Do you like your country?
- Thread starter PHCharls
- 360 comments
- 21,411 views
- 31,741
- Buckwheat City
- Dennisch
To add something to my previous post :
I absolutely despice our scenery. Everything is the same. Flat. Our highest mountain is 322 meters high. That's 1056 feet. Yeah. I could go to New York and stand on a higher building then the highest freakin' mountain in my country.
I absolutely despice our scenery. Everything is the same. Flat. Our highest mountain is 322 meters high. That's 1056 feet. Yeah. I could go to New York and stand on a higher building then the highest freakin' mountain in my country.
I really can't complain about being born in America. Not the best country in the world any more (not even close) but it's a first world nation and I am extremely fortunate. Right now, things aren't looking too good here, but I'm sure I'll live here for the rest of my life.
Of course, having said that, while I like this section of the Earth, I'm not proud of it. The most obvious reason is that I was born here, and lucking into being born here and not like Somalia is something to feel fortunate, but not proud of.
There is of course also our impact on the world, which I believe to be overwhelmingly negative. Not proud. Our political system is irreparably broken. Not proud. But I'm not ashamed of this nation, I'm merely ashamed of the people who are making it a more imperfect union.
Of course, having said that, while I like this section of the Earth, I'm not proud of it. The most obvious reason is that I was born here, and lucking into being born here and not like Somalia is something to feel fortunate, but not proud of.
There is of course also our impact on the world, which I believe to be overwhelmingly negative. Not proud. Our political system is irreparably broken. Not proud. But I'm not ashamed of this nation, I'm merely ashamed of the people who are making it a more imperfect union.
- 9,058
- Murica
- BasedAckbar
We have an African American president.
I like my country.
I like my country.
- 7,313
- Land of the smelly onion
Proud American here. Love living in the U.S.
Like others here about the only things I don't like are some of the people, and also the governments.
Local, state and Federal. All corrupt left wingers that think the solution to every problem is raise/create new taxes, making it harder to live here.
Like others here about the only things I don't like are some of the people, and also the governments.
Local, state and Federal. All corrupt left wingers that think the solution to every problem is raise/create new taxes, making it harder to live here.
- 4,797
- Antarctica
- 24,659
- Anoka, MN
I love the U.S. even though I can't stand the government(at least the current one).
What I love most is really the geography of the country, I can hop on a plane in the middle of winter when it's -20F here and fly down to Florida where it's still warm enough to swim.
What I love most is really the geography of the country, I can hop on a plane in the middle of winter when it's -20F here and fly down to Florida where it's still warm enough to swim.
- 2,338
- Southeast MI
- BubbleBelly542
sumbrownkid
Well I don't know much about politics and I don't want to start a fight but, is that the only reason you like your country?
- 4,579
- Houston, TX
- astrosdude91
I love the US. The government has it's problems, but pretty much every country has a flawed government, so I can't really complain.
The geography is amazing. The US is easily one of the most beautiful and geographically diverse countries on the planet.
And Texas is cool, because just about anything will pass inspection. So you can do quite a bit to your car if you please.
The geography is amazing. The US is easily one of the most beautiful and geographically diverse countries on the planet.
And Texas is cool, because just about anything will pass inspection. So you can do quite a bit to your car if you please.
- 4,579
- Houston, TX
- astrosdude91
- 3,241
- Desert Island
- GTP_DAN_
Me? I actually love my country.
There are many many maaaany bad things going on here ( corruption, poverty, excessive taxing, poor public services and so on... ), but it's amazing how people still are determined to change their lives and keep a smile on their faces, even when life tramples on you.
The natural diversity is amazing, there is plenty of places to go and being a continental country with such an enourmous diversity of cultures, it's pretty hard to have the same trip over and over again. There is so much to choose. Economy is going pretty well, apart from our comedy-central'ish politicians.
