them to the brim time after time, and I am sure they will do it again, whenever they see it fit.

I don't need to go back in history, where the USA has shown their HATE for these sytems, and going out of their way to overthrow the powers in those systems. Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, Taiwan, Iraq, Afghanistan, soon Iran... ??

Even here at ATS, but at many other forums, there is constant bashing of these systems. Look at how most of you Americans are bashing Obama for being socialist (at best) communist, marxist, lerniinist, stalinist, hitlerist etc.

As long as this is common grounds with most of you, you will not gain the respect of the rest of the world.... and for those that have this indoctrinated fear of "communism, socialism" certainly not from me !!



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 02:49 PM
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Again, thanks for the replies and the lessons of life. We are all learning
about things on this thread, especially me.

As I said before, I am retired and I really do see the problems facing us,
and the world, and things are slowly coming to a head here in the US.
We have been sleeping and staring at the little glass box for way too long.
We are told, or at least shown, how to live, what to buy, what to eat,
what drugs to take and we ARE dumbed down and brain washed to a
large degree.

I actually stopped watching TV for the most part around two years ago.
I still watch the various MSM on occasion to at least keep abreast of what
is happening in our world. I was totally fed up with every other commercial
being about food falling out of the air in slow motion telling us how good it
is. And the fast food chains. Yuck!!. And at the same time, organizations
plead with us to donate money to countries with starving and dying
children, while we are stuffing our faces with the next plate of shrimp
that fell out of the sky onto a plate, and were told to take this drug and
that drug for every single ailment and ache and pain that came along.
I remember as a child watching maybe an aspirin commercial or a tooth
paste or hair cream ad. We are told how to take every breath it seems.
I know that we, the American public has been duped into all of this. I am
one of those people.

Our wars have been to "free" other countries from tyranical leaders and
to show them what democracy is all about. We don't even have that here
in the US anymore. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights have been for the
most part destroyed and pushed to the side. The Ten Commandments
have been all but removed from everywhere but the church's.

It doesn't matter who our President is, Democratic, Republican, it is all
about big money, power, greed, and the thirst for controlling the world's
oil supplies. I think the only reason for war is our insatiable appetite for
the next tank of gas. The average person in America is unable to do a
darn thing about it. Who these enormously powerful and rich people really
are, is mostly a mystery to us all. I don't have any answers for our plight,
and the rest of the world, but there are some really strong puppet strings
being jerked around. In the meantime, our government tightens the noose
a bit more with each passing day.

Believe me though, that most of America is finally shouting to our leaders
that enough is enough, or actually has been enough for way too long.
It is a start and a slow one, but we are starting to wake up and smell the
proverbial coffee and we are telling our so called leaders to do the same
or at least change brands. We have been led down a path of destruction
morally, spiritually, and every other way you could name and we have
slowly succumbed to it.

If the elections coming up in November don't show much result, then I
truly believe a major happening will take place here in America. Who will
actually get off their butt and get things rolling is anybody's guess. No I
am not saying I wouldn't be involved, it is that I am 65 years old and don't
have the physical abilities to do much. I am not trying to make lame
excuses, or hide, but we will see what comes this November. If
anything comes of it at all, I am positive the politicians will get an ear full.
They are already starting to listen to the people and realize their jobs
are on the line. The newly elected ones will know in advance that we
are not going to put up with the same old, same old, anymore.

There are some folks who don't want to be called brother and sister, and
that is fine with me. Each to their own and I respect their wishes. I
personally don't wish any hatred or animosity towards other countries.

PEACE



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 03:37 PM
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Originally posted by randyvs
reply to post by niblo
 


Please remember not to vote.

Instead of voting set something on fire in Washington. I vote to burn Washington to the ground. Good thread.

Why do the french have the only government in the world that fears it's people?

[edit on 11-8-2010 by randyvs]


I wonder about this all the time. Why are we (Americans) so dumbified? Chemtrails, McDonalds, Artificial sweeteners? You name it we have been drugged with it. Is this why we as a country are so dang complacent? I eat only organic and I am firey mad. I think when your belly is full of all this junk we have to eat you just don't care and want to take a nap. Why don't we storm the white house? Why don't we do something? I truly hope November proves to bring change but I really don't have much hope since the powers that be always have plan B. I want out of here!



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 03:55 PM
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Why not become a British Citizen? Just about anyone can these days, and you don't even have to have any working skills or speak English.


I realise this was probably tongue in check but with all due respect this is no longer true. Check out the immigration laws.
Moving on... I hope most of us can distinguish between the government and the people. As for the US government, maybe one problem is that political campaigning is really just the preserve of the rich and powerful. At least in the UK political parties can't buy airtime etc. While the UK is far from perfect, the way in which elections are held in US rule out all but the rich and connected.
You get what you pay for.



posted on Aug, 13 2010 @ 04:26 PM
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I'm a patriotic American. I have served our country and I wholeheartedly committ myself to our founding principals. But as the OP said, our governments now operates completely independent of their electors. They no longer see themselves as public servants but rather as the American version of royalty. THey have no fear. A welfare class voting block has been established. This ensures they will spend many terms in office. People don't bite the hand that feeds them. I'm sure many who 1st go to Washington are idealists, I know several, and once they get there they understand that if they wish to reamin in their party they have to tow the party line.

Let me tell you a little bit about how our presidential candidates fund their campaign, it involves public funds. THe American people pay for each qualified party's nomination convention. The public fund matches a portion of each campaign contribution up to $250. Sad. Why not use this for the national debt or to offset the budget deficet.

