Top 10 Reasons Why I Have No Interest to Move Back to the USA
I’ve now been living in the Netherlands for nearly 5 months and aside from missing my family, friends and a good hamburger I barely even care about visiting the USA. Though there could be two reasons for this: 1)I haven’t been gone long enough and 2)I am actually visiting Florida in October on my way to South America for 2 weeks.
Anyways, here are 10 reasons why I definitely have no interest in ever living in the USA again.
10)The fact that the United States has become a modern day Nazi Germany, nobody can stop the United States government from doing whatever the hell it wants.
9)The fact that the United States government is willing to bankrupt itself to protect the interests of Israel.
8)The fact that you cannot be president of the USA without being religious, and of course religious means Christian.
7)The fact that you cannot be president of the USA without pandering to Israelis, nobody else in the world, just them.
6)The fact the the USA executes people while at the same time not allowing a human being the individual freedom to choose when they want to die peacefully, without living in miserable pain.
5)The fact that the US puts people behind bars for a small amount of marijuana, absolutely ridiculous on so many levels.
4)The fact that the US government has money for wars but no money for health care.
3)Election fraud in the US, by a government that prances around the world preaching “democracy.” Meanwhile, we have electronic voting machines with no paper trail and we elect presidents who receive less votes.
2)Taliban Christians. These people want to send American education back to the dark ages and politicians support this agenda to keep people dumb and blind.
1)The fact that the US government can’t even balance it’s fucking check book. So what else should they expect from their citizens?
Sounds like I’m a real un-patriotic asshole, and perhaps I am seeing as how I don’t wear a US flag lapel pin. But I am American and I have a right to my opinion. Despite what any fascist, police state supporting fuck nut might otherwise say.
photo credit: me
Tags: Bullshit, Democracy, Living in Holland, Sirened, Taliban Christians, USA
44 opinions for Top 10 Reasons Why I Have No Interest to Move Back to the USA
Alexa Rae
Jul 30, 2008 at 8:52 pm
These are the reasons why I want to move out of this country next year once I graduate high school.
Connie
Jul 30, 2008 at 8:55 pm
If I could talk my husband into it, I’d be living in Norway. You lucky bastard. This country has gone straight to hell. The Founding Fathers are spinning in their graves. Bush is a fucking Hitler wannabe.
Chaz
Jul 30, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Man you are lucky I can leave the USA , due to a passport Freeze, because of back child support….No I am not a dead beat dad…Peace, Chaz
Chaz
Jul 30, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Oppps Can’t leave!!
Joel
Jul 30, 2008 at 9:01 pm
I bet this guy is a liberal.
TJ
Jul 30, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Right on sir!
Miles
Jul 31, 2008 at 12:46 am
I agree, I need to find my way out!
liv
Jul 31, 2008 at 12:59 am
Love the post. How can I get over to the Netherlands? Want to start an underground railroad?
Us
Jul 31, 2008 at 1:00 am
Please stay you loser!
misanthropy
Jul 31, 2008 at 1:01 am
None of this stuff is like actual day-to-day living things that people would expect from a list like this. It’s all naive political thought.
We have plenty of whiny assholes like you here who contribute nothing but complaining, so, I can’t say anyone is gonna miss you.
a fan
Jul 31, 2008 at 1:15 am
Dude - You are so right!
I agree on all levels and have been saying the same for years. I am EU living in US - don’t ask… no clue why really…BUT all of these things are true and I am shocked that so many people that I talk to agree as well but that stupid christian taliban are allowed to force their opinion on the rest of us free thinkers (not that my opinion counts here, I am just paying my taxes). Oh and don’t get me started on this whole Israel thing…why is the entire world, especially the US spending money on them before they spend it on its own people?? What is the bloody deal? They have enough $$ over there, they do not need my taxes as well….