We are in fact a much stereotyped country, but as soon as you head over to a cosmopolitan metropolis like São Paulo, or the pleasing europeness of Curitiba you suddenly forget whatever preconception you may have.
Ignore the forthcoming world cup though, that'll suck.
There are many many maaaany bad things going on here ( corruption, poverty, excessive taxing, poor public services and so on... ), but it's amazing how people still are determined to change their lives and keep a smile on their faces, even when life tramples on you.
The natural diversity is amazing, there is plenty of places to go and being a continental country with such an enourmous diversity of cultures, it's pretty hard to have the same trip over and over again. There is so much to choose. Economy is going pretty well, apart from our comedy-central'ish politicians.
We are in fact a much stereotyped country, but as soon as you head over to a cosmopolitan metropolis like São Paulo, or the pleasing europeness of Curitiba you suddenly forget whatever preconception you may have.
Ignore the forthcoming world cup though, that'll suck.
- 574
- Rugby
- LissaMR2
Do I like England? Mostly, yes, although there are certain things I really hate. I hate the political correctness than in many cases defies all common sense. I hate the way we are becoming more and more of a nanny state. I hate the 'sue everybody' mentality that is now rife with people looking for someone else to blame for their own stupidity. I hate the 'blame teenagers for everything because they're all Chavs, thugs and muggers' hype. Yes, there are teenagers like that, but there are far more decent young people.
On the up-side, I like where we live. A big enough town to have the facilities we need, but great countryside and roads five minutes out of town. I like the fact that everybody in our street speaks to each other, and gets along, despite the ethnic differences. I even kind-of like the weather. At least when we get a warm, sunny day here we really appreciate it!
On the up-side, I like where we live. A big enough town to have the facilities we need, but great countryside and roads five minutes out of town. I like the fact that everybody in our street speaks to each other, and gets along, despite the ethnic differences. I even kind-of like the weather. At least when we get a warm, sunny day here we really appreciate it!
- 5,812
- shmogt
I live in Canada and I think it's gotta be one of the best places to live in the world. Everything is always kinda neutral. Whenever crazy stuff is happening in the world Canada plays the smart route and thinks if it's a logical move to make it their problem too. The laws are tough, but mainly for serious crimes. At a party drinking as a teenager and cops show up. Don't worry about being arrested (unless your acting like a fool) because the cops understand your a kid and gotta have fun so be prepared to keep it down, worst told to go home. Weather isn't bad as what other countries may think too. Yes it gets cold and stormy in the winter, but it's really not that bad. Maybe like max 10 serious snow storms for the whole year than just some cold during winter. Rest of the year is awesome being not too hot to where your sweating, but perfect for wearing a T-shirt and shorts. Free health care too makes it just too sweet. Only thing which is up to interpretation whether it's bad or not is the high tax. It's 13% on absolutely everything you buy. That is including gas which is already government subsided so technically it's illegal since its a tax on a tax. Also for some unknown reason everything is double the cost here as opposed to the US. They used to tell us it's because of the conversion of currency so it works out to our products costing more, but our dollar has been higher or on par with the US for years now and yet most stuff is still much more expensive.
- 1,255
- Indiana
- camaroyenko
- No....just no.
Canada's cool because they have Rush. But then again they have justin bieber. Sorry about your luck
- 19,013
- Jersey V.1.0
- axletramp
...plus Celine Dion 👎 and William Shatner 👍
You did say Derby didn't you?
...I even kind-of like the weather. At least when we get a warm, sunny day here we really appreciate it!
You did say Derby didn't you?
- 4,687
- Golden State
- xViLLaiNx12
I've been on that bridge several times 👍.
Another thought on why I am grateful to live in the US: I was talking to a classmate who was born in the US but grew up in Venezuela. In a recent election, he opted to vote against Hugo Chavez. From that day on, he could no longer find a job (he has a college degree from a Venezuelan college and previously had no trouble finding work) and got dirty looks from everyone. The Communist Party controlling the nation pretty much blacklisted him.
