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Your opinion about Immigration.

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    cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,106
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    Really?  You can;t think of anything?
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Options
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    Really?  You can;t think of anything?
    Pearl Jam?
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
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    Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 36,602
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    Really?  You can;t think of anything?
    You made a statement and I’m asking you to back it up. Give me as many as you can.
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN;

    Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.

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    cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,106
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    Really?  You can;t think of anything?
    You made a statement and I’m asking you to back it up. Give me as many as you can.
    Yup, I said"  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things."

    So some things that I like about the US:

    1) Freedom of speech
    2) National parks 
    3) Amazing geography with lots of diverstiy
    4) The diversity of the people
    5) Friendliness of the people as you walk around
    6) Wide open roads to drive
    7) The music from the USA
    8) The sports in USA
    9) The TV and movies from USA
    10) The universities provide terrific education and there are so many of them great in their own ways
    11) The housing space....not everything is super crowded
    12) 3 separate branches of government
    13) Free elections
    14) American craft beer

    I'm sure there is plenty more but that's off the top of my head.  I'm sure there is a list for most other countries as well.  
    hippiemom = goodness
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    PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,534
    Of course there are good things about America, just like there are a lot of good things about every country, especially the fully developed ones. I don't think anyone would ever argue that. And yes, the American movie and TV industry rules the entertainment world (though not everyone would say that's a good thing - I'm personally fine with it, as I find it extremely convenient that it's pretty much all in English, lol).
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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    cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,106
    PJ_Soul said:
    Of course there are good things about America, just like there are a lot of good things about every country, especially the fully developed ones. I don't think anyone would ever argue that. And yes, the American movie and TV industry rules the entertainment world (though not everyone would say that's a good thing - I'm personally fine with it, as I find it extremely convenient that it's pretty much all in English, lol).
    Ummmm...well I said exactly what you are saying now and people questioned me....so apparently people will argue that.
    hippiemom = goodness
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    PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,534
    edited August 2018
    PJ_Soul said:
    Of course there are good things about America, just like there are a lot of good things about every country, especially the fully developed ones. I don't think anyone would ever argue that. And yes, the American movie and TV industry rules the entertainment world (though not everyone would say that's a good thing - I'm personally fine with it, as I find it extremely convenient that it's pretty much all in English, lol).
    Ummmm...well I said exactly what you are saying now and people questioned me....so apparently people will argue that.
    Okay, I'll be ready for that, lol. ;)
    I'm sure nobody intended to argue that there is literally nothing good about America though. Come on.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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    cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,106
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    PJSoul.....ummmmm this guy.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Options
    PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,534
    edited August 2018
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    PJSoul.....ummmmm this guy.
    "That guy" didn't say anything besides asking you to say what the great things about the US are.... There is no statement there at all. If you took that to say Halifax things there is nothing good at all in America, then I'd say you're reading into things a bit to much. I don't believe Halifax meant to say that, anyway. Maybe that guy can let us know, haha. ;)
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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    cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,106
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    hippiemom = goodness
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    PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,534
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    Dude, just because there are some good or great things in America it doesn't make America great overall. I think that's what your synopsis clarifies, and what was meant by others. Makes sense to me. I think you're kind of misinterpreting a little bit?
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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    Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 36,602
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    WTF? Its a forum for debate. Asking a question is part of the process. I didn't intimate whatsoever that "there's nothing great about America." I was interested in your list. And you through out the thought, the concept that America is great so I asked what made it great. Your first response was, "you can't name anything?" Jesus H Christ is right.
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN;

    Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.

