Eklipse, name a bigger detrimental force on the world than the USA. I can't think of one since Hitler's Third Reich, and even that isn't unarguable.

@ OttomanEmpire

Really like your stance on Libya. "Oh Gaddafi's not a terrible and oppressive ruler. LOOK AT THESE BUILDINGS! Could someone evil have buildings like that? And look! Caaaaars"

Way to play into the stereotype Arun. You're a real britbong now :p

I have family and friends in the US and I love them to pieces, but man they're ignorant. I know very few Americans that are even mildly well informed about the events going on outside of their own town, much less their own country (unless it's about terrorism, war or Obama).

I can't even hold a decent political or economic debate with those who went to college (all that tuition and the majority didn't seem to really absorb anything from it). Seeing how most American's form their arguments, rebuttals and one-liners on this and other threads, they have no clue how economics work and don't understand the magnitude of the US's impact on the rest of the world.

(Fear not! This is a generalization, I know there are a few of your out there who are truly capable of critical thinking, but you're the exception not the rule!)

In other words, myhand, feel free to keep the threads coming, but stop expecting to get through to these guys. If they believed for a second their government was even remotely as corrupt as it is, then they would have packed their bags and headed to Canada long ago.

Those of you who studied history, even badly, should know that the US is comparable with Nazi Germany (systematic eradication of Native Americans, preemptive invasion of non-aggressive nations), Stalinist Russia (Patriot Acts, NSA, etc) and Maoist China (domination through political, economic and military means of neighboring regions. Ethnic cleansing by promoting demographic change, i.e. settlers, slavery, killing of Native Americans) in terms of war crimes.

Endless hypocrisy, indeed.

Taisho, how would you suggest us Americans become educated on politics? I agree with you that many Americans are blatantly ignorant on politics, myself included. Honestly, I've never had a large amount of interest in politics, which is why I haven't gone out of my way to learn more about them, and I'm still a high school student. Despite my very limited knowledge in this area, I do believe I know more than most Americans on the subject. But do you have a website where an American can go to learn more about economics? Or some kind of online course I can take a look at?

I think many Americans have an idea of how corrupt the government is, but to think it and actually know and believe it are two entirely different things.

I usually don't pay much attention to these kinds of threads, but when myhand, Taisho, and Fatih are all agreeing on a point, I know that side has good support to it. Those three are very intelligent, critical thinking people. While I may not always agree with them, I often learn something from reading what they have written, and it requires me to think more. So to those of you who just assume it is some liberal agenda that is made up, I suggest looking at the evidence and the facts before making a decision.

Edited 3/20/2015 00:10:37

Personal preference here, but avoid using the internet as a firsthand source.

The local public library should offer some good reading material. Books may not be cool or even retro, but seriously, give it a shot. (Not aimed at anyone specifically, just saying.)

A good rule of thumb is to read at least 5 books on any given subject, to become well informed. It's also good to read from different perspectives and sources.

Reading Karl Marx's works such as Das Capital, The Communist Manifesto, et al, without reading Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations and The Invisible Hand will not give you a good insight on the prevailing perception of economics in Europe leading up to WWI. You need to consider all sides and take great care in forming your own opinions based on facts.

Not understanding what was going on in Europe in the 19th century, when it was clearly the military hub of the world at the time, will complicate your ability to connect what was going on in the Far East, the Orient and the America's. The world was already a great deal smaller back then, than we tend to think.

Read, analyze, discuss, repeat.

Edited 3/20/2015 00:24:40

America was totally militaristic in the beginning.

We invaded north Africa in 1805 so that should have sent a message of where we were going

Taisho, not that this is news to you, but the issue is the culture.

In many areas of the US, you will get a negative reaction to being critical against the US unless you are of course negative about a certain political figure (rather than an inherent issue in the system). So usually all the negative energy is often misguided as the big issues seem to transcend political parties or simply is the policy of both parties. For example my thread the other day about Monsanto, which both parties seemingly support.

