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The author has serious issues with being born an American and really doesn't like the country at all.
His thesis is based on a flawed foundation such as that this country was established as a democracy, (it's a representative republic), that Britain operates from a democratic foundation, (it's a constitutional monarchy), and just about every other argument he puts forth is likewise based in a flawed premise colored by very socialist leanings.
He see's nothing of merit in the establishment or people of this country, instead he sees us as a laughingstock because we don't adhere to what he believes we should be.
I've always though the hallmark of a poor writer was their dependence on vulgarities when they cannot express themselves coherently, and that author relies on vulgarities in a vain attempt to bring force to their article.
The author bases their arguments on their one-sided and seriously skewed views of the fact that Americans aren't the same people that are found in the rest of the world. Because we can feed our own people and we don't have regular famines, we are unhealthy.
He insists that because we have a good quality of life that we cannot be truly happy because we have too much.
He states that we are paranoid because we don't embrace and try to understand the terrorists that want only the destruction of this country and way of life.
He states we don't understand other cultures around the world, while ignoring the numbers of Americans that live, work, study and travel extensively.
The author compare the United States to an alcoholic brother, the truest sentence in the entire diatribe is "So this is my lecture to my alcoholic brother — my own flavor of arrogance and self-absorption"
A poorly written article, a flawed premise, a manifest for a political ideology steeped in hyperbole.
I was looking to see if there was anything along the lines of:
"we do so much well, but there is so much we could do better".
#10 kind of touched on it.
My only thing is that making money/profit takes precedence over the well-being of the country and people. I will always have a problem with this (and I am one who also makes money). BOOTSTRAPS! isn't the solution to all of our problems/shortcomings.
It was an interesting article to read as a foreigner who now reside in the US. After living in Europe for 16 years, and the US for 15, I think the author got it right on certain points (when comparing to my life back in Europe) and other points are an interesting read. After all, these points are just his opinions. In expressing how he sees things, and what he thinks, he is only exercising his constitutional right of "freedom of expression"
If his neighborhood in Bogota was nicer than his neighborhood in Boston then he was in
A. One of the Worst areas of Boston
and
B. The Best areas of Bogota
considering Bogota is 14x more dangerous than Boston.
Also #4 is stupid.
People in Italy (I know some) also call each other names when they are friends with each other, its not all hugs and kisses, that's not a uniquely American thing.
I hate when people live somewhere for like a month and think they know everything about a place. Of Course if you met someone 3 weeks ago they are not going to constantly tease you, because they don't know you yet, if you tease someone you don't really know its not light hearted its mean.
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
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I don't disagree with the gist of the article even if it is obviously written from a more anti USA view.
I've met many people from other countries. People from the rest of the advanced world view us as backward buffoons and almost none of them would choose to move here. People in Europe no longer view the USA as a place to move for a better way of life like they did 100 years ago.
The average lower half American really isn't much better off anymore than the top half of people in many 3rd World countries. If you don't believe me get on Google Street View. Lots of people in other countries have nice clothes and nice looking places to live, many are better than the dilapidated mobile homes that dot the rural landscape here.
We do have a culture that emphasizes fear and paranoia. Probably the only comparable country in that regard is South Africa. Most Canadians don't lock their doors. Many Americans have a dead bolt lock and then have a gun in their night stand.
Yeah, I really didn't learn a whole lot reading this article.
I think he is trying to feel superior, and is ashamed of being American.
He does seem to cherry the best of the best of other countries. And anyone who DOES know about other countries and cultures knows when you are comparing the US to (insert ___ Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Dubai, etc. etc.) then of course those countries are going to have things that the US can learn a thing or two from. What about all the others?
Hes clearly picking out Southern Europe when describing emotion, passion. He singles out Scandinavia when talking about quality of life, but chooses Mediterranean Europe when talking about being more emotionally expressive. Hmm . . .
And not sure, why he's slamming England and Australia when talking about "the only countries who are impressed with being an American, big f___ deal" ?? I like England and Australia. Not sure what that's all about.
I would certainly agree that his descriptions characterize a significant portion of America and Americans, but millions of Americans don't live in a world with those descriptions. I do agree more with paranoia thing. I think Americans are more fearful and paranoid than other cultures.
I REALLY don't get the whole idea Americans not being healthy eaters. Then again, I live in coastal California, and hang around other college educated people, so my perceptions may be skewed.
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