    Brilliantati©
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    josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,297
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    I have to agree yep i'm a crazy SOB lol but but if someone was to ask me i'm thinking about moving to America and asked my opinion i'd have to say it's not as great as it once was , surely you can see how it has changed in the last 10 yrs no ?
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
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    PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,534
    edited August 2018
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    I have to agree yep i'm a crazy SOB lol but but if someone was to ask me i'm thinking about moving to America and asked my opinion i'd have to say it's not as great as it once was , surely you can see how it has changed in the last 10 yrs no ?
    My answer would be that it's not great at all, and it never was great like a lot of Americans like to think and like the US government wants everyone to think, but it has a lot of great qualities despite all that. Unfortunately, some of the greatness that is present is now being quickly and severely eroded by the Trump administration.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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    Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    edited August 2018
    ...
    Give Peas A Chance…
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    Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739

    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    You are correct ... many here will argue the sky isn't blue ... just too fucking argue.  Not the greatest forums anymore.
    Give Peas A Chance…
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    josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,297
    PJ_Soul said:
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    I have to agree yep i'm a crazy SOB lol but but if someone was to ask me i'm thinking about moving to America and asked my opinion i'd have to say it's not as great as it once was , surely you can see how it has changed in the last 10 yrs no ?
    My answer would be that it's not great at all, and it never was great like a lot of Americans like to think and like the US government wants everyone to think, but it has a lot of great qualities despite all that. Unfortunately, some of the greatness is present is now being quickly and severely eroded by the Trump administration.
    I like your answer better than mine ...
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • Options
    What does "free elections" mean? 

    Never heard of a western democracy with as corrupt democratic process as the US. 
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Options
    PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,534

    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    You are correct ... many here will argue the sky isn't blue ... just too fucking argue.  Not the greatest forums anymore.
    Really? Who does that? I know I don't.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Options
    mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 27,878
    edited August 2018
    What does "free elections" mean? 

    Never heard of a western democracy with as corrupt democratic process as the US. 
    Free elections to me means: 18 and over, Citizen and No poll tax to vote. We as Americans have a voice in electing our representatives and We also get to vote on some budgets, fire chiefs,  referendums, etc. All that great stuff. We ve come along way as a country.  It’s also the only time a year when everyone is equal, one vote is one vote. 
    Where have you read that we have the most corrupt democratic process of all western democracies?  What makes you think that?  Of course there is corruption here but I don’t think we are the most corrupt western democracy. 
    Interesting article on corrupt nations (the us isn’t on the list)
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/these-are-the-18-most-corrupt-countries-in-the-developed-world-a7066391.html
    Post edited by mcgruff10 on
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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    mcgruff10 said:
    What does "free elections" mean? 

    Never heard of a western democracy with as corrupt democratic process as the US. 
    Free elections to me means: 18 and over, Citizen and No poll tax to vote. We as Americans have a voice in electing our representatives and We also get to vote on some budgets, fire chiefs,  referendums, etc. All that great stuff. We ve come along way as a country.  It’s also the only time a year when everyone is equal, one vote is one vote. 
    Interesting article on corrupt nations (the us isn’t on the list)
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/these-are-the-18-most-corrupt-countries-in-the-developed-world-a7066391.html

    The 2015 annual Year in Election report compares the risks of flawed and failed elections, and looks at how well countries around the world meet international standards. The report gathers assessments from over 2,000 experts to evaluate the perceived integrity of all 180 national parliamentary and presidential contests held between July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015 in 139 countries worldwide. These include 54 national elections held last year.

    Forty experts were asked to assess each election by answering 49 questions The overall 100-point Perceptions of Electoral Integrity (PEI) index is constructed by summing up the responses.

    Americans often express pride in their democracy, yet the results indicate that domestic and international experts rate the U.S. elections as the worst among all Western democracies.

    Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are at the top of the ranking, all scoring over 80 on the 100 point PEI Index. Several democracies from diverse regions and cultures – for example, Israel and Canada – are ranked in the middle of the pack.

    http://theconversation.com/american-elections-ranked-worst-among-western-democracies-heres-why-56485

    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Options
    Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 28,998
    edited August 2018
    mcgruff10 said:
    What does "free elections" mean? 

