NationStates Jolt Archive

First of all, I started this thread not to honk the American horn (although I do like to do that) but because I am sick and tired of the constant bashing on this forum. So please, tell me what you like about America, so we can stop this endless hate fest. If this gets a good response, I'll start more threads like this one. (Eg. "Conservatives, what do you like about liberals?" and vice versa.)

..........

I enjoy a good glass of coke.

The dollar for a while... until it slipped against the pound and euro.

And... Hmmm.


Well....


...

we have alot of really good national parks

Oh come on, you can say nice things about China, a corrupt Communist dictatorship, but nothing about the US? So I guess we were wriong to help out in WW2?

Hmm... hmm... New York.

I love the US. The best place on earth. California especially.

The OshKosh International Air Show was pretty damn cool.

Oh come on, you can say nice things about China, a corrupt Communist dictatorship, but nothing about the US? So I guess we were wriong to help out in WW2?

Oh, not the WWII thing again. And you wonder why it's so hard to think of something nice... :rolleyes:

Helped us out in WW2.

They now buy our lamb.

Their TV programs are better than anything we can make (CSI Frankston - I don't think so!)

They make their movies here - Star Wars 1,2,3, Matrix and Finding Nemo.

They protect us under their Nuclear Umbrella.

I've been to their Consulate in Melbourne, damn it's nice.

Their President rocks and his daughters, well I find them attractive.

Only thing is they sent us John Butler - Bastards :p

I'm just using that as an example of anything nice you could say. I mean, it wasn't a bad thing, right? Come on people, let's be positive! Too much negativism!

Conservatives..... are good at being....... not politically correct! No seriously I think PC is BS.

Helped us out in WW2.

They now buy our lamb.

Their TV programs are better than anything we can make (CSI Frankston - I don't think so!)

They make their movies here - Star Wars 1,2,3, Matrix and Finding Nemo.

They protect us under their Nuclear Umbrella.

I've been to their Consulate in Melbourne, damn it's nice.

Their President rocks and his daughters, well I find them attractive.

Only thing is they sent us John Butler - Bastards :p

You like our president? I agree with his daughters but Bush?

Now that's what I'm talkin' about, Elsburytonia! Now, if this thread is a success, I'll start one about one about Australia! Now, you liberals are always harping about gloabl unity! Show some of it! Hell, I may even start a France thread...

Ben & Jerry's! It isn't gelato, but it's still good!

people are people...conservative or liberal...As a future teacher, I love everyone desite their political viewpoint's. I hope that everyone strongly believes in themselves and will stand up for what they believe in !!!! Without hope, we are not a nation!

As of yet, I can still bitch about the things I hate.
We have better entertainment.
There are still wild places left.
My library has banned book week.
We're contrary S.O.B.s.

There are some absolutely gorgeous places in the US. Anyone who has never seen the Pacific Coast highway in California, or Napa and Sonoma, or San Francisco, needs to in a way they can't imagine. The Monterey Peninsula is beyond words!

New York City is an amazing place to live -- hundreds of languages, cuisines, and cultures packed into every block....

Wisconsin is amazing -- Devil's Lake is particularly OMG beautiful.


And who could forget The Statue of Liberty? Merci beaucoup!

Well i can blow shit up in my neighborhood and not get caught :cool: . Oh wait that shows how bad the cops are around here. Well Football is cool. Well thats about it.

1.My friends-Most of them are American and i love them to death, my life wouldn't be what it is without them.

2.New York City-It is my favorite place on earth, i've only been there twice, but I fell in love with it the first time. I hope to go back there many more times.

3.The New York Rangers and Atlanta Braves-My two favorite sports teams. The Rangers especially, even when they suck, my heart always bleeds blue.

4.Johnny Depp and Viggo Mortensen-Thank you, thank you, a million times, thank you.

5.Ellis Island-My grandpa landed there from Italy before he came to Canada.

BUMP for world peace!

The Rangers especially, even when they suck, my heart always bleeds blue.I think I love you.

Why do the Rangers have to hurt me so bad?

