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Is the USA a great nation?

So many of these terms being applied, like free market or capitalism are anachronistic and out of touch. They really need to be updated otherwise, folks are just being intellectually lazy.

The US is more of a crony-capitalistic economy. And it certainly isn't a free-market with so many of its protectionist barriers/policies being erected.
 
Carmel and the Oregon-Davis school corps are wildly different. Both are vastly majority white.

One is rich. One is poor. Do you not believe money makes the bigger difference?

The spend per pupil in Carmel is lower than Oregon-Davis. And Oregon-Davis is in line with IPS (which is wayyy higher) and the metro high schools in Indy (Warren, BD, etc. - which are lower and more closely aligned with Carmel).

And the federal spend is like .3% of the overall dollars flowing in. So, increasing federal money ain't gonna work. Regardless, it's not a money issue.
wrong my grade school, middle school, and high school are now close. Do not tell me that money does not play a factor.
 
Damn right it is. Greatest country in the world. Endless opportunities. There’s an estimated 3 trillion dollars in gold that HAS NOT BEEN FOUND! What is the cost of starting a gold mining business? About $15. A shovel and a pan and a Home Depot bucket

Get off your couch

Season premiere about to hit?
 
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wrong my grade school, middle school, and high school are now close. Do not tell me that money does not play a factor.

My high school closed too. I went to Elmhurst in Fort Wayne.

It was outdated with no ac, only had one filler middle school and the parking lot was 100 yards from a rock quary.

There wasn't going to be enough money to make that school a success, not with the student population the way it was. The city was expanding and kids weren't going to go to a outdated, hot school when there were newer, more modern schools around.
 
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That's why it's called socio-economic status.

Regardless, race based "solutions" to whatever ails us have, for the most part, been a failure. While we are far from being colorblind still, the impediments that blacks face are mainly cultural and economic, no longer the result of overt racism. I have no idea how one might address the cultural aspects, but programs to address economic inequalities regardless of race would, in my opinion, go a long way toward lifting up the black underclass, owing to their current disproportionate economic disadvantages. It won't hurt if a lot of poor white trailer trash benefit as well.
Preach Neil Degrasse Tyson GIF
 
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you do not know the history.
You do not know the history, For Example, after playing football against a predominately white high school, we were stopped, our bus was blocked by a white mob, and Both sides of the street were filled with people yelling ni**** go home. The police were called but none of the town police showed up. I will not name the cities involved. The police from our city came out and escorted our bus out. Rocks, bricks, and ice cream were thrown at our bus. I have a lot of stories of racism that happen to me personally. These are not from a book I read or saw on TV. This is my life, I'm sharing it with you guys. I should have hatred in my heart but I don't. Jesus and being a Christian have helped calm the hate . I remember everything that has happened to me but I will not forget.
 
My high school closed too. I went to Elmhurst in Fort Wayne.

It was outdated with no ac, only had one filler middle school and the parking lot was 100 yards from a rock quary.

There wasn't going to be enough money to make that school a success, not with the student population the way it was. The city was expanding and kids weren't going to go to a outdated, hot school when there were newer, more modern schools around.
Good friend of mine went to Elmhurst in the early 80s.
 
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You do not know the history, For Example, after playing football against a predominately white high school, we were stopped, our bus was blocked by a white mob, and Both sides of the street were filled with people yelling ni**** go home. The police were called but none of the town police showed up. I will not name the cities involved. The police from our city came out and escorted our bus out. Rocks, bricks, and ice cream were thrown at our bus. I have a lot of stories of racism that happen to me personally. These are not from a book I read or saw on TV. This is my life, I'm sharing it with you guys. I should have hatred in my heart but I don't. Jesus and being a Christian have helped calm the hate . I remember everything that has happened to me but I will not forget.
You won't name the cities because it never happened.
 

The biggest divide is between young adults and older ones, with the former increasingly saying no.

But:

"The share of adults saying the U.S. stands above all other countries dropped significantly in telephone surveys conducted between 2011 and 2019. While the decline in views of the United States’ global standing was concentrated among Democrats during these years, the decline over the past four years is concentrated among Republicans."


So is our nation great? Still, now, even with our current political divide and two elderly men roundly criticized by most up for President?