Oh well, mad props to you in Oranje - I have never been there but grew up in other EU countries and am planning on moving back eventually
Ross
Jul 31, 2008 at 1:44 am
Kudos to you my friend, best of luck. You are correct in all you say. I wish I had the means to do what you do!
Kirk
Jul 31, 2008 at 4:07 am
Alex-
I respect your point of view, but I don’t agree with it. By the way, I served for twenty years in the military to ensure you could voice your point of view, and I would do it again.
I’d like to comment on your top ten list.
First of all, I am glad you have no interest of ever living in the United States. Lucky us.
10. How can you compare the U.S. to Nazi Germany? Obviously you did not do very well in history class. Nazi Germany was led by a crazy dictator who desired to take over the world. The U.S. is, by no means, trying to take over the world. We are also not killing/torturing people just because they are Jewish or whatever race.
9. Do you have a problem with Israel? Are you anti-Jewish? What is wrong with standing up for an ally? Our country’s national debt is not tied to Israel. Yes, we are at war against Muslim terrorists.
8. I can understand your view on this point, to a point. I would agree that an Agnostic, such as myself, or an Athiest, would never be elected President, but that is because the majority of our citizens are Christian. It has nothing to do with a written policy.
7. Again, what do you have against Israel. I’d really like to know. Senators McCain or Obama are not pandering to Israel. They are affirming our country’s support for them, just like we do with all our allies.
6. The U.S. executes people? I assume you are talking about the death penalty, which actually falls under state law, not federal. Yes, Euthanasia is illegal in the U.S. If you want to change the law, talk with your representative in Congress. That is why he/she is there.
5. Marijuana is also against the law. If it is so ridiculous, why haven’t the citizens of the U.S. rallied to change that law?
4. Why do you expect the government to provide you healthcare? I have health care because I pay for it. If you are looking for handouts, it is probably best you not return to the U.S. I would argue that we don’t necessarily have money for wars either.
3. Election fraud? Where? When? I believe each state is responsible for their own voting procedures. Some still use paper ballots. Regarding electing a President who did not receive a majority of the vote, that is easy. Our President is elected by the Electoral College (again, you failed History). President Bush had more Electoral Votes. That is in our Constitution. Read it sometime. If you want to change it, talk with your Representative.
2. Taliban Christians? I am not familiar with this.
1. You are right, a government that does not maintain a balanced budget is a problem. What do you recommend to balance it?
Again, I do respect your opinion. I would also agree that you are an unpatriotic ass hole. That is ok, you are allowed to be. That is what is great about our country.
If you hate the U.S. so much, I’d suggest you give up your citizenship. I’d bet money you would not even consider that.
kat
Jul 31, 2008 at 6:51 am
where are you in the netherlands? i really want to move there eventually.
Commenter
Jul 31, 2008 at 7:12 am
I’m no fan of Israel (and certainly not of the American Israel lobby, which is more conservative than the state of Israel itself), but it seems strange that the issue is of enough import to make it onto two separate objections to the US.
Alex
Jul 31, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Thanks to everyone that agrees with me! :)
Yes, I’m pretty lucky to be here in the Netherlands. The country has it’s problems, like everyplace, but I just generally agree more with the mentality of the government and people here.
It was my wifes job that brought us here and since I’m also a Greek citizen, because my Dad was born there, I’m also an EU citizen which gives me legal residency here.
Kirk-I pay for health care too. It’s required here, but it’s affordable health care. Not the bullshit that is going on in the USA. Please do some outside the box thinking. No I did not fail history. In fact, not only do I have a bachelors degree in history, I was also president of Phi Alpha Theta for 1 year (that’s the honors history society) at the University of Central Florida. No biggie, but no sir, I did not flunk history by any stretch of the imagination. Quite the opposite.
I understand the electoral college system, I just think it’s ass backwards for a “democratic” nation-we are a republic though of course. Also, the comments about me being anti-semitic are so typical. You CANNOT criticize Israel in anyway at all or you are deemed anti-jew. This is how they get away with murder, literally.
