[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by csu87

hopefully this lifts your spirits.

That's GREAT - thank you.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by csu87

hopefully this lifts your spirits.

Goddamn that is beautiful.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I spent over half of my adult life in the US Air Force, flying F4 phantoms, including a tour in Southeast Asia for the Vietnam war, even ejecting one time. I risked my life and limb so that people have the freedoms they have. On one hand, I am distressed, dismayed and even brought to tears over the majority of the comments being made in this thread. I can't believe the "haters"!! On the other hand, I am relieved to know that those freedoms still survive and people have the right to verbally trash the USA if they choose.

I choose not to. I love America - I fought for her and stand beside her. God bless America!!

I wouldn't let it get to you. The people who complain thinking this place is awful just lack perspective. They mistake not being perfect as not being a great place to live, they just have a naive view of things.

I'm all for pointing out areas where we think America could improve since, like everything, there's always room to grow and improve but yeah some of these comments are a bit ridiculous.

[FL335]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I spent over half of my adult life in the US Air Force, flying F4 phantoms, including a tour in Southeast Asia for the Vietnam war, even ejecting one time. I risked my life and limb so that people have the freedoms they have. On one hand, I am distressed, dismayed and even brought to tears over the majority of the comments being made in this thread. I can't believe the "haters"!! On the other hand, I am relieved to know that those freedoms still survive and people have the right to verbally trash the USA if they choose.

I choose not to. I love America - I fought for her and stand beside her. God bless America!!

God bless you! You said it perfectly!

[KlausPA]

Originally Posted by Duder

Also, this:

How dare you post this non-sense liberal garbage in here! The fact that we have the second amendment is why 'merica is the greatest country in the world.

[KlausPA]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I wouldn't let it get to you. The people who complain thinking this place is awful just lack perspective. They mistake not being perfect as not being a great place to live, they just have a naive view of things.

I'm all for pointing out areas where we think America could improve since, like everything, there's always room to grow and improve but yeah some of these comments are a bit ridiculous.

But it is not going to happen because we are still stuck in stupid crap like gay rights and abortion and immigration:

1- Most Americans blame the government (Republicans and/or democrats) for their failures.

2- Most Americans are not opened to the possibility of constructive criticism.

3- Most Americans have this false sense of nationalism that makes them believe that supporting the troops and having a kick-ass military makes us invincible.

4- Most Americans do not have a sense of social responsibility because "it is damn too close to a socialism like Cuba".

5- Nascar is not a sport!

[KlausPA]

Originally Posted by FL335

God bless you! You said it perfectly!

And Allah too. Allah blesses America too.

[KlausPA]

Originally Posted by Whostheboss

But when everything is considered. US still wins.

What is "everything" to you?

Education? We are not the greatest.
Freedom? We are not the only one and other countries have more freedom.
Opportunity? We are not the only one.
Environmental? We are not the greatest
Economy? We are not the biggest or strongest anymore.

It is sad to hear people comparing the US with Greece or a third world country. Even China is kicking our asses by manipulating their currency, hacking the crap out of us and selling us useless cheap shit.

[csu87]

Originally Posted by KlausPA

But it is not going to happen because we are still stuck in stupid crap like gay rights and abortion and immigration:

1- Most Americans blame the government (Republicans and/or democrats) for their failures.

2- Most Americans are not opened to the possibility of constructive criticism.

3- Most Americans have this false sense of nationalism that makes them believe that supporting the troops and having a kick-ass military makes us invincible.

4- Most Americans do not have a sense of social responsibility because "it is damn too close to a socialism like Cuba".

5- Nascar is not a sport!

First of all, I blame you for everything I have failed at. Second, Ill kick your ass. Third, these guys look like athletes to me?

[schoy]

Originally Posted by KlausPA

What is "everything" to you?

Education? We are not the greatest.
Freedom? We are not the only one and other countries have more freedom.
Opportunity? We are not the only one.
Environmental? We are not the greatest
Economy? We are not the biggest or strongest anymore.

It is sad to hear people comparing the US with Greece or a third world country. Even China is kicking our asses by manipulating their currency, hacking the crap out of us and selling us useless cheap shit.

No one said that the US is the greatest in everything. What is being posited is that the US is the best country to live in, taking everything into account. The proper method of determining whether a nation is the "greatest" is a nation that ranks consistently high in favorable categories and consistently low in unfavorable categories, with each category weighted as to relative importance. Important categories might include the size of the economy, worker productivity, quality of the education system, contributions to scientific research, charitable contributions, economic freedom and median income.