Luckily for him, he was born here in the United States and is therefore a US Citizen. He's now working and furthering his education here in California and loving it. He was telling me how happy he is to live in a country where it is safe to walk down the street and not worry about how people will react to however he decides to vote. He has a voice in America that he could not use in Venezuela.
Freedom is a beautiful thing and it irks me to read about some people taking it for granted.
- 17,416
- United Kingdom
Do I like England? Mostly, yes, although there are certain things I really hate. I hate the political correctness than in many cases defies all common sense. I hate the way we are becoming more and more of a nanny state. I hate the 'sue everybody' mentality that is now rife with people looking for someone else to blame for their own stupidity. I hate the 'blame teenagers for everything because they're all Chavs, thugs and muggers' hype. Yes, there are teenagers like that, but there are far more decent young people.
On the up-side, I like where we live. A big enough town to have the facilities we need, but great countryside and roads five minutes out of town. I like the fact that everybody in our street speaks to each other, and gets along, despite the ethnic differences. I even kind-of like the weather. At least when we get a warm, sunny day here we really appreciate it!
You also have very good real ale pubs... far, faaar better than Daventry
The UK is pretty good all things considered, my only gripe is the benefit system... which is breeding a generation of 24 year olds with 3 kids and the idea that the poverty line is where you no longer receive enough benefits to have Sky+ HD, 8mb broadband, two smart phone contracts, regularly eat at Domino's/Subway/McD's..... and still go out every weekend... who think that going out and getting a job is pointless when they'll only be a few quid better off every month than being on benefits, and complain when the government doesn't pay most of their rent ------ and these are people that complain about immigrants taking their jobs and slagging off the government anytime they spend any money on anything, who never vote because they're too busy watching X-factor or playing on one of their 3 games consoles paid for by my income tax. Scum. You want something.. earn it!
But other than that, I quite like the British Isles.
- 7,227
- beyond down under
- Skython11
Canada's cool because they have Rush. But then again they have justin bieber. Sorry about your luck
Once again, you should feel blessed to have a Mr. James LaBrie. You are very blessed!
- 22,551
- Arizona
- HamiltonMP427
Like many others I love my nation, some times the people can be rude and it's hard to see if they really care about their fellow American (much less human being all together) or more about themselves and seeming nationalistic in the governments eyes. I have a sense of pride for the nation I live in, but like others have also said I would still be in sort of unless a true definition was given for what "country" really is. I see it as the land we hail from, but others see it as that and the governement and for that I would be in sort of due to the lies and bull crap that our government does. No they don't torture us physically (unless you protest) but mentally you could possibly make an argument, the government does a good job of making the people of America look bad with how they treat the rest of the world. Point is I love America even with the flaws, it's the politics that I think us and the world can do without.
You did say mostly, maybe a more definitive view would have helped you in this case.
Exactly I'm an American and I cant stand the patriotism, mainly because the government or people that believe the government tooth and nail will go out of there way to say "your un-American and not patriotic if you don't believe in the war". People even get crazy enough to get mad when famous people turn down a dinner with the president and there reason is no one should turn down the president cause he's the president of the U.S. It's all a ploy so the government can keep on doing a crap job. I love my country for many reasons already stated: beautiful places, nice climates, different people from interesting yet vast walks of life, and people always have a story that you can find common place with. Big cities to have fun, great places to eat that have amazing food that you cant get anywhere else and many other things. The idea of being patriotic toward things I don't believe in (certain conflicts) and things that in reality make us as a nation look bad as history will go, is why patriotism seems to overused and in the wrong way here.
You did say mostly, maybe a more definitive view would have helped you in this case.
