Freak’s from MN. I doubt the Swedish weather will bother him much
When it comes to systems of government I do not believe that the US has the best system, or one that is particularly efficient. I would be much happier if the Reform and Green and Libertarian parties had viable candidates. I’d be MUCH happier if elections weren’t decided a year before the polls actually opened. It would be nice if political parties and their candidates had to pay their own way into office and not rely on ADM, NRA, NEA, or any other lobby.
College should be free, or at least heavily subsidized; no parent should have to file bancruptcy because their little girl needs a liver; government should spend at least as much on drug and alcohol treatment as they do prisons; and at least as much on education as the military.
OTOH…was it 60% of the population who voted in the last presidential election? 70%? As they say, you get what you pay for.
Yeah, I can see it now. Freaky and Oldscratch paddling their way to Cuba… I’ll bet we could get the Miami relatives to give you a proper send off by breaking a bottle of Corona against your pointy little head…
Snivel, do you actually think what you’re writing is funny? Or are you laughing at the walls? Because I can’t decide whether you’re crazy or just stupid. Please enlighten me, what makes you tick? Or talk, for that matter.
Usually it’s the things that you don’t even know that you don’t know that will get you. The freakazoidal one seems to have vast swaths of that. A rebel without a clue. But he doesn’t appear to be quite brain dead, so there’s hope.
Right. Buckle up, peach fuzz.
Holdit, holdit, woah big fella, back up that horse right now. Would you care to take another stab at that one? As far as I can tell, we are rich because:
We have a huge contiguous territory dripping with natural resources that we’ve been developing for a few hundred years.
We are the most open market capitalist country in the world with a well established rule of law.
We work our asses off.
We bad.
So it looks to me like we got a lucky break a couple hundred years ago and we’ve been busting ass to take advantage of it ever since. Considering the fact that both major losers of WWII have bounced back and are currently among the G7 big doggies, I’m not seeing how the war is a major factor in our wealth as a nation.
BZZZZZZZZZZT! Aw, geez. There goes the old bullshit detector again. Didn’t have much play in WWII??? Oh yeah. Read some fucking history and maybe we’ll chat, you smug little black hole of igorance. That event horizon has got to be a little tight around the collar.
Wait, I take it back. I know why you’re moving to Sweden. It’s one of them dreamy long legged pretty blonde scandahoovians. Now that I can understand. Go on, admit it, you walking foreskin. A slave to your tallywhacker. Hey, it’s a lifestyle. Webcam, anyone?
Oh yeah, help me out, wasn’t Sweden one of those carefully neutral countries that oh so conveniently sold strategic material to the Nazis? Kinda gives a new twist to the phrase ‘making a killing’. But that’s OK. They are all angels and we are the antichrist. Well, actually we are the antichrist with 5000 MIRVed ICBMs, but who’s counting.
Have you checked the tax rate there yet? I hope you weren’t attached to the idea of keeping what you earned. You know, the clams that you went out and sweated for, the opportunities you created and then seized. Most of which will be sliced away by the carrion dripping beak of of some fat bureaucratic vulture. Figure you will donate about 2/3 of your pay toward the common good. Is that good? Not to me, twinkles.
But I’m not really down on Sweden. It’s a fine place full of mostly nice people. And I’ll be the first to admit there are plenty of problems with the good old stars and stripes. But I’m not about to cut and run. I’m going to stick around and help strap some more baling wire around the cracks.
Hope ya like winter sports. Pack the woolies and wellies. Luck. Write. Hasta.
I guess what’s funniest, freakmeister, is you-and I don’t mean that in a bad* way. At 19, you’ve got an incredibly short historical perspective; what basis of comparison could you possibly have that would justify your hate? The reasons you gave are examples of diverse ideologies, all existing within the same country. We are not a bunch of automatrons here; there is something for anybody and everybody who wants to get involved, who wants to actively support whatever they are passionate about. And if that something doesn’t already exist, you are free to start it.
I doubt you will find that opportunity in any socialist country. If you are expecting your move to Sweden to provide you with utopia, you most assuredly are in for a big disappointment. You’ll find more than a few circumstances not to your liking, and without an opportunity or means to change them. You are the one who will have to conform. Remember, wherever you go, you’ll have to take Freak Freely with you.
