The Truth about America

[okraslayer]

Originally Posted by Captain_Fantasy

Noam Chomsky and Ayn Rand are in the same category for me:
Intriguing political views until I graduated from college.

was never a fan of Rand, had to read her works during feminist studies bit too full of herself for my tastes.. Yet chomsky dealt a good deal with my major (2nd education /social studies )

He really hit the nail on the head with his talk on purpose and culture of our education system.

I know the US education gets a good deal of flack in the recent history but lets not forget at one time this nation had the number one system in the world. TY dept of Education ...

[OldDoc]

Originally Posted by Captain_Fantasy

Noam Chomsky and Ayn Rand are in the same category for me:
Intriguing political views until I graduated from college.

Yep. Absolutists both -- they know everything and all you have to do is say yessir to them ("sir" does apply to Rand, of course!) Limbaugh is another of these.

I tend to have a pretty black-and-white view of the world, probably because I grew up in a pretty black-and-white religious environment. That does warp one's view of the world. But as the political discourse gets more and more absolutist, I'm trying to create a more balanced personal weltanschauung. Not easy when I try to understand people whose viewpoint is poisoned with raw paranoia. But I'm working on it, I'm working on it...

[12941]

The U.S. is a great country. There is no question about that.

However, the U.S. has a slew of problems, a lot of which are terrible. This, too, is true.

I think the point of the video is that the U.S. has to wake up, take a good look at the problems it faces, and not be content to view the rest of the world as second class countries.

It doesn't have to be about politics.

[douchecanoe]

Originally Posted by 12941

The U.S. is a great country. There is no question about that.

However, the U.S. has a slew of problems, a lot of which are terrible. This, too, is true.

I think the point of the video is that the U.S. has to wake up, take a good look at the problems it faces, and not be content to view the rest of the world as second class countries.

It doesn't have to be about politics.

I think if you take a look at The Newsroom S01E03, you might change your opinion... a lot of it is about politics! This is a great program!

[sebrebc]

Originally Posted by 12941

The U.S. is a great country. There is no question about that.

However, the U.S. has a slew of problems, a lot of which are terrible. This, too, is true.

I think the point of the video is that the U.S. has to wake up, take a good look at the problems it faces, and not be content to view the rest of the world as second class countries.

It doesn't have to be about politics.

I agree 100% with what you said, up until the last line.

The problems we face, by in large, ARE political.

Education: The school boards have collectively decided that no child should be left behind. Which means class curriculum is slowed down and caters to the dumbest kid in class. I know, parents don't want to admit it, but many of your kids are stupid. It's just fact. There are the average students, above average students, and the below average students...that's why there is an average. Schools and classes are designed to put focus on on the below average students, but the dumbest kid within the below average students. The teachers must put more focus on that kid, spend more time with that kid. What happens to the others? They get bored. They effectively stop learning and advancing because they have to tread water at the same speed as the weakest kid in class. Imagine it's a race, and all the kids are forced to run at the same pace as the slowest kid. How does that fucking help anybody? It helps the idiot, it helps him or her cross the finish line with the group so he or she feels good about themselves and they get a diploma and can go on and try to get the same job as the smartest kids in class. This is making the group, as a whole, dumber. It isn't finding a way to get the dumb kid smarter, it makes the smart kids dumber. That is 100% political....and it's not the only problem with schools today, it's just one of the biggest.

Manufacturing: It simply costs too much money to build things in this country when a company is rewarded for sending their jobs outside this country. Where they are free from unions, free from high wages, free from paying for health care. Not only to they save money on that front, in many cases they get tax breaks for doing so. It effects the economy, unemployment, and means we make and export fewer things.

Many of the problems this country faces is due to politics. And it's up to our political leaders to change the way things are done. We will never get back on top if we continue down the road we are on. Sure, we'll still have our freedoms (which ARE being stripped from us)...and we'll have military. But what's the point in having the biggest stick when you have no money, no education, and everybody hates you? One day someone with a bigger stick may come along...or worse yet, someone with a smaller stick but is willing to swing it relentlessly. Then what do you have?

[12941]

Originally Posted by sebrebc

I agree 100% with what you said, up until the last line.

The problems we face, by in large, ARE political.

I didn't say it wasn't political, I just said it didn't have be poltical (Us vs. Them).