And last time I checked there were many holocausts throughout history, genocide is being committed today. Why is there a Jewish holocaust museum in every town? Why is it just their holocaust that matters? Many people don’t even realize that others were killed in those concentration camps, not just Jews.
Commenter-I included it twice because the main stream media never talks about these things-they would be fired. And these things need to be said more.
Kat-I am living in central Amsterdam. It’s great here!
Connie-I haven’t been to Norway but my wife and I were recently on vacation in Sweden. Beautiful country, but the government is too conservative for me. Not the people though! :)
desu
Jul 31, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Good look to you, i’m also leaving soon to never come back.
J-Ro
Jul 31, 2008 at 6:30 pm
What country are you all talking about, why don’t you spend less time being pissed off and more time trying to make this place better. If this country was 1/1000th as bad as people like you believe it to be, millions around the world wouldn’t be selling everything they own and doing nearly anything to come here and be American.
read_a_book
Jul 31, 2008 at 7:19 pm
your myopia and short-sightedness are astounding.
Phil
Jul 31, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Kirk,
Prescott Bush,
Read.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar
Hypocrite
Jul 31, 2008 at 8:02 pm
You know, while I agree with much of what you say, I wish you would stop whining and instead DO SOMETHING. Someone mentioned the founding fathers rolling over in their graves. And what did the founding fathers do when they tired of government oppression? They DID SOMETHING.
Dutchy
Jul 31, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Hey Kirk,
Come spent some time over here in Europe and you’ll probably get to understand why such a big part of the world hates the US at this moment. That’s not because of the US citizens - more than the half of them didn’t vote for Bush anyway - but in the last eight years your government really sucked.
Luckily, whoever wins the next elections, from a macro political point of view it can only become better. And that’s about time!
Alex: great to hear you found your new home! :)
Brandon
Jul 31, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I’m neither a republican or democrat, as both parties seem to be failing dramatically over the course of the 21st century, but what I do find disturbing is the lack of heart in todays US citizens for change here in what I still consider the greatest country on earth. I will never leave. I’ve lived in Peru, Japan, Mongolia, Serbia, the UK, Finland, Portugal and Italy, none have made me yearn to stay permanently. Great people, great ideas and great friends were plenty in each country, and I honestly entertained many thoughts of staying longer than I hoped in each case.
10) Nazi Germany??? Really? You sound very naive and more apt to the suggestions of MMS than most forward thinking US citizens.
9) We’re not bankrupting ourselves to protect Israel, we’re bankrupting ourselves because we got too lazy and fat from being the new cool kid on the block. The problem is much deeper than something as protecting Israel.
8) Technically, you should be able to become president despite your religion. But you’re right, the process is multifaceted and ugly. What are you going to do about besides moving to Norway and complaining about it? Looks like you’ve done all you could do, which is quite sad.
7) Didn’t Obama just recently give a successful speech in Germany? Your flawed logic and the sycophants who giggled with you on this is astounding.
6) This is a matter of moral debate which has been championed by those far more eloquent than I will ever be. I do, however agree that the USA should do away with executions, life imprisonment is much more punishing.
5) Sigh, another cliched pro-legalization jab.
4) Agreed.
3) Those electronic voting machines haven’t been used because, due to our extremely democratic society, we had individuals who had the freedom to find the security flaws in those machines independently from the manufacturers themselves.
2) Taliban Christians? Really, you could have just said fundamentalists because they’re everywhere, not just the USA.
1) It’s people like you and the millions of others who are apathetic and basically useless because you do not have the will to truly fight and win back this country. “To attain all this, however, rivers of blood must yet flow, and years of desolation pass over; yet the object is worth rivers of blood, and years of desolation.” Thomas Jefferson
dave
Jul 31, 2008 at 10:04 pm
oh, you’re a greek citizen. that explains alot so who gives a shit anyway….