    Never heard of a western democracy with as corrupt democratic process as the US. 
    Free elections to me means: 18 and over, Citizen and No poll tax to vote. We as Americans have a voice in electing our representatives and We also get to vote on some budgets, fire chiefs,  referendums, etc. All that great stuff. We ve come along way as a country.  It’s also the only time a year when everyone is equal, one vote is one vote. 
    Where have you read that we have the most corrupt democratic process of all western democracies?  What makes you think that?  Of course there is corruption here but I don’t think we are the most corrupt western democracy. 
    Interesting article on corrupt nations (the us isn’t on the list)
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/these-are-the-18-most-corrupt-countries-in-the-developed-world-a7066391.html
    Can people who has been jailed vote?
    Do you have a thing called gerrymandering?
    Can you vote by default for being a citizen, or do you have to go through a process and "register" to vote?
    What are the voting turnout for your superduper democratic elections?
    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Options
    mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 27,878
    mcgruff10 said:
    What does "free elections" mean? 

    Never heard of a western democracy with as corrupt democratic process as the US. 
    Free elections to me means: 18 and over, Citizen and No poll tax to vote. We as Americans have a voice in electing our representatives and We also get to vote on some budgets, fire chiefs,  referendums, etc. All that great stuff. We ve come along way as a country.  It’s also the only time a year when everyone is equal, one vote is one vote. 
    Interesting article on corrupt nations (the us isn’t on the list)
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/these-are-the-18-most-corrupt-countries-in-the-developed-world-a7066391.html

    The 2015 annual Year in Election report compares the risks of flawed and failed elections, and looks at how well countries around the world meet international standards. The report gathers assessments from over 2,000 experts to evaluate the perceived integrity of all 180 national parliamentary and presidential contests held between July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2015 in 139 countries worldwide. These include 54 national elections held last year.

    Forty experts were asked to assess each election by answering 49 questions The overall 100-point Perceptions of Electoral Integrity (PEI) index is constructed by summing up the responses.

    Americans often express pride in their democracy, yet the results indicate that domestic and international experts rate the U.S. elections as the worst among all Western democracies.

    Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden are at the top of the ranking, all scoring over 80 on the 100 point PEI Index. Several democracies from diverse regions and cultures – for example, Israel and Canada – are ranked in the middle of the pack.

    http://theconversation.com/american-elections-ranked-worst-among-western-democracies-heres-why-56485

    The article also says (and this explains a lot):

    But the U.S. scores 62, a full 24 points lower than Denmark and Finland. The UK also performs fairly poorly, along with Greece and Australia. One reason for this is that proportional electoral systems – which translate votes into seats on a proportional basis – usually tend to score higher as they provide more inclusive opportunities for smaller parties. All of the Nordic countries, for example, use a proportional system



    I agree that gerrymandering is terrible however I'll take all this information with a grain of salt:

    The project received media attention in 2016 when it ranked the United States last among western nations.[2] One of the project's International Advisory Board, Andrew Reynolds, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, noted in the Raleigh-based News and Observer that his home state's election integrity score was similar to Cuba, Indonesia and Sierra Leone.[3] The study ranked integrity of the state's congressional districts lowest in the nation just below similar outlier Wisconsin.[4][5] An editorial in the Wall Street Journal ridiculed the study, noting that "Democracy in New York (which scored a 61) and Virginia (60) is supposedly more imperiled than in Rwanda (64), though Rwanda is controlled by an autocrat. The worst-performing state, Arizona (53), is outranked by Kuwait (55), Ivory Coast (59) and Kyrgyzstan (54)."[6] Dylan Matthews writing in Vox agreed that "it seems foolish to infer from that that the US is less of a democracy than Rwanda" but felt that the EIP had highlighted important issues such as gerrymandering and voter registration laws.[7]

    Statistician Andrew Gelman had a negative view of the PEI Index, commenting that "[it] all seems like an unstable combination of political ideology, academic self-promotion, credulous journalism, and plain old incompetence", noting among other things that the EIP's 2014 data release has previously given the North Korean parliamentary election an 'electoral integrity' score of 65.3 and Cuba 65.6, higher than elections in EU members Romania and Bulgaria.[8][9][10] Norris addressed the controversy in two long replies to Gelman, noting that her team had subsequently dropped the North Korean election from the dataset. Gelman, however, questioned her justification for this removal and continued to question the EIP's methodology more generally.