(I come asking this question after finishing Masters of the Air. The score makes me nostalgic and proud about this nation better than almost anything I've heard.)

You can love your country and hate your government.
 
You do not know the history, For Example, after playing football against a predominately white high school, we were stopped, our bus was blocked by a white mob, and Both sides of the street were filled with people yelling ni**** go home. The police were called but none of the town police showed up. I will not name the cities involved. The police from our city came out and escorted our bus out. Rocks, bricks, and ice cream were thrown at our bus. I have a lot of stories of racism that happen to me personally. These are not from a book I read or saw on TV. This is my life, I'm sharing it with you guys. I should have hatred in my heart but I don't. Jesus and being a Christian have helped calm the hate . I remember everything that has happened to me but I will not forget.

You won't name the cities because it never happened.
you are funny and yes it did happen but its all in the past.
 
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“Socialism will arrive under the guise of equality & tolerance.”
Hey make sure you tell our socialist government you don’t want that socialist Medicare coverage nor the socialist Social Security check. And make sure you tell them not to send federal dollars to your state to build roads nor bring FEMA in when your Republican governor declares a state of emergency and asks for help from the socialist federal government. Republicans used to play the communist card. Now the fear motivator is socialism.
I’d take all of that socialism over the dictatorship we’re drifting toward. Elect the Donald and he would never leave office as that’s what dictators do. And speak out about his government and you end up in jail. Don’t think it can’t happen.
In the recent SCOTUS oral arguments regarding the abortion pill, Alito and Thomas both brought up the Comstock Act of the 1800’s. Likely condoms along with the birth control pill would be against the law to ship across state lines. And it doesn’t stop there as we’ve seen in Alabama. These people want to take us back to the Puritan era.
Oh and regarding equality and tolerance, might want to read your bible. Believe the New Testament speakers to that. And what is exactly wrong with equality and tolerance? Of course if your privileged by the color of your skin I could see why the equality thing might be a problem for you.
 
Hey make sure you tell our socialist government you don’t want that socialist Medicare coverage nor the socialist Social Security check. And make sure you tell them not to send federal dollars to your state to build roads nor bring FEMA in when your Republican governor declares a state of emergency and asks for help from the socialist federal government. Republicans used to play the communist card. Now the fear motivator is socialism.
I’d take all of that socialism over the dictatorship we’re drifting toward. Elect the Donald and he would never leave office as that’s what dictators do. And speak out about his government and you end up in jail. Don’t think it can’t happen.
In the recent SCOTUS oral arguments regarding the abortion pill, Alito and Thomas both brought up the Comstock Act of the 1800’s. Likely condoms along with the birth control pill would be against the law to ship across state lines. And it doesn’t stop there as we’ve seen in Alabama. These people want to take us back to the Puritan era.
Oh and regarding equality and tolerance, might want to read your bible. Believe the New Testament speakers to that. And what is exactly wrong with equality and tolerance? Of course if your privileged by the color of your skin I could see why the equality thing might be a problem for you.

Anachronistic terms like communism, socialism, democracy, the free market, Big Gov't and capitalism -- are just about the most manipulative words used by the powers to be as (manipulative) triggers for a certain generation of folks.

People have been so brainwashed in the past to react to them. Its just embarrassing.

As a result, the political map is all over the place now. The Right love leftist things, and the Left loves the stuff the right used to love. You have both sides draped themselves in the American flag, professing to love the country while beating themselves up, for the country's sake.

When you have a two-party system, created a couple of hundred years ago, being used in 2023; it just doesn't work anymore.
 
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Anachronistic terms like communism, socialism, democracy, the free market, Big Gov't and capitalism -- are just about the most manipulative words used by the powers to be as (manipulative) triggers for a certain generation of folks.

People have been so brainwashed in the past to react to them. Its just embarrassing.

As a result, the political map is all over the place now. The Right love leftist things, and the Left loves the stuff the right used to love. You have both sides draped themselves in the American flag, professing to love the country while beating themselves up, for the country's sake.

When you have a two-party system, created a couple of hundred years ago, being used in 2023; it just doesn't work anymore.
Agree but what’s the answer?
 
Agree but what’s the answer?
Breakup the duopoly of the political system; reverse Citizen's United; increase taxes (on the wealthy and corporation loopholes); and reduce government spending; at least implement a non-politically, rationally driven military spending agenda.)

