And please don't spew some abstract idea about "freedom". America isn't any more free than any other democratic nation. What freedoms we ever did have (freedom of speech, freedom to move freely) have been eroded to the point of nonexistance. Even our history with bogus ideologies such as "manifest destiny" is shameful.
Suggesting I move elsewhere is not an answer to the question.
2006-08-17 22:41:53 · 25 answers · asked by mrknositall 6 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Yes, I expected some answers to point out extreme Communist countries like North Korea and China (why didn't anyone suggest I try Iran?) that's why I threw in DEMOCRATIC nations. I'm talking about in comparison to nations like Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Sweden, The Netherlands, Iceland, yes even France.
We have been chanting freedom Freedom FREEDOM! for so long that we don't even know what the word means anymore.
2006-08-17 22:59:33 · update #1
The fact that most Americans stay here is because our propaganda machine tells us there's no greater place on earth so why ever even visit another country? Having lived my whole life in a border state I have had many opportunities to visit Canada and have found it to be JUST like the US except cleaner, friendlier, and less oppressive.
2006-08-17 23:07:00 · update #2
Yup, the typical Mexico comparison...
Do you think that if Canada was between the US and Mexico the Mexicans would hightail it straight through Canada to get to the US, or would they stay in Canada? Mexicans come to the US because Mexico is a third world country with nothing to offer surrounded by water on two sides, another third world country to it's south and the US to the north. It's obvious where the refugees are going to go...
2006-08-18 10:02:18 · update #3
There's nothing 'great' about America, but there's nothing 'great' about anywhere else either. Nations are arbitrary ideas, legal constructs, and even when they're good ideas they're fluid ideas, so they can turn bad.
It's important not to become attached to the idea of a nation or an associated idealogy, whether to glorify it or condemn it - nationalism/patriotism is what promotes xenophobia and divides people. I personally think anyone flag-waving in ANY country is an idiot. While we keep moving towards globalization some kind of national structure is necessary to construct legal systems, but we should never forget that we make those structures, they don't exist in nature, and we can (and should) change them when they don't work. People are what's important, this idea of good/bad nations is a red herring - a bad nation is just a poorly designed set of laws governing an entirely arbitrary subset of the earth's population.
2006-08-17 22:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well you have asked a good question. I have traveled around the world and I live in American and I live in another Republic country too. By the way America, that is the USA is not a Democratic country but a Representative Republic. England and Canada are suedo Democratic Countries.
Now back to your question, Yes there are good and bad things about this country and we are a far cry from being a perfect soceity. We have crime and we have draw backs that give the people some headaches and really piss people off.
But we have a Constitution that is the most perfect wrtten document any of the country has seen. This Document was written for all changing times,so that the governement would not be totally in control of the people but the people would have the right to control the government. The Constitution has provision in it that allow changes to be made by the people of the United States and structured so that not necessarily the Majority rules.
It has changed from the very beginning and will continue to change as time goes on. These changes are called the Amendments to the Constitution.
Yes other countries have freedoms and are democratic and also representive republics. But for some reason the free flowing of information and ideas seems to excell here in America, the USA. We have been the first at many things and if not the first we have been able to excell in making better other things that have been invented abroad.
We have laws and our government for the most part seems to follow these laws and we are not as corrupt as some of the other free countries you have mentioned. But we are driffting that way.
Yes we have lost some of our freedoms that we have had in the past but this is due to ourselves not the government. We the people of the USA need to watch how to we try to protect ourselves and not give up our personal freedoms.
Now I have only been talking about the USA and other Free countries but when you factor in the not so free countries then the reason that American is great become more numerous.
You may not see how lucky you are to be in America but you are. It is a great country even if you don't thnk so. That is why millions of people try to immigrate to this country every year. They feel that there is still better opportunity here than in their country. That is another big reason that the USA, is so Great.
I am not say go somewhere else. Just research and appreciate the country you are in inspite of its problems.
Ask not what is so great about the America but ask why is it so Great.
2006-08-17 23:14:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Thats what I'd like to know aswell. I don't live in the US and never even been there, but Americans are so proud and I'd like to know why? I always thought it's because the US has such a strong economy.
