That made me think of the first amendment. Now, here the first amendment doesn't apply, and I don't mean to imply that it does. Really, the value here is purpose based and that requires expression be limited simply to get at expression that helps us toward that purpose without also helping us to do more labor to deal with noise.
That said, free expression is one of the great things about the US. One can be killed for the wrong expression, or severely punished, exiled and all sorts of ugly things just for mere expression in some parts of the world. Here we get to express our thoughts with few worries by comparison. Having that basic freedom is a high value thing. It gets abused, but overall, the influence it has on how we think, what we do, etc... is profound, and easy to ignore or marginalize.
I agree that the system is really messed up. About 5 1/2 years ago my oldest brother had an
operation to remove a golf-ball sized brain tumor. He fought for his disability for over two years,
the only reason why he finally got it was because he was one of the very few people who made it past the two year mark.
The numbers show that people who have had that type of brain cancer rarely live more than two
years after the operation. Now that he is in his 50's now one will hire him because of two reasons, he is 55 and he had one of the worst forms of cancer one can have.
Currently he and his girls are now watching our elderly mother who is having complications from a hip replacement operation from last Monday.
-dan
Of course, he got the back disabilty that he wait for two years for, didn't he? It is lousy to have to wait, but that first check is rather large.
I know it's an election year, and the temptation can be overwhelming, but let's steer clear of politics, okay? Browser's moderation paw is starting to get twitchy.
Browser, I was wondering if you support HB1234. Did I mention I want to make a donation of (100) cans of Fancy Feast to wet your appetite?
Are you sure about that Bruce? I heard our president say "You didn't build that."
Those words burn by butt every time I'm still at work late at night working out a problem and don't see anyone from the government offering to help.
We all know, at least we should, that a lot of our abilities and drive come from those that raised us and taught us, and that without the sacrifice of those before us we wouldn't have the freedoms that we currently have. However it is up to the individual to make use of their God given talents and to make the best of what they are given. It seems our president needs to deminish the efforts of the individual in order to make the case for redistribution of wealth, which is really the theft of the fruits of labor.
C.W.
Just thank god every day that no govt worker is helping you out. It has been said that the scariest greeting in ANY language will always be "we are from the government and we are here to help....."
I took the thread to be about the country not the politics, ANY country that has a government will chance have citizens that hate this or that about their government, their taxes etc but I was talking about the people themselves and the fantastic diversity of scenery the service and the fun, this is what people that visit your country remember I don't think any holidaymakers give a **** about the government that rules the country and by that I mean any country.
I took the thread to be about the country not the politics ...
For the most part, it is, and that's okay. However, someone living in the U.S. cannot have missed a quote from the presidential campaign that has become a partisan issue. That's the direction we need to steer clear of.
From the forum guidelines:
"The Parallax Discussion Forums is not the venue to discuss religious/non-religious agendas, nor is it a place for political rants or arguments. ..."
"Most" everything. One of my biggest complaints about America???? And, I am pretty sure there are many that will agree. I work my butt off to stay above water. I pay taxes for what is suppose to be "Services" to me, my family and my fellow Americans. I am SICK of paying those taxes so that the people with the power can give my hard earned money away like it is theirs to give to Countries where their people burn OUR Countries flag. It is not right and this needs to stop.
I hate to say it, but that is a very politically charged statement.
As far as flames/flamewars, it's refreshing how rare they are on this forum. When I come here, the general tone of the forum makes me less defensive. There are other forums where people tend to be more outgoing/argumentative, and I tend to be such on them. Ken, you do certainly help to set the tone here, despite how rarely you post. This helps to show just how human Parallax is, as a company.
I would like to see this forum stay away from politics as much as possible. Paul Graham has an excellent explanation as to why.
I would have to say that America is great because we are theoretically governed by a constitution that grants us specific rights that citizens of other countries do not have. For the sake of brevity, I will not list them , but it is are rights as citizens of the USA that makes America great.
Bruce
Brevity be damned. I for one would love to learn about the freedoms that America enjoys that say, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, in fact ANY western nation doesn't enjoy.
But to be honest I think that's one of the great things about America.
Maybe I misunderstood this but are you saying that beliefs in myth and superstition constitute greatness? Sweden IS a great country and so are Norway and Denmark. You are missing nothing, let me tell you
Brevity be damned. I for one would love to learn about the freedoms that America enjoys that say, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, in fact ANY western nation doesn't enjoy.
Mickster
I'll start with the 1st and 2nd amendments, freedom of expression and the right to keep and bear arms.
I'll start with the 1st and 2nd amendments, freedom of expression and the right to keep and bear arms.
C.W.
And that's it? What freedom of expression do Americans have that is different to anywhere else? The right to bear arms is an advantage how? Isn't this the principle reason why all American schools can only be entered through metal detectors? Yup you really have something there :-)
If any American is too impressed with the standard of living here in America I implore you not to visit France, England, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, or Japan lest you get a serious case of disillusionment. The US is _one of_ the best places in the world to live but nowhere close to the best for a middle-class citizen. We might be starting to plug one of the biggest holes in that with healthcare reform but it's not done yet, and from the standpoint of a lot of people we are the low-class barbarians who discard our poor and trash our workers.
I always figured I was middle-class. Now I don't know. Working hard in college, then living frugally to pay off the house in seven years has served me well. There is nothing I did that anyone couldn't do. I didn't tap the government one dime for tuition or healthcare. Now I have lots of land (no pun intended) and lots of free time.
