NationStates Jolt Archive

I personally believe that the majority of America's problems would be fixed by ending the current corruption in its officials. Politicians are always taking handouts from minorities or special interest groups. Many have large amounts invested in large oil corporations or recieve large amounts of money from these mega-companies. Senators hardly ever stick to the agenda that got them elected, and look out for their own wallets before that of America's. Many of American leaders own their own businesses, more often than not using labor from illegal aliens. Their legislation protects the rights of their businesses, letting the well being of America and its citizens take a back seat. If more background checks where done on officials, and it was made illegal for politicians to own large amounts of companies, and it was expected they'd actually do their job, or face impeachment, then maybe, just maybe, we'll get out of this ditch we're in. But that's my two cents.

I personally believe that the majority of America's problems would be fixed by ending the current corruption in its officials. Politicians are always taking handouts from minorities or special interest groups. Many have large amounts invested in large oil corporations or recieve large amounts of money from these mega-companies. Senators hardly ever stick to the agenda that got them elected, and look out for their own wallets before that of America's. Many of American leaders own their own businesses, more often than not using labor from illegal aliens. Their legislation protects the rights of their businesses, letting the well being of America and its citizens take a back seat. If more background checks where done on officials, and it was made illegal for politicians to own large amounts of companies, and it was expected they'd actually do their job, or face impeachment, then maybe, just maybe, we'll get out of this ditch we're in. But that's my two cents.

Four thousand years ago people were also upset about corrupt officials and figured a lot of problems could be solved by getting rid of them.

Funny how things turn out.

what specific problems do you think taking care of corruption will solve?

corruption is a big problem but right now im more concerned about the politics of fear. its hard to make the right decisions when afraid.

Corruption is our biggest problem. We need to end corruption and toss all of them in a federal penetentary.

Term limits and a jury style selection system for representatives would be more ideal. The problem with the current system is that the only people who what to be politicians are those who want to be politicians. (Sounds odd but think about it) They're individuals who want power and control, not to make a positive influence.

what specific problems do you think taking care of corruption will solve?

corruption is a big problem but right now im more concerned about the politics of fear. its hard to make the right decisions when afraid.

Agreed. Both parties really do play the fear card way to much. Death to the fear card.

what specific problems do you think taking care of corruption will solve?

corruption is a big problem but right now im more concerned about the politics of fear. its hard to make the right decisions when afraid.

Gov't wasn't meant to do things effieciently. If American leaders put their nation first, America could solve most of its problems, for example if all the politicians that said they'd stop illegal immigration really tried to stop it, we'd have a border fence up by now.

Hard to tell, being non-American, but the term "mid-west" comes up a suprising number of times, I've noticed.

It's hard to choose between corruption and Bush, but the latter is basically a subset of the former.


If American leaders put their nation first, America could solve most of its problems, for example if all the politicians that said they'd stop illegal immigration really tried to stop it, we'd have a border fence up by now.
Yeah, isolationism is the way to solve all America's problems.

Gov't wasn't meant to do things effieciently. If American leaders put their nation first, America could solve most of its problems, for example if all the politicians that said they'd stop illegal immigration really tried to stop it, we'd have a border fence up by now.

you think that corruption is what is keeping us from putting up a border fence?

It was an example. If politicians had a little bit of unity and didn't want to do their own thing at the end of the day, more would be accomplished.

It was an example. If politicians had a little bit of unity and didn't want to do their own thing at the end of the day, more would be accomplished.

no that doesnt make any sense

lack of unity is not a form of corruption, its a reflection of the diversity of political ideas in the country.

people of good faith disagree on "the wall".

America's biggest problem is it's form of government. Alexis de Tocqueville nailed it in a bunch (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/alexis_de_tocqueville.html) of one-liners. The best of which is,
"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money."

We're there, folks.

America's problem? The meals are too fucking big!

And with bacon.

And american cheese.

All tasty, but problematic ;)

Even inside parties there is a lack of initiative. Politicians do not live up to their promises either to use them for future campaigns or some form of personal gain.

Conservatism.

Conservatism.

QFT.

The need of the moralist right to enforce its views upon the rest of society.
Thats not just the US' biggest problem, but most of the worlds' biggest problem.

It begins in 'N' and ends in 'ers'.

The middle letters are 'acho steal'.

I think the Iraq situation. It stands to threaten the US ability to project its military power where and when ever. To a lesser extent it could threaten the US superpower status in the long run.

The need of the moralist right to enforce its views upon the rest of society.
Thats not just the US' biggest problem, but most of the worlds' biggest problem.

Can be said for the far left as well. You may want to correct that and say far right. Anything that deviates immensely from a centrists view in either direction can be a problem.

It begins in 'N' and ends in 'ers'.

The middle letters are 'acho steal'.

Yes I have had that problem in my own home. A good slap on the hand usually stops your nachos from disappearing. ;)

Its foreign policy.

It sucks.

The entire capitalist power structure that has it's boot planted on most of the world's population while causing a series of ecological catastrophes that threaten a multitude of species including our own.

File that one under 'other.' 'Corruption' within this system is nowhere near as destructive as the legally sanctioned 'legitimate' functions of the wielders of political and economic power in the US.

I think like much of the world the biggest issue is nationalism and selfishness. We need to transcend all borders, form a common reasonable force that makes everyone accessible to government on an equal basis - without disenfranchisement due to class or economic status. One that doesn't put the buck before the person and one that doesn't put professionals before the common people.

We need to insure laws do not restrict the individual - where it isn't a protection for the whole of the society where individuals come into contact with one another. We need to give people the allowances to be free, we need to stop government from enslaving the populace with mandatory taxation, and we need to make property free - not owned. We need to educate the violent and selfish individuals who place selfish intent before social benefit. We need people to value society before the self, the human before the dollar, and treat one another as real rather than just backdrops in a mechanized unreality.

