embarrassed

[AlethiaSi]

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....

[Kevin]

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.

[justamom]

What HE said!

[RACooper]

Originally posted by ktsnake
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.

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.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by RACooper
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

[XOMichelle]

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

[Rudey]

Originally posted by AlethiaSi
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....

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

[XOMichelle]

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.

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rudey
Again, Bush and America bashing without a single bit of content.

-Rudey

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.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by RACooper
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

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rudey
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

[Rudey]

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.

Originally posted by RACooper
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

[RACooper]

Originally posted by Rudey
Again, Bush and America bashing without a single bit of content.
>>>>>
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

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?

[Taualumna]

Rudey, you're mean. Nuff said.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by RACooper
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?

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