Hate it and want to see changes? Get involved. Make your voice heard. Start your own party. The system is the way it is because most folks don’t want to rock the boat, because rocking that boat is hard to do. It’s been this way for a long time but that doesn’t mean you can’t make changes. It just means you have your work cut out for you.
Do what I have done. Start small. Get involved in your own community council. Then move up from there. You can’t rock the boat if you aren’t in it. Or at least near it. Don’t be one of those that just sits on the side-lines but never really gets out there and works to see change.
For what it’s worth: I’ve seen changes on my own street because of my involvement. Change IS possible, but you can’t do it sitting back and watching TV. You have to get your butt up and get your brain in gear and fight for what you want and make compromises where you have to.
You want to move to Sweden. Hey, that’s great, if that is really where you want to be. But just be aware that over 50 percent of their wages go to support the programs that they have in place. If you are okay with that, than, okay. But I don’t really like to hear someone bash America when they have no intention of trying to make it better. Rail against us all you like but if you aren’t out there, working to make it better, I don’t really have much to say to you.
Yes, Sweden has some very great socialistic type programs in place; but someone is paying for that. Guess who? Their people do. Just like here in America. Actually, they pay more and get more. I don’t think our system is bad or wrong I just think we desperately need to get more people involved in it so we can work things to the very best for all. I’m looking for as many win-win situations as I can. I have no intention of ever living anywhere but here so I’m willing to work to see it become the place I would like it to be. If you want to bail, hey, that’s your choice.
And I’m not seeing your logic. Look, it’s as simple as this: After WWII most of the industries in europe were desolate. So many of the european countries had to loan money from us so they could buy our stuff.
Well, if you’d “read some history” yourself you’d see that Uncle Sam didn’t get involved until near the end of the war, when it was pretty much over anyway. We didn’t step in when jews started getting killed. We didn’t step in when Germany started invading everyone around them. We only stepped in when the Japanese attacked us, and we declared war against them. Which forced Germany to declare war against us. And there’s even some reason to believe that Roosevelt intentionally left us wide open for the Japanese, in the hopes that the Japanese bombing us would cause the American public to get real pissed off, and thereby get us involved in the terrible shit going on in Europe. But I’m digressing.
Short version: They never attacked us, and we didn’t attack them until the Japanese attacked us. Then, when it was over, we loaned them our money, and sold them our Spam.
Hey! The fact that I’m a walking foreskin and a slave to my tallywhacker are only two of the reasons I’m going!
Actually, the reason I’m going is because I’m very much in love with that pretty blonde swede. Granted, I probably wouldn’t be moving if it weren’t for her. In fact, I’d rather stay and help change this country than just pick up my bags and split. I think this country is heading in the right direction, and it has a lot of potential. But from what I’ve seen, I’ll probably enjoy life in Sweden. It’s a great country. And I think we could learn a lot from them.
What? I’m pretty sure that’s bullshit dude. I don’t know if they were neutral, but I’m sure they didn’t sell materials to the Nazis.
And as far as the tax situation, I think I’ve covered that quite well enough already.
Canada is at war with the U.S.? When did this happen? It could only be a war of words cuz America could kick Canada’s ass before lunch on any day.
Some uppity fucking Canadians were probably spouting off why Canada is better the the good old U S of A I bet. Probably quoting statistics, telling Americans about their superior health care, welfare, educations, and much lower crime rates too. Those fucking socialists to the north are against Americans right to bear arms. They think we should get with the rest of the planet and use that incomprehensible metric bullshit. Don’t they know that it is every man’s right to own a gun? What a bunch of assholes… don’t they know that America is the best country in the world to live in and there is nothing better to be than an American?
Just to clarify things… I am one of those uppity fucking Canucks and proud of it. I have nothing against any uppity fucking Americans who are going to baste my pasty white ass by telling me how great America is… patriotism is a good thing on either side of the border. It is those who take it too far that chap my ass. It’s like a “who’s got the biggest dick contest”. I will always tell you that mine is bigger and if you can’t convert metric how can you tell if I am lying?
Byzantine- Could you get off the soap box? I need to use it for a second.
I know, I’m very active. Possibly too much. One of the things I’m most sorry about is that I’ll be leaving before I get a chance to vote for the first time. I was really looking forward to it.