Culture and traditions.

I would have to say a population of voters to complacent to look at both sides of an issue and truly consider the merits. That leads to power shifting to the highest bidder since it takes money to buy emotional ads that say nothing but win nearly every time.

The right is the most obvious with "talk radio" spitting propaganda all day long,but both sides play the game. The right has just been playing it better.

It's really not the politician's fault though. They are just serving the market that is out there. When people don't give a d---- and are willing to be led around by the nose, they get what they deserve. GW is a classic example of such voluntary slavery. Half of the people voted for him based on same sex marriage. A nonissue that was thrown out at the end as a placebo for the ignorant.

Show me marchers in the street and I'll show you a government that listens to the people. Show me the ignorance and complacency of the last two generations and I'll show you a government that is bought and sold by the person that pays the most and receives the most.

If by "America's Greatest Problem" you mean that which will, in the near future, reduce America to a splintered, self loathing country, then the answer is

Financial Stupidity.

No country can survive forever when the interest payments due internally are greater than the total income of the nation, nor when the balance of trade is so unbalanced.

Good luck when the dollar is no longer supported by being used to buy oil.

I think one of America's greatest problems is the excess of unilateralism.

The same as any democracy; the utter stupidity of the majority of the electorate, and the policies and politicians resulting from said stupidity.

Its population.

George W. Bush for sure. That encompasses corruption, the Iraq "situation" (aka clusterfuck), greenhouse gas emissions, illiteracy, idiots, and a decline in checks and balances. That's killing 6 birds with one stone!

lol @ people thinking "Liberalism/Political Correctness" is a bigger problem than the Iraq situation.

lol @ people thinking "Liberalism/Political Correctness" is a bigger problem than the Iraq situation.

Poisonous ideologies which are festering in the US and corroding our country from within are certainly a much more grievous threat than external foes.

Poisonous ideologies which are festering in the US and corroding our country from within are certainly a much more grievous threat than external foes.

...

...

...

:rolleyes:

...

...

*Still waiting for an explanation as to how an ideology of any kind is worse than American Soldiers and innocent civilians being killed.*

Well maybe the "lets go to war for false reasons and destabilize an entire region even more" ideology. But that's hardly a partisan thing.

I personally believe that the majority of America's problems would be fixed by ending the current corruption in its officials. Politicians are always taking handouts from minorities or special interest groups. Many have large amounts invested in large oil corporations or recieve large amounts of money from these mega-companies. Senators hardly ever stick to the agenda that got them elected, and look out for their own wallets before that of America's. Many of American leaders own their own businesses, more often than not using labor from illegal aliens. Their legislation protects the rights of their businesses, letting the well being of America and its citizens take a back seat. If more background checks where done on officials, and it was made illegal for politicians to own large amounts of companies, and it was expected they'd actually do their job, or face impeachment, then maybe, just maybe, we'll get out of this ditch we're in. But that's my two cents.

My belief is that the core values, the ideals that were behind the founding of this nation was lost. it was twisted and tainted by the lawyers till it became a mockery of it's former self. Instead of a Nation standing tall and striving for what is best for her people, we became a gathering of individuals who are more concerned with the 'Me' and 'I' than the 'We' and 'Us'.

From a time where the people made things happen, we turned into a people who want things done for us. From careful planing, we became the instant gratification. From sacrifice for the greater good we are now sacrifice for me. From what is good for the country turned into what's in it for me.

How can we correct it? we can't. it's gone and lost. The spirit that made America the icon of the dream has fled and all we can do is look on and not see what we're now missing.

George W. Bush for sure. That encompasses corruption, the Iraq "situation" (aka clusterfuck), greenhouse gas emissions, illiteracy, idiots, and a decline in checks and balances. That's killing 6 birds with one stone!
yep... we all know that political corruption, greenhouse gas emissions, illiteracy, idiots and the decline in checks and balances were never around until G. W. Bush took office. :rolleyes:

My belief is that the core values, the ideals that were behind the founding of this nation was lost. it was twisted and tainted by the lawyers till it became a mockery of it's former self. Instead of a Nation standing tall and striving for what is best for her people, we became a gathering of individuals who are more concerned with the 'Me' and 'I' than the 'We' and 'Us'.

From a time where the people made things happen, we turned into a people who want things done for us. From careful planing, we became the instant gratification. From sacrifice for the greater good we are now sacrifice for me. From what is good for the country turned into what's in it for me.

How can we correct it? we can't. it's gone and lost. The spirit that made America the icon of the dream has fled and all we can do is look on and not see what we're now missing.


I need a refill over here. The glass is half empty.

Four thousand years ago people were also upset about corrupt officials and figured a lot of problems could be solved by getting rid of them.And indeed it can. Look at Scandinavia. By comparison, there 0 corruption and 0 of the problems Americans (and we foreigners) usually bitch about. It is, however, only by comparison.

I think the two only real problems in the US are the oblivious and disinterested public, and the monolithic nepotist institution that is US politics. Not that I'm in any way recommending it, but short of a massive war on native soil, I don't see how it can change.

I personally believe that the majority of America's problems would be fixed by ending the current corruption in its officials. Politicians are always taking handouts from minorities...

Wait wait, let me make sure I get this straight. You think that it's minorities that are forking over cash to the politicians?

What the fuck?

yep... we all know that political corruption, greenhouse gas emissions, illiteracy, idiots and the decline in checks and balances were never around until G. W. Bush took office. :rolleyes:

Oh I didn't mean it like that. I certainly know that America was fucked up even before we elected that idiot... twice; but he seems to be the main source for those things now.

