Does the rest of the world think we are crazy?

[Luddly Neddite]

Why does there have to be a downside?

The US used to be the political and cultural leader of the free world. Where did we go wrong?

Why is the rest of the world laughing at us or looking on in shock?

The decline began during the Reagan years, with the implementation of failed rightist fiscal policy. It was also at that time we saw America become more mean spirited, where compassion and human dignity were vilified by most conservatives.

^ that

The gipper is when the moral decline began along w/ Randian policies that punish the poor.

And, it was Reagan who made us a debtor nation.

 

[eagle7_31]

Living in Europe, I find that people generally like Americans, but many do not like the American government.

Until a disaster strikes and they need US aid.

just like americans, eh?

At times

 

[rightwinger]

Hell, I don't like our govt either anymore. It has very little in common with what the founders envisioned.

Thank goodness

Who wants an 18th century government?

 

[NoNukes]

Unlike you, I socialize with people other than queers.

Trannys too?

All kinds of straight people. You should try it.

 

[rightwinger]

The US is the most powerful nation on earth. Politically, militarily and economically. Everything we do impacts the rest of the world.

What does the world think of us?

1. Politically: The US is unstable. Our government is broken. We cannot accomplish the most simple tasks let alone act as leaders of the free world. We can't pass a budget, agree to keep our government going, agree to pay our debts.

2. Justice System: We have more of our citizens in prison than any nation on earth. We are one of the few "civilized" nations in the free world that still relys on capital punishment. We continue a fruitless "War on Drugs" than encourages violence and fills our prisons

3. Gun Violence: We have a murder rate three times that of similar nations. We have endured assasinations of our leaders and an endless stream of massacres and yet we show no will to do anything other than accept it

4. Environment: We allow science to become a political issue, ignoring scientific reason because it interferes with our politics. 95% of scientists agree that manmade global warming exists and still we treat is as a political threat not a natural threat

5. Education: America used to set the standard for education but we now settle for "good enough". If our students can pass an arbitrary exam, we are satisfied with the level of education. Our students perform poorly when compared to our peers and we are unwilling to do anything about it. Our education system is disjointed and unfocused

6. The Repub are threatening to shut down the government over ObamaCare even though the shut down will not impact ObamaCare. They are threatening to take food away from away from our military and their families, the handicapped, the elderly, children if they don't get their way.

It is insane that half the congress refuses to do their job unless they get their ransom demands met.

This is the same party who hoots and hollers about the Constitution and then does not follow it while screeching that the other side is not following.

A very tiny group of raving loons controls the R party and our government.

I think most of the world looks at our hodgepodge system of healthcare and scratches its head.

Overpriced and inefficient

 

[Luddly Neddite]

The Rs have spent more than $55MILLION DOLLARS on phony gesture, a very expensive waste of time and money.

Shutting down the government will cost us BILLIONS.

Refusing to pay the bills they incurred will have catastrophic results.

They want more and more laws to control intimate behavior and the most personal aspects of our lives.

And they call themselves fiscally responsible, say they are in favor of smaller govt, "christians" and the guardians of our Constitution. In point of fact, they are none of those things.

 

[Peterf]

Why does there have to be a downside?

The US used to be the political and cultural leader of the free world. Where did we go wrong?

Why is the rest of the world laughing at us or looking on in shock?

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the world I would say that the clue lies in your opening post. Where you say that the US is the economically strongest nation. I wish you were. But no, the US is trillions of dollars in debt to foreigners. A debt that you have have no hope of arresting, still less of actually paying. Your economy is a disaster. You can expect other major cities to go the way of Detroit, a dreadful portent of things to come.

Where did you go wrong? In living way way way beyond your means. In voting for politicians who would borrow endlessly to make you feel good. In recklessly borrowing yourselves having forgotten the thrift and parsimony that was the making of the USA.

Obama is just the latest economic illiterate to inhabit the White House. I think its very sad as I like America and Americans and deeply regret how far and fast you are falling.

 

[rightwinger]

Why does there have to be a downside?

The US used to be the political and cultural leader of the free world. Where did we go wrong?