Lobbyists. The real power. The ones with the bucks. They contribute to campaigns directly and to the candidates pac fund. Now you can't run if you don't have money. And you don't get enough money unless the lobbyists give it to you. And they won't give it to you unless you support their cause. So much for doing the right thing or any independent thought.

THe entirety of the government is crooked. All Reps and senators on the federal level should be limited to one term. SO should their staff. I've seen a seat in Louisiana change hands 3 times and with different parties, each time the elected official kept the existing staff 90% intact. WHo has the power?

Our president is the dumbest smart guy I've ever seen. He's like my wife, he just spends spends spends without a thought as to where the money comes from. He isn't proud to be an American. He wants to make America something he'll be proud of. Mold it to his image. Public servant, he's blown more on vacations this summer than my father was worth when he died, and he wasn't poor. lol.

I firmly believe that if America doesn't defend freedom in this world nobody will. The rest of the world leaders seem to bend to the will of the UN. I don't want our country governed by a global consortium as most countries don't share our ideals. This world has needed America for more than 200 years. They've needed our economy, they need our financial aid, they need our military to protect them against the powers that have tried to establish widespread dominance. They need us to protect their ability to be free.

The world frowns upon our actions with Iraq and the Taliban. I haven't seen a successful teror attack from the crippled Al Quaeda or the barely functional Taliban since we went after them. Our mistake was letting it drag out. We have the premier military in the world, we should have used it at full capacity. Our soldiers would be home sipping a Sam Adams Summer Ale right now. But we didn't we tried to be careful. We've done more harm by waging a limited war than we would have done if we had just gone in full force. Iraq and Afghanistan want us there. They've been independently polled. 72% of Afghans want us there. You see a civillian casualty and berate us. I see a delta force medic in a village treating dozens of people maimed by the Taliban.

We let a radical Muslim build a mosque at the WTC site. Some people fight that action. They are labeled racist. Freedom of religon is the right to practice your religon here as long as it doesnt infringe on others. It isn't the right to build a church anywhere you want. Wouldn't you consider it disrespectful to allow an Imam that supports the group to build a mosque on the site where the terrorist group he supports killed 3000 Americans? I do. Maybe I should open a gay bar next to the mosque. It's not like we're trying to build a cathedral there by bumping the mosque. That would be discriminatory. But it's common sense. If someone killed your child and after they got out of prison applied directly to you for a job without ever asking your forgiveness and even going so far as to threaten your other kids, would you hire him? No.

We're proud people, some of us are. We give out 2x the foreign aid of the number 2 contributor. And more than 5-10 combined. When your countries are threatened who do you call? USA. And we come. Even to fight unwinnable wars. Our government may be corrupt as hell but they are still Americans(barely) and they will ensure the safety of every freedom loving nation in the world.

Lastly, to generalize Americans in there entirety is wrong. Most of us would do anyhing in the world to help anyone we could. Many of us have served or still serve in our military because we feel its an honor to serve our country that affords us more freedoms than anywhere else in the world. There are some idiots here. There are millions who think one of their fundamental rights is to have the government feed them, house them, put their kids through school, raise their kids and that the rest of our country that works hard, pays taxes, serve our country and live honorable lives should support them. THere are some racists. There are corrupt politicians in abundance. There are people who forgot that you should put in before you take out. And the biggest problem that the government is having Americans strive for is mediocrity. Yep. TOlerate everything. It's all ok. Yeah lets let the Al Quaeda supporting Imam build a Mosque at the site of the attack on the twin towers. Let's allow the illegal immigrants to put an 80 grand a year tax burden per illegal on this country and reward them for criminal tresspassing. It's ok if they abuse our system and make it harder for everyday Americans to survive. It's ok to implemenet universal healthcare when 3/4ths of the country doesn't want it. Oooh and if you refuse the "option" to have healthcare you have to pay a $2500 penalty(tax-because a tax would be illegal). Lets have the government take over GM. Lets rebuild every 3rd world country and when they won't pay us back oh well. Lets wage war effectively and then rebuild the country without setting up a repayment plan. Our outstanding financial aid this includes donations and loans totals if my math is right about 5 trillion dollars. The Uk just paid off the money they owed us from world war 2. So what the inflation adjusted numbers are I have no idea. Because some of these monies were given before my parents were born. We've actually paid about 500,000,000 dollars in "war reparations" to bosnia. WTF.

The bottom line is our leadership is corrupt but we do more to protect freedom loving countries than any other nation in the world. We provide more financial aid than any other nation by at least 200%. We allow people to worship who they want, we allow our people to become whatever they want. You are free to travel around this country wherever and whenever you want. No roadblocks with soldiers between states. We don't force other nations to accept our exports nor do we penalize them for saturating us with theirs thereby killing the economy. It's impossible to compete with 3rd world manufacturing costs. Our current trade deficit is almost 280 billion dollars for jan-july 2010. We give too much. We give other countries opportunities to capitalize on our consumers too much. We are too nice. We're too concerned with the worlds opinion of us. I've traveled to 37 different countries. All types. America is still where i want to live. If it continues down this path with our present leadership we won't be America anymore. We'll be the USSA. And I'll carry my happy arse to Australia.

But before you run around bashing us as a whole try appreciating all the good we've done. It far outweighs the reasons you now despise us. And we u need us, love us or hate us, we'll be there for ya




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