America, Don't Tell Us How to Run it
Recently I had some guy in Argentina tell me what he thought of my country. I cannot pretend that I didn't start it. America simply is the best country on the planet. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. I resent people from South American countries telling me how my own should be run. Let's look at the facts. America is the richest (in terms of income and resources) country in the world, the most free, has the best military and weapons. It is the best country in the world, no competition. The best part about America is that even if I disagreed with it I can say so without fear. This alone sets a standard all countries should follow. So if you live somewhere else, don't tell me how to run this place because frankly, we've been doing it best for 229 years.
posted by Anonymous @ 12:10 AM
38 comments
38 Comments:
He had no idea what he was talking about, politically or about this country. It's one thing when your own country critisizes the president, but he doesn't even live here!
You've certainly gotten your blog off to a great start!
I agree with your sentiments. Outsiders have as much right to run our country as politicians in Washington have to rule our households. None.
Great work!
Thanks for the support Nightcrawler! We won't dissapoint you, promise!
I read the comment (and responded to it) from that nut you were referring to. What absolute gall some people have!
Check your "Oklahoma Almost Homicide Bomber" comments for the info. you requested from me. Please be sure to delete the comment after you receive it. I get enough "junk mail" as it is!
America may rank the best in the categories you listed, but people in Argentina may be pretty happy in their own country, as well. I recently traveled to South America, and I can tell you that that man isn't alone in his opinions about the US. I can also see why they think that their country is the best, because although I wasn't in Argentina specifically, South America has AMAZING ruins, gorgeous mountains, and sooo much living history.
That's all very nice, but the US is still better.
That is your opinion, dark.
No, it is not. It is a fact.
Can you please prove it? You think so because it's what you know and because you have lived here for your whole life. The United States is NOT perfect, especially right now, and it is your opinion if you feel that your country is the best. Each country has its fair share of pros and cons.
Find me ONE country that's better. Just one.
Okay, I can't help myself. I cannot stay out of this one. I have traveled in many foreign countries. Including Argentina in 1999. There is no doubt the country is beautiful, but no more beautiful than parts of this country. And they are in a mess:
Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and real GDP fell by 10.9% in 2002, but by mid-year the economy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. GDP expanded by more than 8% in 2003 and again in 2004, with unemployment falling and inflation remaining in single digits.
See: www.cia.gov/cia/publication/
factbook/geos/ar.html#econ
If that link I gave you doesn't work, just type "Argentina" into your web browser, and choose "economy".
And their economic situation somehow manages to cancel out the madness that ours is currently in? I am not saying that Argentina is better. I am saying that "best" is a matter of opinion, especially in a time when even people in our own country can't decide how they feel about it. Some may argue Canada is better, etc. It is a matter of opinion.
I t seems to me you were saying Argentina is better.
Allison Balloni said: "I can also see why they think that their country is the best, because although I wasn't in Argentina specifically, South America has AMAZING ruins, gorgeous mountains, and sooo much living history.
We also have gorgeous mountains, amazing ruins, (indian) and not quite as much living history, because we aren't as old, but a wealth of history, just the same. The point here is, so what if this guy is happy in his country? Good for him! May he be happy in his country and keep his big mouth shut about ours! We didn't go to his blog (if he has one) and trash his country. He came to this blog and trashed ours. Take up for him if you want to, it just proves you don't honor this country, this very country that gave you the right to disrespect it as you are doing.
Furthermore, yes, I agree with you. This country is currently suffering from madness. Cindy Sheehan being the Mother of it, and you seconding it. Shame!
The thing I find most interesting, is that if the tables were turned, and you felt exactly how I feel about the state of our nation, that you would be pretty damn offended if I accused you of dishonoring this country. I stand and say the Pledge of Alliegence and sing the National Anthem. I have been politically active on a local, state, and national level for more than two years. Just because I (or any other American) am unhappy with the state of things does not mean I am somehow being a traitor. I am anxiously awaiting the next election, and currently doing anything in my power to make my community a better place. That is more than many people my age can say. That is more than many people of ANY age can say. Not only that, but I do not publicly protest hate for the president or threaten him in any way. It is public knowledge that he's not the brightest crayon in the box, doesn't care about the environment, and that his family's wealth is dependent on oil. I currently speak the way I do about our country because I love it, and am therefore embarrassed to see the current leadership disrespecting what it stands for.
I stated clearly in my last comment that I was NOT saying that Argentina is the best country in the world, but simply that "best" is a matter of opinion, and that that man has the right to criticize our country, just as you were eager to find a reason to make his worse than ours.
I am glad to hear you honor this country, Allisoni. Possibly I jumped to conclusions, but you taking up for some foreigner who leaps in here and insults our country led me to that conclusion. And I disagree with you; foreigners have no right to critisize the United States of America unless they come from a place that is far better. As there is no such place, critisism of this great country is simply sour grapes. No, the United States isn't perfect and I have never said it was. But it is the best the world has got so far!