Why is the rest of the world laughing at us or looking on in shock?

Speaking on behalf of the rest of the world I would say that the clue lies in your opening post. Where you say that the US is the economically strongest nation. I wish you were. But no, the US is trillions of dollars in debt to foreigners. A debt that you have have no hope of arresting, still less of actually paying. Your economy is a disaster. You can expect other major cities to go the way of Detroit, a dreadful portent of things to come.

Where did you go wrong? In living way way way beyond your means. In voting for politicians who would borrow endlessly to make you feel good. In recklessly borrowing yourselves having forgotten the thrift and parsimony that was the making of the USA.

Obama is just the latest economic illiterate to inhabit the White House. I think its very sad as I like America and Americans and deeply regret how far and fast you are falling.

I agree

Americans are lazy and unwilling to make sacrifices. Our politicians are unwilling to tell us no

You want lower taxes? Here is a tax cut
You want more government programs? Here you go

Asking Americans to pay more and receive less is not good politics

 

[kiwiman127]

Hell, I don't like our govt either anymore. It has very little in common with what the founders envisioned.

And to top you off, I don't like either party! All the Dems and GOP do is play politics and impede America moving forward.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Hell, I don't like our govt either anymore. It has very little in common with what the founders envisioned.

And to top you off, I don't like either party! All the Dems and GOP do is play politics and impede America moving forward.

Can't disagree with that.

 

[rightwinger]

Hell, I don't like our govt either anymore. It has very little in common with what the founders envisioned.

And to top you off, I don't like either party! All the Dems and GOP do is play politics and impede America moving forward.

We may not like our parties but we are stuck with them

 

[auditor0007]

The US is the most powerful nation on earth. Politically, militarily and economically. Everything we do impacts the rest of the world.

What does the world think of us?

1. Politically: The US is unstable. Our government is broken. We cannot accomplish the most simple tasks let alone act as leaders of the free world. We can't pass a budget, agree to keep our government going, agree to pay our debts.

2. Justice System: We have more of our citizens in prison than any nation on earth. We are one of the few "civilized" nations in the free world that still relys on capital punishment. We continue a fruitless "War on Drugs" than encourages violence and fills our prisons

3. Gun Violence: We have a murder rate three times that of similar nations. We have endured assasinations of our leaders and an endless stream of massacres and yet we show no will to do anything other than accept it

4. Environment: We allow science to become a political issue, ignoring scientific reason because it interferes with our politics. 95% of scientists agree that manmade global warming exists and still we treat is as a political threat not a natural threat

5. Education: America used to set the standard for education but we now settle for "good enough". If our students can pass an arbitrary exam, we are satisfied with the level of education. Our students perform poorly when compared to our peers and we are unwilling to do anything about it. Our education system is disjointed and unfocused

Don't forget that they think our healthcare system is the biggest joke in the world.

 

[TooTall]

The US is the most powerful nation on earth. Politically, militarily and economically. Everything we do impacts the rest of the world.

What does the world think of us?

1. Politically: The US is unstable. Our government is broken. We cannot accomplish the most simple tasks let alone act as leaders of the free world. We can't pass a budget, agree to keep our government going, agree to pay our debts.

2. Justice System: We have more of our citizens in prison than any nation on earth. We are one of the few "civilized" nations in the free world that still relys on capital punishment. We continue a fruitless "War on Drugs" than encourages violence and fills our prisons

3. Gun Violence: We have a murder rate three times that of similar nations. We have endured assasinations of our leaders and an endless stream of massacres and yet we show no will to do anything other than accept it

4. Environment: We allow science to become a political issue, ignoring scientific reason because it interferes with our politics. 95% of scientists agree that manmade global warming exists and still we treat is as a political threat not a natural threat

5. Education: America used to set the standard for education but we now settle for "good enough". If our students can pass an arbitrary exam, we are satisfied with the level of education. Our students perform poorly when compared to our peers and we are unwilling to do anything about it. Our education system is disjointed and unfocused

Don't forget that they think our healthcare system is the biggest joke in the world.

I have been in 28 foreign countries and, if I get sick, I want to be in the US.

