Philosophical/Historical thoughts on the US

[Malice]

Just a few thoughts on how I see the US.

(Note, I am a proud American, but not proud of things we have done in the past, as with all people. As well as a few things that we are doing now)

Looking at numerous empires in the past, pretty much all the democracies that I can think of, fell because of financial and corrupting influences. Not from an army.

Also, the question is, is the US past the major superpower phase?
We are the only country that was involved in World War II to basically come out of it, stronger than before. That is what put us on the map. We were stronger, and the rest of the world was weaker. So for a good 60-70 years, we have been on the better end of the stick. The other countries have been catching up. Our place in the world will be a major power, but I think in the near future, us being "the super power" is over. Time....and bad management will see to that.

My last point....
We have the constitution.
Congress and the President in this and/or last administrations, have violated it on numerous instances. They question is.

Does the US just want to say, that is how we want it from now on. Stop lieing to yourselves. If you choose to want these changes. Lets not feign being the old US, and having new laws violate the Constitution. Lets just modify the Constitution to adhere to these new ideals.
In the end, I am just telling the american people, lets be real to ourselves. If you want the US to change....then lets get the framework of our country to change with it. Not just keep bending and bending the framework till it looks like a pretzel to get things done.

 

[bell110]

Well to paraphrase Bill Maher, they are called Amendments for a reason.

Man, where to begin.

Alright, we are not past the superpower phase. But we have to understand, the rest of the world is not as comfortable with us being the only superpower, as Americans are.

It's true, no superpower has last forever. We will probably not be the exception.

The constitution protects our rights, it doesn't give them to us. We have to be careful to remember that when we think about making changes or exceptions to it. But we have to also remember that things change with time, and what was true 200 years ago isn't necessarily the same now.

We are alot bigger now than we were when we were just 13 colonies trying to get away from a monarchial government. A lot more diverse than just British descendants holding human property while defending ourselves from native savages.

Our biggest challenge is the same as the 21st century's greatest accomplishments: the information age. We are in a time where information is just a few clicks of a keyboard away. It brings like minded people together, for better or worse. In a way, I think it has split our country down ideological lines, now moreso then ever. Not only do you have conservative/liberal/republican/democrat going at each other, but you have the third, unheard portion of America. The one that's almost 50% of the population. The indifferent. The non-voters. The complacency that might actually bring about the end of America.

Or maybe I've just had a few beers

 

[The Overlord]

Just a few thoughts on how I see the US.

(Note, I am a proud American, but not proud of things we have done in the past, as with all people. As well as a few things that we are doing now)

Looking at numerous empires in the past, pretty much all the democracies that I can think of, fell because of financial and corrupting influences. Not from an army.

Also, the question is, is the US past the major superpower phase?
We are the only country that was involved in World War II to basically come out of it, stronger than before. That is what put us on the map. We were stronger, and the rest of the world was weaker. So for a good 60-70 years, we have been on the better end of the stick. The other countries have been catching up. Our place in the world will be a major power, but I think in the near future, us being "the super power" is over. Time....and bad management will see to that.
.

Here's an interesting question, is the world better or worse off in a multi pole world instead of a uni pole world?

 

[bell110]

Probably worse off because there is no balance in the world.

 

[redhawk23]

well to paraphrase bill maher, they are called amendments for a reason.

Man, where to begin.

Alright, we are not past the superpower phase. But we have to understand, the rest of the world is not as comfortable with us being the only superpower, as americans are.

It's true, no superpower has last forever. We will probably not be the exception.

The constitution protects our rights, it doesn't give them to us. We have to be careful to remember that when we think about making changes or exceptions to it. But we have to also remember that things change with time, and what was true 200 years ago isn't necessarily the same now.

We are alot bigger now than we were when we were just 13 colonies trying to get away from a monarchial government. A lot more diverse than just british descendants holding human property while defending ourselves from native savages.

Our biggest challenge is the same as the 21st century's greatest accomplishments: The information age. We are in a time where information is just a few clicks of a keyboard away. It brings like minded people together, for better or worse. In a way, i think it has split our country down ideological lines, now moreso then ever. Not only do you have conservative/liberal/republican/democrat going at each other, but you have the third, unheard portion of america. The one that's almost 50% of the population. The indifferent. The non-voters. The complacency that might actually bring about the end of america.

Or maybe i've just had a few beers

qft

 

[StorminNorman]

*Generic Ayn Rand inspired post here*

 

[redhawk23]

^ lol

 

[picturemedead]

look how far back that post was posted and you were asking then if the super phase was over? its now stronger than ever and getting stronger even in England. Do you not ever wonder why we are so desperate as a society to hold on to superheroes? do they really help us that much even though there fictional characters?