Oh I didn't mean it like that. I certainly know that America was fucked up even before we elected that idiot... twice; but he seems to be the main source for them now.
or it could be that he just made everyone think about them... seriously think about them and get them thinking about correcting those issues.

in which case, one should be thanking GW Bush for making those issues so important to the American people. :p

or it could be that he just made everyone think about them... seriously think about them and get them thinking about correcting those issues.

in which case, one should be thanking GW Bush for making those issues so important to the American people. :p

Or maybe just maybe he got everyone thinking about it because he's one of the most corrupt leaders this nation has ever had?

*Still waiting for an explanation as to how an ideology of any kind is worse than American Soldiers and innocent civilians being killed.*

Dangerous ideologies can utterly devastate a country. Look how Bolshevism swept over Russia, leaving a barren, shattered wasteland in its wake. See how Hitlerism engulfed Germany, eventually reducing a once-proud nation to rubble.

and as for the true answer to america's greatest problem: The growth of extreme right wing evangelican politics, which have not only attempted to alter the fundamental principles that america stands for, but to actually rewrite our history to pretend those principles never existed.

Or maybe just maybe he got everyone thinking about it because he's one of the most corrupt leaders this nation has ever had?

corrupt? maybe. honest? maybe (I mean honest as someone who cannot do anything slyly, not someone who isn't corrupt.)

but either way, he got people thinking about those issues.

think about it. we had environmentalists say "Global warming" for decades and what. little progress with little or no spotlight. untill "the government paid us to not show global warming" Scandal!! now everyone is thinking about how to reduce their emissions, save energy...

Because of his actions people are looking at other politicians with a fine tooth comb and now all these scandals are popping up and politicians are now being scrutinized.

So what has he done? he's shown the people where the holes in the government are where your rights can be stripped. he's forcing people to look closely at the politicians and to fight to get those holes closed. he's forced people to seriously think about the economy and the environment.

He's the Inspector Clouseau of all US Presidents. a bumbler who exposes all these things that were once hidden to the people.

I voted Other: Not enough delicious corn.

One vision, one purpose. The technology of corn!

or it could be that he just made everyone think about them... seriously think about them and get them thinking about correcting those issues.

in which case, one should be thanking GW Bush for making those issues so important to the American people. :p

Interesting logic. Maybe we should erase the memory of the founding fathers for giving us a country so destined for doom! :eek: :D

Interesting logic. Maybe we should erase the memory of the founding fathers for giving us a country so destined for doom! :eek: :D

well... you read my theory as to what's wrong with America. :cool:

Dangerous ideologies can utterly devastate a country. Look how Bolshevism swept over Russia, leaving a barren, shattered wasteland in its wake. See how Hitlerism engulfed Germany, eventually reducing a once-proud nation to rubble.

:confused: I find it hard to equate Hitlerism with Liberalism. One massacred millions of lives, the other pushes for universal healthcare. I just don't see the similarities. Or is it just me?

The greatest problem is entitlements.

:confused: I find it hard to equate Hitlerism with Liberalism. One massacred millions of lives, the other pushes for universal healthcare. I just don't see the similarities. Or is it just me?

... I guess, with universal healthcare, everyone suffers because the quality of the healthservices would suffer...

I think... :confused:

It begins in 'N' and ends in 'ers'.

The middle letters are 'acho steal'.

*sees "N_GGERS* on the "Wheel of Fortune" board*

I think I'll go with n*****s!

Uh I'm sorry, the answer is naggers.

Oh right, naggers.

(now lets see who has seen the South Park episode.)

... I guess, with universal healthcare, everyone suffers because the quality of the healthservices would suffer...

I think... :confused:

Right. So the obvious solution is the status quo. Let poor suffer at the hands of the rich master race! Erm... I mean the philanthropist class! yeah. that's what I mean. :rolleyes:


:(

You could write several doctorates about that problem and still not capture it in its entirety.

Corruption
Well, the sheer amount of lobbying going on is astonishing and certainly hurts Congress. I mean, did you realise that Congress never agreed to GATT or the WTO? The system is basically such that even those politicians who aren't beholden to illegal bribes yield to pressure groups in their own constitutencies and beyond. Perhaps that's not necessarily wrong (surely you'd want your local representative to do what's good for your local community), but it does make forming a good national direction very difficult.

As for the White House and the Administration...campaign financing and personal contacts as well as the whole revolving door thing are all things that probably need to be reformed. While it's stupid to claim that Iraq was invaded because of oil or Haliburton, the conflicts of interest are still quite staggering.

Iraq
I think the whole situation in Iraq is just the catalyst that brings all the problems to the front. The way towards the invasion, the way it's been handled and the way the opposition to it works are all indicative of 'what's wrong with America', but not the cause of it.

Some other nation
Certainly not.

Crime & Immorality
Let's put it this way: less crime and immorality wouldn't solve the US' problems.

Liberalism/PC
Hardly. The way the word is used by both sides is another symptom though.

PotUS
Again, a symptom, not a cause. Politics won't be fixed if he's not President anymore.

Immigrants
The effect on anything at all is negligible. It's an issue for TV talking heads and no one else.

Muslim Extremism
I think the way Islamic communities deal with (or fail to deal with) extremism, political radicalism and the difficult combination of historical, political and economical factors that they grow upon is a challenge for global politics (not US politics exclusively) for the next few decades. But if anything, America's problems make it harder to deal with this issue.

Reluctance to use military power
Not sure whether you noticed, but the US is involved in a bunch of conflicts right now, and parts of the military are overstretched as it is. Basically there are some very substantial doubts whether the US could even properly deal with a North Korean invasion right now.