I once stepped on a safety pin on the subway. I've hated America ever since. :)

Ok Ok OK

San Francisco and Monteray

I love those places as much as I love paris and london and other civilized and beautiful cities.

Are you just countering my "What do you hate about America?" thread?

I once stepped on a safety pin on the subway. I've hated America ever since. :)
Hey! You're the guy who started the anti-US thread! If you have nothing nice to say, please leave. I'm sick of people who can do nothing but bash and insult. World peace, dammit!

Our diversity, both in society and the market.
I can hang out with a Korean drag queen and get Soul Food at 3am.
How is that not wicked?

lol Stormforge, that is the age old question isn't it? It's always darkest before the dawn they say, someday the fortunes of that team will change, and we will appreciate it all the more when they do.

They're kinda like our bigger, older, dumber brother. Everyone likes us better but we can hide behind America if someone comes to kick our ass.

I once stepped on a safety pin on the subway. I've hated America ever since. :)


lol shouldnt you hate yourself for this? or perhaps safety pins? maybe even subways?

anyway great things I love about America *I mean the U.S.* (btw there is nothing wrong with disliking things about America and voicing your opinion about those things <- there that is the first thing I love about America *but don't think for a minute that America is the only place you can voice your negative opinions about your own country in*):

- the old growth forests * as well as the lakes and mountains and beaches and other beautiful natural palces - we have some damn sweet national parks that will blow your mind.
- firemen *as well as anyone who puts their life on the line for the safety of others
- freedom to choose or reject any religion
- the video game industry *OMFGILOVEVIDEOGAMES
- Al gore invented the internet :p * well the fact that the US created the internet. This is one of the greatest things ever.
- South Park, Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama, The Daily Show *'nuff said
- there are too many damn things to list, I'll never come close to listing them all so there you go my friend.

South Park, Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama, The Daily Show *'nuff said.
Hell yeah! I'm feeling patriotic just thinking about it. :D

The rights they hold as absolute.

Hey, sorry about all those re-posts. Did it by accident. Ill delete them.

I like this attempt at reducing bashing.

What I DO like about america? The freedom to do what I like to do.

I love being an american. I love it for more reasons then I can possibly type here. Mainly, its the Freedom.

Yes! World peace draws nearer!! Stop the damned bashing! Gleherte, why don't you try ending your thread? Can't you seee this bashing is just utterly pointless? If you don't like the US, start a thread praising France!

Yes! World peace draws nearer!! Stop the damned bashing! Gleherte, why don't you try ending your thread? Can't you seee this bashing is just utterly pointless? If you don't like the US, start a thread praising France!


like I said above - there is nothing wrong with being critical of something. This process can help something grow into something better.

Sure there are bashers but do you really think you can stop it all together. Why take it so personally? The best thing to do is to ignore bashers and take constructive critisizm seriously as a chance to evolve into something better. Extreeme nationalism is not a good thing at all in my opinion.

Some posters have brought up some good points in his thread.

Well, I'm just against the endless hatred on this FORUM.
EDIT: gah, wrong word! Forum, not thread!

where do you see endless hatred on this thread. lol


come now, I believe there are some very positive responses.

don't cause yoruself undue stress over something someone else has said.

in fact I have a present for you:

The Four Agreements


BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

What do I like about america?

Well, lots of things. I've made a lot of friends here since my family came to America. There's a lot of good stores. It's a fairly free country which is good.
I like philadelphia cheesesteaks and american pizza. Oh, and I like coca-cola.

I don't agree with a lot of america's international politics, or even internal politics which are more conservative than I care for, but overall I like the country. I think that in some ways people get too easily offended when we criticize america, but that shows in many ways a love for the country that I can respect. I just wish some americans would be a little less rabid in their defense and maybe listen to what we have to say, and vice-versa. :)

Let's see...the computer I am typing this message on is American, and it kicks major ass (Compaq Presario R3000 laptop), my car is American ('94 Buick Skylark), my high-speed internet service and cable are American (Time Warner), I am drinking an American cola (Coca-Cola), I live in a spacious American apartment...I think my cat Cruiser is even American. (Long black and white fur like she's wearing a tux.)