If any American is too impressed with the standard of living here in America I implore you not to visit France, England, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, or Japan lest you get a serious case of disillusionment. The US is _one of_ the best places in the world to live but nowhere close to the best for a middle-class citizen. We might be starting to plug one of the biggest holes in that with healthcare reform but it's not done yet, and from the standpoint of a lot of people we are the low-class barbarians who discard our poor and trash our workers.
I moved to the USA from England in 1984 and returned to England last year and very happy that I did for many, many reasons. Visiting the States for a vacation is one thing but it is NOT the greatest place to live and I am one of those fortunate enough to have never had financial or health-coverage problems as I was the owner of a successful corporation.
Americans are programmed to believe that they have some kind of "freedoms" that no-one else has and politicians constantly harp-on about "other countries hate our freedoms"...But no-one can quantify what these freedoms are.
I do know that I can buy a Montecristo #4 from my local tobacconist whenever I am in the mood for a good Cuban cigar, though ;-)
Regards,
Mickster
P.S. Not too long ago, a college grad asked me if women in England were allowed to vote....LOL!
Back to the basic idea of what was said in the beginning of this thread. I scrimp. I save what I can. I work hard, and still barely make it. Does that mean I hate America? Nope. Does that mean I'm a flag waving patriot? Nope. I like you guys here, but I just don't understand quantifying your patriotisim in how much money you make. I know I'll either get flamed or ignored for this one, but hey... free speech, right? I have no doubts that comparing us to a third world country makes us look spectacular, but I'm as proud of our place in the world as I am ashamed for some of the things we have done.
I think this thread has gotten off track. I'm tempted to lock it.
This thread was not meant as an "America is the greatest" thread, or a thread for others to knock America.
I was HOPING people would post reasons why they feel America is great (not that other countries are not great too).
Yes, we Americans are pretty well-off.
Yes, "some" other countries are pretty well-off too.
Yes, America has it problems. (real and imagined)
Yes, American differ on their politics.
America is a great country. A solar powered or crank radio is a barely a curiosity for me. The only reason for me to hide it would be to avoid clutter. The UPS guy asked me if I was working on a 'time machine'. "No, it's just a few IC's I need for my next project." If I get stuck I can log in to these forums and ask about it. People from countries I will never get to discuss my post. I can order small things from large companies with a phone call. That's pretty great.
Comments
That said, free expression is one of the great things about the US. One can be killed for the wrong expression, or severely punished, exiled and all sorts of ugly things just for mere expression in some parts of the world. Here we get to express our thoughts with few worries by comparison. Having that basic freedom is a high value thing. It gets abused, but overall, the influence it has on how we think, what we do, etc... is profound, and easy to ignore or marginalize.
Of course, he got the back disabilty that he wait for two years for, didn't he? It is lousy to have to wait, but that first check is rather large.
Browser, I was wondering if you support HB1234. Did I mention I want to make a donation of (100) cans of Fancy Feast to wet your appetite?
Just thank god every day that no govt worker is helping you out. It has been said that the scariest greeting in ANY language will always be "we are from the government and we are here to help....."
My current question is: Has Browser been declawed?
-Phil
From the forum guidelines:
-Phil
Brevity be damned. I for one would love to learn about the freedoms that America enjoys that say, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, in fact ANY western nation doesn't enjoy.
Mickster
Maybe I misunderstood this but are you saying that beliefs in myth and superstition constitute greatness? Sweden IS a great country and so are Norway and Denmark. You are missing nothing, let me tell you
Cheers!
Mickster
I'll start with the 1st and 2nd amendments, freedom of expression and the right to keep and bear arms.
C.W.
And that's it? What freedom of expression do Americans have that is different to anywhere else? The right to bear arms is an advantage how? Isn't this the principle reason why all American schools can only be entered through metal detectors? Yup you really have something there :-)
You should have added Charles Heston to the monkey photo promoting the NRA.
Ok, Gordon's Canadian but I don't think he was singing 'bout the Canadian Pacific!!
Of the pictures that I have taken, that's one of my favorites.
http://miramarairshow.com/
I moved to the USA from England in 1984 and returned to England last year and very happy that I did for many, many reasons. Visiting the States for a vacation is one thing but it is NOT the greatest place to live and I am one of those fortunate enough to have never had financial or health-coverage problems as I was the owner of a successful corporation.
Americans are programmed to believe that they have some kind of "freedoms" that no-one else has and politicians constantly harp-on about "other countries hate our freedoms"...But no-one can quantify what these freedoms are.
I do know that I can buy a Montecristo #4 from my local tobacconist whenever I am in the mood for a good Cuban cigar, though ;-)
Regards,
Mickster
P.S. Not too long ago, a college grad asked me if women in England were allowed to vote....LOL!
Bruce
This thread was not meant as an "America is the greatest" thread, or a thread for others to knock America.
I was HOPING people would post reasons why they feel America is great (not that other countries are not great too).
Yes, we Americans are pretty well-off.
Yes, "some" other countries are pretty well-off too.
Yes, America has it problems. (real and imagined)
Yes, American differ on their politics.
Bean
P.S. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqqNqtQijUQ
P.S.S. Why is America great ? We are the home to Parallax Inc !!!