America

[TubaKing]

I was reading through some threads in a forum when I stumbled upon theitt: inhabitants of the best cities in the world answer your questions thread. It got me to wondering what people think of my home country, the USA.
I searched and found some threads about random aspects of America (and even a thread trolling Tangerine) but could not find a thread about the country itself.

For all the bullshit that I hate about America, I think I'm rather fortunate to have been born here.

Some (debatable) points of discussion:

• World's only 'superpower'(?)

• More politically conservative than most of Western Civilization

• Two-party system

• Some of the world's best universities

• Lots of technology

• The internet

• Lots of crime (and retarded drug policies)

• Lots of great land

• Lots of great movies

• Lots of war

• Lots of guns

• Lousy foreign policy

• Self-importance/self-righteousness

• Huge influence on the culture of the world

• Expensive healthcare

• Diversity

• Income disparity

• 'The American Dream'

• Cheap food

• Obesity

• Musical legacy

• High divorce rates

• American literature

Et cetera, et cetera. I may add on to the list later.

Hate it, love it, or don't give a fuck about it, my question to you, Smogon, is what do you really think of the United States?

 

[Mountain Dewgong]

As a member of a small commonwealth country I look down at you guys


but yet I'll still go to the US for a OE or some shit.

 

[jrrrrrrr]

It's pretty good here, in some places. I don't know what I would do if I didn't live in the northeastern US though, I would probably kill myself if I had to live in a state where a majority of people think that evolution isn't real....

As long as you avoid the south and middle, the US is one of the greatest places on earth!

For all the bullshit that I hate about America, I think I'm rather fortunate to have been born here.

This sums up my feelings pretty well. I'm happy I was born here, but I could still be happier. Once you go to other places you realize how bad conditions in this country actually are.

 

[a fairy]

America has downfalls, but I have no regrets living here.


Note: Justin Bibarel is from Canada. Thank god.

 

[Firestorm]

I've always been a fan of your national anthem.

 

[Ace Emerald]

• World's only 'superpower'

I strongly disagree with that statement. America is not even close to being the only superpower.

My feelings of America: corrupt and ignorant.

 

[az]

• World's only 'superpower'

sup

 

[TubaKing]

It's pretty good here, in some places. I don't know what I would do if I didn't live in the northeastern US though, I would probably kill myself if I had to live in a state where a majority of people think that evolution isn't real....

As long as you avoid the south and middle, the US is one of the greatest places on earth!

I grew up in the bible belt. It has its ups and downs.There are a good bit of people brainwashed by Fox News, but even then, most people are extremely nice and the food is really good.
The heat in the summers is a bitch, but I don't think I could handle the single-digit temperatures or driving in the snow in the winter higher north.


It may just be my American arrogance acting up, but from what I've read America has been the only 'superpower' since after the Cold War, if that term is even still viable with the growing interdependence between nations.
China and the European Union are certainly great powers, but I'm not sure if most political scientists would say either has achieved superpower status yet.
I think the term is kind of arbitrary and I have no qualms with rephrasing the bullet point, if need be.

 

[moot]

sup

the term superpower is such an outdated term anyway; you can pretty much group the EU, India, and Brazil under that too, as they have arguably the most economic power in a 'peaceful' time such as this

personal thoughts on the US: isn't too bad if you never watch the news

 

[Xaqwais]

America has damn good food, I still need to do a crazy road trip just to grab all the food in the NE parts.

I love livin' in the middle of it all though. I echo the "has bad but has some great aspects" as well.

 

[Myzozoa]

Some parts of America are just really nice, New York City, all of California, and Philadelphia, and Hawaii, and a shit load of other places. America as a place, as a location is excellent, I can think of no other way to describe it.

The problems I have with America are largely do to its politics: both the politics of its people (who are undeniably ignorant, misinformed, and isolated) and the consequences of the two-party system. It is a fact that most Americans are more ignorant of history, geography, political policy, etc, than most of the rest of the western world, and our leaders I feel share this ignorance.

Now that being said, I would probably be okay with living in America for my adult life, except that America's infrastructure is ... there is no word to describe how unacceptable our infrastructure is, it essentially has not been extensively invested in since Eisenhower was the president (go moderates ftw, we need more of you). Look at China and Japan, these countries have an amazing transportation system that makes living there more enjoyable, and doing business there more profitable and less complicated, these countries' governments have invested in making themselves desirable places to live, while America has stagnated. The OP lists technology as a "good" factor about America, I would generally disagree with this, America is not notable for the amount of hi-tech stuff available.


tl;dr California needs a bullet train from SF to LA (and las vegas too)

Edit: american literature is easily the best by far, no other place comes close

 

[masterful]

I'm an american, and I have mixed emotions about this country.
1)Our government is currently ASS
2)There is a huge amount of inequality among genders, the poor and the rich, and those of differing sexual orientation

But:
1)The weather's nice
2)We have good sports

Lol that's about it

 

[Brammi]

I was reading through some threads in a forum when I stumbled upon theitt: inhabitants of the best cities in the world answer your questions thread. It got me to wondering what people think of my home country, the USA.
I searched and found some threads about random aspects of America (and even a thread trolling Tangerine) but could not find a thread about the country itself.

