Any other American's feeling like they need to jump ship before the ship sinks?

[Gravitymaster 0]

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I haven't yet read the responses

Of course not, but feel free to comment on them anyway.

Most of the responses which you would no doubt characterize as insults and brainless comments are from those who don't care whether the OP leaves or not. If he feels so strongly about leaving, then why discourage him? Most of lifes' most important and long lasting lessons are taught by experience.
Apparently, your definition of brainless and mine are vastly different.

Oh, and thanks for your helpful suggestion about what America needs to do to become a great country again. We'll keep it on file.

[Royd 0]

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The sooner more of your countrymen and women wake up and smell the coffee the sooner America can sort itself out and hopefully become the great country that it used to be.

How far back do you think we should go?
As I recall, we once kicked the shit out of the strongest country on earth and sent them home like whipped pups.

[Skyrad 0]

fair play.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[shaiziel 0]

I don't understand how the original statement was unbelievable. I signed up. Went through all the standard bullshit. And at the end of it all, didn't even get a call back. Hell, I haven't even heard from a recruiter since then. Sounds like saying "No thanks" without saying it. And saying that you were wrong wasn't a statement of opinion. I don't tell people they are wrong for expressing a contrary opinion to mine. But this isn't my opinion. It is fact.

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[billvon 2,991]

>Anyone else feel like they want to get out?

Nope. The US is still a great place to live. Even a concerted efforts by our leaders won't change that quickly, and the current ones won't be there forever. In the meantime, I'd rather try to improve things than bail on a basically sound (but sometimes a bit leaky) ship.

>Our currency becomes more devalued by the day as our trade deficit rises by the day.

True. But not all leaders are that foolish; we just have to find them. Heck, they're right here now. We just have to be smarter about seeking them out.

[shaiziel 0]

Our culture is not what it was then, in case you haven't noticed.

Back in the days of the country's infancy, the people's motivations were different than what they are today. Times change and with that, so do attitudes. We are a very VERY different country from what we started out as. And some of those differences are reaping rotten fruit.

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[Gravitymaster 0]

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Our culture is not what it was then, in case you haven't noticed.

Back in the days of the country's infancy, the people's motivations were different than what they are today. Times change and with that, so do attitudes. We are a very VERY different country from what we started out as. And some of those differences are reaping rotten fruit.

Nobody is disagreeing with you that we have problems we need to work on.

The only question is whether you are going to stay and contribute to making the US a better country or whether you are going to run away because you think the grass is greener somewhere else. Most here who have actually lived both in the US and elsewhere have told you they think you are better staying.

So what are you going to do, punk?

[shaiziel 0]

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Nope. The US is still a great place to live. Even a concerted efforts by our leaders won't change that quickly, and the current ones won't be there forever. In the meantime, I'd rather try to improve things than bail on a basically sound (but sometimes a bit leaky) ship.

I'm definitely not saying things are bad right now. There are obviously ways things could be better, but that's a constant. I'm just looking towards the future. A lot can change in 4 years, but there are social/political forces at work with a lot of inertia heading towards a place that isn't looking good. And it will take (of course) just as much effort in the opposite direction to head it off.

Looking at individual situations individually, I can rationalize how they aren't so bad. But when you take a look at how all those pieces fit together, and what they represent in the context of the status of our country, things just don't look so bright. And I mean things look very very dull for the future. It can be remedied, but I don't think it will be. I would say we are definitely on the path to a reduced status from what we once had in the global community. We just won't have the weight to throw around, and we haven't exactly been making many friends.

I don't think I would find some secret garden in the world to live in where all my worries about these issues would be dispelled, but there are places that are in better shape for the long term.

And in reality, all great countries have their time to shine. But it's never lasted forever. Cycles. It's all in cycles.

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[shaiziel 0]

Never said I was running. Felt like running, sure. But I honestly don't believe I will have the capability to.

I'll put some time and effort in to this post.

I don't think or hope that the standard of living will get so low that I would rather die than continue living. And I'm talking on a global scale, not just national. Nationally, I don't believe things will get so bad it hurts. I pay attention and can rationalize how they could, but I have it in my mind that perhaps, if it heads that direction fast enough, people will find themselves thinking "What the hell? This isn't right." and actively start "correcting te path." Things like that work in cycles and it would be the logical next step. And I hope it gets to that point.

I am, admittedly, weak in the department of having the motivation to get things done. I've had lots of ideas (I'm sure many have) but my ability to execute is, for the most part, lacking. You'll note that this is all the difference between an intelligent bum, and Bill gates. You can call it lazy. That certainly is an element of it. But I also consider it to be a lack of passion. If I can find/develop a passion for something, it changes the game. Give me a reason that strikes me with that fire to go accomplish something, and I'm all for it. But I don't see that very often and I honestly can't recall the last time, if there has ever been one, where that happened. I lack drive. I don't know all the things that go into people who are driven and people who are not, but I can honestly say that if it's partially biological, or partially programmed through my experiences, I am pretty sure I don't have that driven attitude. If someone could show me and support me in getting that, I would be up for it. The caveat definitely is in the support. You can't expect someone to develop an attitude to be driven, if they aren't driven to develop it unless that person receives outside support in a way that supplements their lack of drive.

So lets take my personality, and shoulder me with the responsibility to get out there, and spend my life going against all the resistance one could find in correcting this course we are on, and see what happens. If I find a group of like-minded (in this regard) people who can incite me with their support to get out their and accomplish something, excellent. Otherwise, I admit I foresee nothing but failure.

