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You're right Ameriscot, I could not (pay you) and I absolutely would not (pay you) to migrate back to America. However, I am sure that you maintain the dual citizenship of an American as well as a Scot, hence your selection of the user id of "Ameriscot"; certainly you must have some sentiment for your country of origin to have taken such a striking and obvious user id.
It is apparent to me (if nobody else) how very much you have fallen in love with Scotland, its people, and its way of life. Scotland is lucky to have you among their ranks.
Fortunately for America, there are 6.85 million Americans who self-identify as having solely Scottish ancestry and another 27.5 million Americans who claimed Scottish ancestry in and of itself alone or in combination with another nationality.
And although it appears that our northern states have a population of Scottish-Americans the largest and majority of American citizens which claim Scottish descent reside in our southern states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, and Tennessee (coincidentally states where a great many Americans can trace their ancestry). And you should just hear all the negative and stereotypical names which are used to refer to these Americans; talk about hate.
I would say that America is quite fortunate that not all the people of foreign lands found America to be so repulsive and ultimately they chose to come and enrich this country with their various and quite delicious food, their work ethic, and their love for the opportunities availed to them in this land of mutts we call America!
Personally, I don't know any people from other countries who hate America. Quite the contrary, I know a very large proportion of non Americans who would be thrilled to have the opportunity to become an "America" and live in "America"; for better or for worse, they are willing to take that giant leap of faith.
Just my experience though, so...
I have sentiment for the America that used to be, the one I grew up in. I don't even recognise it any more. Or maybe I was blind and innocent before. All the hate and ignorance demonstrated by mainly right wing and religious fundies, the love of guns, the arrogance makes me cringe. I am saddened to see the US going down the toilet. It was embarrassing to be an American abroad when Bush was prez.
Yes, I am dual citizen (I get a couple of US pensions) but I identify more and more as British (Scottish if we win independence).
For all the USA haters, I recommend doing a road trip from Chicago to LA via Route 66. In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to really understand the United States.
I have done it twice and it blows my mind every time. Only a very ignorant person would say that the United States has no culture.
As well as Route 61 from the US/Canada border to New Orleans
Quote:
Originally Posted by weltschmerz
"Americans are benevolently ignorant about Canada, while Canadians are malevolently well informed about the United States."
J. Bartlett Brebner
That is true, what i disagree with is that "Canadians in general know more about the US than the average American, which can be humorous at times."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ameriscot
I have sentiment for the America that used to be, the one I grew up in. I don't even recognise it any more. Or maybe I was blind and innocent before. All the hate and ignorance demonstrated by mainly right wing and religious fundies, the love of guns, the arrogance makes me cringe. I am saddened to see the US going down the toilet. It was embarrassing to be an American abroad when Bush was prez.
Yes, I am dual citizen (I get a couple of US pensions) but I identify more and more as British (Scottish if we win independence).
Haven't you lived in Scotland for over 10 years or something? i don't think you know much about the U.S anymore.
That is true, what i disagree with is that "Canadians in general know more about the US than the average American, which can be humorous at times."
I've heard that Canadians actually have to take American History in school. I don't know how true this is. I know in the US we're not required to take any sort of Canadian history.
LOL. I meant to write " the average Canadian, knows more about the US than the average American, knows about Canada".
I would say this is true because we watch their media a heck of a lot more than they watch ours. In High School I even had the option of taking an elective American History course and that is in a Toronto Public High School.. I highly doubt there is any Public High School in the U.S with a Canadian History course. Having said all that, I think the avg Canadian isn't that aware of the U.S... I'm sure if an American version of Mercer came up here and asked us a bunch of questions they could certainly make a comedy show out of that in a hurry..
When I was a kid, i was told in school, that most Americans can't even pinpoint their own state on an American map.
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