If there is any reluctance, it's a combination of the physical inability to fight more wars and the realisation that doing so wouldn't solve any of the challenges the State Department and the PotUS actually face.

Other
I think America broke some time during the Sixties with the cultural revolution and the Vietnam war. The split between conservatives and free-thinkers has never been properly resolved. Any form of political thought in the US is poisoned by having to be against something, by having to conform to some sort of ideological program that is defined by "not like 'them'". It's not possible anymore to debate the pros and cons of a particular policy or action rationally.

A good chunk of the blame has to go to the extraordinary power and skill of radical political mass movements (perversely enough, they seem to come from the right wing moreso than the left). Christian groups in particular come to mind, which for some reason have an influence on political discourse beyond what is healthy for debate.

The status of religion in public life is wrong in the US anyways. Religion should be a personal thing, but in the US it somehow isn't. Sure, you can't, nor should you, discourage people from wanting to base their decisions on their religious convictions, but the "we've got the exclusive truth and we're afraid that God will punish us if we tolerate differences" angle comes out way too much and just further pours oil into the flames of that ridiculous "liberal vs conservative" spat.

Then there's that weird combination of cynicism, gullibility and disinterest with which Americans regard politics as a whole.

I also think the fact that there are two parties which have to somehow incorporate vast areas of political ground hurt the marketplace of ideas, as it were. The Republican Party includes everything from gun-toting rednecks over Biblethumpers to libertarians and Goldwater-type conservatives. How can any of these ideas be expressed properly by a candidate for this party?

They can't, and that's why the political debate in the US is not about ideas but about candidates and their personalities (and personal intrigues). How many people voted for Bush not because of the dangerous combination of naivety, incompetence and "I can make the world a better place"-complex, but because he seemed to come across as an ok, down-to-earth sort of guy?

There's lots more things, but these are what I could think of in terms of political culture right now. America's view of itself might be another thing which ultimately leads to groups like the Neocons getting so influential (or indeed forming in the first place).

Right. So the obvious solution is the status quo. Let poor suffer at the hands of the rich master race! Erm... I mean the philanthropist class! yeah. that's what I mean. :rolleyes:


:(
don look at me, I'm just trying to interpret what he's saying.

don look at me, I'm just trying to interpret what he's saying.

And I was beating it over the head viciously. Care to switch roles? :D

And I was beating it over the head viciously. Care to switch roles? :D

Ohh... tempting... but I need to run now.... my boss is wondering why I'm here 4 hours after quitting time. :p

:confused: I find it hard to equate Hitlerism with Liberalism. One massacred millions of lives, the other pushes for universal healthcare. I just don't see the similarities. Or is it just me?

Although such measures would cause economic disarray and widespread gloom, it would not lead to societal collapse. However, more disruptive policies might cast society into confusion and lead to its demise. Consider the counter-culture movement of the 1960s and 1970s; had its leader ascended to power, the country would be in dire straits. Our most fundamental and preciously-guarded tenets would be undermined by an onslaught of drug-addled hippies, liberal degenerates, etc. Crime would abound as punishments would be lenient and deterrents weak; immorality would be condoned leading to the corruption of the young; our economic power would plummet as the poor would be pampered by a generous welfare state; our work ethic would evaporate as we would be shrouded in a haze of marijuana smoke; immigration would continue unabated, casting our free natoin into peril as terrorists would pour in. The dangers are too numerous to catalogue, but, when taken as a whole, clearly foreshadow eventual doom.

Personally, I think all of the above- each to varying degrees. But right this moment, I think the corruption is all too obvious.

Although such measures would cause economic disarray and widespread gloom, it would not lead to societal collapse. However, more disruptive policies might cast society into confusion and lead to its demise. Consider the counter-culture movement of the 1960s and 1970s; had its leader ascended to power, the country would be in dire straits. Our most fundamental and preciously-guarded tenets would be undermined by an onslaught of drug-addled hippies, liberal degenerates, etc. Crime would abound as punishments would be lenient and deterrents weak; immorality would be condoned leading to the corruption of the young; our economic power would plummet as the poor would be pampered by a generous welfare state; our work ethic would evaporate as we would be shrouded in a haze of marijuana smoke; immigration would continue unabated,

THis actually sounds like a pretty good deal here.

casting our free natoin into peril as terrorists would pour in.

Actually, I don't think terrorists would even bother. Besides, surely Russia would be the hyperpower in this alternate scenario?

Liberals cause the corruption. Liberals cause the bullsh*t social systems and economics. Liberals make the illegal immigration an even bigger problem. Liberals cause unnatural dissent within the country.

Imagine, no liberals!

Liberals cause the corruption. Liberals cause the bullsh*t social systems and economics. Liberals make the illegal immigration an even bigger problem. Liberals cause unnatural dissent within the country.

Imagine, no liberals!

The funny part is, liberal ideology is what lets you post your "down with liberals" crap

Funny that, isn't it?

Imagine, no liberals!

It's easy if you try.

Other: Poverty in its own citizens.

Sorry, but it's just sad that the most powerful nation on earth has so many legal citizens going through so much pain/stress coz of low pay, bad working conditions etc.

Our problem is, as it has always been, France.

And Russia and China and North Korea and Isreal(Only because they keep doing sh!t against the Arabs, and because we're allied with them, it looks like we approve).

Politicians ought to have their salaries voted on every month by their constituents. Dubya's income tax return would be LEGALLY blank for once, and unpopular politicians would have to get popular or get a new job. Sure, some of our political heroes might get paid more, but it would be because of us. If politics became a potentially lucrative affair instead of one where wealth is accrued through shadowy deals, we might actually get a transparent government in this country.

I like how you neglected to include in the poll the tide of Republicanism and Christian extremism that has swept the US in the last 10-15 years.