JSA could chime in and could confirm or deny this, but I think he is a prime candidate as someone who has experienced this, based off of his geographic location. To speak for myself, I grew up in a small town in the North (which is often "left"* leaning, *although most people on the "left" in the US are hardly left anyway) and I experienced this. My opinions were kept to myself at this time and sort of bottled up, because there was nobody to talk to about this. I also studied at university in the south and met many college educated people from all over that region who were also apprehensive about talking about issues inherent in the system.

The icing on the cake was when I lived in Washington DC for one year between university and my current position. Even all my friends, who worked for the government, contractors, or otherwise, still were apprehensive about talking about issues in the system. What interested them was "the game" and how they could get the person they were working for supported or reelected.

While I was in university and in Washington DC I certainly did find anomalies, people who also agreed with me AND were willing to talk about these issues. However, in my experience the numbers of people who truly understand the situation AND are willing to talk about these issues (or are interested in doing so), is quite contrasted by the sheer numbers of those who simply do not care.

How do we fix this? I couldn't say myself. My best solution from a personal viewpoint was just to leave and travel around the world until I find another location that might be a bit more informed. However, in JSA's case, a high school student in Missouri? I suppose his best bet is do some research on his own, he may not other people who are willing to question what is wrong with the states.

In many areas of the US, you will get a negative reaction to being critical against the US
I also studied at university in the south and met many college educated people from all over that region who were also apprehensive about talking about issues inherent in the system.

I find this odd. Maybe it's different in the areas you've been, but when I talk to people I know about politics I hear almost nothing but about how broken the system is, how congress is totally useless, our votes don't seem to count,etc. I have family and friends from multiple parts of Missouri and Iowa that almost all feel disillusioned with the current system.

However, in JSA's case, a high school student in Missouri? I suppose his best bet is do some research on his own, he may not other people who are willing to question what is wrong with the states.

Adding to what I said above, as a person from Missouri I can assure that there is no shortage of complaints (of every kind imaginable) against the government here.

Well I have one question, where are these complaints guided? Is this against Obama, "Commies" or otherwise.

Or are these issues actually with big business and the governments role in legislating to keep their profits high. In my experience, it is hard to find anybody cognoscente of these issues.

In my 22 years in the US I heard plenty of shit about Bush, Obama and the rest. Yet never hear about the real issues from other people. The politicians are expendable, Monsanto and the like really don't care whose pockets they line.

Attacking political figures is a pastime sure. Yet when you say that the US itself and the ideas, the culture and the way the people think is just broken...well people just get upset. At home, school or church, teaching children to question everything is not the habit. So we have a culture of complacency justified by "freedom."

Well I have one question, where are these complaints guided? Is this against Obama, "Commies" or otherwise.

Oh there's plenty of that I won't lie, Obama is not well loved in my hometown. Neither is Bush for that matter. However, most of the complaints are directed at Congress, and how useless it often seems to be.

Or are these issues actually with big business and the governments role in legislating to keep their profits high.

This varies from person to person and I can only really speak for how my family feels on this issue. One half is mostly lower-class bordering on poverty, so issues related to this are huge to them. Meanwhile my father who is more middle-class doesn't like the big business-government relationship due to constant attacks on labor unions. (Which we pretty much owe our middle class status to...) On a side note here, this "right to work" nonsense needs to be done away with. It thankfully failed in Missouri but I know certain politicians will try it again.

Yet when you say that the US itself and the ideas, the culture and the way the people think is just broken...well people just get upset

I've met some people like that, and there's probably more of that breed than I commonly interact with. However, within my own circle of friends people aren't shy about criticizing the government,modern society, or anything related.

Mayhaps one of us has seen the states for what it truly is and the other has not seen enough.

I fear that what I have seen is the truth.

ill tell you what aint an oligharcy: MSF join today because i asked

Wow vernita, such an inspiring picture. It truly shows how little you know if you think for one second that any of us wouldn't mock him in a heartbeat for being a fucking idiot. That is a dumbass: every country has them, this one just happens to be from the southern United States. Probably inbred too

And Lawlz, are you going to sue me now for copyright infringement?

lol, lawz got kicked from 101st

Lol, nice one bane. Filling in for pulsey or what?

who?