    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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    mcgruff10mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 27,878
    edited August 2018

    mcgruff10 said:
    What does "free elections" mean? 

    Never heard of a western democracy with as corrupt democratic process as the US. 
    Free elections to me means: 18 and over, Citizen and No poll tax to vote. We as Americans have a voice in electing our representatives and We also get to vote on some budgets, fire chiefs,  referendums, etc. All that great stuff. We ve come along way as a country.  It’s also the only time a year when everyone is equal, one vote is one vote. 
    Where have you read that we have the most corrupt democratic process of all western democracies?  What makes you think that?  Of course there is corruption here but I don’t think we are the most corrupt western democracy. 
    Interesting article on corrupt nations (the us isn’t on the list)
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/these-are-the-18-most-corrupt-countries-in-the-developed-world-a7066391.html
    Can people who has been jailed vote?
    Do you have a thing called gerrymandering?
    Can you vote by default for being a citizen, or do you have to go through a process and "register" to vote?
    What are the voting turnout for your superduper democratic elections?
    Can people who has been jailed vote? People who have been jailed can vote depending on the state.  
    Do you have a thing called gerrymandering?  yes, agreed it is terrible.
    Can you vote by default for being a citizen, or do you have to go through a process and "register" to vote? register to vote: above 18/citizen and state residency requirements.  In NJ you can get everything online:  https://vote.gov/register/nj/   For info on different states go to vote.gov
    What are the voting turnout for your superduper democratic elections?  not good, more people should vote.  
    Post edited by mcgruff10 on
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
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    benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 8,938
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    Honestly, how many indefensible actions does it take for one perpetrator to be seen as indefensible? I’m astonished at people’s abilities to treat each government-perpetrated actions as independent.
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

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    Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 36,602
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    Really?  You can;t think of anything?
    You made a statement and I’m asking you to back it up. Give me as many as you can.
    Yup, I said"  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things."

    So some things that I like about the US:

    1) Freedom of speech
    2) National parks 
    3) Amazing geography with lots of diverstiy
    4) The diversity of the people
    5) Friendliness of the people as you walk around
    6) Wide open roads to drive
    7) The music from the USA
    8) The sports in USA
    9) The TV and movies from USA
    10) The universities provide terrific education and there are so many of them great in their own ways
    11) The housing space....not everything is super crowded
    12) 3 separate branches of government
    13) Free elections
    14) American craft beer

    I'm sure there is plenty more but that's off the top of my head.  I'm sure there is a list for most other countries as well.  
    I agree with these but would add the following:

    1) Miles of beautiful coastline.
    2) Smooth transitions of power. We don't have tanks rolling through the streets and state houses being torched after an election.
    3) The ability of anyone to come from any part of the world with absolutely nothing and become a millionaire or better. Although this seems to be getting harder and harder to do.
    4) Generoristy of the American people to help others here and around the wrold in times of need. But this also seems to have been curtailed recently (Puerto Rico, California wild fires). Has Team Trump Treason made any public statements or explained how the feds are assisting in California? Anything?
    5) The amazing differences in culture you experience in different states. Sometimes it feels like I've left the country but I'm just in a different state.

    But all it takes is one unnecessary invasion of Iraq or non-response to a hurricane for me to question whether all of this really matters in the context of whether America is, or still is, great. OP, if America is great, did she need to be made so again or was she always?
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN;

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    cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,106
    benjs said:
    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    Honestly, how many indefensible actions does it take for one perpetrator to be seen as indefensible? I’m astonished at people’s abilities to treat each government-perpetrated actions as independent.
    Who is doing that? 
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Options
    cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,106
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    I have to agree yep i'm a crazy SOB lol but but if someone was to ask me i'm thinking about moving to America and asked my opinion i'd have to say it's not as great as it once was , surely you can see how it has changed in the last 10 yrs no ?
    But we weren’t talking about that at all. Fuck I’m done on this thread. 
    hippiemom = goodness
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    PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,534
    Aw, don't go Cincy.