An corruption? Corruption is a problem in any political system. The best you can hope for is a reduction, never an elimination.

All of the speculation thus far as been incorrect. I alone hold the true reason for the problems of America.

Here (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a85/theturkishzoo/graph.jpg)

As the graph shows, there is a correlation between the dwindling stocks of corn and the problems America is facing. Corn is the true way, our future. Victory through Corn!

Thus, by planting more corn the problems of America will decrease in time.

Crime would abound as punishments would be lenient and deterrents weak; By which you mean that we would no longer have the right to fry those fucking perps!

immorality would be condoned leading to the corruption of the young; You see what I read here is: the fags would overrun our great nation of piety and virtue! Horrors!

our economic power would plummet as the poor would be pampered by a generous welfare state; How did that thingy go again? Oh yeah. "Blessed be the poor..." Heaven forbid thou shalt love thy neighbor!

immigration would continue unabated, casting our free natoin into peril as terrorists would pour in. The dangers are too numerous to catalogue, but, when taken as a whole, clearly foreshadow eventual doom.
Oh yes those terrorist immigrants pouring in from Mexico. Endangering our safety with their toilet-cleaning and house-building.

Where would this world be without those holy Conservatives?

:rolleyes: Ridiculous.

Our problem is, as it has always been, France.

And Russia and China and North Korea and Isreal(Only because they keep doing sh!t against the Arabs, and because we're allied with them, it looks like we approve).

Yeah! What the fuck is up with France! Always helping us with our revolutions and shit! Assholes!

Liberals cause the corruption. Liberals cause the bullsh*t social systems and economics. Liberals make the illegal immigration an even bigger problem. Liberals cause unnatural dissent within the country.

Imagine, no liberals!

I know! It would be great! Blacks not allowed in white schools, women still staying at home, no trade with other countries! Just think of how far we would have come as a species: nowhere!

Imagine, no liberals!

Well, if you want to live in Saudi Arabia....

Traitors and un-American scum. Basically, people who aren't members of the Colbert Nation.

Traitors and un-American scum. Basically, people who aren't members of the Colbert Nation.

Yay truthiness!* :D

*And by "Yay Truthiness!" I mean "Yay Colbert's satire!"

It's hard to choose between corruption and Bush, but the latter is basically a subset of the former.



Yeah, isolationism is the way to solve all America's problems.
I wasn't aware trying to stop illegal immigrants was considered isolationism.

I wasn't aware trying to stop illegal immigrants was considered isolationism.

That's because its not. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool.

America's Biggest Problem? We have too much stuff that is not currently on fire.

Too many things made of fail, like this thread and its poll options.

It's easy if you try.

Aww, is reality too much for you Mr. Troll?

The American empire of reaction will not last forever.

America is America's biggest Problem, the Nation was born a corrupt Mess and has only grown worse with time, now nakedly showing it's Imperial ambitions to the World, hopefully it will consume itself before it consumes the rest of the world..Harsh you say?..hardly...tis anything but harsh...tis fair.

America's Biggest Problem? We have too much stuff that is not currently on fire.

Like the credit card companies' headquarters.

Fight Club reference

The American empire of reaction will not last forever.

HA! We do not have an empire.

HA! We do not have an empire.

And I suppose Kennedy was really killed by space bears?

Of course we have a fucking empire, you twit. Empires do more than just control land by force. We control countries by use of business, and economics, and if that fails, then we use force, to "liberate" them.

In all honesty, American Liberalism and American Conservatism are really just different strands of the same political ideology.

Compare the US to a small child who rebels against their loving mother and runs away from home after a big fight.

What happens to that child statistically? Sure it may gambol in freedom for a while, perhaps it means to do good but it finds the world a far bigger and more frightening place than it thought. No matter how big it is, it can't get its way all the time, which is why it left its mother in the first place - selfishness. It becomes hated by all the other kids in the playground.

It becomes a violent, drug-addled hobo, dreaming of Hollywood, eating junk-food and striking out at anyone who gets in its way.

Poor America, you're just misunderstood, come back to mother, mother knows best.

...but mother doesn't want you anymore :(

Oh the humanity!

Dangerous ideologies can utterly devastate a country. Look how Bolshevism swept over Russia, leaving a barren, shattered wasteland in its wake. See how Hitlerism engulfed Germany, eventually reducing a once-proud nation to rubble.

Hitler was a fascist. So you don't have to look that up, he was an extreme conservative.

You named one extreme liberal movement and one extreme conservative movement. That means those of us in the center are the only sane ones.

HA! We do not have an empire.

Do you want me to quote numbers of US troops and forces/bases in foreign countries?

Also, what Zilam said.

And I suppose Kennedy was really killed by space bears?

Of course we have a fucking empire, you twit. Empires do more than just control land by force. We control countries by use of business, and economics, and if that fails, then we use force, to "liberate" them.

The US was an Empire at one point but since World War II, the United States gave that up. So no. We are not an Empire. As to Business and Economics, that is a world issue. The markets are driven by world events both here in the US and abroad.

Do you want me to quote numbers of US troops and forces/bases in foreign countries?

In reality, that means nothing.

All of the speculation thus far as been incorrect. I alone hold the true reason for the problems of America.

Here (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a85/theturkishzoo/graph.jpg)

As the graph shows, there is a correlation between the dwindling stocks of corn and the problems America is facing. Corn is the true way, our future. Victory through Corn!

Thus, by planting more corn the problems of America will decrease in time.

We're still #1 in corn production, worldwide, remember. :p

Anyway, I would say that corruption is a problem everywhere, and there's always a struggle to reduce it. Our political system is strong enough, and the public, while fickle on all issues of course, tends to elect decent people from time to time :p

In reality, that means nothing.

and military presence in foreign nations is not indicative of an empire?