Jeff
Jul 31, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Alex, I’m with Kirk on this one. Oh btw, physician assisted suicide is legal in Oregon. It is a state by state issue. And, contrary to popular belief, the US is a republic and not a democracy. You would have thought they would have taught you that before you got your history degree. Enjoy Europe. We’re sure glad you’re there.
Phillip
Jul 31, 2008 at 11:53 pm
When you write an article about your “opinion” on America, you really shouldn’t begin every reason with “the fact”
And about balancing the check book.
Your country is $260 Billion in debt.
ehutch
Aug 1, 2008 at 12:14 am
many would argue president bush sdhould not have been awarded the presidency by the republican controlled supreme court. many voters were purged from the eligibility list to say nothing of electronic voting machines. i love my country but am ashamed of the actions of my govt these past 7 years. bush/cheney should be in jail after being impeached. the evidence is so strong that i wonder what is wrong with the democrats for not persuing impeachment. either they are threatened to keep quiet or they are equally corrupt and guilty as the republicans. bushs crimes are much worse than anything nixon did yet no action is taken. when kucinich did introduce articles of impeachment… there was a virtual news blackout on the subject whereas most people dont even know it was done. the articles sit in committee waiting to die. why is the media and the democratic party so complicit with these shennanigans? just how deep does this corruption go? the media has been too quiet considering bush is probably the most corrupt president in history. once they changed the laws regarding media consolidation back in the eighties, the corporate media works hand i n hand with the govt decieding what the american people should or should not hear. there is no longer a true free press in this country. thank god for the internet while it lasts. sooner or later, the govt will change this too. it seems there is nowhere to turn. its scary that %28 of americans still support bush after all he has done. could these people actually be aware of his actions or are they just uninformed? even lifelong republicans who love their country should be outraged at what has transpired.
Alex
Aug 1, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Ok, I’ll admit that my list could have been written better.
But let me also add an amendment. The fact that you can’t see tits on network TV, yet violence, no problem!
Dave-My father was born in Greece. I am an American citizen, born in Canada by technicality but lived in the US for 95% of my life. I first and foremost consider myself AMERICAN. Excuse me for being multicultural.
Jeff-I did say the US is a republic, not a democracy. I still think the electoral college is ass backwards, whoever gets the most votes should win.
I do however agree with states rights (yes I’ve read the “Federalist Papers”) but often they get trumped by federal law. Yes, euthanasia is legal in Oregon but that can be overturned by the Supreme Court. Medical marijuana is legal in California and doctors are profiting because they are prescribing it for too many ailments (ex. foot pain!). US doctors are legal drug dealers. You ask them for something, they generally give it to you. Hell, there is drug advertising in doctors waiting rooms! THAT is disgraceful my friends.
J-Ro-Of course many people want to move to the US. Most of the world lives in poverty. I do not however see Europeans lining up in drives to move to the US. Years ago yes, but not now!
Folks, the United States has become a POLICE STATE. Oh sure, you have some freedom of speech. But real action, please. Who can stop the corruption of Washington? If the democrats had any balls they would have held impeachment proceedings against Bush. But most of Congress is in the pockets of big business. There are exceptions, but not enough to make real change.
So I haven’t done enough but I’m just not interested in being a politician (and I probably wouldn’t win a congressional seat anyways-especially in Florida!). I have however written several posts on this blog talking about a few issues that are rarely discussed in the media. The more educated people are, the more likely people can change the United States into being a better place.
Dawn
Aug 3, 2008 at 7:25 am
Right on. My husband and I moved to New Zealand back in 2006 and we’ll never go back to live in the US and can’t wait to be back here whenever we visit the States (once for a wedding, and once for a funeral).
We walk everywhere here (almost impossible in most of the US), the air is clean, the water is clean, it’s uncrowded, there is healthcare for everyone, much less violent crime here, gay couples can get married, there is no death penalty, and I can fly within the country without feeling like a terrorist. The 37.5 hour workweeks don’t hurt either!