I love the fact that I am from rural ohio, my wife is from historic virginia, we both moved to nc, met, fell in love, lead happy successful lives, own a big home and a couple of acres of land, have nice neighbors, no kids yet, take vacations to the carribean, we go where we want, do what we want, when we want, have plenty of everything, lived about 500 yards from bank of america stadium last year, (go panthers!!), moved to the country for a change of pace, have lots of great friends, have several cardinals and bluejays in my back yard at any given time, even have deer very early in the morning, damn squirrels are funny trying to get to the bird feeder, basically I guess to sum it all up we are totally unhindered in our persuit of happiness. Truly free to enjoy life anyway we please....... great place to live

I like the freedom that I have here to express any political opinion that I should choose to, be it liberal, conservative or anarchistic. I like the wilderness that still thrives out beyond the city I call home, only an hour's drive away. And I like the coke.

hmm what do I like about the us...
theres good art collages, and faygo, and kute guys
awsome bands originate in the us.. the colorado avalanche *yay NHL*
i think thats all i like about the us..

what do u ppl think of canada? :upyours: just from canada EH!

Faygo... EVERYBODY SING!

Send yo momma straight up to tha sto, tell that bitch to bring home a Faygo! :D

But seriously. America has an incredible capacity to do a lot of good for the world. Most of that potential I believe is tragically wasted or abused by self-interest in politics and business motivated by the pursuit of wealth (IE American Capitalism), but the potential is still there regardless. I also see the justice system to be corrupt and riddled with many, many unnecessary and unnecessarily complicated laws, but at least these tend to be minor annoyances at best and not KGB type injustices (though this latest terrorism scare has certainly seemed to allow Bush to lay the ground works for laws that could seriously undermine what civil rights we do have). I would like it were credit and insurance not so heavily relied upon in the country, and that it was easier to afford basic health care and education, but all-in-all, it is one of the best countries to live in when it comes to having the opportunity to pursue what you want in life, though I still believe I'd prefer Europe, Australia, or New Zealand as they seem to be moving more forward when it comes to freedoms and civil rights whereas America, especially under Bush, seems to be going backwards. They also seem to have a better system for social wellfare, cheaper health care and education, as well as less crime and more lax laws on the things I enjoy.

Really, if America had a more sensible view on their driving laws and didn't demonize and illegalize pot for no good reason, I wouldn't really have a problem living here at all, but I still wouldn't like the attitude the government and corporations have towards the rest of the world, which seems to bleed down to most their citizens as well. Nor do I like the feeling that public schools are little more than day care centers intended to mold kids into good little consumers/workers, and the blind, ignorant patriotism and faith in Christianity (of which their belief in seems to be heavily skewed from what the religion truly teaches) that too many Americans seem to posses.

Normally, i would leap in to attack everything you just said, but that defeatsw the purpose of this thread. And when I mentioned endless hatred, I was talking about the forum in general.

Just listing the bad with the good, because neither should be ignored. Ultimately, no country in the world is perfect, and though I'm sure the countries I listed are a little closer to my ideals, America has a lot going for it.

Yes, it's just that I think all those things you mentioned are patently false. But I digress. This thread is for positives about America! Let us stop the endless hatred! If this thing goes beyond 6 pages, I'll start one on some other nation...

Yes, it's just that I think all those things you mentioned are patently false. But I digress. This thread is for positives about America! Let us stop the endless hatred! If this thing goes beyond 6 pages, I'll start one on some other nation...
Perhaps to you, but not from my experiences of being born and raised here for all of the 22 1/2 years of my life, and I know many other Americans as well as foreigners who feel the exact same way.

Yes, it's just that I think all those things you mentioned are patently false. But I digress. This thread is for positives about America! Let us stop the endless hatred! If this thing goes beyond 6 pages, I'll start one on some other nation...You should totally do Mongolia next. Who doesn't like Mongolia?

On topic: I really enjoy the fact that, at least where I live, I can get just about any variety of food you can think of, at a reasonable price.

Also, the New York Yankees.