[sebrebc]

Originally Posted by 12941

I didn't say it wasn't political, I just said it didn't have be poltical (Us vs. Them).

Ah, gotcha. My apologies.

[sleepneat]

Hmmm let's see:

From the network that gives us the most stupid "comedian" Bill Maher

From the network that leans heavily Left

Posted by a young college boy who admittedly hates the US, and cries about how much money he owes for HIS degree, AND doesn't even live in the US...

Excuse me while I XD

[12941]

Originally Posted by sleepneat

Excuse me while I XD

Harder!

HARDER!!


HARDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CoyoteStarrk]

Originally Posted by 12941

Harder!

HARDER!!


HARDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[i_went_poopie]

Originally Posted by sleepneat

Hmmm let's see:

From the network that gives us the most stupid "comedian" Bill Maher

From the network that leans heavily Left

Posted by a young college boy who admittedly hates the US, and cries about how much money he owes for HIS degree, AND doesn't even live in the US...

Excuse me while I XD

what else is there to say but

reps given

[Shyguy222]

Originally Posted by sleepneat

Hmmm let's see:

From the network that gives us the most stupid "comedian" Bill Maher

From the network that leans heavily Left

Posted by a young college boy who admittedly hates the US, and cries about how much money he owes for HIS degree, AND doesn't even live in the US...

Excuse me while I XD

May I present exibit B

[Shyguy222]

I don't understand how anything in this clip can really be seen as left or right since even in it, he insults both the other people.

This isn't about who has the right way to fix the country, it's about admitting that there is a bigger problem than just who is holding office. To really change everyone has to realise it and work for it. Sure government is going to be able to make it easier or harder to do but ultimately it is going to take everyone believing that the state of the country isn't good enough and that you're not the almighty that every other country actually looks to for guidance.

I care even though I'm not American because unfortunately what happens in the US does have an impact in my country and around the world. It's part of the remnants from when the statement "America is the greatest country in the world" was actually true. Not to mention I can see the country from my living room window. I grew up watching both Canadian and American news. I and many other's around the world care more than the actual American's, that's one of the bigger problems.

And referring to me as a college boy is simply a way to ignore my points, similiar to if I referred to yours as the view of an out of touch fossil.

[HoratioBrock]

Originally Posted by sleepneat

Hmmm let's see:

From the network that gives us the most stupid "comedian" Bill Maher

From the network that leans heavily Left

Posted by a young college boy who admittedly hates the US, and cries about how much money he owes for HIS degree, AND doesn't even live in the US...

Excuse me while I XD

Why is Bill Maher stupid?

[sleepneat]

Originally Posted by HoratioBrock

Why is Bill Maher stupid?

Really?

That's another XD

[sebrebc]

Originally Posted by HoratioBrock

Why is Bill Maher stupid?

Bill Maher always struck me as one of those guys who wants to sound educated and informed, yet always ends up sounding like a complete idiot, especially when he chooses the wrong guests who make him look foolish. You know, he's basically a guy who has an opinion, but usually bites off more than he can chew.

[HoratioBrock]

I don't always agree but sometimes I find him to be spot on. I think he's a lot of things but not stupid.

[12941]

Originally Posted by sebrebc

Bill Maher always struck me as one of those guys who wants to sound educated and informed, yet always ends up sounding like a complete idiot, x x x You know, he's basically a guy who has an opinion, but usually bites off more than he can chew.

Are we still talking of Maher or posters in MD?!
Hehehehehe!



I think, if he was a member, he'd fit in quite nicely.

[sleepneat]

Originally Posted by HoratioBrock

I don't always agree but sometimes I find him to be spot on. I think he's a lot of things but not stupid.

Are you writing on his racism, misogyny, and his obvious hatred of anything/anyone conservative?

Not to mention his lies and innuendo.

FWIW, I finds those who 'agree' with Limbaugh are just as naive and biased as those who agree with Maher

[HoratioBrock]

Originally Posted by sleepneat

Are you writing on his racism, misogyny, and his obvious hatred of anything/anyone conservative?

Not to mention his lies and innuendo.

FWIW, I finds those who 'agree' with Limbaugh are just as naive and biased as those who agree with Maher

Limbaugh is another one that I know isn't dumb. Don't always agree, but he isn't dumb. All of that other stuff you mention has nothing to do with his or Maher's intelligence.