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Old 02-13-2011, 06:14 PM
 
155 posts, read 146,615 times
Reputation: 56

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tin Knocker View Post
So, you're not looking for a country with greater freedom, you're looking for a country with greater controls & protections, about 180 degrees from free.
Nothing over there is more free than the US & nothing is arguably better. Heck they are playing catch up even now with their laughable EU debacle, have fun, we dont need people like you anyway.
The last thing this country needs is Patronizing people such as yourself. If you enjoy the USA fine but the EU also has great quality of life, some countries are better than the USA and some are arguably worse.

What you call "greater controls and protections" is considered more free to some people because what you call "free business" also means getting raped by corporations sometimes.

Also Kanguri, I have traveled to areas too but it never made me thankful, rather it has made me sad. I took a trip to three west African countries to see the striking poverty. However this country that many of the population is proud of, is heavily responsible for the lack of freedom elsewhere in the world. After some research it is easy to see that US oil companies are in bed with the Government of West African nations such as Nigeria. The companies are allowed to drill with little regulation as long as they bribe government officials.

You can see the case throughout other parts of the world. Saudi Arabia is a dictatorship supported and funded by us because of their oil. Even China, which also has history of repressing its people, is supported by us economically to fund our way of life.

USA does enjoy some good quality of life but people also don't realize how we are also responsible for taking away the freedoms of other country's to support ours and feel sorry about them.

I hardly see this as anything to be proud of.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:17 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,559,837 times
Reputation: 401
China has improved exponentially since America began trading with them. The US isn't perfect, just like every other country.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:19 PM
 
155 posts, read 146,615 times
Reputation: 56
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kangrui View Post
China has improved exponentially since America began trading with them. The US isn't perfect, just like every other country.
Than why did you say you still felt bad for the people? We still clearly financial support the Chinese government which oppresses the people through massive economic trade.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:23 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,559,837 times
Reputation: 401
Quote:
Originally Posted by DasDinganSich View Post
Than why did you say you still felt bad for the people? We still clearly financial support the Chinese government which oppresses the people through massive economic trade.
They were in an extremely bad position during the Cultural Revolution. Compared to then, they are much better, but still not up to US levels. I don't see how it would be more helpful if we didn't help get Chinese people get employment.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:24 PM
 
155 posts, read 146,615 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kangrui View Post
They were in an extremely bad position during the Cultural Revolution. Compared to then, they are much better, but still not up to US levels. I don't see how it would be more helpful if we didn't help get Chinese people get employment.
Why not support more Democracy for them?

Oh wait, that would hurt the lavish lifestyle we live, wouldn't it?
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:26 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,559,837 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DasDinganSich View Post
Why not support more Democracy for them?

Oh wait, that would hurt the lavish lifestyle we live, wouldn't it?
I do support democracy in China. If they had Egyptian style protests, I'd be cheering them on.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:31 PM
 
155 posts, read 146,615 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kangrui View Post
I do support democracy in China. If they had Egyptian style protests, I'd be cheering them on.
That's good.

But I don't get what people see so great in one country. USA is a good country, no doubt. However the amount of blind Patriotism and self-loving that goes on in this country can be sickening to an extent. It is also a reason why we are hated by some people internationally, especially with our blind eye towards our military track record.

Never I have been part of such a bias educational system, such as the one in the USA, that twists military history to always make us look like a good guy and we did things like won WWII by ourselves when in fact every Soviet soldier lost 70 men compared to 1 of ours.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:39 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,559,837 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DasDinganSich View Post
That's good.

But I don't get what people see so great in one country. USA is a good country, no doubt. However the amount of blind Patriotism and self-loving that goes on in this country can be sickening to an extent. It is also a reason why we are hated by some people internationally, especially with our blind eye towards our military track record.

Never I have been part of such a bias educational system, such as the one in the USA, that twists military history to always make us look like a good guy and we did things like won WWII by ourselves when in fact every Soviet soldier lost 70 men compared to 1 of ours.
I don't like people who support anything the US does or people who hate anything the US does.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:43 PM
 
Location: Murika
2,526 posts, read 3,003,671 times
Reputation: 1929
I am VERY familiar with both, the US and Germany - including varying cultures within each country. I have spent several decades living in the US, several in Germany, and a few elsewhere.

To me, there is no question that Germany offers a better quality of life - at least, if you measure it along the lines that are important to me (accessibility, progressiveness, health care, etc. - all the stuff right-wingers love to call "socialism" or "tree-hugging").

Still, I find life in the US to be easier - mainly because it is less bureaucratic (with some exceptions and also considering variation across various states). You will also find a greater acceptance of your own weirdness. Germans are quick to judge, particularly outside of major cities.

The issue of freedom is a bit more difficult to determine. To me, there is only one area in which the US offers more freedom than Germany - and that is economic freedom. Germany's policies are aimed at maintaining a healthy middle class (not that they have been super successful in this endeavor).

As such, policies are aimed at making everybody "equal" - in the sense that high-earners can be unfairly disadvantaged by laws. While I do understand the need for such policies in the social market economic system Germany has implemented, I also understand the discontent this creates. Not to mention the search for loopholes... and subsequent financial flight.

I think the most difficult aspect of life in Germany is probably the German people. Germans are not as gregarious as Americans - although friendships, once established, are much more meaningful and lasting. However, your day-to-day interactions are mostly with strangers - and that interaction can be a bit more daunting than in the US simply because people tend to be a lot more guarded and closed-off.

Mind you, I really like Germany and lived there very happily. I would not be entirely adverse to living there again (although I hate the weather for most of the year). If you can legally live there, do it.

As you grow older, I think you will realize that the US is not quite as horrible as you currently seem to think. There are many issues in this country that are far from perfect - but that is true of any place in this world. Over time, the compromises you are willing to make change - as will your opinions of Germany, Austria, and the US.
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Old 02-13-2011, 06:56 PM
 
Location: Omaha, NE
852 posts, read 1,357,025 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DasDinganSich View Post
We are run by corporations and theocratic lunatics. We complain about government interference but some don't hesitate to push agendas with subtle religious morality attached. We are also brainwashed to obey anyone wearing a military uniform. It is impossible to question any military action in this country, even if it is just mindless murder like in Iraq.

I for one am getting out of here as soon as I graduate with a degree.
Do you have the right to say what you want without fear of retribution from the government?

Do you have the freedom to practice whatever religion you choose?

Do you have the right to vote in an election?

How is the USA not a free country?
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