Exactly I'm an American and I cant stand the patriotism, mainly because the government or people that believe the government tooth and nail will go out of there way to say "your un-American and not patriotic if you don't believe in the war". People even get crazy enough to get mad when famous people turn down a dinner with the president and there reason is no one should turn down the president cause he's the president of the U.S. It's all a ploy so the government can keep on doing a crap job. I love my country for many reasons already stated: beautiful places, nice climates, different people from interesting yet vast walks of life, and people always have a story that you can find common place with. Big cities to have fun, great places to eat that have amazing food that you cant get anywhere else and many other things. The idea of being patriotic toward things I don't believe in (certain conflicts) and things that in reality make us as a nation look bad as history will go, is why patriotism seems to overused and in the wrong way here.
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- 687
- 87,817
- Rule 12
- GTP_Famine
I have enough of a rant about the UK to fill several hours of typing and the post character limit. It would probably cause a few negative responses too, which would be unhelpful.
I'm proud to be the product of a country which has lead the world in many aspects - specifically medical research, engineering, sarcasm and freedom from tyranny (particularly that little bit in the early-to-middle 20th century). I'm a little less proud of our historical shortcomings (step forward slave trade, Imperialism and the Crusades, amongst others), but we all learn from both the wisdom and the errors of our predecessors. It is a pretty place too, on the whole (you know, ignoring London, Manchester and Birmingham. And Milton Keynes. And anywhere the houses are concrete shells). Quite photogenic in parts, full of history with sites from any period as far back as a couple hundred years BC near to almost everywhere.
Our country is not yet as bad as the Daily Mail would have you believe, but there is a grain of truth in every exaggeration. It costs too much (not just financially) to live here for too little - and what it costs is only rising while what you get is only falling. There's only one country I've ever been to that I've been glad to get home from. And it isn't the USA, Iceland, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria or Cyprus. This is no indicator of long-term living in those countries (I can tell you I wouldn't live in three of those places based on cost of living and tax burden, nice though they were to visit), but it's a good experience to have (if you bear in mind the old proverb about green grass, of course).
We are, as Infielders know, looking to leave here. We will always be proud of being born here but I'm sure that if this country had been as it is now and emigration was as easy as it is now back in the 1960s, I wouldn't have been born here at all... My parents (and grandparents) were no strangers to either foreign travel or moving to a new place for a new life (my brother and I are the only Yorkshiremen in our entire family, though my wife and her family are Yorkshire through and through).
I'm proud to be the product of a country which has lead the world in many aspects - specifically medical research, engineering, sarcasm and freedom from tyranny (particularly that little bit in the early-to-middle 20th century). I'm a little less proud of our historical shortcomings (step forward slave trade, Imperialism and the Crusades, amongst others), but we all learn from both the wisdom and the errors of our predecessors. It is a pretty place too, on the whole (you know, ignoring London, Manchester and Birmingham. And Milton Keynes. And anywhere the houses are concrete shells). Quite photogenic in parts, full of history with sites from any period as far back as a couple hundred years BC near to almost everywhere.
Our country is not yet as bad as the Daily Mail would have you believe, but there is a grain of truth in every exaggeration. It costs too much (not just financially) to live here for too little - and what it costs is only rising while what you get is only falling. There's only one country I've ever been to that I've been glad to get home from. And it isn't the USA, Iceland, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria or Cyprus. This is no indicator of long-term living in those countries (I can tell you I wouldn't live in three of those places based on cost of living and tax burden, nice though they were to visit), but it's a good experience to have (if you bear in mind the old proverb about green grass, of course).
We are, as Infielders know, looking to leave here. We will always be proud of being born here but I'm sure that if this country had been as it is now and emigration was as easy as it is now back in the 1960s, I wouldn't have been born here at all... My parents (and grandparents) were no strangers to either foreign travel or moving to a new place for a new life (my brother and I are the only Yorkshiremen in our entire family, though my wife and her family are Yorkshire through and through).
- 15,855
- QLD, Australia
- Small_Fryz
In the grand scheme of things, I would say we have it pretty good here in Australia.
Plenty of worse places to live.
I vote yes, I do actually like my country.
Plenty of worse places to live.
I vote yes, I do actually like my country.
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