"America isn't perfect and neither is its numerous inhabitants, but injustices that are common in the rest of the world are either nonexistent here or minimal"
With all due respect that is absolute crap. Yes if we are comparing the USA versus third world countries, that will be true, but relative to the industrialized, or so called developed nations, the USA has just as much, if not more injustices or social problems. In 2009, the USA is very much a divided nation and behind the times on many issues that the "the rest of the world considers "either nonexistent or minimal"
Social issues such as racism, universal health care for ALL citizens, gay rights, antiquated drug laws, antiquated gun laws, violence in schools and on the street. Yes other industrialized nations, have their own problems, but to state that "injustices that are common in the rest of the world are either nonexistent here or minimal" is just comical. Keep in mind that much of the "rest of the world" actually leads the USA on major social issues:
1. Broken a long standing sexism barrier by electing a female to the position of ultimate power, i.e president or prime minister.
2. Universal health care for all its citizens. Many people in the US still have to choose between their prescription drugs or having enough money to feed their families.
3. Improve Gay rights (the USA is getting better on such issues, but is still probably 10-20 years behind most westernized nations)
4. Tighter restrictions on gun ownership. Yes other western nations now have their own problems with increased violence, but they still have a long,long way to go before coming close to the epidemic murder rates in most US cities.
5. Drug laws that make better sense. Most rational people are all for hammering the drug traffickers hard, but 10-20 years for personal possession, or nailing some poor sap for distributing at a compassionate or medicinal level is absurd. This kind of antiquated approach just makes the "rest of the world" shake their heads in amazement and count their blessings that they live in more cultured countries.
If I ever found myself needing of the legal system, off the top of my head, I can think of at least 5-6 countries that I would have more faith in than the USA, to bring about justice and a sense of fairness.
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Roslynx
16 years ago
Cheers, CCRider01. I agree.
I love America. I've been there many times and there are some amazing people, just like every country. They have the good, the bad, and the mediocre. But it does get a little sickening having to listen to how great they are all the time even with all those problems glaring them in the face.
Kristen's Mafia #8
J'entends son coeur qui bat. C'est comme du morse.
MMM
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16 years ago
[deleted]
lexiever-1
16 years ago
live in America, and I can't possibly deny that America is *beep* up. Americans should not get so pissed when people criticize America. It deserves all the criticism it gets.
The only reason why I get uppset when people criticize America is because they always make it seem like America is just the worst thing ever when the whole world as a whole is a f ucken tragedy. That's all people know how to do is criticize maybe if people did less criticizing and more fixing then we would all be
happy.So don't just say America and Americans are messed up, so is everyone else. I love everyone we all need to shut the hell up and go plant some damn flowers or something.
Lonely chicago pie
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ktbug6314
16 years ago
there is a difference between criticism and bashing. you claim to live in america, but i've never heard any americans so quick to look down on their country and fellow citizens.
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bluekarma06
16 years ago
All due repsect CCrider...your points are non-sense. England is NOT the USA...far from it. The state of California has a larger economy that Britain and the US has 3 times the population of England... BIG DIFFERENCE.
Universal Health Care? In the countries that have it, it is a failure. Most STILL come to the US from Canada because they can't WAIT 6 months for an operation and they also don't have the right drugs or enough qualified doctors...guess why? Socialized medicine for the masses is costly and many suffer due to long waiting periods and lack of skilled professionals!
And the isuue of Gun Control??? In those countries that have no Rights to Ownership, they have the HIGHEST CRIME! Do the research! Start with France! I know that in my country, THE USA, criminals won't usually break into a home for fear the owner will shoot them!
And Gay Rights? They do have alot of rights as citizens but they can't expect to be equals to the hetero population in regards to marriage and adopting children. Some people here think of it as a morality issue.
Your argument is consistent of that of a liberal socialist or even communist. No thanks.
You are dead wrong!
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shewasmyrushmore
15 years ago
Universal Health Care? In the countries that have it, it is a failure.
rubbish
And the isuue of Gun Control??? In those countries that have no Rights to Ownership, they have the HIGHEST CRIME!
rubbish
I know that in my country, THE USA, criminals won't usually break into a home for fear the owner will shoot them!
haha! rubbish!!
And Gay Rights? They do have alot of rights as citizens but they can't expect to be equals to the hetero population in regards to marriage and adopting children.
and why not?
in most western countries people have a fear of travelling to the US due to the high violent crime rate, the love of guns, and the lack of decent health care. how about YOU do your research! seriously, where have you been getting your statistics from?
maybe you have read some horror story about elective surgery and applied it to everything - in countries that have universal health care, if you are SICK you will be treated, unlike the good ol' USA where people can die of treatable diseases simply because they can not afford health insurance.