Soldier Jim
Aug 3, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I totally agree. I’m serving in Iraq right now, for the Army. I understand I have a contract to fufil, but that’s all it is to me… a piece of paper. What has America ever done for you, me, or anyone? Seriously. Think about it for a minute. In the past 22 years of my life, I can’t remember one honest president let alone any other politician. Taxes raised to the point people go bankrupt. Gas prices raised because of some moron Texas oil tycoon wants to waste our taxpayers money on some God forsaken country to try and find “More Oil.” Hey jackass, it’s called Alaska, Mexico, and Canada! Dig there. Betcha you’ll find some. But gas prices are so high, putting fuel in your car is like feeding another child. All I know is is that my enlistment is up, I’m getting the hell out of Dodge so my kids will never have to deal with this horse shit.
Truely,
SOLDier Jim
kerri Pollack
Aug 4, 2008 at 7:32 am
Alex, I totally agree with you on most points. My husband is Dutch, but we currently live in NYC. We are planning on moving there in a few years because I cannot stand what is happening in the US although I have wanted to move for 20 years now… The sense of security of having healthcare, good schools no matter where you live, retirement facilities that won’t make you broke, a safety net is very appealing. I think the way the Dutch handle most policies is reasonable. The fact that the US pays for the military allows countries like Holland to spend more on it’s citizens. I also like that when I visit you see kids playing on the street without adult supervision and neighbors looking out for one another. Walking around knowing that a gun won’t be pulled out on you is also quite appealling.
I saw your previous articles on the smoking ban. I was wondering if brown cafes/coffeeshops are implementing it? Are there places to go in Amsterdam that still allow smoking? We are going to Rotterdam in October , but will spend a few days in Amsterdam, so I am very curious. I’ve been searching on the internet for any information (even trying in Dutch) and am finding very little.
Neugen
Aug 4, 2008 at 7:40 pm
I couldn’t agree more. I’m an American living in Germany now for 5 years. I’ll never go back to the states. I could list another 50 reasons, but this is your blog!
Jeff
Aug 5, 2008 at 4:31 pm
What I see in a lot of these comments are people upset at the lack of safety nets and, in essence, entitlements/handouts. Freedom involves risk not security. The more you end up relying on the government to keep you safe and happy the less freedom you have. Most people who complain about what America is are not willing to take a risk. The American system is still built around capitalism and business ownership. The population has become one with an entitlement mentality who think the government needs to bail them out of every mistake and they are unwilling to risk starting their own business. That’s why so many immigrants come to this country and become successful. They understand the opportunities here lie in the risks not the safety nets.
Alex
Aug 5, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Dawn-I’ve never been to NZ but I hear it’s great. I lived in Melbourne, Australia for a year and loved it there. Great city to live in.
Soldier Jim- Thanks for the refreshing military perspective. The media giants share far too little from frustrated military veterans.
Kerri Pollack- You can still smoke cigarettes on the outside patios of cafes. Hopefully you’ll get some decent weather in October during your visit. As far as smoking cigarettes inside brown cafes, there would be some places that let it slide, but I haven’t stumbled on anything yet.
Neugen- Yes, I only touched on a few things. Violent crime is a big one that I left out!
Alex
Aug 5, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Jeff- Yes the United States is great for businesses. You can work people like slaves and not provide them with proper benefits. Freedom baby!
Jeff
Aug 5, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Alex, its easy to make silly generalizations like that. But I don’t know anyone being worked like a slave. And everyone I know gets benefits. And they are all free to go start their own businesses.
James
Aug 5, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Kirk —
A couple of thoughts. (1) Your twenty years of service in the american armed forces did nothing to ensure that Alex could voice his opinion. He’s posting from the Netherlands, and is subject to Dutch law; the Dutch don’t particularly care what the american Bill of Rights says. (2) Saying that you respect someone’s opinion isn’t very believable when you then immediately use ad hominem attacks against them for voicing that opinion.