 

[Harry Dresden]

The US is the most powerful nation on earth. Politically, militarily and economically. Everything we do impacts the rest of the world.

What does the world think of us?

1. Politically: The US is unstable. Our government is broken. We cannot accomplish the most simple tasks let alone act as leaders of the free world. We can't pass a budget, agree to keep our government going, agree to pay our debts.

2. Justice System: We have more of our citizens in prison than any nation on earth. We are one of the few "civilized" nations in the free world that still relys on capital punishment. We continue a fruitless "War on Drugs" than encourages violence and fills our prisons

3. Gun Violence: We have a murder rate three times that of similar nations. We have endured assasinations of our leaders and an endless stream of massacres and yet we show no will to do anything other than accept it

4. Environment: We allow science to become a political issue, ignoring scientific reason because it interferes with our politics. 95% of scientists agree that manmade global warming exists and still we treat is as a political threat not a natural threat

5. Education: America used to set the standard for education but we now settle for "good enough". If our students can pass an arbitrary exam, we are satisfied with the level of education. Our students perform poorly when compared to our peers and we are unwilling to do anything about it. Our education system is disjointed and unfocused

Living in Europe, I find that people generally like Americans, but many do not like the American government.

same here, a majority of americans do not like the american government.

i bet there are lots of people the world over who are not to keen on their current govt....

 

[Harry Dresden]

The US is the most powerful nation on earth. Politically, militarily and economically. Everything we do impacts the rest of the world.

What does the world think of us?

1. Politically: The US is unstable. Our government is broken. We cannot accomplish the most simple tasks let alone act as leaders of the free world. We can't pass a budget, agree to keep our government going, agree to pay our debts.

2. Justice System: We have more of our citizens in prison than any nation on earth. We are one of the few "civilized" nations in the free world that still relys on capital punishment. We continue a fruitless "War on Drugs" than encourages violence and fills our prisons

3. Gun Violence: We have a murder rate three times that of similar nations. We have endured assasinations of our leaders and an endless stream of massacres and yet we show no will to do anything other than accept it

4. Environment: We allow science to become a political issue, ignoring scientific reason because it interferes with our politics. 95% of scientists agree that manmade global warming exists and still we treat is as a political threat not a natural threat

5. Education: America used to set the standard for education but we now settle for "good enough". If our students can pass an arbitrary exam, we are satisfied with the level of education. Our students perform poorly when compared to our peers and we are unwilling to do anything about it. Our education system is disjointed and unfocused

1. yes, the govt is broken. It is broken by corruption, incompetence, and partisan bickering. It is broken by a system that allows people to make a career out of being in congress. recently it is broken because our petty president refuses to negotiate in the best interests of the citizens

2.what would you do with a serial murderer? give him a villa in la jolla? capital punishment is the only punishment applicable to some crimes. The war on drug is a fiasco, we agree on that.

3. gun violence is a by-product of poverty and the welfare state. the Second amendment is there for a reason and must remain

4.man is not destroying the planet and causing the oceans to rise. AGW is a failed religion.

5. blame the teachers union and the liberal mindset that everyone deserves a diploma whether they can read and write or not. Bringing everyone down to the lowest common denominator is destroying our kids futures.

We are one of the few nations on earth that still kills its citizens. Joining us in our affection for Capital Punishment are Muslim nations, China and North Korea. We are the only country in North America to use it. All of Europe has dropped it, so has Russia
It does not make us safer and puts the US into the company of barbarians

that may be true RW.....but there are some assholes out there who deserve to be executed just because of the cold bloodiness of the murder(s) they have committed...

 

[Harry Dresden]

We are one of the few nations on earth that still kills its citizens. Joining us in our affection for Capital Punishment are Muslim nations, China and North Korea. We are the only country in North America to use it. All of Europe has dropped it, so has Russia
It does not make us safer and puts the US into the company of barbarians

what would you do with a serial murderer, or a child rapist? Is the country better off because Charlie Manson is alive and costing us 80K per year? Why do you libs never consider the dead victims and their families?