Perhaps to you, but not from my experiences of being born and raised here for all of the 22 1/2 years of my life, and I know many other Americans as well as foreigners who feel the exact same way.
Ah, but I have both the perspective of a native born American, and a foreign immigrant (my father) who has seen the ills of the very systems you admire.

You should totally do Mongolia next. Who doesn't like Mongolia?

On topic: I really enjoy the fact that, at least where I live, I can get just about any variety of food you can think of, at a reasonable price.

Also, the New York Yankees.
Not if you live in San Francisco! You know, what is the state of Mongolia nowadays? Isn't their main industry sheep?

Also, my criticisms against America have never been out of a sense of hate, but out of the belief that problems need to be given more voice than praise, for the problems are the ones that need to be addressed and resolved rather than ignored in the hopes that they'll go away.

I understand. i just think what you list aren't problems at all...

Ah, but I have both the perspective of a native born American, and a foreign immigrant (my father) who has seen the ills of the very systems you admire.
Like I said, no system is perfect. Not to mention different systems suit different individuals differently. You may not have a problem with the things I listed, but I and many others do. I fully acknowledge that the other systems have their fair share of problems to deal with, but I personally believe I would have less of a problem with their kinds of problems than I would with the ones I have with America. I could very well be wrong, but I'd have to live there myself to truly find out.

Not to mention that I'm sure much progress has been made over the past two decades or however long since your father immigrated (I assume at least two decades by you being native born as I do not know your age), and that there are differences between each country in Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand that need to be factored into to, so your father's perspective on things is far from perfect.

Why don't you try living there? I've been in most of Europe; I prefer the US by far. Anyway, let us continue praising the US! And I'm not saying that we should ignore the faults, but I started this thread because America's faults were the only things being expounded in this forum...

Why don't you try living there? I've been in most of Europe; I prefer the US by far. Anyway, let us continue praising the US! And I'm not saying that we should ignore the faults, but I started this thread because America's faults were the only things being expounded in this forum...
I'd have to be able to afford moving there in the first place, can't just walk to a coast from Wisconsin and swim across an ocean and expect to start a new life when/if I reach land again you know...

America is the greatest place evar

You dion't have to start a completely new life! Just scrounge up for a plane ticket, live a week or two.

Vacationing for a week or two in a country can hardly be considered living there. It would take at least a year if not more of truly living there, working there, being a part of the customs and system of government to truly understand what it's like to live there. If all you've ever done is vacationed across Europe, I can't consider your opinion on what it's like to live in those countries as very valid.

I know people born and raised in various countries that both love it and hate it. One of my best friends online for the past 5 years lives in the middle of nowhere in Finland and except for the cold, from what I've heard of it, I'd love to live there.

You like our president? I agree with his daughters but Bush?
Hey guys if you marry one of them you will be the father of the president in 2050.
Long live the tradition. ;)

As for admiring USA, nope. We have everything that is good in Europe as well.
Though I like many individual artists and musicians, many of them also spoke up
against Bush before the election.


I guess that in retrospect USA would have been better off as a British Colony a lot longer
than what happened. Canada managed to become a decent country without making a "revolution".
They are quite well off now and a decent alternative for the decent americans.


So thanks for providing us with a bad example of how a democracy can be run down by greed and ignorance. :D

Vacationing for a week or two in a country can hardly be considered living there. It would take at least a year if not more of truly living there, working there, being a part of the customs and system of government to truly understand what it's like to live there. If all you've ever done is vacationed across Europe, I can't consider your opinion on what it's like to live in those countries as very valid.

I know people born and raised in various countries that both love it and hate it. One of my best friends online for the past 5 years lives in the middle of nowhere in Finland and except for the cold, from what I've heard of it, I'd love to live there.
Well, I spent a prolonged period of time in Europe as I have family there. But I realize that you have time/financial constraints, so I proposed that you could try to get a flavor for the place. My initial judgements of a nation were usually gained within a day of being there, and they didn't change throughout the months...

Hey guys if you marry one of them you will be the father of the president in 2050.
Long live the tradition. ;)

As for admiring USA, nope. We have everything that is good in Europe as well.
Though I like many individual artists and musicians, many of them also spoke up
against Bush before the election.