 

[BlackLantern]

I think we were number one because everyone else was far behind, that isn't the case anymore...as a society and as a country, we have to learn to adapt to a more globally equal setting

 

[StorminNorman]

I think we were number one because everyone else was far behind, that isn't the case anymore...as a society and as a country, we have to learn to adapt to a more globally equal setting

I believe that the future of freedom, and ultimately human kind, relies upon America being the Earth's greatest country.

And for America being the greatest country on Earth, we must reform our economy to become truly capitalistic and have the government be led by those concerned with efficient governance (which is rational greed), not irrational greed (corrupted governance).

I would hate for America to ever be content with being the EQUAL to China or Russia or any other Superpower that does not hold freedom and liberty as one of it's key principles.

 

[BlackLantern]

I believe that the future of freedom, and ultimately human kind, relies upon America being the Earth's greatest country.

the problem is that this ^ is solely dependent on this v

And for America being the greatest country on Earth, we must reform our economy to become truly capitalistic and have the government be led by those concerned with efficient governance (which is rational greed), not irrational greed (corrupted governance).

we can't exactly lead the world when we can't even run our own country and ensure everyone here has a fair shake

 

[Hobgoblin]

Here's an interesting question, is the world better or worse off in a multi pole world instead of a uni pole world?

That depends on whether or not you think we were better off during the Cold War. I would say no. The idea that one superpower would be more cautious about how it acts when there is a country of equal power doesnt work. Both the US and the USSR included brinksmanship in thier foreign policies. The Soviets considered a Third World War to be inevitable. That didnt happen of course but that sort of thinking is dangerous.

And are we really any safer now than we were 30 years ago? The US and Russia are no longer officially enemies but we still have nuclear weapons pointed at each other. We still worry about nuke materials being stolen from former Soviet bases and used by terrorists.

My point is that as long as we are a superpower, we will be a target. The threat may come from another superpower or fanatics in a cave but someone somewhere will have it in for us.

 

[SuperFerret]

I believe that the future of freedom, and ultimately human kind, relies upon America being the Earth's greatest country.

I've never heard such a big pile of arrogant ******** in my life. Humanity and freedom are so much bigger than the United States that to say that their futures rely on this specific country, of all the nations in the world, becoming the utopia that you describe is downright ludicrous.

Homo sapiens will outlive the United States of America, and freedom is something that you and I and every single living thing on the face of this planet has. Freedom is not something that can be given or taken away. Yes, it can be repressed and restrained, but even in the most oppressive places in the world, you have the freedom to do what you want, you'll just have to deal with the consequences.

To say that things as real and enduring as the concept of freedom and the species we're a part of rely on the success of an artificial, man-made concept is pure and utter crap, and that's all I have to say about this.

 

[Paradoxium]

Stormy needs to temper his Ayn Rand koolaid and read some Rothbard.

 

[Arc-Light]

Sorry Norm but that way of thinking is imperialistic..........how about we run our country the best way we can for the people.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

As much as I enjoy America, and as great as the country is, it wouldn't be good for it to be the supreme country of the world. If it has no competition, it doesn't excel in any format whatsoever. It can still be the leader, without literally stomping flat its surroundings.

Otherwise, it'll grow in arrogance, and the rest of the world would be more held back in being friendly with America. The bigger you are, the more you're hated.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I'd prefer America view itself as a part of a larger global community regardless of how powerful we actually are.

We can't go on like the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk forever.

Without an Axis power to defeat it's hard to justify an ultra-powerful country.

 

[StorminNorman]

the problem is that this ^ is solely dependent on this v




we can't exactly lead the world when we can't even run our own country and ensure everyone here has a fair shake

Agreed.

I've never heard such a big pile of arrogant ******** in my life. Humanity and freedom are so much bigger than the United States that to say that their futures rely on this specific country, of all the nations in the world, becoming the utopia that you describe is downright ludicrous.

The greatest accomplishment in man's history is the creation of the United States of America. The future of freedom relies upon the survival of the United States, or the creation of a copy cat as no other significant country places emphasis on personal liberty. Since I believe humanity needs liberty to prosper, and I believe America is the most important country to the preservation of liberty - the idea that I would find the future of humanity relies upon America is far from ludicrous.

Homo sapiens will outlive the United States of America, and freedom is something that you and I and every single living thing on the face of this planet has. Freedom is not something that can be given or taken away. Yes, it can be repressed and restrained, but even in the most oppressive places in the world, you have the freedom to do what you want, you'll just have to deal with the consequences.

