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Or being a good American means doing what is best for the world and not just for America?
What would you have us do tricky? Trying to spread democracy hasn't gone over really well. Supplying aid to...everyone has gone unapreciated. Were on the brink of an economic melt down. Why don't the good Dutchmen do something for the world? Oh right you havent done ANYthing since the 1500s. The fact is if it wasn't for America protecting the world you wouldn't be here. What's good for America IS what's good for the world.
A good American is a free one that understands what freedom means.
Why don't the good Dutchmen do something for the world? Oh right you havent done ANYthing since the 1500s.
LoL, you Americans pride yourself on the fact that you donate so much to good causes but according to 1 of your own American institutes, the Center for Global Development, it is the Dutch people who donate the most to charity around the world.
For the 4th year in a row. The US isn't even in the top 10.
I like to think that what makes a good American is what would make any good person; it is just that here in America we are not only able to decide freely what that is, but we are able, and even encouraged to pursue that. And by extension, a good person is one that has a self-esteem that does not over reach into the personality of others; an intelligence that is capable of understanding, tolerating, and creating; and a fearlessness to look into the places that not only represent fear for themselves, but the fears of their own culture, necessarily autonomous, but willing to accept with open arms and absent errant suspicion those that seek out the beacon of freedom that we have worked hard to maintain and so many others have died for to achieve.
Couldn't have said it better myself, so I'll just quote this so it pops up again
I might add, taking care of the resources in our country and the world as a whole.
A good American would be one that is as active in the affairs of the government as his position allows.One willing to act rather than just complain.
One willing to suffer some inconvenience, if necessary, if the goal is for the betterment of all.(dropping the NIMBY stance, for instance,as the sole reason for opposing improvements)
A "good" American one who is free to work the occupation of their choice, pursue the standard of living they choose (regardless of race, sex, religion), works today for a better tomorrow for follow-on generations, and puts the needs of society above their own wants. They understand the difference between obligation or sacrifice and personal rights.
There's very few "good" Americans left (or they are a silent percentage today). The "typical" American today doesn't care if there is a good tomorrow for the next generation, feels they are entitled to do whatever they want, doesn't care about the rise or decline of society, and believes their needs/desires/rights are above everything else. In other words, they are for the perversion of the preamble to the Constitution. All you have to do is read the topics in the Great Debates forum to see that. "Me" overrides "we", and thus, we are failing as a nation and society.
"Me" overrides "we", and thus, we are failing as a nation and society.
Is this because most Americans believe that 'we, the people' sounds too much like Marx' political slogan 'workers of the world unite'?
That 'we, the people' sounds too much like communism or socialism instead of capitalism & the free market economy which places more emphasis on the needs of the indivual?
Originally Posted by Rathagos Is this because most Americans believe that 'we, the people' sounds too much like Marx' political slogan 'workers of the world unite'?
That 'we, the people' sounds too much like communism or socialism instead of capitalism & the free market economy which places more emphasis on the needs of the indivual?
I guess my thoughts are that I don't think we pick and choose what parts of the Constitution or preamble we "like" or "agree with." It's all or none. Taking what someone "wants" and leaving the rest is why there are so many deviated forms of Christianity from one bible (Protestant, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, southern Baptist, Episcopalian, Catholic, etc.) It's divided a religion, and our picking and choosing what suits us from the Constitution is dividing a nation. But, that's my opinion, obviously... not a fact.
It's divided a religion, and our picking and choosing what suits us from the Constitution is dividing a nation.
I guess that makes sense, but isn't your picking and choosing not a logical result of a 2-party system?
In my opinion a 2-party system can only polarise the population.
Like in Ireland's case the Catholics & Protestants are at each other's 'throat' even when they are both Irish & Christian. I'd imagine that it would be very hard to be an Irish atheist because the majority of the Irish will keep seeing you as either Catholic or Protestant even when you aren't a Christian.
BTW is there a fundamental difference in how Liberals and Conservatives interpret your Constitution (besides their own political philosophy)?
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Or being a good American means doing what is best for the world and not just for America?
LoL, you Americans pride yourself on the fact that you donate so much to good causes but according to 1 of your own American institutes, the Center for Global Development, it is the Dutch people who donate the most to charity around the world.
The US isn't even in the top 10.
Is this because most Americans believe that 'we, the people' sounds too much like Marx' political slogan 'workers of the world unite'?
I guess that makes sense, but isn't your picking and choosing not a logical result of a 2-party system?
I'd imagine that it would be very hard to be an Irish atheist because the majority of the Irish will keep seeing you as either Catholic or Protestant even when you aren't a Christian.