Dawn
Aug 6, 2008 at 8:59 am
What pisses me off about all the “America is Free” bullshit is (1) many other countries have the same freedoms without all the bullshit and (2) America is really the land of OPPORTUNITY not freedom.
Freedom of speech is not alive and well in America. And ever wonder about Habeas Corpus? Yeah, it’s gone. The government is tapping your bank accounts, your phone calls and your library lists. All to keep you “free”. Time to check the definition, people!
And Alex, if I ever thought about living in OZ (which is a very remote chance), Melbourne would be the city I’d live in. I hear it’s quite similar to Wellington (where I live).
Jeff
Aug 7, 2008 at 8:05 am
America is still greater and has more freedom than any other country and if McCain gets in we’ll have less government interference.
Justin
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:20 pm
It’s funny how a lot of the people on here critisize us socially liberal people. Living in the USA, it’s quite scary to be queer. it’s scary to be biracial. and surprisingly, scary to be vegan. I’m not Christian, either. The amount of oppression in America is crazy. the only reason that foreigners come here is because they have no idea how big of a shitpuddle they’re getting themselves into. The socially conservative people, ironically, are mostly the same ones who say that it’s fine that our government has a growing deficit. Bush nor McCain have done nor ever will do anything to help our country. Obama’s not smart either…. :P The people in this country would like to makes gays the source of everything wrong, or atheists/buddhists/muslims the source of everything wrong, or the hippies the source of everything wrong. i’m sorry if you don’t agree with me, but atleast i have my head on straight. as soon as high school’s over, i’m headed to Germany. I’d move to holland if i could, but the fact that it sinks about a foot per year is scary to me. Germany or Liechtenstein work just fine for me(: auf wiedersehen!
Shawn Marie
Aug 10, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Well done Alex!
This list is full of snark and facts- and if you cannot find the facts then you are being brainwashed by bought media and I am sorry you haven’t figured it out yet.
Here I come to add some more thoughts and yes- facts!
The library system I work for does not save records. When this is explained to the patrons as one of their civil liberties- the majority become irate and simply want us to tell them what they checked out last because they shouldn’t have to remember on their own. Beyond that stupidity, when our privacy policy (another fabulous liberty) is explained the majority of people are annoyed at the lack of convenience in picking up their partners holds or using someone else’s card. So, they sign away their privacy and then get mad when we let someone else pick up their holds or use their card. It is a shame that the majority of citizens do not understand civil liberties- let alone their importance and significance.
No- the majority of US citizens are not christian- this is simply the stat that is sold to the world and perpetuated by NOT recording other citizens beliefs.
The US is a Republic- (and to the Republic for which it stands) one that has in its past been true to this paradigm and followed it with a sense of duty. However, over the years the power of the electoral votes have been bought and swayed away from the popular vote, which is NOT its duty. This is just one of the corruptions of the voting process in the US. I was turned away from voting during the last presidential election. (I am white and educated and female and I pay my taxes- just so you can play along with your scorecard of entitlement and secret hopes that I may be a lesser citizen in anyone’s racist, bigoted, ridiculous mind) I was registered, checked my registration, went to my proper voting place and when I got there was told I was not registered and that it was too late to register or fill out an absentee ballot but I could fill one out if it made me feel better. There were several of us at this table and none of us were republicans. Which was also the case of plenty of Floridians who were turned away because their names were similar to felons- even though they had not ever been arrested for anything. These are only a few examples- there are plenty more.
The US is terribly oppressive. The ERA has not passed. Human trafficking is way up. Laws are passed to better human existence but the general boys clubs that are in power do not enforce them. Article 99 is just one example. Walk out your front door and take a few steps to the end of the block and I am sure you will have walked over at least ten other examples.
Citizens do rally for things to change- all the time- all over the place. And, even if they are enacting their right to peacefully gather and protest, they are arrested, maced, clubbed, tazered and harassed. Still- marijuana laws do pass, as do same sex marriage rights, as do so many others but are then shot down by the over ruling county, state, and federal laws.
