The way people talk to each other in here

[rlb999]

The way people talk to each other in here and every other political forum I've ever seen, is exactly what's wrong with our country. Everybody is left or right. No one looks for a common ground to fix the problems we have.
Most people are to interested in what happens to Lindsey Lohan to realize whats happening to our country. The political backbiting doesn't solve a thing other than drive a wedge further between our people.
I have views too,but I'm always willing to at least listen to an opposing view without trying to belittle the views of someone else. Maybe I'm naive but it's better than bitter.

 

[Crude]

It just shows how diverse America is. Peoples opinion has become a substitute for thinking instead of a result thereof.

 

[mpw]

The way people talk to each other in here and every other political forum... ...Everybody is left or right. No one looks for a common ground to fix the problems we have...

I used to be part of another forum, and somebody there described it very well once; they said it was like being in a pub, lots of different conversations at once, and you can take part in a few at once, but there's always somebody with a loud voice who ends up drowning others out with his views, and he's normally at the extreme end of the spectrum views-wise; he isn't right, and he doesn't win anybody over, but slowly everybody just drifts off losing interest.

...our country... ...our country... ...our people...

This isn't specifically aimed at you, but another problem is that many global forums have a lot of Americans, who seem to be completely unaware of the rest of the world as anything other than enemies or potential illegal immigrants.

 

[ballisticn8]

wait, lindsey lohan did what? and where??

 

[Crude]

This isn't specifically aimed at you, but another problem is that many global forums have a lot of Americans, who seem to be completely unaware of the rest of the world as anything other than enemies or potential illegal immigrants.

See, I disagree with that. I think the rest of the world wants some say in what America does and it really isn't their buisness. How would you like it if Americans started telling other countries they are dumb for some thing. Each country has their problem. How can anyone hope to solve the issues over seas if they can't even vote themselves honest politicians. Prime example is our president. The world loves him and America hates him.

 

[mpw]

...I think the rest of the world wants some say in what America does and it really isn't their buisness...

Really? That's not the view I get from reading most forums. I see people that propose alternatives to the American way of doing things sometimes; I myself have suggested that changes should be made to your American laws, but only because I think ALL coutries should have similar fair and equal systems.

...How would you like it if Americans started telling other countries they are dumb for some thing...

That would depend on the 'thing', is it dumb that you can't turn left at a red light in the UK, like you can* in the US? Yes.
Is it dumb that you must by law have motor insurance when you drive in the EU, but it's not always a requirement in the US? No.
I judge dumb based on dumbness, not borders or geography.




*Obviously right in the US

 

[rlb999]

I used to be part of another forum, and somebody there described it very well once; they said it was like being in a pub, lots of different conversations at once, and you can take part in a few at once, but there's always somebody with a loud voice who ends up drowning others out with his views, and he's normally at the extreme end of the spectrum views-wise; he isn't right, and he doesn't win anybody over, but slowly everybody just drifts off losing interest
I like that,too true
This isn't specifically aimed at you, but another problem is that many global forums have a lot of Americans, who seem to be completely unaware of the rest of the world as anything other than enemies or potential illegal immigrants.

I didn't mean to come off that way,with communication,fairly easy travel,and the world economy we're all in this together.I have friends all over the world I regularly speak to,everybody feels it.all I was saying is the backbiting has got to stop before any improvements can happen.the whole world has the same problems,just to different extents.

 

[Dissentologist]

I didn't mean to come off that way,with communication,fairly easy travel,and the world economy we're all in this together.I have friends all over the world I regularly speak to,everybody feels it.all I was saying is the backbiting has got to stop before any improvements can happen.the whole world has the same problems,just to different extents.

A lot of the problem is people speak b4 they listen.

We don't like to be wrong. So rather than confront the issues we have in our conscience with our self and our own ideas... we find reason no matter how wrong and silly to fortify our own beliefs by criticizing, demonizing, and magnifying the imperfections in others
Ideas... without rational, unbiased thought. Because in order for you to learn something new and evolve your thought u must first find imperfections in ur thinking... which many don't want to do... at least noy publically.

 

[Slug]

I think the rest of the world wants some say in what America does and it really isn't their buisness.

Just a reminder.... this is not an exclusively US forum. Nowhere does it state "US citizens only need post". Every member is entitled to contribute to any topic in a public forum.

 

[LiamSHepard]

Just a reminder.... this is not an exclusively US forum. Nowhere does it state "US citizens only need post". Every member is entitled to contribute to any topic in a public forum.

This would be why I like forums. It's hard to see things from a different perspective since I happen to live in America. You can't really see how your culture is if your living inside of it all of the time.