This whole world is warped and every leader/ democratic or non democratic nation in the world has a degree of corruption.But no point in worrying about it. We are all just worker bees working for the Queen Bee.Just care about yourself and the people you love. It's all about survival of the best nowadays.
2006-08-18 01:03:50 · answer #3 · answered by Jade22 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
to be honest i haven't lived in America. but i think that America has some good things but also some really bad things! someone has answered that he/she believes that is a really positive thing that in America everyone can have a gun license except from the government. well my friend this is not a positive thing,believe me! only the fact that you have this right, it means that you don't live in a safe country! if you just experience a life in a safe country, you will see that America has a lot of negative things and this is the most negative one! America is not the country of freedom, it's the country that causes wars and "tries to fight terrorism", that's funny! i would honestly suggest, to experience another country, a civilised only that will offer you real freedom, history, different people that will respect you, things that are hard to find in America! try a european country, only for a few months and i think you will love it!
2006-08-17 23:50:59 · answer #4 · answered by klarabel 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you're dissatisfied and disillusioned with the way things are now, become politically active. Run for your local city council or school board. Start a grass-roots campaign involving an issue that's important to you. Or just visit some progressive Web sites regularly and maybe make a donation.
No offense, but whining about it isn't going to help anything, and asking questions phrased like yours will just bring the knee-jerk patriots out of the woodwork.
The current administration aside, the U.S. is still a good place to live and work. American men and women enjoy freedoms that denizens of oppressive dictatorships (North Korea) and patriarchal monarchies (Saudi Arabia) can only dream of.
2006-08-17 22:45:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
i have traveled to many different country's,and i do agree on some aspects,we are loosing our freedom,and it is this "hidden government" body that really runs this country,i know i sound like a conspiracy person,but why has the political party in this country only been Dem or rep,for along time know,and in states like California,where people VOTED,to legalize marijuana for medical purposes,the feds said any doctor who sell it will loose their practice and then theirs Dr Kevorkian,he had a brilliant idea to go to terminally ill patients and assist in ending their pain filled lives,but no he cant do that even though the American wanted it,was dying anyways and was tired of buying painkillers and hospital bills.......theirs hundreds of this kind of examples,i agree this country is going down and hard,it is going to be a sad day when these people who blindly believe all that their told realize the truth.......it may not be an answer,but one day it might have to be a reality to have to go to another country........glad their are still some TRUE Americans left,way to keep your mind,eyes and ears open........
2006-08-18 11:06:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever lived in another country? I am not suggesting you go, but take China for example... If they so much as look a certain way without permission, they are hauled off and jailed.... Here, we can do what we want... Its true... I know you talk about freedom and our lacks, however, we ARE more free then any other country! People are dieing around the world for the same things that we can enjoy on a daily basis without having to worry about being beaten to death or imprisioned..
2006-08-17 22:47:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'm not sure.I mean,I've never really been to another country to compare us with.I've never really thought we were so great.I guess compared to other countries that are impoverished with basically no work available for their people,America doesn't sound so bad.Atleast we have running water and electricity,indoor plumbing,most have enough to eat.Theres welfare for those that need it,public housing,and even groups that donate clothing and toys to needy kids at christmas.I know America has it's faults,and alot of them,but it can't be all that bad.I mean,why would everybody want to come here(legally or illegally)to live if it was so bad?
2006-08-18 00:09:42 · answer #8 · answered by Fluttery 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As cheesy as it may sound America is the land of opportunity. Only in America do we have that choice of either being low lives or living a well planned out life with everything a person has ever dreamed of. America is the land of choices, you can either choose to go to college and gain degrees; therein securing a good paying job and having all you have worked for, or you can choose to have a non-degree demanding job and still be able to live a decent life.
2006-08-17 22:54:05 · answer #9 · answered by dreamer... 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is the idea that you can create any kind of life you see fit (without imposing on others) but are only limited by how hard you work, your imagination, and your abilities. That is what people like about America. What people don't like is taxes, the fact that there is "freedom" but too many laws that are enforced rigorously, and that many people don't have the safety net of family.
2006-08-17 22:47:35 · answer #10 · answered by Seeker 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