Perhaps you need to refresh yourself on the meaning of the word "empire"?

Corneliu, is this some kind of test to enter the DK gang or something?

Also, read Chomsky, you might learn something, he quotes impressive sources.

Of course we have a fucking empire, you twit. Empires do more than just control land by force. We control countries by use of business, and economics, and if that fails, then we use force, to "liberate" them.

I suppose all participants in the global economy are mini-empires, then, eh? It's just the big ones that are evil and must be stopped. :p

I suppose all participants in the global economy are mini-empires, then, eh? It's just the big ones that are evil and must be stopped. :p

mini empires? no.

Want to be empires? yes.

I suppose all participants in the global economy are mini-empires, then, eh?

Since the whole point of an empire is that it is not "mini"... no.

and military presence in foreign nations is not indicative of an empire?

Perhaps you need to refresh yourself on the meaning of the word "empire"?

I know what empire means. Just by having troops in another country does not make an empire.

The US was an Empire at one point but since World War II, the United States gave that up. So no. We are not an Empire. As to Business and Economics, that is a world issue. The markets are driven by world events both here in the US and abroad.

Here is another thing wrong with america: People with their head stuck in the sand, oblivious to reality.

Corneliu, is this some kind of test to enter the DK gang or something?

Also, read Chomsky, you might learn something, he quotes impressive sources.

Sorry but no thanks. I have no use for Chomsky. I will study lessons from History so that I do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

I know what empire means. Just by having troops in another country does not make an empire.

of course not. However there's a big difference between "makes it an empire" and "is indicative of one". It may not mean a nation is an empire, but it is indicative of one.

Which is a far cry from your erronious and remarkably silly comment that it means "nothing"

Here is another thing wrong with america: People with their head stuck in the sand, oblivious to reality.

Either that or actually paying attention to what the word empire actually means. Something that even Scholars can not agree on.

mini empires? no.

Want to be empires? yes.

Well, if success in the global marketplace makes you an Imperial power, I say: sign me up. :p

Sorry but no thanks. I have no use for Chomsky.

Translation:

I have no use for verified information and prefer to make proclamations based on ignorance

Since the whole point of an empire is that it is not "mini"... no.

Hm. I suppose the jackboot of Mexican imperialism is what's in my refrigerator and in my laundry room (love the discount detergents) eh? ;)

Corneliu if you refuse my sources for my claim, it's too your own detriment.

The Law of the Land, our Constitution is a joke on the Hill. The Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence even more so. We don't protect our own citizens from illegal aliens, we provoke other countries through imperial threats and invasion, endangering our citizens to terrorism. Corruption is rampant due to greed, which is not a characteristic of a true statesman, but the average politician. the vast majority of our problems come from leaving the ideals of freedom that gushed from our shores and borders in the late 18th century

I think that Americas greatest problems are as follows.

We have an increasingly centralized government that attempts to micromanage things from Washington and is filled with people who seem to be divorced from the day to day reality most Americans face. They are also increasingly convinced that the only limits to their authority are their imaginations. This applies to all branches of the government, although the Supreme Court less so.

An even bigger problem is that the American populace is generally extremely ignorant and apathetic about politics. Those who do care about politics treat it as though it's a football game and want their "team" to do whatever is necessary to win. Campaign platforms are more playbooks to try to outmaneuver the other team rather than serious ideological statements.

Another huge problem is the two party system. The idea that two parties could possibly encompass the political spectrum of 300 million people is ridiculous.

I voted other. The true Greatest Problem Facing America:

THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS FUCKING AROUND WITH WHAT KINDS OF VIDEOGAMES I CAN PLAY AND/OR BUY!!!

Them with their making it so kids under 17 can't buy M rated games. It makes me SICK. If I walked into a store and asked for a copy of DOOM and a Shotgun, they wouldn't give me DOOM because it's "dangerous", BUT my request for the Shotgun would probably be processed. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT!!!

Corneliu if you refuse my sources for my claim, it's too your own detriment.

You did not post any sources so there :p

I think that Americas greatest problems are as follows.

We have an increasingly centralized government that attempts to micromanage things from Washington and is filled with people who seem to be divorced from the day to day reality most Americans face. They are also increasingly convinced that the only limits to their authority are their imaginations. This applies to all branches of the government, although the Supreme Court less so.

An even bigger problem is that the American populace is generally extremely ignorant and apathetic about politics. Those who do care about politics treat it as though it's a football game and want their "team" to do whatever is necessary to win. Campaign platforms are more playbooks to try to outmaneuver the other team rather than serious ideological statements.

Another huge problem is the two party system. The idea that two parties could possibly encompass the political spectrum of 300 million people is ridiculous.

Two thumbs up

*hands you a cookie*

You did not post any sources so there :p

Actually I did recommend Chomsky, but your not going to get anything that substantial straight off the web, but some of his work like Hegemony or Survival, Interventions etc, also Manufacturing Consent is a good one for film.

Actually I did recommend Chomsky, but your not going to get anything that substantial straight off the web, but some of his work like Hegemony or Survival, Interventions etc, also Manufacturing Consent is a good one for film.

Nothing beats studying history and seeing the mistakes done in the past.

He who fails to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

but your not going to get anything that substantial straight off the web

A lot of Chomsky is on the web.

http://www.chomsky.info/books.htm
http://www.chomsky.info/articles.htm
http://www.chomsky.info/interviews.htm

Nothing beats studying history and seeing the mistakes done in the past.

He who fails to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

Something tells me that, based on the fact that you make the same mistakes over and over and over, you could study all you want and still fail to learn anything corny.