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CCRider01
13 years ago
"in countries that have universal health care, if you are SICK you will be treated"
I will admit that wait times in both Canada and the UK are getting longer and the number of good doctors needs to be increased. Having said that though, 3 years ago in Canada I had an operation (non elective but not life threatening), the wait time was only 3 weeks and it did not cost me one "extra" cent. Yes our taxes cover the costs, but no hidden surprises or out of pocket expenses. Plus the hospital staff were all fantastic.
Going to a regular doctors office is where it gets hit and miss, some doctors are extremely good, most are average to sub par. More and better GP's is where Canada needs to improve its health care system the most. But as stated, at least with universal health care, anyone who is sick WILL be treated, whether you are rich or poor.
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jejozi
14 years ago
Let me guess, you voted for W, twice. You're a dittohead. Let us see your sources that say Universal health care is a failure. Here are some sources that refrute your claims of the US being the #1 country:
Life expectancy in the US is ranked 36th, tied with Cuba. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy
Infant mortality we're ranked 33rd or 46th, depending on the list. Behind Cuba.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_infant_mortality_rate
And for this we spend more per capita than any other country.
http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm
We're 24 in murders per capita, but #1 among industrial nations.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita
Worldwide child poverty rates, we're #2.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/eco_chi_pov-economy-child-poverty
And "Is our children learning?" (sic)
http://www.realonlinedegrees.com/education-rankings-by-country/
Some interesting reading.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/37230-1.html
And in terms of financial wealth (total net worth minus the value of one's home), the top 1% of US households has 42.7% of our country's wealth. That seems fair, doesn't it?
http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html
This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.
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bluekarma06
14 years ago
let me assure you because you obviously think because someone has conservative GOVERNMENT IDEAS they are dittoheads? Never listen to him or the other talking heads. hate them all! And I voted for GW in 2000 because I felt he was the better choice. I am as liberal as they come. I like shemales, I get along with gays, have 2 brothers that are gay and voted for gay marriage, I hate religion and consider myself agnostic.
But I believe government controlled health care is a HUGE mistake. Ask Veterans what they think.(and I am one and have a VA card in my wallet). Most countries that have HC are awash in debt and have very high tax rates. Get this about government anything. It creates massive waste, and employees are the bottom of the barrel in terms of quality. if they weren't they would be working in the private sector for much more. Doctors are the worst and I know because I compare the ones I have used at the VA with those I see outside.
Anyway, you got me totally wrong. LMAO!
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bite_me_loser_86
13 years ago
All due repsect CCrider...your points are non-sense. England is NOT the USA...far from it. The state of California has a larger economy that Britain and the US has 3 times the population of England... BIG DIFFERENCE.
Universal Health Care? In the countries that have it, it is a failure. Most STILL come to the US from Canada because they can't WAIT 6 months for an operation and they also don't have the right drugs or enough qualified doctors...guess why? Socialized medicine for the masses is costly and many suffer due to long waiting periods and lack of skilled professionals!
And the isuue of Gun Control??? In those countries that have no Rights to Ownership, they have the HIGHEST CRIME! Do the research! Start with France! I know that in my country, THE USA, criminals won't usually break into a home for fear the owner will shoot them!
And Gay Rights? They do have alot of rights as citizens but they can't expect to be equals to the hetero population in regards to marriage and adopting children. Some people here think of it as a morality issue.
Your argument is consistent of that of a liberal socialist or even communist. No thanks.
You are dead wrong!
Wow... i don't think I've read this much bull**** since last time I went on fox News website.
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CCRider01
13 years ago
"Your argument is consistent of that of a liberal socialist or even communist. No thanks."
Thank you for confirming another of my "peeves", namely the black and white or simplistic view of the world that "some" Americans seem to have. I call it the Hollywood "White Hat / Black Hat" effect, good guys/bad guys, you are either one of us or one of them LOL.
I am actually right wing with regards to how to run an economy and own my own business, but lean left of center on social issues. I was not bashing the US (overall I love your country - it is has many amazing and talented people) just pointing out that it is not perfect, and yes no country is.
As someone else mentioned, it just gets annoying when "some" Americans fail to see the problems within their own society and seem to easily fall for all the media spun rubbish or hype. Stating as if fact that America is the best and freest country with the most honest legal system, when "best" is subjective (depends on your priorities in life) and a good argument could be made that America is less "free" than some other countries. The US certainly has a "pocket book" justice system where money (or lack of) can be the single largest factor in determining guilt or innocence. You do not find many rich white guys on death row.
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