I guess that in retrospect USA would have been better off as a British Colony a lot longer
than what happened. Canada managed to become a decent country without making a "revolution".
They are quite well off now and a decent alternative for the decent americans.


So thanks for providing us with a bad example of how a democracy can be run down by greed and ignorance. :D
Have you read the title of the thread? if you want to insult America, go to the "What You hate About America" thread. I want to end the hatred on these forums, and you aren't helping.

I guess that in retrospect USA would have been better off as a British Colony a lot longer
than what happened. Canada managed to become a decent country without making a "revolution".
They are quite well off now and a decent alternative for the decent americans.


So thanks for providing us with a bad example of how a democracy can be run down by greed and ignorance. :D
I doubt that (sarcasm or no), we seemed to have started out extremely well except for the whole "All white males are created equal, everyone else doesn't count" part, and then Manifest Destiny and the Industrial Revolution hit, and we started to transform ourselves into what we have today...

Thank God we got past that whole "white land owning males can vote" thing. Not only is it bad for civil rights, it makes no sense in a capitalist society.

Thank God we got past that whole "white land owning males can vote" thing. Not only is it bad for civil rights, it makes no sense in a capitalist society.
Yeah, I truly believe that if it were possible to revert back to how the American government was initially set up by our founders (most of which were hemp farmers/smokers by the way, as there's an officially documented letter hand-written by George Washington telling his gardner to be sure to separate the male and female plants from each other before it's too late, a step only necessary if you plan to smoke it), only where "all men are create equal" actually meant "all humans" I wouldn't have a single problem with the country, at least as far as the government is concerned.

I'm not insulting America, I'm speaking well of Canada. But I am a little critical towards USA and Mexico.

And I told you what would be better for you, what would make me like you more, didn't I?

Some good things in USA
Joni Mitchell - but she is canadian
The Peace movement - needed more than ever
The Left-Liberals of USA - keep up the good work
The people who are not supportive of the Two Party System
The Teachers - fighting the ignorance for a lousy pay
The Independent Artists of all kinds

I guess there are some more to like as well. ;)

The Peace movement - needed more than ever
The Left-Liberals of USA - keep up the good work
The people who are not supportive of the Two Party System
The Teachers - fighting the ignorance for a lousy pay
The Independent Artists of all kinds
Indeed, I despise the two party system and the whole Repbulican vs Democrat, Left vs Right, Liberal vs Conservative bullshit...

And it's a real shame that the ideal of universal peace and love in the 60's seemingly degraded into an orgy of sex and drugs and was replaced by disco in the 70's *shudders*

And I always admired the few teachers who weren't afraid to voice their problems with the educational system to their students and tried their best despite it the most, unfortunately, most of said teachers were soon replaced by student teachers trying to gain experience in teaching, but were ultimately incompitent and all too eager to follow the system and not the example of the teacher they took over for, but so is the way it goes...

I'm not insulting America, I'm speaking well of Canada. But I am a little critical towards USA and Mexico.

And I told you what would be better for you, what would make me like you more, didn't I?

Some good things in USA
Joni Mitchell - but she is canadian
The Peace movement - needed more than ever
The Left-Liberals of USA - keep up the good work
The people who are not supportive of the Two Party System
The Teachers - fighting the ignorance for a lousy pay
The Independent Artists of all kinds

I guess there are some more to like as well. ;)


Should I be an exchange student in Orebro or Kalmar?

Should I be an exchange student in Orebro or Kalmar?
The people of Kalmar are a little more fun and out-going.
They've got great beaches and warmer weather.

As for the standard of education I think it's the same.

Why don't you go to Gothenburg? Party, party...

Their simple food, their help in (ex-)Yuguslavia and the world wars, their comedians, their music, their films, Florida, Hollywood, their cars (design), their silly habits, ...

and the list goes own, but I can say such kind of things about all countries.

What's wrong with the 70s? Without the 70s we would never have had Funk. And college parties would just never have been the same.