We do. Revenge does not bring their loved ones back. It is better for people to see the evil ones, such as Manson, and learn from them than to kill them and ignore them. Killing is wrong no matter who does it.

i cant agree with that.....there are some whose crimes are so heinous they deserve to die....and i dont mean they get to sit on death row for 25 years appealing.....

 

[Redfish]

We are one of the few nations on earth that still kills its citizens. Joining us in our affection for Capital Punishment are Muslim nations, China and North Korea. We are the only country in North America to use it. All of Europe has dropped it, so has Russia
It does not make us safer and puts the US into the company of barbarians

what would you do with a serial murderer, or a child rapist? Is the country better off because Charlie Manson is alive and costing us 80K per year? Why do you libs never consider the dead victims and their families?

Life in prison without parole....like the rest of the free world

Why? why should we house and feed the scum of the earth who have murdered innocents? How does that help the victims? How does that bring back the dead or lesson their suffering at the hands of these animals?

Here's an idea. move Manson into your basement so you can learn from him, dumbass.

 

[rightwinger]

1. yes, the govt is broken. It is broken by corruption, incompetence, and partisan bickering. It is broken by a system that allows people to make a career out of being in congress. recently it is broken because our petty president refuses to negotiate in the best interests of the citizens

2.what would you do with a serial murderer? give him a villa in la jolla? capital punishment is the only punishment applicable to some crimes. The war on drug is a fiasco, we agree on that.

3. gun violence is a by-product of poverty and the welfare state. the Second amendment is there for a reason and must remain

4.man is not destroying the planet and causing the oceans to rise. AGW is a failed religion.

5. blame the teachers union and the liberal mindset that everyone deserves a diploma whether they can read and write or not. Bringing everyone down to the lowest common denominator is destroying our kids futures.

We are one of the few nations on earth that still kills its citizens. Joining us in our affection for Capital Punishment are Muslim nations, China and North Korea. We are the only country in North America to use it. All of Europe has dropped it, so has Russia
It does not make us safer and puts the US into the company of barbarians

that may be true RW.....but there are some assholes out there who deserve to be executed just because of the cold bloodiness of the murder(s) they have committed...

Most of the free world has moved past the eye for an eye justice of capital punishment

They consider us to be barbarians

 

[Redfish]

The US is the most powerful nation on earth. Politically, militarily and economically. Everything we do impacts the rest of the world.

What does the world think of us?

1. Politically: The US is unstable. Our government is broken. We cannot accomplish the most simple tasks let alone act as leaders of the free world. We can't pass a budget, agree to keep our government going, agree to pay our debts.

2. Justice System: We have more of our citizens in prison than any nation on earth. We are one of the few "civilized" nations in the free world that still relys on capital punishment. We continue a fruitless "War on Drugs" than encourages violence and fills our prisons

3. Gun Violence: We have a murder rate three times that of similar nations. We have endured assasinations of our leaders and an endless stream of massacres and yet we show no will to do anything other than accept it

4. Environment: We allow science to become a political issue, ignoring scientific reason because it interferes with our politics. 95% of scientists agree that manmade global warming exists and still we treat is as a political threat not a natural threat

5. Education: America used to set the standard for education but we now settle for "good enough". If our students can pass an arbitrary exam, we are satisfied with the level of education. Our students perform poorly when compared to our peers and we are unwilling to do anything about it. Our education system is disjointed and unfocused

Don't forget that they think our healthcare system is the biggest joke in the world.

I have been in 28 foreign countries and, if I get sick, I want to be in the US.

the full implementation of obamacare might change your opinion on that.

 

[rightwinger]

what would you do with a serial murderer, or a child rapist? Is the country better off because Charlie Manson is alive and costing us 80K per year? Why do you libs never consider the dead victims and their families?

Life in prison without parole....like the rest of the free world

Why? why should we house and feed the scum of the earth who have murdered innocents? How does that help the victims? How does that bring back the dead or lesson their suffering at the hands of these animals?

Here's an idea. move Manson into your basement so you can learn from him, dumbass.

Most civilized societies have learned that killing people to teach them a lesson that killing is wrong is not very logical