    I’ll never ever say this country is great again that definition has been trampled by the idiot in chief ...
    Usually it's dumb to speak in absolutes.  Almost always comes back to bite you in the ass.  

    It’s my opinion it won’t affect anyone...unless you consider me to be important in some weird way lol 
    Nope won't effect me at all.  I'm guilty of doing this from time to time as well.  But I don't think it really helps discussion to speak like that.  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things.  And I'd still prefer to live here than anywhere else I've been to....up to this point.  Even though I'd kind prefer to be able to move around every 3 mos, spending 6 in the US and 6 elsewhere each year, that'd be cool.

    This is an indefensible action by this admin, no doubt about it.  But it doesn't take down a country as a whole....certainly knocks it down a few pegs....and we will need to see how we Americans fix this moving forward.
    What are the great things about the US?
    Really?  You can;t think of anything?
    You made a statement and I’m asking you to back it up. Give me as many as you can.
    Yup, I said"  I certainly believe there are still great things about the USA.  As most countries have some great things."

    So some things that I like about the US:

    1) Freedom of speech
    2) National parks 
    3) Amazing geography with lots of diverstiy
    4) The diversity of the people
    5) Friendliness of the people as you walk around
    6) Wide open roads to drive
    7) The music from the USA
    8) The sports in USA
    9) The TV and movies from USA
    10) The universities provide terrific education and there are so many of them great in their own ways
    11) The housing space....not everything is super crowded
    12) 3 separate branches of government
    13) Free elections
    14) American craft beer

    I'm sure there is plenty more but that's off the top of my head.  I'm sure there is a list for most other countries as well.  
    I agree with these but would add the following:

    1) Miles of beautiful coastline.
    2) Smooth transitions of power. We don't have tanks rolling through the streets and state houses being torched after an election.
    3) The ability of anyone to come from any part of the world with absolutely nothing and become a millionaire or better. Although this seems to be getting harder and harder to do.
    4) Generoristy of the American people to help others here and around the wrold in times of need. But this also seems to have been curtailed recently (Puerto Rico, California wild fires). Has Team Trump Treason made any public statements or explained how the feds are assisting in California? Anything?
    5) The amazing differences in culture you experience in different states. Sometimes it feels like I've left the country but I'm just in a different state.

    But all it takes is one unnecessary invasion of Iraq or non-response to a hurricane for me to question whether all of this really matters in the context of whether America is, or still is, great. OP, if America is great, did she need to be made so again or was she always?
    Yeah, I don't think #3 belongs in the list anymore at all.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Options
    josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,297
    seriously you all are a bunch of crazy SOBs.

    Poster #1 - i'll never say america is great again
    Me - I wouldn't say "never", some things still great about America
    Poster #2 - What's great about america
    ME - You cant think of anything
    Poster #2 - you said it, tell me
    Me - ok here's what's great
    POster #3 - no shit some things are great everywhere has some things great

    Jesus H Christ.

    I have to agree yep i'm a crazy SOB lol but but if someone was to ask me i'm thinking about moving to America and asked my opinion i'd have to say it's not as great as it once was , surely you can see how it has changed in the last 10 yrs no ?
    But we weren’t talking about that at all. Fuck I’m done on this thread. 
    dude don't get bent we're discussing/debating about a horrible policy that has ruined many many lives , i stated my opinion nothing more than that i get what your saying yeah the country is not in the shitter because of the policy but it sure as hell left a bad taste on everyone's mouth , my cousing just visited me from CHILE she asked me what i thought about everything that's happening here and i said the country is not what it once was that's some thing i feel ...I know and don't expect everyone to share the same sentiment as me ....
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
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