Sure- you can come to this country or live in the US and start a business, if you already have the money. If you do not then you have to get a loan from a bank who will turn you away if you do not have collateral. I agree, you can work for it and save it up- but making it such a simple statement as that anyone can do it anytime is naive and an attempt to silence the truth that is slowly seeping into your brain even though you don’t want it to.
No- not everyone in the US has benefits. First you have to have a job and it has to be a job that offers benefits and you have to work enough hours to support the benefit package and then you still pay for these limited benefits. Public health care exists but it is sub-par and the amount of paperwork and tape you have to go through is sickening. Pun intended. I have a job, it is only a part time job- so the cost of benefits for me is more than my paycheck. Then I have the option to work extra hours- whenever I want, so in essence I work full time- but these extra hours are not eligible for benefits. My employer is not alone in this policy.
I am wondering how many people Jeff interacts with that make minimum wage, struggle to pay rent, barely are able to pay for gas or scrounge the money to take the bus to their hourly jobs day in day out- unless they get sick, when they still do the same thing because they cannot afford insurance and so they just have to muddle through. Buy these Citizens a drink Jeff and let them expand your narrow view.
Jeff
Aug 26, 2008 at 9:08 pm
“The amount of oppression in America is crazy.”
LOL! Its funny hearing people who have no concept of real oppression whining about how oppressed they are in America.
“I am wondering how many people Jeff interacts with that make minimum wage, struggle to pay rent, barely are able to pay for gas or scrounge the money to take the bus to their hourly jobs day in day out- unless they get sick, when they still do the same thing because they cannot afford insurance and so they just have to muddle through. Buy these Citizens a drink Jeff and let them expand your narrow view.”
Not a narrow view at all. Just not a pessimistic one. People can whine about how unfair life is but the reality is that the US is built on opportunity and anyone can step up and change their circumstances if they just nut up and do it. Its people who wait for the government to step in and make things “fair” that bog down the country
Alex
Aug 28, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Shawn Marie- Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a great and thoughtful comment. My apologies that it sat in moderation for so long (though I don’t know why it went to moderation since you’ve posted on Sirened before). I’ve been MIA on here so that’s why comments haven’t been moderated.
Poor leadership in the United States has sent the country backwards when it has the potential to move forward. US foreign policy could model itself a little more to that of the EU- which builds relationships through diplomacy and cautious action- not winning hearts and minds through “shock and awe” wars and occupation.
Why has the EU been able to dramatically expand and the United States not viewed THIS as a threat to US national security? For some answers check out “Why Europe Will Run The 21st Century” by Mark Leonard. The transformation of this continent over the past 60 years is truly remarkable.
Nations like Turkey are changing their policies in the hopes that they can be an EU member. Still, they are not at a humanitarian level that is acceptable to membership in the EU.
Jeff- Nations are joining the EU because people want “opportunity” and the chance at a better life. The US is far from the only place to find opportunity. And as I said before, Europeans are not only NOT lining up to move to the US, most don’t have any interest to. People here are taken care of and well educated-they generally know better. Here in the Netherlands just about everyone speaks English as well as their native Dutch. And many speak additional languages, French, Spanish, German, etc.
My friends here are VERY well traveled and well educated with tons of opportunity here in the Netherlands as well as other prosperous EU nations.
Justin-Good luck with the move to Germany! That was my wife and I’s other choice, but we ended up here. Both are great options!
Tania
Jan 3, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Before any of you speak against the U.S., you should definitely live overseas and then have an educated opinion. If Alex likes to live anywhere else, good for him. But for the rest of you, just win your country back. Stop complaining and comparing with other nations. We are are who we are because of our history and what we make of it.
I have lived overseas for 3 years and want to go back to the U.S. as soon as possible.
Every country has its problems, and I want to do something positive as an American citizen!
Don’t you?
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