We need a new super power?

[KAWFEEEE!]

Recently, in a discussion, the question came up "Are we (America) still the best country to live in?" I tried to post a reply, but 6s would not accept my verbosity, so I said that I'd post it on my site.

Face it, there will always be a super power to lead the world. If not the yanks, then who? Is there a better choice? Read this. You may be
surprised, but will be hard pressed to disagree.

From: Vice Verses, a Book of Rhymin' Crime. A must read for all patriots.

http://jguevaranovels.com/we-need-a-new-super-power/

Pot's on... KAWFEEE!

[KAWFEEEE!]

@davies "...there are a couple of things I have always struggled with in USA culture." Only a couple?

@gita "Go live for a few years in Denmark, New Zealand and Fiji. Then come back and tell me.... ." ROTF Maybe someone here can tell you why that's funny. Yeah, you're right, I guess I haven't lived around the world enough. :) However, where did I say I believed there's a need...? No one detests nationalism more than I do (I carry a Global Citizen passport, which reminds me, I need to get a fold out, there are no more blank pages left for visa stamps). Did you read the link, BTW? Funny you should mention New Zealand.

Gawd, folks, it was just a piece of humor to lighten up this place a little. I'm KAWFEEE for crissake. That's what I do.

Pot's on(but gettin' cold)... KAWFEEE!

[Joseph Lupoli]

I've spent time in countries with extreme governments, such as China, Israel, Egypt, Angola, and Somalia, and some radical and unstable islands. I'm also fed up the warrior mentality.

[jkdavies]

Ok Joe, from the outside there are a couple of things I have always struggled with in USA culture. I do know that they are now present in many cultures, and probably always have been, but I guess I see them as typically american because that's where I first came across the attitudes below:-

1. The acceptance/promotion of ignorance/lack of education. Somewhere along the line the fine value of tolerance of people that had less education seemed to mutate into an active distrust of people that did have it; it seemed to become acceptable to equate ignorance with honesty and education/intelligence with the trickery of a "fancy pants trying to pull the wool over the eyes of good honest folks"

2. The "everyone's a victim" culture. From Jerry/Oprah talkshows to media exposés of celebrities/serial killers, everyone has an excuse. I'm not saying there aren't reasons why a person has particular character traits, or that they aren't partially a result of the experiences they have had, but that negates a persons own responsibility. Not every abused kid becomes a killer; not every spoilt rich kid feels the need to live their life in the full media glare as they go about finding love for the umpteenth time... We all have a responsibility to ourselves not to become a victim.

Um... like I said, these things are not exclusively american; and I am certainly ignorant of the Entitlement Programmes you refer to. I never really noticed media censorship in the US - but can't believe it is worse or more invidious than in China?

I'll let my personal prejudices show now - I do not live in my home country but in Germany, and I think it's great. It has a more family & community minded culture, but also, after the last few years, more tolerance for different people. It makes it easy for me to live here - the cities and towns are clean and well kept and generally people are interested that you are a foreigner rather than resentful. There have been a couple of things that I have had to just get adjusted to where they differ from my original culture (neighbourly intrusions vs Englishman's home = castle). And in the last 5 or so years, particularly after they hosted the last world cup, "ordinary" Germans are beginning to be proud of their nation again. There are of course still some far right thinkers but there is almost everwhere I guess. This is not a bid for Germany as a superpower - I still think we don't need them!

[Joseph Lupoli]

Here's my take on some of what needs fixing in America--before it's too late:

The mainstream American news media falls all over itself trying to be politically correct (which is now the far left). Crime statistics have been withheld since 2005, as to not offend the left wing, and selective and double standard crime reporting (particularly violent crime), is now the norm. Media censorship is a major pet peeve I have about The U.S.

Another thing that bothers me are certain "entitlement programs" the government has forced non-recipient working class Americans to pay the bill for the last forty-plus-years. Many of these programs were necessary in the short run, but they become disastrous once they outlived their intended use. "Entitlement Programs" barely trickle down the elderly and legitimately handicapped. Instead, they "reward" mothers/children with absentee fathers and under qualified collage students and members of the work force, thereby promoting scams and violent crime and causing the general "dummying down" of America, making us the laughing stock of the world. Lyndon B. Johnson implemented his Great Society perhaps with good intentions, but a trillion dollars later the plan proved beyond doubt a complete and utter failure. Also, the first amendment is a joke: encouraged to be exploited by some, but off limits to others.

Nevertheless, I believe America is still the best country in the world to live in-- but for how much longer is anyone's guess.

[jkdavies]

I did... but from my experience I think people are more concerned by things going on on their doorstep. Yes there is more awareness of globalisation than earlier in history, but in my opinion people still don't much care about others far away when they have problems close at hand.
For example, I have no idea who is in charge in Kentucky, and it will affect me only peripherally whoever wins in the presumably upcoming election. But it's a lot more important to DD.
Again, my view is that people who think their nation is a superpower (and therefore have the "right" to interfere with others nations etc) are the ones with the problems. Unfortunately, there's a lot of people like that and a good chunk of them will no doubt go into politics...

[KAWFEEEE!]

@dd, you can't be serious. ::)) Maybe if Gatewood wins gov election.
@sissy, glad you got a charge out of it.
@davies. what would it take to convince you that 7000 yrs of history has not? Did you read it?

[Joe Gensle]

Read the link and it was a laugher! On a seriouser note, tho', you missed the answer and I know it. But don't tell anyone, okay? Shhhh! I'll put it into secret code for you.

Think about it. Fast horses.... Good corn liquor.... Fine wimmen!

[jkdavies]

not convinced that there will always be a super power... there will always be an ebb and flow in the power of nations/cultures/idealogies but the world is too big a place for there to be only one in my opinion...

[Sissy Anderson]

Just read the entire rhyme through, fabulous!