Actually I did recommend Chomsky, but your not going to get anything that substantial straight off the web

Actually, I can find many many primary sources on the net to assist me in my research of many different historical studies.

Well, on the poll I voted for corruption, which is a serious problem, but I think I've changed my mind.

I think one of the biggest problems that needs fixing is the war on drugs. If the political will were there, we could stop letting so much money go to waste and actually use it to improve other things, and in relatively short period of time.

Should everything be legal? I'm not willing to go that far...but we need to take a more serious look at just where our priorities lie.

In my opinion, however, the biggest issue facing America is education. We're doing OK, but we ought to be doing a lot better. Post-secondary education especially needs to be reexamined, as more and more costs are being passed on to students.

Education is the one issue that, when properly addressed, can filter down and affect all other issues in a positive manner.

If we took education as seriously as we took the War on Drugs...I bet this country would be a lot better off.

Environmental degradation is the biggest long term problem of all, though it is not a uniquely American problem.

I personally believe that the majority of America's problems would be fixed by ending the current corruption in its officials. Politicians are always taking handouts from minorities or special interest groups. Many have large amounts invested in large oil corporations or recieve large amounts of money from these mega-companies. Senators hardly ever stick to the agenda that got them elected, and look out for their own wallets before that of America's. Many of American leaders own their own businesses, more often than not using labor from illegal aliens. Their legislation protects the rights of their businesses, letting the well being of America and its citizens take a back seat. If more background checks where done on officials, and it was made illegal for politicians to own large amounts of companies, and it was expected they'd actually do their job, or face impeachment, then maybe, just maybe, we'll get out of this ditch we're in. But that's my two cents.
I voted before reading your OP. Weirdly enough, you're pretty close to what i was angling with from my vote.

I personally believe that the majority of America's problems would be fixed by ending the current corruption in its officials. Politicians are always taking handouts from minorities or special interest groups. Many have large amounts invested in large oil corporations or recieve large amounts of money from these mega-companies. Senators hardly ever stick to the agenda that got them elected, and look out for their own wallets before that of America's. Many of American leaders own their own businesses, more often than not using labor from illegal aliens. Their legislation protects the rights of their businesses, letting the well being of America and its citizens take a back seat. If more background checks where done on officials, and it was made illegal for politicians to own large amounts of companies, and it was expected they'd actually do their job, or face impeachment, then maybe, just maybe, we'll get out of this ditch we're in. But that's my two cents.

Would you say that our government is more corrupt than say the Mexican government, The Venezualan government, the French government? Governmental corruption is the least of our problems. Our biggest problem is education - the system teaches people to pass tests, but not to think. The Constitution is no longer taught, teachers spend more time doing administrative duties and policing students than they do teaching AND they have to spend their own money on books and supplies for the students. We throw money at the problem without making actual plans to improve things and then implement idiocy like "no child left behind." Parents remain uninvolved and, instead of making their children and themselves responsible for learning, blame either racism, sexism or some other damned ism for their failures.

Nothing beats studying history and seeing the mistakes done in the past.

He who fails to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

This has to be a joke, or trolling.

You, corny, are the poster on NSG more prone than any other to repeat the same mistake and to ignore factual information and the lessons of history.

Calling your nonsensical post "perverse" is putting things too mildly - when taken in context of your opinions and behavior, it is outright nonsense.

I think one of America's greatest problems is the excess of unilateralism.
I would say their problem is more bipolarism than unilateralism.

They seem to utterly fail to take the middle ground on almost any issue be it gun control, sex, religion, abortion, gay marriage, politics (especially choice of party and foreign policy), science, environmentalism or even brands/marketing hype.

The culture of america is more 'you're either with us or against us' instead of 'live and let live'.

I personally think the jinxed culture of competitiveness is something that's bred early on by parents and educational system: Instead of constructive co-operation & competition only your or your team's victory matter at almost any cost, making your agenda and methods the right ones and the opponent's the wrong one almost despite evidence to contrary.

For a non-american it's actually quite interesting how a politician changing opinions in light of new evidence or because of events that have unfolded is invariably thought as becoming a turn coat in America: Once you've chosen your side you're not allowed to switch it - naturally to the other side skipping any middle ground - lightly.

By far the largest and furthest reaching problem with America is the absolute travesty of an education system. An education system that's slowly being forced, either by federal government or the states themselves, to teach anti-science, dogmatic, fundamentalist bullshit.

Well, what do you expect from a country that names its legislative body the opposite of 'progress'.....:p

I voted "corruption," but it's not quite the right term for what I'm thinking of.

Technically speaking, most of the "corruption" in government that pisses me off is totally legal. The current system allows the buying and selling of politicians not under the table, but right on top of the table in plain view for all to see. It's not really a "corruption" of the system, because the system is designed to allow it to happen in the first place...but somehow I think that the letter of the law doesn't really reflect the spirit in this case.

The reason I think this is the biggest problem is because so many of our other problems stem directly from it.

Our international problems are directly connected to our energy problems, and our energy problems exist precisely because the people who own all the politicians don't stand to profit as much if we actually find alternative energy sources. (Note: they will still make ridiculous amounts of money, but their profit margin will probably decrease slightly for a time. This is UNACCEPTABLE, I guess.)

Our education system sucks because the people who own the politicians don't stand to profit from having well-informed, critical thinkers for customers/voters.

Our health care system sucks because the people who own the politicians make more money this way.

Our taxes are wonky and our budget is revoltingly unbalanced because doing what it takes to spend responsibly would mean that the people who own the politicians don't get as much money in their pockets.

Our military spending is bloated and out of control because the people who own the politicians make more money this way. Our military is thrown into senseless conflicts without much regard for planning or actual strategy, because the people who own the politicians also make money from "rebuilding" the shit that we knock down.