In relation to some other posts in this thread sometimes as an American, I do see a lot of anti American sentiment floating about. This I have little doubt adds to any hostilities and some Americans being a bit oversensitive to criticisms sometimes. To use an example "kind of like a dog that has been kicked too many times." To me it kind of feels like a double standard if something goes to shit it generally seems we are at fault or we are labeled "just Americans" and it is fine to have others criticize us, but when we share our opinions they generally seem negated by the fact of where we are from.
If you doubt this just ask what people in your country think of Americans and watch t.v to see how we are portrayed in media.

 

[3devious]

Just a reminder.... this is not an exclusively US forum. Nowhere does it state "US citizens only need post". Every member is entitled to contribute to any topic in a public forum.

It's not to say that folks from other countries have no right to state their opinions, just don't expect us to do what you want.

Hell, our own government doesn't do what we want, why should you get preference!?

I actually welcome foreign views and try to read news from other countries, which isn't easy if it isn't in English, German or French (well, use very simple words if it's in French.) My vote that the international language be machine code was rejected.

 

[Weazol]

I vote we have one massive war and whoever wins wins.

I think the Pirates and Barbarians were on to something

 

[Crude]

Just a reminder.... this is not an exclusively US forum. Nowhere does it state "US citizens only need post". Every member is entitled to contribute to any topic in a public forum.

In what way did you interpret my post that you read that I think or even want the forums to be exclusive to Americans? I was ONLY addressing mpw's post. I really want to understand the mental gymnastic you had to do to arrive at that conclusion?

 

[TheBeardedMann]

I vote we have one massive war and whoever wins wins.

I think the Pirates and Barbarians were on to something

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
--Albert Einstein

Also, America is the best country to live in. Yup, we are the best. And you shouldn't be ashamed to say it if you live here...just as if you live in Bolivia, you should feel that your country is the best. We do try to find common ground here in America, I would say more so than the majority of the world.

 

[Wendylee]

It just shows how diverse America is. Peoples opinion has become a substitute for thinking instead of a result thereof.

Its not only USA with the problem

Australia isnt always the lucky country

We are in the middle of an election here to vote in the next Prime Minister to screw it up again

I want to just jump on a plane and run away until after the 21st, every second ad on TV or radio is bla bla bla, lots of words but little being said

 

[rync888]

If everything was the same we'd be communistic. HEEE HOWWWW AMERICAAA! LOL

 

[novice_x]

See, I disagree with that. I think the rest of the world wants some say in what America does and it really isn't their buisness. How would you like it if Americans started telling other countries they are dumb for some thing. Each country has their problem. How can anyone hope to solve the issues over seas if they can't even vote themselves honest politicians. Prime example is our president. The world loves him and America hates him.

The problem is we essentially have been doing this for years and years. We love to meddle in the business of other country's. We have military bases all over the world, we love sticking our noses were it doesnt belong, so why should other country's not be vocal about us?

 

[Isthmus]

I have to agree with what the Original Poster said. One of the things that has always bugged me about the political discourse in this country is the official lack of choices. no matter what your ideas, you are branded either a leftist or a right winger. The problem is that today, such arguments have become so polarized and disgusting that neither side seems interested in what anyone with a different opinion has to say.

I would love to see a party of the middle composed of people with common sense policies who are both right and left of center.

 

[Crude]

The problem is we essentially have been doing this for years and years. We love to meddle in the business of other country's. We have military bases all over the world, we love sticking our noses were it doesn't belong, so why should other country's not be vocal about us?

We honestly don't meddle as much as others would have you believe. For that matter I think ALOT of our meddling is appreciated. Look at Haiti....look how much money/supplies we sent them. In fact there are few examples where we did not defend human rights. I wish we were more isolationist ( I wish there was a big ol wall around the US ) then we are but we actually do have the means and the military. Who do you think the US turns to when they are in trouble?

You should know that I spent 14 years outside of the US, I know more about world politics then most Americans.

And by the way most places do not want our bases to leave.

 

[smacky]

We honestly don't meddle as much as others would have you believe. For that matter I think ALOT of our meddling is appreciated. Look at Haiti....look how much money/supplies we sent them. In fact there are few examples where we did not defend human rights. I wish we were more isolationist ( I wish there was a big ol wall around the US ) then we are but we actually do have the means and the military. Who do you think the US turns to when they are in trouble?

You should know that I spent 14 years outside of the US, I know more about world politics then most Americans.

And by the way most places do not want our bases to leave.

Well, it's not like we'd move them even if they did ask us to.

 

[Rigmaster]

Good post by the OP. What we've lost is our ability to debate for progress. Debate to come to a solution is healthy. But most debate is done to prove one point is better than the other.