I surmise (without actually doing the research) that the U.S. ranks highly in each of these categories -- maybe not the best, but high enough. Note also that the U.S. ranks No. 1 in a category that speaks to the U.S. standing among the nations: net migration (http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/indi....NETM/rankings). More people come to the U.S. than to any other country.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by KlausPA

But it is not going to happen because we are still stuck in stupid crap like gay rights and abortion and immigration:

1- Most Americans blame the government (Republicans and/or democrats) for their failures.

2- Most Americans are not opened to the possibility of constructive criticism.

3- Most Americans have this false sense of nationalism that makes them believe that supporting the troops and having a kick-ass military makes us invincible.

4- Most Americans do not have a sense of social responsibility because "it is damn too close to a socialism like Cuba".

5- Nascar is not a sport!

I think most of those critiques are anecdotal at best.

[someguywithanm3]

Originally Posted by csu87

hopefully this lifts your spirits.

Why is he carrying something that looks like a Russian made RPG?

[LHR]

Originally Posted by KlausPA

3- Most Americans have this false sense of nationalism that makes them believe that supporting the troops and having a kick-ass military makes us invincible.

It's pretty damn close.

[einbruch10]

Originally Posted by someguywithanm3

Why is he carrying something that looks like a Russian made RPG?

its all that was available during the revolution.

[LHR]

Originally Posted by Duder

one of the main reasons why america is horrible is the effing electoral college. does anyone here know how it really works? do you know that your vote really means nothing when you vote? this country has done an amazing job of making us feel like we have a voice and have a say, when in reality we dont. the fact that this place has a system where a president can become president with as little as 22% of the actual popular vote is insanity. the sad thing is that most people don't even know we have a system like this. even more sad, is that most people don't even know what the electoral college is! let me explain with this video:

and just because i have a problem with this system doesn't mean i should just leave then. we all need to fight to make a change. i have so many problems with this country. so many! but i'm not going to just up and leave because of those problems. that's not the way to deal with not liking things.

I'm curious to know how many presidential elections were won with only 22% of the popular vote.

[LHR]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

God you make me so glad I left Jersey.

I'm sure a lot of folks are glad you left also. lol

[csu87]

Originally Posted by someguywithanm3

Why is he carrying something that looks like a Russian made RPG?

[FogCityM3]

You do understand that the Chinese Yuan is pegged to the US dollar through a "soft peg" which is why they buy and sell our treasuries in order to manage their currency? If China's currency had to float, it would rise dramatically and their goods would no longer be cheap. The peg exists for the sole reason of the US and Europe being the largest consumers of their goods. Chinese GDP is highly dependent upon the economic health of the US and Europe. Sounds like a one-legged "ass kicking" contest to me.

Originally Posted by KlausPA

What is "everything" to you?

Education? We are not the greatest.
Freedom? We are not the only one and other countries have more freedom.
Opportunity? We are not the only one.
Environmental? We are not the greatest
Economy? We are not the biggest or strongest anymore.

It is sad to hear people comparing the US with Greece or a third world country. Even China is kicking our asses by manipulating their currency, hacking the crap out of us and selling us useless cheap shit.

[bbbbmw]

Originally Posted by KlausPA

That is because it is impossible grade a country over others. Each country has a virtue and special characteristic that makes it unique and attractive over others but in general no country is the greatest in the whole world. Add the fact that each person is looking for different things from a country... Some people give the weather more importance than available services, others prefer public services over employment opportunities, others are looking for education, etc...

Most Americans cannot understand this simple concept. To the majority America is the shit and if you don't like it then get out! It seems like confronting the harsh reality that America cannot be the greatest country in the world hurts more than seeing the homeless kids roaming around our nation's capital.

Dude - you're the one who started this thread with the question "USA the greatest country in the world... Why?" So I guess this whole thread was your attempt at trolling?

[bbbbmw]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Are you suggesting that if it weren't for the CRA that the recession would've never happened?

6% of all loans given in the lead up to the housing market crash were given to low income borrowers. Not exactly a startling number.

Plus statistically speaking, low income borrowers are actually less likely than other borrowers to default. That study surprised me when I read it.

