embarrassed
 

the more and more that i see the news broadcasts and read papers about america.... i am embarrassed about the state of the nation- and of our world.... how is that these money grubbing mongrels have ended up running our government? I know that money rules the world and business is god in our capitalist system.... however, this is a sorry excuse. I am shocked and appalled practically each and everyday about some decision or a statement that is made by the bush administration. where is our system of checks and balances... how is a womens right to choose being overturned by fanatics in power... how are the taxes being decreased.. when it will only benefit 1% of our population.. our land and water are contaminated more and more- the hole in the ozone is spreading wider and wider.. melting the glaciers of the south pole and raising our world temperatures.... species are going extinct... people are wrought with disease and perishing at an alarming rate because their governments are too busy fighting nonsensical wars and they can't care for its own poeple.... i'm so frustrated and upset about everything that i'm seeing... ignorance truly is bliss.... and now that i know this stuff there doesn't seem to be a damn thing i can do about it and thats the worst part.... :mad:

It's all a matter of perspective.

In a capitalist system, unless businesses exist, none of us will have jobs. Therefore, for us to not be dependant on the government for our existance, business has to be successful. The success of business is also crucial to many of our seniors' retirement. So, yes, a case can be made that it is the government's responsibility to create an environment in which businesses can succeed.

The tax cuts were given to every American. In fact, the largest percentage cuts were given to the lower income folks. Did you know that the top 1% of wage earners pay more than 50% of the total income tax collected? So yes, even a small reduction for them is always going to have a great effect on tax revenues. In my opinion, it's fair. If you make that much, you did something to get yourself there in most cases. I hope to be in that tax bracket. If by the time I'm making that much money, I really hope we don't have a confiscatory/socialist tax program like Canada. I hear the upper income earners are really taken to the cleaners up there.

I don't think you have to worry about anti-abortion people. In some cases, such as partial-birth abortion, I'm with 'em. If the Supreme Court were ever to overturn Roe v. Wade, it'd just be a matter for the states to decide. Roe v. Wade is considered by many to be unconstitutional -- I tend to agree.

Your right though, checks and balances are being ignored. The judicial and executive branches are running roughshod over spineless legislators. I don't know if the founding fathers ever envisioned such an divided and inactive legislature. The judicial branch is filled with activist judges that make new law when they are "interpreting" old law. We have executive regulatory branches that are able to create, enforce and interpret law (like the FCC, EPA, etc).

As for the environment, there are still many people out there that don't really think that humans have a lot to do with global warming. The eruption of one volcano creates more pollution than humans would in YEARS. As for what we're doing to our water, I agree, that is a resource we need to be a better steward of.

How frenchman feel about me is the least of my concerns. I'm not embarassed at all to be an American. I'm proud. These folks around the world that many assert "Hate us" are in my opinion foolish and afraid of anyone whose culture and values don't mirror their own. Europe is in a confused place right now. They're not sure what to do. They are attempting to be a superpower, but I don't think that level of cooperation will ever exist among the EU so as to make them behave as one entity. Their stance on terrorism is almost comical considering their history. Appeasement has always worked so well for them.

What HE said!:D

Ah I love the French bashing..... but God forbid that you bash the US.... anyways it's not only Europe. Europe actually has the greatest number of supporters of US foreign policy in comparison to the rest of the world, but that is also rapidly falling as many of the Bush administrations alegations have prove to nothing but smoke and mirrors. As for their stance on terrorism being commincal considering their history I have to disagree.... knee jerk reactions involving the use of military force against another ccountry because of terrorism (not state sposonred) led to that little thing called the Great War over there. Spain was promised that the threat of terrorism would decline and the world would be safer if they supported Bush and his policies.... well that turned out to be a crock of sh*t and the people reacted very predictably...... basically Bush is "reaping what he sowed", if you build a foundation on lies the structure can't stand.

Again, Bush and America bashing without a single bit of content.

-Rudey

Alethia-
You are in London right? Don't let it get to you too much. Europeans aren't as conservative as the US, and you aren't a bad person because the country you are from has different views from theirs. I was overseas when the twin towers were hit and Afganistan invaded, and I felt the same way. Even though I wasn't sure if I agreed with the actions, I felt like I had to defend my country's right to decide to act without UN approval. I tried to pretend I was from Canada, I was so embarassed. No one bought it. It sucked.

I worry too about rights being eroded away in small steps. It isn't bad to worry about them, I think we are supposed to think about those things. In my opinion we are far too conservative on certian things, and the pendulum has swung from conservative (Hoover) to Liberal (FDR), back to conservative, liberal, and back to present day conservative. The pendulum will swing again. Change can be counted on, even though we love the status quo.

The important thing to note is that you CAN make a difference. You can't do everything, clearly, but if you pick something, you can be a part of figuring out a solution to the problems you see.