And so forth.

For a more serious answer, I think America's problem lies in its over reliance on capitalism. Everything is about money. The elections seem more like money-finding schemes than anything related to actual politics. Large corporations are far too involved in the government. Add to this general apathy amongst the population, caused partly by a bad education system.

These problems are reflected in the language. I cringe every time I hear someone say/type 'I xeroxed the sheet of paper/need a kleenex/fedexed the letter' because I loath the all-pervasive consumerism it represents. People talk of Republican and Democrat as if they are ideologies at all and the only political parties that exist. I shouldn't think most understand what the political spectrum means and probably associate 'socialism' as some evil, European problem, evidenced in the USSR. These binary oppositions (in politics and foreign policy e.g. 'repub or demo' / 'either with us or against us' mentality) are created and fought over as if it's a sports game. It's disgusting and a horribly simplified view of the world.

Anomie - the world has changed but in many ways the US is trying to pretend it hasn't. Look at the denial over global warming, over oil running out, over having the wrong type of army to fight in Iraq.

1, 2, 4, 6, 7.

The US was an Empire at one point but since World War II, the United States gave that up. So no. We are not an Empire. As to Business and Economics, that is a world issue. The markets are driven by world events both here in the US and abroad.


This is fascinating. Kindly illustrate to me how - precisely- America was an "Empire" before WWII. When you've done that, you can explain how, why and what happened for you to say "the United states gave that up".

I would say their problem is more bipolarism than unilateralism.

They seem to utterly fail to take the middle ground on almost any issue be it gun control, sex, religion, abortion, gay marriage, politics (especially choice of party and foreign policy), science, environmentalism or even brands/marketing hype.

The culture of america is more 'you're either with us or against us' instead of 'live and let live'.

I personally think the jinxed culture of competitiveness is something that's bred early on by parents and educational system: Instead of constructive co-operation & competition only your or your team's victory matter at almost any cost, making your agenda and methods the right ones and the opponent's the wrong one almost despite evidence to contrary.

For a non-american it's actually quite interesting how a politician changing opinions in light of new evidence or because of events that have unfolded is invariably thought as becoming a turn coat in America: Once you've chosen your side you're not allowed to switch it - naturally to the other side skipping any middle ground - lightly.

^^^^ Well said. That's why I have a hard time deciding on whether to vote for a socialist or a fascist.

That would be poverty, chief.

At the moment it's the shrub as he includes many of the choices.....

This is fascinating. Kindly illustrate to me how - precisely- America was an "Empire" before WWII. When you've done that, you can explain how, why and what happened for you to say "the United states gave that up".

First off, there was that little provoking of Mexico that resulted into the 2nd Mexican War that gained us the entire Southwest. Let us not forget the Spanish American War that resulted in us gaining Cuba (now independent), Puerto Rico (still a US Territory) , Philippines (Independent). Not to mention incursions into China with the rest of Western Europe. Yea we were not an empire at all :rolleyes:

First off, there was that little provoking of Mexico that resulted into the 2nd Mexican War that gained us the entire Southwest. Let us not forget the Spanish American War that resulted in us gaining Cuba (now independent), Puerto Rico (still a US Territory) , Philippines (Independent). Not to mention incursions into China with the rest of Western Europe. Yea we were not an empire at all :rolleyes:

Compared to European powers of the day? Hell no. We were, at best, an infant nation with a few too many gun-happy people.

Hell, if anything, we were more of an empire after WWII than before.

Compared to European powers of the day? Hell no. We were, at best, an infant nation with a few too many gun-happy people.

Hell, if anything, we were more of an empire after WWII than before.

Some can make the claim and make a convincing case about that just like people can make a convincing case that were an empire when we began to take over territory that did not belong to us to begin with going back to around the time of President Jackson.

Some can make the claim and make a convincing case about that just like people can make a convincing case that were an empire when we began to take over territory that did not belong to us to begin with going back to around the time of President Jackson.

Or we were just assholes with guns. *shrug*

Wait wait, let me make sure I get this straight. You think that it's minorities that are forking over cash to the politicians?

What the fuck?

I think the poster meant minorities as in a small group of the population.

This is the problem with political correctness - different definitions get affixed to words. A minority doesnt just mean someone black or latino.

Tobacco executives are a minority in the country, corn farmers are a minority in the US, as are other groups represented by lobbyists. 'Minority' is not a word exclusive to a non-majority ethnic group.

The source of the greatest problems in America stem from a decline of federalism.

A strong central government with a huge budget allows for all the little problems this country faces.

Politicians are bought by lobbyists because politicians have the power to make regulations strangling their competition or paying them billions of dollars. Without the ability to funnel huge sums of money to pet projects, corruption will practically disappear – why buy a politician if he cannot do anything for you?

State governments should be fairly autonomous. This allows the stupidity of Kansas not to dominate the politics of the entire nation, and allows each state to experiment with their own ideas. When one state hits on something that really works, other states can adopt it, if they follow a really dumb idea, damage is limited to that state. Each state being allowed a free hand to explore their own systems allows for greater freedom, greater accountability to their constituents (why should a bunch of Californian representatives be able to screw over Rhode Island residents?), and greater ability to tailor government to local conditions (the economy and environment of California is vastly different from Mississippi or Maine).

Were the federal government limited to the few functions given it by the constitution (without the twisted logic allowing ‘regulating interstate commerce’ to mean they can dictate the manufacturing process and components of anything on the grounds that it might be shipped across state lines), just about every problem you can name will disappear.

Flatulence.

Americas biggest problem? Lack of good education for the poorest. After that: the car culture/sedentary lifestyle/poor health/poor healthcare.