For all the bullshit that I hate about America, I think I'm rather fortunate to have been born here.

Some (debatable) points of discussion:

• World's only 'superpower' Just lol.

• More politically conservative than most of Western Civilization Yet most of the country doesn't vote.

• Some of the world's best universities If you look at the stats you have many countries hot on your heels. That will change soon.

• Lots of technology You're not the only ones.

• The internet OMG you created it. And look where it got us. Porn and some social networking site. :p

• Lots of crime (and retarded drug policies) Wait you like crime?

• Lots of great land Try Australia.

• Lots of great movies Bollywood says hai.

• Lots of war Look at crime.

• Lots of guns See above.

• Lousy foreign policy Go look at where you said you liked your country.

• Self-importance/self-righteousness ...

• Huge influence on the culture of the world And we all hate you for it.

• Expensive healthcare We're back to the bad list.

• Diversity History books say hai.

• Income disparity Wait this post was meant to be ironic about america. I geddit.

• 'The American Dream' BAHAHAHAHAHA I love that phrase.

• Cheap food You lucky bastards.

• Obesity Oh wait, maybe you're unlucky.

• Musical legacy JUSTIN BEABER

• High divorce rates I like this list.

• American literature is always outdone by someone else.

Et cetera, et cetera. I may add on to the list later.

Hate it, love, or don't give a fuck about it, my question to you, Smogon, is what do you really think of the United States?

Responses in bold.

What can I say, I'm Australian. As I was growing up the America hate was drilled into me.

 

[Atlas]

i think of america as i think of 4chan. some parts might be good, but as a whole...

ya.

 

[Sy123]

What does America have that Australia hasnt?

Oh wait....

 

[Darkamber8828]

The internet OMG you created it. And look where it got us. Porn and some social networking site. :p

Implying all the porn you can see, and more, for free, is a bad thing.

Also, Canada can have Justin Bieber.

 

[jrrrrrrr]

What does America have that Australia hasnt?

Oh wait....

M-rated video games. BOOM

 

[Oglemi]

Whether or not you like us, you have to admit that without us, everybody would be kind of lost.

And I find it funny that not only does the US spend a shit ton on military, but it also is one of the biggest contributors of foreign aid.

 

[Sy123]

We have M rated video games too except its like 'T' in America, yes, the rating system is stuffed up

 

[Vineon]

Responses in bold.

What can I say, I'm Australian. As I was growing up the America hate was drilled into me.

And paradoxically, like the rest of the WASP world, the lion's share of your cultural consumption is very much likely American.

What a weird hatred.. or is this jealousy?..

 

[Brammi]

Whether or not you like us, you have to admit that without us, everybody would be kind of lost.

And I find it funny that not only does the US spend a shit ton on military, but it also is one of the biggest contributors of foreign aid.

Not as impressive per capita. But yeah true.

As for the video games. We just don't have the 'R' rating.

 

[Sy123]

And paradoxically, like the rest of the WASP world, the lion's share of your cultural consumption is very much likely American.

What a weird hatred.. or is this jealousy?..

Australia has always looked up to America greatly after WW2. Which I guess is why Australia's culture has changed dramatically throughout the years.
Maybe America should start using its money to help people, whats the point if your the first people on Mars, when a lot of people do not have the television/education/resources to acknowledge this.

 

[jrrrrrrr]

Maybe America should start using its money to help people, whats the point if your the first people on Mars, when a lot of people do not have the television/education/resources to acknowledge this.

Uh...America is the largest giver of foreign aid in the world. By a lot. And that's just governmentally allocated aid, not even including charitable donations from individuals. Even more impressive considering how little America gets from other countries in return. Looks like we aren't the only ignorant ones on the planet.

 

[Tayla]

As long as you avoid the south

Actually, the area I live in in Georgia is very unlike most parts of the South. In fact, many people who have bad things to say about the South only base their opinions on stereotypical nonsense and the goofs they put on the news. Unless you go to central Alabama, the South's a pleasant place to call home.


We might have a shitstorm as a government, but I don't see the reason for all the flak America receives. Half the time none of these people have even set foot on United States land. The crap they put on the news is probably just as skewed as some of it they put on our news networks. (lolFox) The US is a lovely place to live, and I'd never want to be anywhere else.

It says alot about this country when we send millions of aide to foreign countries that hate our guts.. >>

 

[Firestorm]

Responses in bold.

What can I say, I'm Australian. As I was growing up the America hate was drilled into me.

Did it also make you a moron? He was listing perceptions of America, not necessarily positive ones.