[QUOTE=Israfel]
I love what I have as an American
I can be out in public without having to worry about everyone being on drugs
Not all the women are prostitutes
I’m not in a country full of hypocritical “Dutch uncles”
I don’t have a nanny government that tells me how to live my life
[/QUOTE]
In other words, you love what you don’t have as an American.
[QUOTE=Beware of Doug]
In other words, you love what you don’t have as an American.
[/QUOTE]
Well, not only that, but I happen to be rather fond of the 20-year drug possession sentences, police brutality and 80 hour work weeks. So it’s all good. No prositutes and some good ol’ fashioned beatings administered by The Man–those Dutchies don’t know what they’re missing.
Not to mention the need to drive everywhere. It builds character!
Sorry chappachula , that is a lot of them letter things put all together.
[QUOTE=Scoundrel Swanswater]
I don’t have to work more than 40 hours a week.
I am not in a constant risk of getting fired at the spot.
I love that in my country you can get an abortion without being picketed.
I love that if I get stopped by a police officer, I don’t immediately get a gun in my face and get treated like I am a dangerous, gun-wielding maniac.
I love the fact that smuggling an ounce of weed doesn’t get you 20 years in prison in my country.
In short : I am actually pretty glad that I don’t live in the States.
You guys have a lot of freedom, but not a lot of security.
[/QUOTE]
As an American, I love what I would have as a Dutchman.
And I have loved that for quite a while. I tried to live there, but could not get the needed papers (still, I did live there for a while). You say we Americans have a lot of Freedom, but we don’t have the Freedom to legally engage in prostitution–to legally (or maybe quasi-legally) smoke pot and eat psilopsybin.
There are a lot of other things that we are potentially “free to do”, but only if we get off our asses, tell the corporate interests to stuff it, and compel our lawmakers.
For example, embracing family values by having a mandated minimum of 6 weeks of vacation per year. Enjoying a healthier society, healthier economy, and better and more affordable personal health with a national healthcare system.
We have the power and the freedom and the money to do things like these, it seems we lack only the bravery and lust for life that nations such as the Netherlands have.
Note to 'Murkin Patriots who’ve gone simple: please don’t tell me to “Love It or Leave It”. I already do love it, that’s why I am for Family Values* and a stronger economy** along with a healthier populace. I already tried to leave it (at least until the country matures to the level of a Denmark, Sweden or Netherlands) but as I noted above, I was not legally able to do so.
*Enabling working individuals to spend a lot more time raising their children, strengthening their marriage, and visiting with parents and other family members.
**Greatly decreasing lost productivity in the workplace due to labor hours lost due to untreated illness.
[QUOTE=Israfel]
I love what I have as an American
I can be out in public without having to worry about everyone being on drugs
Not all the women are prostitutes
I’m not in a country full of hypocritical “Dutch uncles”
I don’t have a nanny government that tells me how to live my life
In short : I am actually pretty glad that I don’t live in the Netherlands
And of course, if anyone is going to say that my statements are silly, inaccurate or just plain dumb (either about the Netherlands or about the US by implication) well then, they’re obviously just a flag-waving nationalist. 
[/QUOTE]
Touche, touche.