I think one of the main problems with this country is that the liberals aren’t active enough. I mean, if everyone voted, we would see a lot of changes. And the saddest thing about it is that most of those non-voters are on my side. Unfortunately, most of the people in the lower-class don’t vote because they think it’s beyond hope. They think they can’t make a difference. Whereas the people of a more conservative persuasion tend to be much more rabid about their beliefs (props to UncaBeer!).
It’s really kinda sad.
I have every intent to make it better. Like I said, I’ll be back…
capacitor- Ummmm, maybe you should check your facts…
Sneevil- Wow! An intelligent, well thought-out response from the Sniveller! Of course, you’re completely wrong, but still, you’re getting there. You’ve moved up a notch in my book. Now ditch Rush Limbaugh and I might even take you seriously.
Feynn- Well it’s about time a canuck stepped in! You cracked me up with that post. Good to meecha!
“Byzantine- Could you get off the soap box? I need to use it for a second.”
Wasn’t aware I was on it. But if you need to get up a few feet higher to scream than go ahead. You can even use my sixteen-foot ladder if you think it will help.
What exactly are you attacking me about? That you agree with me? That we need more involvement from those you think agree with you but don’t vote? If that’s what you think, then get your ass out there and show them how their vote DOES count. Because it does. Hitler got control of the Nazi party by ONE vote.
So, if you, or anyone else, thinks that their vote doesn’t count; it does. It counts very much. If you don’t like the way things are no one is going to change them to suit you. YOU have to get involved.
Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to take that soap box back. But I think we are talking about the same thing. If you want to try to flame me some more, than be my guest. Here, here’s a flame thrower if you think it might help.
Sugar, you say that you are involved… okay, fine. But you are nineteen? You’ve been eligible to vote for one year and already you want to leave here for Switzerland? But you will come back? I’m sorry, I’m not flaming YOU but I don’t understand what you are so bent about.
If you are really involved you know how hard it is to change things and that revolution doesn’t happen overnight.
I don’t think we are arguing at all. I think we are on the same side. Let’s, both of us, put down the flame throwers and shout from that soap box:
WAKE THE FUCK UP AMERICA AND VOTE!
WE can’t do it for you.
You want changes than YOU have to make them happen.
We need to get more folks involved. More minorities participating in not only voting but in the running of government itself. I’m appalled at the fact that the vast majority of political leaders in the state of Utah are white when there is a huge percentage of the population that is anything but. It slants things to a certain view when other valid input is ignored. But I can’t force people to get involved. All I can do is reach out, show them that their voice DOES matter and that they SHOULD have a say, even if, in some regards, I don’t agree with them. I STILL want their voice. It matters to me because they make up my “community”.
I know, as an adult, that I’m not always going to get my way but I honestly want as many voices, many views, religions, creeds, races, whatever, in on the vote so that we really have what the community at large wishes. I’m saddened to no end that “white guys over thirty” seem to be running things here. It breaks my heart that we don’t have all the voices we should.
Though I should probably stress that I’m leaving because I fell in love. Not for political reasons. Were it not for her, I’d probably stay here and fight the good fight. Instead I’m going to have to do it long-distance. But I regret nothing.
soda – so, if my info is wrong, what’s the real percentage? In the US it’s around 27 percent. Roughly. That’s taking in the whole scope and averaging it. If my info is wrong, please, correct me. I really do hate to be wrong.
As overall tax burden, I do not remember exactly where sweden fits, but of the 40 “western” industrial nations it was in the top 5. USA was 39th. Turkey was 40th. Remember soda, we are talking about overall tax burden; includes sales, VAT, property, estate, etc, etc, AND income.
And, I really want to know, soda, why are you here? I appreciate that you have not engaged in gratutious USA bashing like some maroons I could name, but since Sweden is your fave, why not there?
Danielinthewolvesden – I’m wondering if you read or perused the same matter I did.
My understanding is that the USA is around 27 and Sweden is around 50. This figure includes sales, real estate and et al.
It’s a rough percent of what portion of your working dollars go into supporting the Government functions. For the “average” citizen. This, obviously, excludes the very rich and the very poor. This is mid line, taking all that into account and averaging it.
Again, if my figures are wrong, I’d appreciate someone pointing them out.
