As said below, money has become too important. But really, are you telling me that most other countries have no problems? Then truly, we in the USA have much to learn. One wonders how we lasted this long.
Mate, I can only speak for Australia, although I don't see guys like
Suke and
Cirdan etc complaining endlessly about the situation in their countries. We hear how America is the bastion of the Free World, the pillars of democracy, the leaders of industry and finance, innovators in medicine and healthcare, providers of quality university education, the people guaranteed their rights by the US Constitution and the home of the free. Every four years we are reminded of America's greatness as you clean up the Gold at the Olympics ... then you read the posts on MT.
Let's look at what this forum has given me and you tell me if I have it wrong.
As the bastion of the Free World I remember, I think
Bill Mattocks, saying if America needs something and another country won't give it then you will just take it. I really considered that and thought, yes, he is probably right and it is that attitude to other countries right to govern and enjoy their freedoms that creates the attitude towards America from other countries that very few other countries would experience. Back in the 80s the US did some terrible things to Australia's export market.
Democracy? The impression of America I had was that the US was one of the great examples of democracy in the modern world. I mentioned that something wasn't democratic a couple of years back and was hammered. I was quickly informed that America wasn't a democracy but a '
Representative Republic'. So you spend a year going through primaries etc with all the hoopla that culminates in people being elected to represent you, in a disproportionate way, who seem to be more influenced by big business, banks and industry that their own constituents. Other countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia who embrace the Westminster system of Government don't seem to have the same problem. Why? We are all common stock.
Leaders of Industry and Finance? The GFC was caused by dishonesty and greed especially in the region of lower Manhatten. Billions of dollars lost around the world and many people's lives destroyed. The people that caused it to happen should have been jailed. What happened? They were given huge bonuses and moved on to greener pastures. Would that have happened in other countries? In China they would have been executed.
Medicine and healthcare? Yes, your drug companies are among the best in the world at producing fantastic drugs that have the potential to better the lives of millions across the world. But that comes at a cost. To provide those medicines to the people requires the help of governments. Britain and Australia, amongst others do their best to provide many of those products to their people at a reasonable price though their National Health schemes and the same goes for medical and hospital care. Does that happen in the US? How many threads are there condemning 'Obamacare'?
Education? Countries across the world are providing free education to their young people to give them the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest and enhance the societies in which they live. It seems to be working fine in most places. But, what to I read on MT. Your kids are being brainwashed! Home schooling is better because the young are being exposed to the wrong information and unable to make their own judgement of right and wrong. Certainly, in Australia, we don't have that issue. We have the problem of getting more funding to the schools to provide an even better system of education.
American politics? Need I say anything. Your system has been unworkable for how long? In Australia, we have just endured the worst government I can remember, with one exception about 35 years ago, and although it ha been bad, it has still functioned, albeit with difficulty. Hopefully that will be remedied at the next election which is due in three months. Our politicians are not even into campaign mode yet!
Home of the Free? All I read about is how you are losing your rights. We don't even have a Bill of Rights and I can't complain about loss of freedom. I can pretty much do as I please within a civilised society.
The US Constitution? Seems to be a document that is over 200 years old and parts of it that have never been changed to embrace a modern society, are being relied on to legislate such issues as gun control in an increasingly violent society.
So money may well be your problem. God knows you are printing enough of it. How many Trillion is the debt? Other countries have problems but not anywhere near the problems I read about on MT in the US. Does the US have much to learn? Sure. Every country has much to learn from others. Some countries just don't want to look outside their own borders! Could the US learn from other countries? Of course. The question is do you want to? :asian:
Sorry if this is a bit off topic but you asked the question.