Though the degeneration of funk into disco was a bit disturbing. After all, it made john travolta into a star. *shudders*

Another good thing about america: Even canadians with no talent like Keeanu Reeves (or however his name is spelled) can become a rich and famous actor; even though I've seen dead people who can act in a more convincing manner.

First of all, I started this thread not to honk the American horn (although I do like to do that) but because I am sick and tired of the constant bashing on this forum. So please, tell me what you like about America, so we can stop this endless hate fest. If this gets a good response, I'll start more threads like this one. (Eg. "Conservatives, what do you like about liberals?" and vice versa.)New York, of course.

What's wrong with the 70s? Without the 70s we would never have had Funk. And college parties would just never have been the same.

Though the degeneration of funk into disco was a bit disturbing. After all, it made john travolta into a star. *shudders*
If you would notice, my problem was against disco, not the 70's...

Yeah, I truly believe that if it were possible to revert back to how the American government was initially set up by our founders (most of which were hemp farmers/smokers by the way, as there's an officially documented letter hand-written by George Washington telling his gardner to be sure to separate the male and female plants from each other before it's too late, a step only necessary if you plan to smoke it), only where "all men are create equal" actually meant "all humans" I wouldn't have a single problem with the country, at least as far as the government is concerned.
You do realize that the Founding Fathers would be even more conservative than what we have now? Things like gay marriage would have shocked and horrified them...

America is the BEST place to start your own business. :D

-Asylum Nova

yes, my father is a testament to that. Came here with 100 bucks in his pocket, now earns over 120,000 a year.

You do realize that the Founding Fathers would be even more conservative than what we have now? Things like gay marriage would have shocked and horrified them...
That's really rather irrelevant to the ideals they based the government upon. If you want an indepth explination which they themselves used to convince the citizens to adopt it in the first place, I suggest you read up on the Federalist Papers.

You do realize that the Founding Fathers would be even more conservative than what we have now? Things like gay marriage would have shocked and horrified them...
Yeah they were into negro slavery and all that...

The OshKosh International Air Show was pretty damn cool.

true that. i like the young driving age. among other things. and we have totally bitchin music.

That's really rather irrelevant to the ideals they based the government upon. If you want an indepth explination which they themselves used to convince the citizens to adopt it in the first place, I suggest you read up on the Federalist Papers.
Ah, but then again, they would themselves prefer a much samllergovernment than the one in existance, which would again lead us away from the models fo Europe and the like.

I like America cause it is powerful, rich and because Americans speak english.

I can only speak english and like the fact that America makes everybody else speak it as well.

..........
What a useful and productive post! It just goes to show that us Americans are retarded compared to other British ex-colonies.

First of all, it's far away and I don't have any reason to go there. I'd rather spend some time in a free country.

First of all, I started this thread not to honk the American horn (although I do like to do that) but because I am sick and tired of the constant bashing on this forum. So please, tell me what you like about America, so we can stop this endless hate fest. If this gets a good response, I'll start more threads like this one. (Eg. "Conservatives, what do you like about liberals?" and vice versa.)
The NHL oh wait greeds killing that. :(
Actually if the greed attacks Grid Iron and Baseball again then you might start playing Cricket and Rugby more.-That would be a sight :)

What a useful and productive post! It just goes to show that us Americans are retarded compared to other British ex-colonies.
Good to see youve finnaly accepted it :p

They've produced some pretty cool music over the years. One or two films too...

Ah, but then again, they would themselves prefer a much samllergovernment than the one in existance, which would again lead us away from the models fo Europe and the like.
Indeed it would, but again, irrelevant.

Will there be a what do you like about North Korea next?

The best thing about America is that if you think like a blue stater, there's a place for you. And if you're a red state conservative, there's a place for you, too.

So, if you want to be a publicly well-respected homosexual there's a place for you to start your own nightclub. And if you want to drive for NASCAR and carry a gun 24/7 just for the fun of it, there's a place for you, too.

America is not a one-size fits all kind of place. I think that's what scares the crap out of most Europeans.

Germany, by comparison, is an extremely one-size fits all kind of place. You're not going to be free to be as different as we are here.