Gimmee A List !!!

[skywalker]

It has been said that I whine about all the wrong things that America has done since George Bush came into office. I've thought about this and while I disagree that I'm whining, I do agree that I have only been pointing out the bad stuff.

With this thread, I'm looking to read about the good things coming out of the current administration. I'm hoping to change how I feel about the government and in turn I hope to feel better about America.

THIS IS NOT A JOKE!

I'm hoping for a series of positive posts. I don't want any counter arguments in this thread. If there is disagreement, I'd like to see the discussion taken up in another thread. I'm looking for serious answers here, please.

Help me understand what makes the current America great!

Mark

[Melusine]

The people in it. I never think in terms of countries, only in terms of individuals. So I don't equate hating what a certain political group or government does with hating everything about a country. So when I dislike a certain aspect of the world I live in, it usually has nothing to do with countries - it may HAPPEN to be something that originated in America but that doesn't change my views about Americans as a WHOLE. Of course, there are always some generalisations that are rooted in truth, but I try to avoid most of them - it won't do to apply absolute adjectives to "the Dutch" or "the Americans" or "the Muslims" or "homosexuals" because they are bound to be inaccurate about a number of people within that group. I realise that sometimes you can't have a debate without generalising things, so I'm well aware that I might use them myself, but they shouldn't be taken absolutely.
So, to me America can be just as good or bad as any other country - I have friends there, I have friends in other countries... to me it doesn't really matter. I think there's good people and bad people no matter where you go.

Edit: BTW, I realise it's precisely this way of thinking that must seem alien to some Americans (see what I mean about everybody making these assumptions about other nations? You can't avoid doing it, and they often are, as I said, rooted in truth ). As I was saying, some of the Americans I've met here will not understand what I mean since they very definitely think in terms of countries, it's a cultural difference that can cause quite a few misunderstandings sometimes.

[ 07-07-2002, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

[Melusine]

In elaboration of what I meant: since I look at individuals, not nations, every country has a potential for greatness IF you attach any value to where people were born. In every country, there's a potential for brilliant scientists, brilliant artists, brilliant sports(wo)men, great thinkers, compassionate people, intelligent people, etc etc to be born. That's what makes every country, in theory have the same greatness: the people in it.
(sadly, of course, the same can be said about potential murderers and warmongers being born in each country, but since you asked to focus on the positive...)

[johnny]

The New York Yankees, that's what makes America great. OH yeah, and maybe the Greenbay Packers !

[skywalker]

I do appreciate what you feel makes America great...I could list many myself.

But, what I'm really looking for is what is it that the US Government is doing that is "right on"!

The point really is, that many posters, myself included, have been accused of being Anti-American, mainly because we constantly question the things that have been done lately (in our eyes) as just plain wrong by Bush and others.

I want a list of what they are doing right.

Thanx!

Mark
(No disrespect was meant to Melusine or Johnny BTW)

[Chewbacca]

Skywalker, great topic! What do you think of the "Faith Based Initiatives" that will give money to non-profits even if they are religious?

Oh And I cant complain about that extra $300 I got last summer from the tax rebate thang.( he should have saved it for election year) [img]smile.gif[/img]

[The Hunter of Jahanna]

What makes America great now is the fact that the people and their representatives are complete opposites. I voted for Dubya because the alternatives were both a joke!! There was Mr."I speak for the trees" Nader ready to deep six our economy with his anti corporate idealism. Then there was Mr. "I support censorship through the PMRC" Gore. A 3 time LOSER !! After trying on numerous occasions to get voted as the president he has consistently proven to not be up to the task. Hanging chads in Florida my foot!! If you are too stupid to work a ballot then you are probably too stupid to vote anyway. His ego wouldnt allow him to admit defeat. Now we have Dubya , a well meaning if mostly misguided president.He wants to put prayer everywhere , which is fine if your religious, He wants to end terrorism, and he wants to build up big buisness so Americans can get off their dead asses and do some work. All of these are admirable goals and the all make America great because when people protest there same things they arent silenced for it. If you believe the propaganda from Amnesty International in other countries political dissention is met with fireing squads, riot police and "Political re education". Doesnt sound too good for your health , does it? America is great because if I decide to write "Dubya is a nincompoop" no one will come and cart me away. It is out freedom to bitch and complain about anything and everything that makes the U.S. great.

[Neb]

(Sorry, I had to post this )

What has Dubya done for us? He's provided us with tons of entertainment when he bungles up the simplest of words and sentences. And a hilarious amount of jokes and quotes [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Lord of Alcohol]

Well Skywalker obviously this thread is in response to me calling you a whiner. I told you I had no particular politacal affiliation. I will reiterate- I am not a Bush supporter. However he IS my President and I WILL respect that. I do NOT agree with his domestic policies. I do NOT agree we should invade Iraq. I DO agree with the decision to assault the Taliban/Al Qaida forces. While its a nasty word there will be collateral damage. Innocent people will die. It sucks but thats the way it is. Its called war. We didnt start it. I suppose we could volley back and forth about the cause of the Al Qaida attacks on the United States, in a perfect world it would never have happened. You seem to think the world should be perfect. Sorry, it isnt! Sometimes direct force is necesary. I dont want the United States to be a nation to be feared, but I do want my country to be strong and stomp out any threat to us and the world. This thread you have started seems another extension of your whining. Whining about being called a whiner. And yes I have gone off-topic of your thread-shoot me if you have the balls

[skywalker]

Originally posted by Lord of Alcohol: Well Skywalker obviously this thread is in response to me calling you a whiner. I told you I had no particular politacal affiliation. I will reiterate- I am not a Bush supporter. However he IS my President and I WILL respect that. I do NOT agree with his domestic policies. I do NOT agree we should invade Iraq. I DO agree with the decision to assault the Taliban/Al Qaida forces. While its a nasty word there will be collateral damage. Innocent people will die. It sucks but thats the way it is. Its called war. We didnt start it. I suppose we could volley back and forth about the cause of the Al Qaida attacks on the United States, in a perfect world it would never have happened. You seem to think the world should be perfect. Sorry, it isnt! Sometimes direct force is necesary. I dont want the United States to be a nation to be feared, but I do want my country to be strong and stomp out any threat to us and the world. This thread you have started seems another extension of your whining. Whining about being called a whiner. And yes I have gone off-topic of your thread-shoot me if you have the balls

I'm sorry you feel that way, but we're not playing the game your way today.

Moving along, I'm looking for constructive feedback.

Mark