I once asked someone I've respected all my life how he stayed so happily married for over 50 years to his elementary school sweetheart. His answer: "We've never had a fight or argument in our lives together. We've had plenty of debates. But we knew from an early age that we were going to spend our time on earth with each other, and we knew the best way to do that was accept that we didn't know how long our time on earth would be but that the best approach would be to make the most of every moment together. Quite simply, we never thought to keep tally of things one over the other. We only kept track of disconnects that we needed to debate or work ourselve through. So when someone asks me how you do it, I think - how could we not? Our time on earth will be some figure likely out of our control so why not just address and settle things together."

That's a lesson that most of us don't hear, get reinforced in our daily lives, or practice.

The other reason things get out of hand on these forums is that so many people are emboldened because they're out of sight.

 

[TheBeardedMann]

I believe people take things way too personal. I believe hakr100's economic views (49% tax on income over $250,000) are ridiculously stupid, but that doesn't mean he is or that I hate him. He probably thinks my idea of a flat tax is the most ridiculously stupid idea, doesn't mean anything more than we passionately disagree with each other.

 

[hood420]

I have to agree with what the Original Poster said. One of the things that has always bugged me about the political discourse in this country is the official lack of choices. no matter what your ideas, you are branded either a leftist or a right winger. The problem is that today, such arguments have become so polarized and disgusting that neither side seems interested in what anyone with a different opinion has to say.

I would love to see a party of the middle composed of people with common sense policies who are both right and left of center.

You hit the nail on the head. In this country we have a mentality of "If you're not with us, you're against us." This isn't by accident. Our political system is intentionally designed to split the population down the middle, with the logic being that as long as we're fighting with each other, we won't be fighting the powers that be. Just look at what the core values of the Democratic and Republican parties are supposed to be, then look at the actual positions they take on issues, they make no sense.

George Carlin said it best:
YouTube - DON'T LET EVIL DIVIDE US!

 

[imtoomuch]

The problem is we essentially have been doing this for years and years. We love to meddle in the business of other country's. We have military bases all over the world, we love sticking our noses were it doesnt belong, so why should other country's not be vocal about us?

Along the same line, which country do others come to when they need money or some other kind of "relief" when disaster strikes? The US! What happens when the US doesn't help or doesn't help "enough" according to the opinion of other countries? There is outrage. We are ****ed if we do and ****ed if we don't. No matter how much good the US does it can't win any good PR. It's not easy being on top.

People love to hate the US. It's like the cool thing to do. But most of those idiots have never been here and most have probably never met enough Americans to form an honest opinion.

I am a proud American. We live in the greatest country in the world with the greatest people and some of the smartest. Just think how many modern conveniences in our lives are tied back to America.

Because we can't please everybody I am 100% for building a ****ing wall around the country and/or holding down our borders with military force. You try to cross that border we terminate you. You try to leave we terminate you. Just imagine the outrage that would ensue even though that is basically what people claim they want the US to do.

If America was such a bad place we wouldn't have so many immigrants.

The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Isthmus]

Along the same line, which country do others come to when they need money or some other kind of "relief" when disaster strikes? The US! What happens when the US doesn't help or doesn't help "enough" according to the opinion of other countries? There is outrage. We are ****ed if we do and ****ed if we don't. No matter how much good the US does it can't win any good PR. It's not easy being on top.

People love to hate the US. It's like the cool thing to do. But most of those idiots have never been here and most have probably never met enough Americans to form an honest opinion.

I am a proud American. We live in the greatest country in the world with the greatest people and some of the smartest. Just think how many modern conveniences in our lives are tied back to America.

Because we can't please everybody I am 100% for building a ****ing wall around the country and/or holding down our borders with military force. You try to cross that border we terminate you. You try to leave we terminate you. Just imagine the outrage that would ensue even though that is basically what people claim they want the US to do.

If America was such a bad place we wouldn't have so many immigrants.

The stupidity of some people never ceases to amaze me.

That's not really true. Yes the US is often first on the ground with aid of one kind or another, but they are hardly the only country that does this, and quite often not the first to become involved or the first (or only) country, that those in need seek help from. Most of the world's top economies fall in the same category. this is especially true of former colonial powers that still have powerful economies and militaries and which continue to exert influence over their former colonies.

To a lesser scale you also have countries with strong regional influence or historical ties to another, who also behave in the same manner, though in a smaller scale.

For example, today, one of the world's biggest provider's of development aide is, of all places, china. They invest more in places like Africa and in the regions bordering china than just about anyone. Granted, they are investing to secure resources and in their own self interest, but lets not kid ourselves, despite platitudes to the contrary, most of our own foreign aide is self serving as well.