-Michelle

Re: embarrassed
 

You really are naive. I don't find you one bit offensive though so I will try and sound kind with my words.

Money grubbing mongrels always run the government. There isn't a government out there that isn't. Clinton stole the furniture from the white house and pardoned a ton of people for money. You calling this administration money grubbers is ridiculous. Politicians are ALL money grubbers.

You talk about taxes. Let's look at countries with high taxes. Please let me know the economic conditions at any of these countries. I'm very interested.

You talk about disease. In our country we have done a great job at eliminating many diseases and treating others. There are still many people who are not treated, but again the USA is not the Sudan or India. How about the fact that Europe has promoted starving people to oppose genetically modified foods where old genes are kept safely within the foods?

You talk about the environment. What has Europe done for the environment? The Kyoto protocal was one of hte most awful regulations ever written. No expert ever promoted it. I do think that the US could definitely spend more money and more time looking into alternative fuels and the like, but Europe is not one and the same iwth greenpeace.

You're frustrated about what you see. I see you as naive because of that. Go to any Arab country. You'll flip out even more and hate your government because of the fake news they put out there.

-Rudey

Bush bashing, with content
 

This article says it all!

March 19, 2004
OP-ED COLUMNIST
Taken for a Ride
By PAUL KRUGMAN

Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." So George Bush declared on Sept. 20, 2001. But what was he saying? Surely he didn't mean that everyone was obliged to support all of his policies, that if you opposed him on anything you were aiding terrorists.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/19/op...partner=GOOGLE


edited to put link to article and leave a short overview. John asked us not to allow full copywrited articles but leaving a short overview and a link to the article is ok.

I bash Bush because he he's a lying, moronic simpleton who because of his vendetta against Saddam, lied to the word and his people, increased the threat of terrorism world-wide, and broken too many promises to count.... i'm one of those 2/3rds of Canadians who view Bush as the greater threat to world peace and security.....

Also I know it's hard to push new ideads into your little pea-brain but try.... read the article posted above, realise that there is a slight bias, but look at the content, hopefully you'll pick-up on some of the basics.

Again with the insults from a 49 year old man still in college. Don't flex your brain for me - it's a sad display.

-Rudey

Wow Rudey... you remind me of a robot the way you respond to things.... here's a rough aproximation of his programming :)

DANGER.... DANGER....
Differing opinion.... engage Fascist/"Patriot" response.....
DANGER.... DANGER....

American? NO
>
* abort Anti-Patriot Response *
>
European? NO
>
* abort Coward Response *
>
Arab? NO
>
* abort Military Response *
>
Canadian? YES
>
* warning no programmed response *
.... engaging Pointless Comment Response
>
End Program

No there are others I don't agree with but I find what they post to be intelligent. Again you are approaching geriatric age and still in college. Intelligence is not your strong point. Brag about your military conquests, good looks, whatever you care for.

You can say I have a pea brain and call me a fascist, but you're still someone insignificant, from an insignificant country with insignificant views.

-Rudey
--Post after post I show where your facts are wrong and embarass you on here, but you enjoy it.

Hmmm... me bad cause me bash US.... you good cause you bash Canada.....

Look I give opinions and make observations about US policy, politics, or foreign relations... yet all you do is take shots at Canada.... so far I've seen you insult the people how live here, our views, our government, our military, our history, and our foreign policy. Why don't you back it up with some comments or some of your semi-intelligent observations?

Rudey, you're mean. Nuff said.

Look your opinions are based on wrong observations.

I've given facts, history, and shown hole after hole in every post you make. You somehow neglect that and tell me to "post semi-intelligent observations"; I am not getting paid to educate a man who is old enough to have lived through WWII yet hasn't graduated college.

You are trying to make this be a "Cooper makes analysis, Rudey insults Canada" thread but you fail at that. You called me a pea brain, thus the first insult. And again, if you want me to make commentary about Canada, here I go. Canada is insignficant. While the sun is setting on Europe, the sun never shined on Canada. Canada is not a major player in international relations nor the economy and is content feeding off the crumbs of America.

-Rudey

Taualumna,

I am actually very nice. But I am not in the business of sniffing your arse to make you think I am.

Additionally, Your convoluted ideas on the requirements of a good parent being one that owns a plantation and has a carriage as well as your talented use of the English language to mutter phrases such as "Nuff said" do not impress me.

-Rudey
--Aiite?

What I would like to see is a thread that focuses on-

What's so great about your candidate?