Failing any of that, you will just see a gradual decline of what was once a great country. It happened to the Brits -- from owning an empire that ruled 1/3 of the world to being one of 30+ states (within a union)—all within a 30-year span.

The national debt isn't there yet -- but when it creeps closer to 150% of GDP, it will start to take a huge tumble.

Cant afford to fund or get into foreign conflicts anymore -- why spend money on destroying things when that same money can be spent rebuilding things domestically?

Diplomacy and compromise are much cheaper and more cost effective approaches. Not everything can be sorted out with the fist.

Besides, name me one conflict in the last 50 years that was a success -- great at funding or starting wars but terrible at winning or ending them.

Surely after 70+ years after the last 'win' and all the trillions wasted -- whether it be actual wars to faux wars like on drugs ... with little to show for, there has to be some lessons learned?

People either are cursed/blessed with such short term memories; are not smart enough to think, or are being manipulated by powerful forces that they cannot figure out another approach? Divide and conquer has been the operative approach domestically for decades.

Trillions & trillions of dollars have been pissed away by politicians, who ultimately are doing it to enrich themselves (financially or politically) on both sides of the aisle.

All that money could have been spent domestically instead. And those trigger words are still being used, which only means that people are not ready for change.

Stuck like some rat in a wheel.
 
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Hey make sure you tell our socialist government you don’t want that socialist Medicare coverage nor the socialist Social Security check. And make sure you tell them not to send federal dollars to your state to build roads nor bring FEMA in when your Republican governor declares a state of emergency and asks for help from the socialist federal government.
Deal. Can I keep my federal tax dollars now?
 
Very true but invariably Democrats view of the country falls far greater than Republicans when the opposing party is in power.

They are essentially overly emotive children who pout when they don’t get their way.

You won't name the cities because it never happened.
Hey DANC. How about last week in Idaho when the Utah women’s team had to switch hotels due to the racist slurs being hurled at them by the locals who didn’t like folks of color staying in their city. Coeur d’ Alene. How about that. I named a city. Of course you’ll say it never happened.
 
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Hey make sure you tell our socialist government you don’t want that socialist Medicare coverage nor the socialist Social Security check. And make sure you tell them not to send federal dollars to your state to build roads nor bring FEMA in when your Republican governor declares a state of emergency and asks for help from the socialist federal government. Republicans used to play the communist card. Now the fear motivator is socialism.
I’d take all of that socialism over the dictatorship we’re drifting toward. Elect the Donald and he would never leave office as that’s what dictators do. And speak out about his government and you end up in jail. Don’t think it can’t happen.
In the recent SCOTUS oral arguments regarding the abortion pill, Alito and Thomas both brought up the Comstock Act of the 1800’s. Likely condoms along with the birth control pill would be against the law to ship across state lines. And it doesn’t stop there as we’ve seen in Alabama. These people want to take us back to the Puritan era.
Oh and regarding equality and tolerance, might want to read your bible. Believe the New Testament speakers to that. And what is exactly wrong with equality and tolerance? Of course if your privileged by the color of your skin I could see why the equality thing might be a problem for you.
The Bible has some good stories in it & some good lessons. I certainly don’t subscribe to Christianity, so your preaching is lost on me. What a discombobulated rant though, aside from numerous grammatical errors…..
 
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The Bible has some good stories in it & some good lessons. I certainly don’t subscribe to Christianity, so your preaching is lost on me. What a discombobulated rant though, aside from numerous grammatical errors…..
Wow. One reference to the Bible and I’m preaching. Whether you’re Christian or not is irrelevant. The Bible is a pretty good guideline on how we as people should treat others. Yeah the Ten Commandments have no relevance. Don’t murder, lie, steal, commit adultery. Yeah some good lessons. If my preaching, discombobulating and grammar bother you, just put me on ignore.
 