I am not a leader. I do not have the leadership ability. I have the mind but not the heart, and my will is handicapped. I can follow and support well, but I can't lead the charge myself. No one can, but there are people that would. I'm not one of them. Not everyone is meant for that either. I'd rather be feeding the machine gun the ammo than mowing the enem down. I'm a support personality and I need leadership. I can only remember how many times in my days of video gaming this proved true. My shining moments weren't being the best, but being part of the best, and doing my best for them.

But there is such a dissolution in our country. It feels like no one has a sense of progress. Or at least no one that feels like they have any power. I feel like we're treading water when we should be swimming up stream. But you have the people in charge spinning up webs of denial for the sole purpose of staying in power. We are being lied to and people are believing it. "Things are great." "Never better." "We're on the way up." And this bullshit is nothing but sliding down the slippery slope. People need a wake up and maybe even a shake up. Complacency is here and we need to get rid of it. What will it take? Are we going to have to experience something more than 9/11 style terrorism? I think as long as the lies are spun and the people buy them, the answer is yes. I don't want to be a casualty of someone else's ignorance. No one does. It happens, but I won't go willingly. That is why I occassionally think about what I would need to do to avoid that. Thus this thread.

But here is the reality of things. I know what I'm good at and I know what I'm not good at. I don't know if I'm good at the things I've never tried. If I have a reason, and someone offers me a way, I will, after reasonable evaluation which results in approval, go for it. As a human, I can't honestly tell you "I wouldn't turn down a challenge I could die from." If you want to hear me say that, you'll be hearing nothing but illegitimate promises. I'm am one of the most honest guys you'll ever meet. I'm honest to the point of self-defeat sometimes. But I never feel good lieing. I'd rather blow my opportunity than do something against the part of me that feels that way. (It's amazing what getting your mouth washed out with soap a few times will do. Thanks mom. ) So I can't tell ya I wouldn't run away. I can tell ya I probably won't, but it wouldn't be 100% choice. Part of it would be circumstantial.

This is my truth.

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[Gawain 0]

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And in reality, all great countries have their time to shine. But it's never lasted forever. Cycles. It's all in cycles.

I get it now. You're looking for the next "great gig" per se. I'm surprised you'd give up so quickly. The USA is still a relative newcomer to the world stage.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[shaiziel 0]

VERY new. Again, I don't think shit's gonna hit the fan tomorrow, I'm just looking forward. I mean, with as much beauracracy we have, even reverse-progress takes forever.

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[MarkR 0]

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The USA is still a relative newcomer to the world stage.

Sure doesn't behave like it.

»Somewhere between the lies and truths borderlines get shady.
Somewhere between the yesses and nos you can find the maybe.«

[narcimund 0]

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not all leaders are that foolish; we just have to find them.

Your innocence is SO ENDEARING!

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[narcimund 0]

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The USA is still a relative newcomer to the world stage.

That's the great thing about the age of modern technology: everything moves faster, including the rise and fall of empires.

And in every empire's fall, some people left too early, some left right on time, and some waited too long.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[Gawain 0]

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The USA is still a relative newcomer to the world stage.

That's the great thing about the age of modern technology: everything moves faster, including the rise and fall of empires.

And in every empire's fall, some people left too early, some left right on time, and some waited too long.

Naturally, I am not sure who you're talking about. The United States is not an empire, has no imperial policies and has, in fact, freed more people from imperial, socialistic, and facist regimes than anyone...ever.

Have I ever said that the US is free from defect, no. Do I think the US is a sinking ship? Nope.

However, if we took a survey as to one's political leanigs versus view of "self", those on the left would be the predominant representatives of those who think their country is sinking.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[kallend 2,027]

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Quote

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The USA is still a relative newcomer to the world stage.

That's the great thing about the age of modern technology: everything moves faster, including the rise and fall of empires.

And in every empire's fall, some people left too early, some left right on time, and some waited too long.

Naturally, I am not sure who you're talking about. The United States is not an empire, has no imperial policies and has, in fact, freed more people from imperial, socialistic, and facist regimes than anyone...ever.

.

Of course it is.

2000 years ago the Romans sent a Legion anywhere in Europe they wanted to intimidate.
150 years ago the British sent a gunboat anywhere in the world they wanted to intimidate.
Now the USA sends a carrier battle group. Just the technology changes, not the politics of empire.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[shaiziel 0]

Our strategy relies on either military action against the backdrop of some higher purpose like "liberation" and "spreading democracy" OR even more transparently, through economics.

Bush told everyone early into Iraq that we weren't nationbuilding. Frankly, that's bullshit. We destroyed the government infrastructure that was there, and replaced it with our own style. Problem is, social attitudes have a heavy influence in the government a group of people choose. And it would appear that the people in power over their, even the people who aren't in power for that matter, don't have an attitude conducive to our flavor of democracy. The only reason we are there, is to have a foothold in the middle east so that we can still have influence. Problem is, there is a strong minority (I hope it's a minority) of people who don't want that and every day they show us how they don't want it through violence and other means.

You have to think of the past attempts we've made to do this exact same thing.

Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan. Vietnam was a total failure. Korea was a marginal failure, but it perfectly illustrates the problems of haivng people that want what you offer and people who don't. Taiwan, a striking success (nothing compared to Japan) yet still the target of China for reverting back to their style of government.

We are an empire. We just don't go around invading and conquering... wait... yes we do. We are just use a lot of misdirection for why we are doing it.

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