A thread where instead of BASHING a candidate...like the numerous threads that end up bashing bush...you put it out there why you DO support whoever it is you are supporting. Give the damn platform, not gibberish that is regurgitated from whatever conservative/liberal sources you follow.

justamom- your right and this is definately something MY mom would say- thanks for keeping things in perspective.... ;)

i was just ranting about the state of our government- these are my personal feelings.... i've had numerous conversations with people from all over the world during my time here that have challenged me on my views and agreed on a lot of them as well... michelle- i am sorry that you had to go through such an experience at a very vulnerable time- everyone was shocked and upset and you had to be outside of the very support system that you counted on... but i also appreciate your advice- i know there are things i can do- and this is the way things are- i just feel small and insignificant in the scheme of things and i feel very powerless... i know that a lot of people in and outside the u.s. feel similarly...

and rudey you constantly attack people on their views and opinions because i truly believe that it makes you feel better. You are mean and rude on almost every topic that i've seen you post on. you can say all you want but still feel sorry for you....

i'm so naive....get over yourself :rolleyes:

Roll your eyes. It's what slow people do. That's not an insult - that's the truth, they roll their eyes and drool.

You can't even respond to a single point I said but throw out the ever classic "You're mean".

-Rudey

I quote Paul Krugman because I think he has a eloquent way of saying how I feel. Not only that, he has a wealth of information at his fingertips that I do not have on a day to day baisis (our general media sources do not always give whole stories of un biased facts, and I do not always have the time to follow up on everything that is said).

Not only that, but I feel that with the committee meeting that has been taking place in the past week, this is a time where criticism is justified. Richard Clarke publicly apologized to the country for not having the right information sharing systems in place to perhaps prevent 9/11. Now, there is a lot of hubbub on why he said that, or if they could have "connected the dots" if the perfect system was in place, but the point is, many top public officials think that something went wrong. This isn't something to be blind to! Not only that, the crucial information the Iraq had weapons of mass destruction was what made a lot of Americans originally against the war in Iraq, for it. Now we know that's not true, either. I don’t know about you, but I refuse to have my government lie to me, and then be reticent about investigation. That is what is going on right now, and criticism is certainly justified for such acts.

ETA-
A- Keep your chin up! My friend just got back from two months in Italy, and she wanted to come home after two weeks because of all the s*** she got for being American. The next time any Brits give you truble, just point out that Tony Blair is Bush's b****, and hasn't left the guy's side in three years. That'll shut them up pretty quick. You can also point out that there are varying opinions in any country- ask them if they support their prime minister.

You have a lot of resources available to you. Krugman writes op-eds for the times. He might have the ability to meet a couple of important people here and there which you don't, but people need to stop thinking they are limited.

Our general media might not always give whole stories, but Krugman does not either since he's in the op-ed section. Brooks writes more eloquently, Safire is much more conservative, and Dowd honestly writes as if she takes acid every single time she writes and makes me question why she is a writer.

As for the commission they found a lot of problems with both sides. Clinton could have eliminated Osama, but didn't. Clark is being praised as the next Messiah, but do you honestly believe his book deal has nothing to do with this at all? The WMD might not be found but when the country shows these weapons to UN inspectors and several years later they're not there, it means there is no explanation and not that they didn't exist. Additionally, this wasn't simply about WMD.

-Rudey

yep, he does op eds, and I trust him.

I think the comments you have made are without content! The only worthwhile one was your first post, which had a few opinions that weren't very well supported. Many people would agree that the Kyoto protocol was a huge step in laying out procedures that will help the environment. The United States would not come on board because it values its economy over cleaning up the environment, and thought it would cause too much stress on companies. If you want to put content into a piece you must use examples, instead of simply telling others they are stupid because their posts are pseudo intellectual, and they are young. Please don't become a victim of your own criticism.

Are you kidding me?!? Who is most people?? Find me one economist that says that.

The US came on board because it realizes the economy is what drives helping the environment. The US realizes that 9 of the top 20 global polluters were not on board. The US realizes that its economy is very different from countries which have lapsed economies like Western Europe.

And please tell me, what US administration wanted to sign the protocal??

I could probably even sit here diagramming and doing the math for you but I don't do your work since it seems you're so busy...maybe you don't have time and maybe I'm not as trustable as Krugman so it won't matter.

-Rudey

ha ha ha too funny :) you are cracking me up!

OKAY RUDEY, so Canandians are mindless idiots:(

But your continual Hagraunging on people for your personal gain is well:confused:

I do not beleive anyone made you a demigog of GC!:rolleyes:

It seems that your self mindlessness is very unimportant to the total big picture of what is actually happening out side of your little world of Egomaniaism!:o

Geeze while you self suport yourself to be a Better, well, there are a lot of people on GC who think you are a less!:eek:

If you present yourself in everyday life such as this, I Predict you will be slain in a Gay Bar in New Jerk City!:D

Ah Alas Poor Embarisment, I give you Rudey, Your self imposed leader!


Paleeze, give us a rest! You do nothing but emberis yourself in spite of your Bravado!
Live and learn Bucko! Hopefully you may live long enough to learn! DA!:( :confused:

Have you ever thought why there are people who you talk down to who are Moderators and you are not!:rolleyes:

As I've said previously and repeatedly, please stop trying to start fights with me. I'm just simply not interested.

