If you were trying to describe American society as it is today, how would you describe it?

Question

Please describe the America you actually see on a day to day basis. And please say what your political stripe is.

Thanks everyone. Well done.

Answer 1

I rather like Joey's answer.

I'd add "in contradiction." Many people bemoan the high teen pregnancy rate, but avoid comprehensive sex education and universal access to contraception, hoping that "abstinence" will work. It does not.

Many bemoan the high cost of health insurance, the lack of health insurance, the pain in the butt of HMOs, but keep turning a blind eye to the successful system in countries like the Netherlands.

Many cry about the burden of taxes, but have this moralistic view about recreational drugs, and they support putting common citizens in jail for use of cannabis.

Many would probably repeal the 4th Amendment, out of pure fear and desperation for security, yet they feel that the VPs visitor records are somehow "sensitive" documents and deserving of classification.

Answer 2

Moderate. After travelling though out America in various capacities and different modes for over 35 years and studying the birth and life of the nation I truly respect, I am truly saddened.

The greatest nation on God's great earth has gone from leader, innovator and world's greatest rescue team to schoolyard bully, intimidatory and an invader.

America will always be the greatest, strongest and richest nation on earth and to whom much is given much is expected. Foreign policy is always a delicate issue as is domestic policy which is why political servants at the highest levels need to be of the highest calibre.

"ALL" Americans deserve good government, at all levels, who's policies serve the interests of everyone because that is the founding principle of the country. The face of the nation is the government and it has a huge impact on attitude and moral.

God Bless America (and fore give her to!)

Answer 3

I was born and raised in Europe and become a US citizen as an adult. I view the USA as a vibrant society and the people have mostly a "can do" attitude compared to my fellow Europeans. I was a little shocked by the "no can do" attitude of the Europeans when I went back for a visit after not going there for several years. I hadn't noticed that at first. I find that all in all the USA is the greatest country in the world. Granted I have never been to Saudi Arabia but if I have to judge by what I have heard from friends and relatives who have, the place stinks. Of course nothing in human affairs is perfect but it doesn't man that some things aren't better than others. I hear that Australia is pretty good also. I would never go back to living in Europe. I would never leave the USA unless somehow forced to.

Answer 4

I reside in the state with the highest unemployment in the nation, and 20 miles from the city that Time Magazine deemed the "most dangerous in the U.S." Obviously, life doesn't paint the prettiest picture around these parts. (And Bush wants us to be afraid of "terrorists"...what a joke.)
NAFTA has postively decimated my county, which not so very long ago had one of the highest per capita incomes in the United States. People's homes are being forclosed upon in record numbers; you can't throw a stone without hitting a home for sale. If one has a steady job that pays anything over minimum wage, one is fortunate indeed.
I feel as though the hardworking people of my state have been sold down the river by the U.S. government. We have talent, we have ability, we are well-trained and skilled, and yet our good-paying jobs have been funneled to Mexico.
I'd have to say I identify with neither major political party; I would be closer to Green than anything else.

Answer 5

Good natured society on the whole, that takes on the mask of a bad natured society. This is helped by the media pretty much only reporting on the bed things in the news.

I am a liberal. That does not mean I am a democrat though, because I am not, since I have a lot of issues with the democratic party.

Answer 6

I see a country that is confused. There are so many special interest groups screaming foul (environmentalist, homosexual, racial, etc.) that the general population is starting to forget who they are. They are allowing these small fringes to pull apart the fabric that made this country strong. We are slowly losing our identity as a nation.

Instead of folding to all these groups the people of America need to stand up for what is right and good. They need to tell these squeaky wheels that enough is enough. They need to take charge and vote responsibly. They need to stop looking for the easy route out.

America was built on hard work and honorable values, These are slipping between our fingers.

I am not affiliated with any party. My values are "small c" conservative.

Answer 7

Very very sad, on the brink. Vulnerable.

most people want to do the right things and don't seem to know where to start or how to continue.

what was, in the months following 9/11, an extremely united and strong country has actually turned against itself in the face of a war on terror that was actually a war on Iraq.

nothing since then is what it seemed or seems to be what it is. The sooner lawmakers pass the stick the sooner we as a great nation can begin rebuilding ourselves and find some solace among our people and the nations of Earth.

I am dismayed.

We must find our unity and rebuild a positive global image.

No political affiliation, freethinker, no boxes, no labels,

Answer 8

I think that this country has some growing up and evolving to do! Many of the people are beginning to wake up, but still not enough of them are. The government is unspeakably corrupt, and we are still allowing this, because too many do not understand what needs to change, and how it needs to be changed.

I am a 53 year old Liberal/Progressive! *sm*

Answer 9

I would say America is a collectivist society. In our thinking, we consider people as a whole, not the diversity that actually exists. For an interesting read on collectivism, read "Anthem" by Ayn Rand.

Answer 10

Weak or wussy. We are getting WAY to soft.

People are too easily offended by things nowadays.

We can't even have kids play games like "tag" anymore because the slower kids' feelings might get hurt. We are doing away with "winners" and "losers", but the "everybody wins" mentality will end up being our downfall. In life, not everybody wins.

We can't even spank kids anymore for fear someone is going to call SRS. Sometimes kids NEED a good swat, "time-outs" only go so far. Parents are letting kids have everything they want and not disciplining them like they need too.

I could go on and on, but you get the point...

EDIT:
For the second part of the question:
My political views are libertarian. I can't really identify with either the democrats or the republicans.