My take on American Values

[SeedOfChaos]

Originally posted by JBiggs
Personaly, I do not view anybody in any paticular way according to geographics or nationality.

I view based on how I am treated by them.

My statement was not directed to anyone in paticular in this thread but this thread reminds me of how all other countries always seem to take a shot at our government, lifestyle, habits, etc... I just don't understand why other nationalities criticize Americans.

I dont really know how to put it or what really bothers me about it. I never give it much thought... maybe that's why I do not understand.

Power is the key. While many nations don't have the power to influence life in the US in a notable way, the US basically has the power to influence ANY nation on this planet to a considerable degree, and it has been doing that quite a lot in the past 100 years. For better or for worse, in same cases. So, what might seem as internal US matters gets projected globally, while the reverse is not necessarily true.

Also, it's not like it hasn't been done the other way around. Just look at the pre-war posts here, people ridiculing the french citizens for their government actions...

It is important, as you said, not to judge people by their nationality or geographics. I try not to, fail at times, but I try. Please note that when I said "US" or "you" in this thread I was mostly referring to the official actions of the US, which are mostly the actions of your government. I'm sure this is also true for quite some posts by other people.

[nepenthe]

The ridicule of the French has been going on since the World Wars. Like other ethnic humor, it is a gross generalization with is typically untrue. Paris is considered a prime city for vacation, surprising to most Americans that the local urbanites might have a low friendliness level..... How alike NYC. Any one who has been to the country would tell you that outside the city, the French are a warm and hospitable people. To affront their government is a wholly different matter.

As to the power to influence, do not underestimate the power of Europe over the US. Though military force might not be their prowess, the strength of they conglomerates might verily outweigh the US.... Particularly in manufacturing.

I did not initiate the discussion of Hitler. I would point out, the general citizenry had no idea what was to happen after the respectives took power.

shant,
david

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by jayyy
Ask any Canadian why they moved to the United States. DId they do it to participate in a land where all races are equal? Did they do it because they feel its safer, and a better place to raise their kids? I defy you to find a single canadian, on his high horse or not, living in america who thinks the US can come anywhere close to canada by these measures.
Canadians go to the US for the same reason poeple from small friendly towns move to the big city- because thats where the money is, and its a sacrifice they have to make if they want a piece of it.

I married one....she's here, in the US, with me, moved down from Calgary. She's making about 1/5th now of what she did as an established financial consultant and certified accountant up there.

I've been raised my whole life not thinking there's a big difference between Canada and the US. Some people insist on defining big differences, I try not to find differences. She's told me a lot about living up there, sounds really gorgeous too. Health care is nice...but "free"...she told me you still pay a bit..through taxes. A good system, yes, better than the US has, I'm sure, but "free"? You're still paying for it. Lots of things are incredibly expensive too.

I also heard about the vast racial diversity....lots of Jamaicans have moved up there, lots from India. It's quite similar to the US in that aspect, there is quite a melting pot going on up there too.

[Ghosthunter]

Originally posted by Jstyr

As to your second part I feel you dodge my question. I'm asking are we safer NOW...after 9-11?? For the short term maybe we are. But are we breeding more hate by perpetuating cycles of violence??

People will hate no matter what we do.

You cannot stop fighting the terrorists becuase you are afriad more will breed.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by SeedOfChaos
Huh? Tell me, how do you view Germans and Dutch people? Maybe in another thread? As long as you do it in a civilized way, I'm sure nobody will mind.

On a very postive note. Even though some 60 years ago, our countries were at war. And I know less than nothing about your government...which doesn't matter anyways because I don't judge people by their government.

You are people just like everybody else. Although some other side notes...high tech, well educated, and fine craftmanship as example in most any product produced by your country. And some fine looking women!

[jayyy]

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
I married one....she's here, in the US, with me, moved down from Calgary. She's making about 1/5th now of what she did as an established financial consultant and certified accountant up there.

I've been raised my whole life not thinking there's a big difference between Canada and the US. Some people insist on defining big differences, I try not to find differences. She's told me a lot about living up there, sounds really gorgeous too. Health care is nice...but "free"...she told me you still pay a bit..through taxes. A good system, yes, better than the US has, I'm sure, but "free"? You're still paying for it. Lots of things are incredibly expensive too.

I also heard about the vast racial diversity....lots of Jamaicans have moved up there, lots from India. It's quite similar to the US in that aspect, there is quite a melting pot going on up there too.

Altogether, canada is more like the united states than any other country. And from what I've seen of new england, New England is more like Canada than any other part of the US, at least the east coast. The checkpoint and the look of the road-signs is basically the only way you can tell the difference.

I think I'm gonna start another thread, about canada...

[SeedOfChaos]

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat
On a very postive note. Even though some 60 years ago, our countries were at war. And I know less than nothing about your government...which doesn't matter anyways because I don't judge people by their government.

True, and very positive. Even more so within Europe. Nations that have fought wars during basically every period of history have found a period of peace after the most brutal slaughter (so far, and hopefully forever). Almost 70 years and counting, quite an achievement, (western) Europe has never had such a period of peace before. Of course our nations still have quarrels, but by now the bonds that the EU created cannot simply be separated anymore. The peoples of the EU are actually more unified IMO than the politicians. I, for one, am a "role model" of a EU citizen. My dad's Dutch, my mom's German, I was raised in Germany, now live in the Netherlands, working for a European company, and have a girlfriend from Italy. And what I've found, this kind of scenario is becoming more and more frequent. There are relationships created across the borders, partly due to how simple it has become with the EU. Also, commercial relationships are no longer nationwide usually, but Europewide. How could we go to war with France? I dare say we couldn't, because the soldiers simply wouldn't do it. It would be seen as a sort of civil war. By working together you CAN achieve much more. One more thing that unites us, the people... we dislike our own goverments as much as we dislike the neighbor's