But back to my point, no it's not a "significant risk" to the economy. Can't really point to a single point of contention and say "blame that" with something as complicated as this. There are a few factors, off the top of my head:

1. Artificially low interest rates set by the Fed caused easy money despite the fact the economy was booming. The uptick in loans should've caused an increase in interest rates, it didn't.
2. Lacks lending rules. People putting down 3% on a home? Ridiculous. Once the market crashed these people were so ridiculously upside down in their homes. Lose your job and want to move to an area with a better job market? Chances are you couldn't because you were so upside down in your home.
3. Credit default swaps (CDS). These were an insurance tool created by AIG but, through loopholes wasn't legally considered insurance so they didn't have to follow as many rules and regulations in its sale and distribution. CDS's were sold to banks promising to cover losses in the event a borrower defaults. This only helped in the explosion of loans. AIG made a killing off these but like any type of insurance policy, if all of your policyholders file a claim at the same time, you won't have the cash on hand to pay them out. The market crashes...guess who was one of the first in line asking for a bailout?
4. Due to inflation fears (fears that never came to fruition), many investors looked at the oil futures market as a good hedge against inflation causing gas prices to skyrocket. That just made the recession even worse.

There's others I'm sure I'm missing but those were some contributing factors.

My point was that the CRA started it - but you are right (and as the video said) it was loose lending rules that was a major factor, and it's what the Bush Administration and others repeatedly warned Congress.

Not sure where your stats are coming from? I read that 6% of the defaulted loans came from the CRA, but certainly more than 6% of the defaults came from low-income borrowers. The regulations encouraged loans with no documentation, no money down, easy HELOC's, and more - it all added up, but the ones that defaulted were largely loans that gave unqualified people mortgages because they couldn't afford mortgages through normal routes.

[bbbbmw]

Originally Posted by Duder

one of the main reasons why america is horrible is the effing electoral college. does anyone here know how it really works? do you know that your vote really means nothing when you vote? this country has done an amazing job of making us feel like we have a voice and have a say, when in reality we dont. the fact that this place has a system where a president can become president with as little as 22% of the actual popular vote is insanity. the sad thing is that most people don't even know we have a system like this. even more sad, is that most people don't even know what the electoral college is! let me explain with this video:

and just because i have a problem with this system doesn't mean i should just leave then. we all need to fight to make a change. i have so many problems with this country. so many! but i'm not going to just up and leave because of those problems. that's not the way to deal with not liking things.

Well clearly you also have problems with capital letters and punctuation... The Electoral College was established for a reason. Without it, all politicians would only campaign in NY and CA, due to the volume of population in those two states. With the EC, politicians must appeal to voters in many more (if not all) states.

[Duder]

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

Well clearly you also have problems with capital letters and punctuation... The Electoral College was established for a reason. Without it, all politicians would only campaign in NY and CA, due to the volume of population in those two states. With the EC, politicians must appeal to voters in many more (if not all) states.

really? what are you, 12? give me a break with the capital letters and punctuation. i love when people get all grammar police online. it's so childish. i'm not writing a college paper here. give me a break. i could not care less about holding my shift key to put a capital letter after every period on some online forum. and clearly you know nothing about the electoral college and how it works because if you did you'd realize, just like what this video clearly points out, that it's completely outdated and in it's current form, actually does more harm than good as far as appealing to voters. watch the video, learn how it works, and then tell me you still feel that same way. this guy is not one-sided about this. it's simply an educational video explaining how it works. it may seem one-sided because it's so obviously ridiculous in the way it works and why we still use it, but at the end of the day it's just a straight educational video giving you the actual facts on hw the system works. as it is now, they only campaign in the states where they know they need electoral college votes. they don't care about the citizens. that's the problem with this system. it doesn't allow for candidates to appeal to citizens. it allows candidates (politicians) to appeal to other politicians. like this shows you, if worked the way it allows, you can become president with only 22% of the popular vote. you're ok with a system that allows for someone to win with 22% of the citizens votes? you would be ok with your favorite basketball team losing even though they scored 78 points and the team that scored 22 points won? give me a break. it's outdated for one, and two, it was set up to begin with because the government didn't trust US to make an informed decision! the attitude behind it was, lets make them think they have a say, but really..... we're still gonna control things because we don't trust them to make the right decision. if anything, this system is COMPLETELY un-american!

AND with all that being said, if this system really worked, we wouldn't have had 3 or 4 (can't remember but i think maybe 4) presidents become president in this country without the popular vote. end of story. can't deny that. it's fact. one of which being Bush. Al Gore actually won the popular vote by about a half million votes. but bush won the electoral vote 271 to 266. and he still became president even though the COUNTRY decided they wanted Gore. you're ok with that? he won the electoral college vote, but not the popular vote. you're seriously ok with that? you're ok with a system that makes YOUR vote meaningless? that's unreal to me..... you'd rather sit online being a grammar police than educate yourself on things like this. that's sad, and that's not helping this country move forward.