State Of The Union

Keiran wrote:

Didn't mean to intimate that they weren't. Sorry if your feathers got fluffed. No harm or degradation to other countries/societies intended. Peace!

I know you didn't.

Point I was making that too often we as Americans falsely think we are better than other countries. America is a great place to live, but not the best and has many, many, many flaws.

I am enjoying living in Hong Kong 12x more than the US.

hiding wrote:

hong kong is awsome!!

been there. i loved the outer horbor towns! gr8 food and gr8 people!!
guess thats what i get 4 my 60k private education, work sent me free.

It really is awesome, having the time of life. Short trips to Philappines, Thailand, VietNam, Mainland, Indonesia...

Should've moved here years ago...

awfully humid though, my only complaint..

sgossard3 wrote:

i cant believe how many people have come into this thread just to say "were alot better off than most people"... if you hold yourself to the standard of a murderer you probably look like a pretty nice person but that doesnt mean you should cut yourself short like that... we must hold ourselves to our own long establish traditions and standards... while im grateful for everything i have, this thread was meant to critique the actions of a very specific president and his very specific time in office and quite frankly it has not been americas shining moment... and im not being selfish for expecting the government to uphold the same luxuries we've had in the past... look at the national debt now and compare it to when bush came into office if you all like to compare so much what everyone has and doesnt have

Exactly

Since when did the freedoms that this country has enjoyed all along get credited to Bush?
America being a great place doesn't mean Americans should be satisfied with one paticular president.

1/2 Empty wrote:

That has always fascinated me. I just do not understand those people who "thank the good lord" for all the blessings in life. I never hear those people blame "the good lord" for all of the negative things that happen in our lives. It seems to me that if "the good lord" is the one pulling the strings, then "he" would prevent things such things as war, famine, and genocide.

Exactly. I think "the good lord" has a penchant for sado-masochism.

I also wonder if any of these Bush supporters are the ones who boo Bushleaguer when it is played.

sgossard3 wrote:

UNbelievable... surely there are people out there like the ones youre talking about... but THAT is the worst generalization i have EVER heard... you cant seriously believe that the majority of people living in poverty are making decisions like that... even if it was just a bad example... there are people dying because of what they cant afford... i dont immediately jump to blaming the government and i can think of some specific instances of families i know that take advantage of our welfare system... but there are definitely things the government can do to help the situation that they arent doing now... its bleeding through the layers of bandaids we keep putting over the problem

Yes I do think that IS the problem. I could wright you a 10 page paper about the subject but I'm at work and have to go to class after here until 10 tonight. My wife worked at DHS (Department of Human Services) for 7 years....20% of the people that came in for their benefits (things our governemt pays for) deserve the services. The other 80% are self induced into poverty because of reasons I stated in the above post. You thing that doesn't drag the system down? You think that doesn't take away the money that the government could be using to help the people that really need it?

Never said their aren't people in bad shape that need the help and never said that the government can't do more.....I'm saying there are a lot of people that take advantage of the system....and most of them bitch and moan that no one will give 'em more handouts.