-Rudey

Ah, I am impressed! Finally some insightfulness! :D

So explain your inadiquraties;)

Spelling is bad on my part, pick me to death like you do others!:cool:

Then I asked, Do you pick on others:confused:

There Was A Race Between The Hare and The Tortise, but for being an ego day tripper, The Tortise won!:D

Rudey, Man You Could Be a Fantastic contribuitor to GC instead of Being The Butt of Jokes! Dont You get it yet DUDE!:eek: :confused:

At the risk of reasoning with the unreasonable or plain foolish...
 

A few words on your xenophobic outlook... The idea that British society is some American hating populace is complete gibberish. The idea that the random Brit always has some beef with the USA and shall decide to loudly hold the first random N. American they see personally responsible is equally baseless. Yes, one may meet a tree hugging hippy communist beatnik who has jumped onto a let's bash the USA bandwagon but that could happen anywhere and is NOT some sort of endemic British attitude. I have a much better handle on what the view is of people on each side of the pond than you believe you have from 'something you read somewhere'. As for your childish comments on the British Prime Minister (again a rehashed journalist comment you hijack to attempt to bolster your wholly ill-informed attitude), it has LONG been the case that in developed countries (and those held to be 'superpowers, in the G8 etc) the leaders work together; for reasons of economics, political relations etc. John Major often flew over to meet and speak with Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher worked closely with Ronald Reagan. It is not as seem you seem to suggest a dark conspiracy and a domination/submission situation between President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair it is just a case of inter-country relations.

woah decadence i think that might be a little harsh- i know that it is hard to hear these things- she is only trying to make me feel better... these happen to be her experiences from being in europe- i haven't really been overtly attacked for being american- i have actually been quite welcome (till the politics come in- but even then- its usually a lively discussion)

my observations that started this whole thread stemmed from my own personal feelings of the state of the world/ u.s. .. i never stated whether they were true- this is due to my own ignorance on some issues- i'll admit that... ktsnake, rudey, michelle and richard and others have helped to open myself up to new interpretations and new information and i thank all of you for it- its helpful- i always want to learn... i just don't like to be looked down upon for what i happen to think or feel... if you have something to say... please TEACH me instead of hurting me... i think i speak for most people when i say that as well....


p.s. i wasn't intending to start an argument- my last comments were mean b/c i was hurt.... (the- you don't know me conversation etc )

Re: embarrassed
 

Just finished reading Revelations?

lol no- but i want to!
i feel like everytime i pick up a newspaper or watch tv... there is soemthing terrible going on- for instance i watched this crazy documentary series about the age gap that is spreading wider and by the year 2025 the young generation will be a small minority in this country- it totally freaked me out... stuff like that just scares me- and i feel powerless to stop it:(

and clarkes book (from what i've read about it) is just confirming things i and many others suspected.... sigh..:(

oh yea... and also the fact that my best friend has been stationed in afghanistan for a year and half and has been shot twice because bush has been planning this war of his since before he was even elected... he's finishing off bush 1's job.. i find it very difficult to support such an agenda.. having our brothers- best freinds- sisters- mom's and dads in a hostile country unnecessarily (because he practically let 9/11 happen) i know this may not be based in "fact" or some don't want to believe it- but i know that one of the most important people in my life is close to death.... that is all that i need to know in order to oppose the war...

Re: At the risk of reasoning with the unreasonable or plain foolish...
 

You go Decadence . . .

You are powerless unless you voice your opinion and vote. That is your power.

Clarke's book is one man's book. Perhaps you should look into Clarke's other testimony.

You bring up Afghanistan now. For you it's not just about Iraq. That makes no sense because if you're anti-war, why are you bringing up other reasons for the war in Iraq being unwarranted? You're basically saying YOU don't want YOUR friends and relatives put in harms way. I'd just like to say that with the Taliban giving support to the largest terrorist network your family would have still been in harm's way. Furthermore, we are not isolationist. We are in the Balkans, the middle east, and Korea to also help save the lives of others. Your friends and relatives in the army know that the army is not just stationed in the US - they know the risk.

As for letting 9-11 happen, that is sad that you think that. You're judging someone with an opinion that most wouldn't. There are aspects of Bush that are ridiculous. He still has not pushed the Saudis to clean up their act even though most of the 9-11 bombers were Saudis and it is the Saudis who have spread fundamentalist hate filled Islam. For that alone I am angered by him. But he did not just sit there saying "Tomorrow we will be attacked, I will do nothing, and relish the thought of war afterwards."

As for other countries. Again, they are not as perfect as you like to think so their opinions are...worthless.

-Rudey

America has become a bit of...hmmm a mess?
I'm angry with American minorities though, but America as a whole is ridiculous of course.