You didn't answer my question. Tell me ONE country that's better. none of this anti-nationalist opinion crap. Name me one country that's better.
It can't be done, Darsoturos; I don't think you will get an answer.
That wasn't my point, dark, as I wasn't saying I feel another country is better. OPINION has been the key word in every comment so far.
Well its the wrong opinion.
Gayle said...
It can't be done, Darsoturos; I don't think you will get an answer.
Yeah, she just sorta dodged it.
I didn't dodge anything, I restated what I've said each and every time. There is no such thing as WRONG opinion. Pick up a dictionary.
I think the more important question would be (To allisoni):
"Do you feel that America is the best country in the world?"
That's the one that I want her to answer.
Allisoni said: "There is no such thing as WRONG opinion. Pick up a dictionary." Okay, how's Websters?: "Opinion: 1. A belief stronger than an impression but less strong than positive knowledge. 2: a judgment about a person or thing 3: A formal statement by an expert after careful study."
I didn't see anything there that said "there is no such thing as a wrong opinion." History is rampant with "wrong" opinions. Hitler's opinion was that all Jews were inferior and should therefor be exterminated! I would say he was of the "wrong opinion." And Allisoni, you yourself believe we are wrong in saying that foreigners, unless they come from a place better than ours, have no right to judge.
It's very interesting how some will jump to the defense of anyone who critisizes this country, but will absolutely not come to the defense of this country!
Kinda makes her wish SHE'D picked up the dictionary before posting that I bet.
Only two complaints c.jordan.
One: You said capitalism was bad. Well I feel its good because the lazy are not rewarded under it.
Two: You said the UN agrees. I do not trust the UN.
In any case thanks for arguing in a logical and diplomatic fashoin, we need more people who do that.
Agreed, Darsaturos: At least he was polite, even if we don't agree with his dislike of Capitalism or trust in the United Nations.
I did pick up a dictionary before I posted it, thank you.
"I would say he was of the "wrong opinion."
Would you? THAT'S YOUR OPINION.
Yes I would say he's of the wrong opinion but... wait... didn't you say there was no such thing as a wrong opinion? Hmmmm...
That was a quote from Gayle...
Of course if you physically can't work you deserve welfare. But if you're someone who is in a hectic time, say you have three children your wife left you and you lose your job because you got the flu, you deserve welfare untill you can get back to a normal life. Because if you depend on welfare your whole life, your children will not have a chance to go to a nice college and they will most likely go on welfare too. After generations the people on welfare multiply and it's just because the parents couldn't get them a good education.
And I am not against gay marriage. I believe everyone deserves the exact same amount of respect. No extra goodies like with affirmitive action, and no restrictions because you're gay. This ties into racial discrimination, which I also am not part of. Again I treat everyone like the human being they are.
I talk to black people the same way I talk to white people. I don't act any different around gay people. If I talk to someone who is disabled I treat them the same, I don't pity them because then they would just pity themselves. Everyone else, I treat like I would treat anyone else. Normal.
"I personally think you will be a good politician someday."
Thank you very much. Hopefully I'll make it to that level. If not I may stick with blogging, books, and articles.
I think c.jordan is doing very well with his english. Much better than I would do with Norwegian!
Let's go into that "opinion" thing one more time, just to clarify it for Allisoni.
Everyone once thought the world was flat. That was their "opinion." If they sailed too far out to sea, they would fall off the edge. "Wrong opinion!"
The world agrees that Hitler's opinion of the Jews was the "wrong opinion."
Everyone's opinion was that the sun rotated around the earth. Another "wrong opinion".
Will that be enough, or do you need more?
What ARE they teaching in school these days?!
An opinion is the way you feel about something. More of an emotional reaction you have to a certain event or situation. It's difficult to say that someone's opinion is wrong, because they have their own basis of how and why they feel that way. Theories, such as the earth being flat and the sun rotating around the earth, are not opinions. They were theories supported by the information that was currently being gathered. They are theories because they have been able to have been PROVED either right or wrong. Hitler's "opinion" of the Jews was not the same thing as his actions towards them. He was entitled to his opinion, but not to the power he used to act on it. (NO. I am not standing up for Hitler.)
Gayle said... What ARE they teaching in school these days?!
I peer edited a paper today and it was awful. You wouldn't believe how easy it is to pass a class these days. This paper I'm talking about, the I's were not capitalized. This is a 10th grader's paper, I mean honestly. How did he pass 4th? The problem is that the teachers are too lenient. I want to be an English teacher, and if someone fails my class, too bad for them, they fail it. No freebees.
And I want to be the president and fix up all of the schools at once :)
Actually according to the HDI Norway scores the highest. Nobody will look at this since it's 5/9/06 when I post this, but still...
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