Rant: overly patriotic

[redbirdjazzz]

love it or leave it

This is an absurdly simplistic attitude, Mike. Unconditional love only applies to people, and people who recognize the country's flaws and want to improve things shouldn't be encouraged to leave.

[jim]

But looking at where America is as a whole and where it will be going forward isn't so great. Stagnant wages, rising costs, never ending wars, and a declining position relative to the rest of the world in just about all things that measure prosperity (life expectancy, happiness, intelligence, etc) should cause concern instead of blind patriotic idiocy that some people seem to be cloaked in. (America has problems? Well, it's America, and we'll be okay because, you know, it's America. 'Murica!)

But if you are at the US poverty line, you are one of the richest 1% in the world. The world poverty line is something like a dollar a day.

We have first world problems.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

But looking at where America is as a whole and where it will be going forward isn't so great. Stagnant wages, rising costs, never ending wars, and a declining position relative to the rest of the world in just about all things that measure prosperity (life expectancy, happiness, intelligence, etc) should cause concern instead of blind patriotic idiocy that some people seem to be cloaked in. (America has problems? Well, it's America, and we'll be okay because, you know, it's America. 'Murica!)

But if you are at the US poverty line, you are one of the richest 1% in the world. The world poverty line is something like a dollar a day.

We have first world problems.

The average American is in debt. If you think that the middle class is really well off, here are the stats. http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-c ... household/

Yeah, we have first world problems in that people are spending more than they have despite being the first percent or whatever of earners, but its because the costs are high and, well, no one living off a dollar a day is gonna get a job in Chicago.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

on top of that, other middle classes are living just as well as the American middle class.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

love it or leave it

Mike, I appreciate you. But, you can't tell me you don't worry about those same things. You don't worry about your kids going into the work force? Think they'll be taken advantage of? Think thye just go to work and all is well? I'm curious. America isn't some utopia and you know it hence the short reply.

[jim]

But looking at where America is as a whole and where it will be going forward isn't so great. Stagnant wages, rising costs, never ending wars, and a declining position relative to the rest of the world in just about all things that measure prosperity (life expectancy, happiness, intelligence, etc) should cause concern instead of blind patriotic idiocy that some people seem to be cloaked in. (America has problems? Well, it's America, and we'll be okay because, you know, it's America. 'Murica!)

But if you are at the US poverty line, you are one of the richest 1% in the world. The world poverty line is something like a dollar a day.

We have first world problems.

The average American is in debt. If you think that the middle class is really well off, here are the stats. http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-c ... household/

Yeah, we have first world problems in that people are spending more than they have despite being the first percent or whatever of earners, but its because the costs are high and, well, no one living off a dollar a day is gonna get a job in Chicago.

The average American has food in their belly and running water too.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

But looking at where America is as a whole and where it will be going forward isn't so great. Stagnant wages, rising costs, never ending wars, and a declining position relative to the rest of the world in just about all things that measure prosperity (life expectancy, happiness, intelligence, etc) should cause concern instead of blind patriotic idiocy that some people seem to be cloaked in. (America has problems? Well, it's America, and we'll be okay because, you know, it's America. 'Murica!)

But if you are at the US poverty line, you are one of the richest 1% in the world. The world poverty line is something like a dollar a day.

We have first world problems.

The average American is in debt. If you think that the middle class is really well off, here are the stats. http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-c ... household/

Yeah, we have first world problems in that people are spending more than they have despite being the first percent or whatever of earners, but its because the costs are high and, well, no one living off a dollar a day is gonna get a job in Chicago.

The average American has food in their belly and running water too.

And that's great. But, that's not my point, nor does it mean America is the greatest country anymore. Not trying to say this the wrong way or give off the wrong impression. Just an observation.

[docellis]

The thing that makes it hard for me to be pro capital punishment is this:

We should strive to be better than that. Just because something is accepted as the norm, it doesn't mean it is the best.

I definitely feel that rage and retribution regarding capital punishment. But an enlightened society should at least strive to be better than revenge.

So "America: Love it or Leave it" doesn't fly with me.

Granted, I did not fight a war. Ever. And I wouldn't.

But this country isn't ascending. Being stubborn about infantile things won't help. This includes gun control, homophobia, tax laws, etc.

[sighyoung]

[/youtube]

Of course, sometimes a jeremiad is needed, too.

[MrSaigon]

This is a good place to live. I'm happy I do. I'm proud of all the great things that have happened and continue to happen here. Seems like lots of people in my parents' generation are sold on the truth and necessity that this is 'the greatest nation on earth.' I don't that's true or necessary, though I hope we can work some of our [expletive] out. This is a great place to be from and a great place to be.

In Portland, there are many people who are too cool, too enlightened or too political for patriotism. (When I'm travelling I get sick of the way-too-apologetic about being American, would give a nut to be British, MFers--and in my experience there are FAR more of them than a-hole American traveller MFers. Have a little pride and take a little responsibility.) But then there are plenty who embrace their country as well where I live.