To say that things as real and enduring as the concept of freedom and the species we're a part of rely on the success of an artificial, man-made concept is pure and utter crap, and that's all I have to say about this.

LOL - every single living thing on this planet has freedom? Tell that to the journalist in Russia who will die if they attack Putin. Tell that to the businessman in Venezuela that wishes to start a company knowing it won't be taken over by the government. Hell, tell that to marijuana user who knows that his past time could throw end up with him in jail.

Now will man continue to EXIST after America (should such a future exist)? Of course. Thrive? I dunno. I don't think so.

Stormy needs to temper his Ayn Rand koolaid and read some Rothbard.

My belief pre-dated my exposure to Ayn Rand, though she certainly has changed the way I express it.

Anarcho-Capitalism is next on my reading.

Sorry Norm but that way of thinking is imperialistic..........how about we run our country the best way we can for the people.

LOL, it's not remotely imperialistic.

It's my argument that if American ran our country the best way we can, everything else I want would follow suit. Essentially we are in agreement, you just don't understand it.

As much as I enjoy America, and as great as the country is, it wouldn't be good for it to be the supreme country of the world. If it has no competition, it doesn't excel in any format whatsoever. It can still be the leader, without literally stomping flat its surroundings.

Otherwise, it'll grow in arrogance, and the rest of the world would be more held back in being friendly with America. The bigger you are, the more you're hated.

I don't want it to be superficially supreme. Being "the greatest country on Earth" does not mean you do anything to prevent another country from being greater - I just don't think any other country has the upside America has due to the founders. I think no country has been founded on better principals than that on America.

I don't give a damn about the envy of other nations, just as Larry Fitzgerald doesn't give a damn about the envy of inferior wide receivers or Christopher Nolan worries about the envy of inferior film makers. You don't aim lower in order to spare the feelings of those worse than you.

 

[StorminNorman]

I'd prefer America view itself as a part of a larger global community regardless of how powerful we actually are.

We can't go on like the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk forever.

Without an Axis power to defeat it's hard to justify an ultra-powerful country.

Define power.

Don't confuse "greatest country" with "most powerful military". I am not calling for America to be the Death Star.

 

[Addendum]

The only difference between the US and the other nations/empires that were considered "greatest" either by others in the world or by it's own citizens is that the US hasn't yet ended.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Define power.

Don't confuse "greatest country" with "most powerful military". I am not calling for America to be the Death Star.

"Greatest country" is subjective. "Most powerful" may be hard to define but it can be put in terms that are quantifiable.

I define power by having the greatest influence and control over foreign interest.

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

I don't want it to be superficially supreme. Being "the greatest country on Earth" does not mean you do anything to prevent another country from being greater - I just don't think any other country has the upside America has due to the founders. I think no country has been founded on better principals than that on America.

I don't give a damn about the envy of other nations, just as Larry Fitzgerald doesn't give a damn about the envy of inferior wide receivers or Christopher Nolan worries about the envy of inferior film makers. You don't aim lower in order to spare the feelings of those worse than you.

Many re-foundings of countries have very similar ideals of freedom that America shares, such as England and France. The founders rarely make the difference as much as the ones which come after. America really has no edge currently other than it's a fairly strong country in terms of military. Since America has no real natural enemies to worry about aside from rare terrorist attacks which all countries are subject to, America lives in a fairly peaceful situation where freedoms are pretty much the only topic they worry about. This is truly the only advantages America has over other countries who might be bordered or in close proximity to more dangerous countries. Other countries such as England, France, Germany, Italy, and other countries near more extremist borders end up having to monitor things more for public safety reasons. It's not that America is simply a better example, or have better founders, it's simply because it's surrounded by oceans, Canada, and Mexico. Also, they harbor the world's most technologically powerful military.

 

[StorminNorman]

The only difference between the US and the other nations/empires that were considered "greatest" either by others in the world or by it's own citizens is that the US hasn't yet ended.

Simply incorrect.

"Greatest country" is subjective. "Most powerful" may be hard to define but it can be put in terms that are quantifiable.

I define power by having the greatest influence and control over foreign interest.

I have no interest in America controlling foreign interest. I do have interest in America being the country that everyone in the world wishes (s)he can live in.

 

[BlackLantern]

i half agree with Norm...I think the concept of america is what people aspire to...what other country was as prosperous in its first 200 years as we were??

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

Prosperous how? Freedom wise? Military wise? Or economy wise?