Hey make sure you tell our socialist government you don’t want that socialist Medicare coverage nor the socialist Social Security check. And make sure you tell them not to send federal dollars to your state to build roads nor bring FEMA in when your Republican governor declares a state of emergency and asks for help from the socialist federal government. Republicans used to play the communist card. Now the fear motivator is socialism.
I’d take all of that socialism over the dictatorship we’re drifting toward. Elect the Donald and he would never leave office as that’s what dictators do. And speak out about his government and you end up in jail. Don’t think it can’t happen.
In the recent SCOTUS oral arguments regarding the abortion pill, Alito and Thomas both brought up the Comstock Act of the 1800’s. Likely condoms along with the birth control pill would be against the law to ship across state lines. And it doesn’t stop there as we’ve seen in Alabama. These people want to take us back to the Puritan era.
Oh and regarding equality and tolerance, might want to read your bible. Believe the New Testament speakers to that. And what is exactly wrong with equality and tolerance? Of course if your privileged by the color of your skin I could see why the equality thing might be a problem for you.
Only dupes like you don't realize that the government pays you far less in SS and Medicare payments than if you'd taken that money and invested it.

We pay taxes for roads and FEMA, genius. Those aren't socialist programs, taking money from one group to give to another.

Your talking points are pathetic.
 
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Only dupes like you don't realize that the government pays you far less in SS and Medicare payments than if you'd taken that money and invested it.

We pay taxes for roads and FEMA, genius. Those aren't socialist programs, taking money from one group to give to another.

Your talking points are pathetic.
If we had taken GWB’s idea and semi privatized SS in 2007. See below:

DJIA 2007 average: 13,178

DJIA 3/27/2024 closing price: 39,760
 
Hey DANC. How about last week in Idaho when the Utah women’s team had to switch hotels due to the racist slurs being hurled at them by the locals who didn’t like folks of color staying in their city. Coeur d’ Alene. How about that. I named a city. Of course you’ll say it never happened.

What's your point?
 
What's your point?
Seems that your point to Will is that everyone loves each other and there is no racism in the US. Seen it first hand as my brother in law is black. Hear it regularly here in Southwest Florida. We here in the US are not unique to racism. It happens in every country worldwide. It’s ok to acknowledge and fight it at every opportunity.
 
Seems that your point to Will is that everyone loves each other and there is no racism in the US. Seen it first hand as my brother in law is black. Hear it regularly here in Southwest Florida. We here in the US are not unique to racism. It happens in every country worldwide. It’s ok to acknowledge and fight it at every opportunity.
What a bizarre interpretation.

I said he's a liar. Nothing to do with racism. If he wants to prove what he claims, just give the cities.
 
The sad thing about your liar comment is it's 2024 and there are still people yelling ni****, ni****, ni**** and still hanging black people. Yeah, we live in a racist society.
 
Breakup the duopoly of the political system; reverse Citizen's United; increase taxes (on the wealthy and corporation loopholes); and reduce government spending; at least implement a non-politically, rationally driven military spending agenda.)

Failing any of that, you will just see a gradual decline of what was once a great country. It happened to the Brits -- from owning an empire that ruled 1/3 of the world to being one of 30+ states (within a union)—all within a 30-year span.

The national debt isn't there yet -- but when it creeps closer to 150% of GDP, it will start to take a huge tumble.

Cant afford to fund or get into foreign conflicts anymore -- why spend money on destroying things when that same money can be spent rebuilding things domestically?

Diplomacy and compromise are much cheaper and more cost effective approaches. Not everything can be sorted out with the fist.

Besides, name me one conflict in the last 50 years that was a success -- great at funding or starting wars but terrible at winning or ending them.

Surely after 70+ years after the last 'win' and all the trillions wasted -- whether it be actual wars to faux wars like on drugs ... with little to show for, there has to be some lessons learned?

People either are cursed/blessed with such short term memories; are not smart enough to think, or are being manipulated by powerful forces that they cannot figure out another approach? Divide and conquer has been the operative approach domestically for decades.

Trillions & trillions of dollars have been pissed away by politicians, who ultimately are doing it to enrich themselves (financially or politically) on both sides of the aisle.

All that money could have been spent domestically instead. And those trigger words are still being used, which only means that people are not ready for change.

Stuck like some rat in a wheel.
I don’t think we have a structural problem. We have a people problem. We have too many members of congress who are low achieving power hungry, corrupt, extreme ideologues, or just simple morons. The Deep State is pretty much the same. Nobody gives a rats ass about what’s good for the country, it’s all about personal power, influence and control. And this is at all levels of government, and is even worse at the local levels.
 
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